Male commuters in north and south England: risk factors for the presence of faecal bacteria on hands

• Main Authors: Donachie Peter (Author), Cobb Emma (Author), Schmidt Wolf-Peter (Author), Dodrill Laura (Author), Curtis Valerie (Author), de Barra Mícheál (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-31; 1471-2458
• Keywords: Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: BMC Public Health, Vol 11, Iss 1, p 31 (2011)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A previous study found that the prevalence of contamination with bacteria of faecal-origin on the hands of men differed across UK cities, with a general trend of increased contamination in northern cities. The aim of this study was to (1) confirm the north-south trend (2) identify causes for the trend.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Hand swabs from commuters (n = 308) at train stations in 4 cities were tested for the presence of faecal bacteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of hand contamination with faecal bacteria was again higher in cities in the north compared to the south (5% in London, 4% in Birmingham, 10% in Liverpool and 19% in Newcastle). Contamination risk decreased with age and better personal hygiene (self-reported). Soil contact and shaking hands increased contamination with faecal bacteria. However, in multivariable analysis, none of these factors fully explained the variation in contamination across cities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study confirmed the north-south differences in faecal contamination of hands without finding a clear cause for the trend. Faecal contamination of hands was associated with personal hygiene indicators suggesting that microbiological testing may contribute to evaluating hygiene promotion campaigns.</p>