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dc.contributorFaculty of Health and Social Sciencesen_US
dc.creatorWong, Kin-mei-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/6072-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic University-
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleUse of modified glove juice method to compare bacterial contamination of bare and gloved hands upon consecutive contact with objectsen_US
dcterms.abstractBackground: Most infection control studies have emphasized the methods of improving compliance and the efficacy of hand washing products. There have been few studies on the impact of the contaminated bare hand or the contaminated gloved hand on an object. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the extent of bacterial transfer from a contaminated bare hand and a contaminated gloved hand during consecutive contacts with different objects including metal plate, cloth, and paper. Methods: This experimental study had a three way factorial design. The subjects' bare and gloved hands were artificially contaminated by inoculating 0.1ml of Serratia marcescens (approximately 1.0 x 10⁷ colony-forming units). The subject touched the sterile object where there was a pressure sensor underneath for pressure measurement. Subjects were asked to touch three different types of materials: metal plate, cloth, and paper. Subjects touched the surface 8 consecutive times for each object under pre-calculated social contact pressure for two seconds. The bacterial count was determined by the modified glove juice method. Results: The results showed that bacterial counts on touched materials during the 8 consecutive contacts differed significantly (F = 211.57, p = 0.000). Type of material (F=46.38, p=0.000), type of hand (F=7.97, p=0.006) and gender (F=13.5, p=0.000) were found to significantly affect bacterial counts. A significant interaction between eight consecutive contacts and type of material was observed (F=4.16, p=0.000). However, no statistically significant interaction was observed between 8 consecutive contacts and type of hands or gender. Transfer of bacteria to different material by bare hand and gloved hand during 8 consecutive contacts was not significantly correlated with the hand contact pressure and surface area. Discussion: The low transfer rate of consecutive contacts obtained in the present study still allowed for sufficient bacteria to be transferred to exceed the minimum infective dose for a number of human pathogens. These infective doses could be transferred to the patients even if it was the eighth consecutive contact. Conclusion: The transfer of bacteria from the hands to objects played an important role in the spread of disease. This emphasized the importance of complying with standard hand hygiene recommendations prior to and following all patient contact.en_US
dcterms.extentx, 108 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2009en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Masteren_US
dcterms.educationalLevelM.Sc.en_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.LCSHInfectionen_US
dcterms.LCSHMedical microbiologyen_US
dcterms.accessRightsrestricted accessen_US

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/6072