Feature Story

June 2, 2008

Study findings show infection control intervention helps keep kids in school

From EurekAlert! - Breaking News:

A study from researchers at Children's Hospital Boston published in Pediatrics found that a simple infection control intervention in elementary schools -- disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers -- helped reduce illness-related student absenteeism.

Our research indicates that elementary schools should consider a few simple infection control practices to help keep students healthier."

The study, led by Dr. Sandora, was a randomized, controlled trial involving 285 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students in an elementary school system in Avon, Ohio.

Teachers in intervention classrooms used disinfecting wipes on student desks, and students used hand sanitizer in the classroom at key points throughout the school day.

Control classrooms followed usual hand washing and cleaning procedures.

Over eight weeks, researchers tracked the frequency of absences and the reasons for missing school.

Study investigators also tested several classroom surfaces for total bacterial counts and for the presence of several common viruses.

Researchers found absenteeism rates for gastrointestinal illnesses were nine percent lower in classrooms that followed the infection control regimen of disinfecting surfaces and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

The study suggests that schools should consider adopting simple infection control practices, including disinfecting desktops once a day and using hand sanitizer before and after lunch, to help reduce days lost to common illnesses.

The study involved a single elementary school system (classrooms located in two buildings) located in Avon, Ohio.

More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community.

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