Jerusalem Handwashing Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary objective of this preschool intervention trial was to determine whether a hygiene program can promote handwashing and thereby reduce illness absenteeism.

Detailed Description
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Please see citations of published reports.

Official Title
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A Controlled Trial to Assess the Effect of a Health Promotion Intervention on Hygiene Behavior and Illness Absenteeism in Jerusalem Preschools

Conditions
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Illness Absenteeism, Handwashing Behavior

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Preschool handwashing intervention program
* Behavioral: Home component intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Preschool teachers of 3- and 4-year-old children in the state-run public system of the Jerusalem region, who were recommended by their supervisors as being likely to comply with the protocol. Exclusion Criteria: Exposure to project during testing phase (N=1 preschool), preschool which included new Ethiopian immigrants who were unlikely to have phones or speak Hebrew (N=1 preschool) Project staff knew teachers personally and thought they would not comply with protocol (N=2 teachers).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 3 Years
Maximum Age: 4 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1A<br>Preschools randomized to this group received a multicomponent intervention to improve handwashing behavior of the children. Children within the preschool intervention group were individually randomized to a home intervention or a home control intervention program. The children in this arm received the home intervention component. | Behavioral: Preschool handwashing intervention program<br>* This preschool-based intervention program used a multi-pronged approach that included elements aimed at preschool staff, children, and school nurses, as well as hygienic changes to the classroom environment.<br>Behavioral: Home component intervention<br>* The home component was intended to reinforce handwashing practices through education in the home. It consisted of a video, a magnet, and a card.<br>|
| Active Comparator: 2<br>This group did not receive any special treatment during the study, but did receive the intervention at the close of the study | Behavioral: Preschool handwashing intervention program<br>* This preschool-based intervention program used a multi-pronged approach that included elements aimed at preschool staff, children, and school nurses, as well as hygienic changes to the classroom environment.<br>|
| Experimental: 1B<br>Preschools randomized to this group received a multicomponent intervention to improve handwashing behavior of the children. Children within the preschool intervention group were individually randomized to a home intervention or a home control intervention program. The children in this arm received the home control component. | Behavioral: Preschool handwashing intervention program<br>* This preschool-based intervention program used a multi-pronged approach that included elements aimed at preschool staff, children, and school nurses, as well as hygienic changes to the classroom environment.<br>Behavioral: Home component intervention<br>* The home component was intended to reinforce handwashing practices through education in the home. It consisted of a video, a magnet, and a card.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Illness absenteeism |  | Each school day during study period | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Handwashing behavior |  | Observational visits in classrooms (3-4) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Handwashing, Randomized controlled trial, Cluster randomization, Community intervention trial, Disease prevention, Pediatric communicable disease, Preschool, Illness absenteeism