With the start of the school year, health officials in Guatemala are reinforcing the importance of hand hygiene as a simple yet effective measure to prevent the spread of illness among students. This renewed emphasis comes as the country continues to navigate the ongoing presence of various infectious diseases, including a recent outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease in the Sacatepéquez department .
Dr. Mario Rafal Sum, coordinator of the MSPAS Food and Waterborne Diseases Program, explained that many diseases spread through contaminated hands, carrying viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces the risk of these infections, many of which are transmitted via the fecal-oral route.
The MSPAS recommends two primary methods for maintaining clean hands: washing with soap and water, and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable. Washing should involve wetting hands, applying soap, and thoroughly rubbing all surfaces – palms, backs, between fingers, and under nails – for at least 20 seconds, followed by rinsing and drying with a clean towel or air. When soap and water aren’t accessible, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a concentration of 60% to 95% should be rubbed onto both hands for at least 20 seconds until dry, though this method doesn’t eliminate all microorganisms.
Health authorities emphasize the critical times for handwashing: after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose; before, during, and after preparing food; before eating; after using the bathroom or changing diapers; after touching animals or public surfaces like cell phones and handrails; and when caring for sick individuals.
This call for increased vigilance builds upon recent research highlighting the effectiveness of school-based interventions aimed at improving hand hygiene practices. A study published in assessed hand hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among primary school students in Guatemala, finding that interventions including handwashing festivals, environmental cues, and providing soap and alcohol-based hand rub led to significant improvements in students’ understanding of the role of hand hygiene in preventing disease. Specifically, knowledge of hand hygiene’s protective role increased from 84.4% to 96.5%, and the percentage of students reporting washing their hands for 20 seconds or more rose from 68.8% to 79.9%.
However, the same study also noted a slight decrease in students’ reported liking of alcohol-based hand rub after the intervention, falling from 89% to 78.5%. This suggests that while effective, the acceptability of hand sanitizers may require further consideration in intervention strategies. Teachers also played a crucial role, reporting increased hand hygiene practices and providing valuable feedback for enhancing future efforts.
Another study, published in , evaluated a similar school-based intervention, measuring both observed hand hygiene practices and hand cleanliness using the Quantitative Personal Hygiene Assessment Tool. While hand cleanliness improved, observed appropriate hand hygiene practices actually declined from 51.2% to 33.1% post-intervention. Researchers attributed this decline to factors such as fewer available assistants to supervise and changes in COVID-19 policies, highlighting the importance of sustained behavior change strategies and reliable access to hand hygiene materials.
The emphasis on hand hygiene isn’t limited to schools. The Ministry of Education is also focused on transparency in school fees, requiring private schools to issue electronic invoices for services not exempt from taxes. This includes charges for uniforms, transportation, and extracurricular activities, while registration and tuition fees remain tax-exempt but require proper documentation. This measure aims to modernize administrative practices and ensure financial accountability.
Beyond school-related concerns, authorities are also addressing public safety issues. A suspected member of the Barrio 18 gang was apprehended in Quetzaltenango after an armed attack on a bus, and volunteer firefighters responded to a fire in San Juan Ostuncalco, causing significant property damage. These incidents underscore the need for continued vigilance and security measures across the country.
Finally, health experts are reminding the public about the impact of colder temperatures on the spread of respiratory viruses. Lower temperatures can prolong the survival of viral particles on surfaces, increasing the risk of transmission. Maintaining good hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing, and staying up-to-date on vaccinations are crucial steps in protecting against these illnesses.
