Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015
Abstract Background Hand hygiene is known to be effective in preventing hospital and community-acquired infections. The increasing number of hand sanitizer brands in Kenyan hospitals and consumer outlets is of concern. Thus the main aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-bacterial efficacy and o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2017-01-01
|
| Series: | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13756-017-0174-3 |
| _version_ | 1811299059113132032 |
|---|---|
| author | Missiani Ochwoto Lucy Muita Keith Talaam Cecilia Wanjala Frank Ogeto Faith Wachira Saida Osman James Kimotho Linus Ndegwa |
| author_facet | Missiani Ochwoto Lucy Muita Keith Talaam Cecilia Wanjala Frank Ogeto Faith Wachira Saida Osman James Kimotho Linus Ndegwa |
| author_sort | Missiani Ochwoto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Hand hygiene is known to be effective in preventing hospital and community-acquired infections. The increasing number of hand sanitizer brands in Kenyan hospitals and consumer outlets is of concern. Thus the main aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-bacterial efficacy and organoleptic properties of these hand sanitizers in Kenya. Methods This was an experimental, laboratory-based study of 14 different brands of hand sanitizers (coded HS1-14) available in various retail outlets and hospitals in Kenya. Efficacy was evaluated using standard non-pathogenic Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) as per the European Standard (EN). The logarithmic reduction factors (RF) were assessed at baseline and after treatment, and log reduction then calculated. Ten and 25 healthy volunteers participated in the efficacy and organoleptic studies respectively. Results Four (28.6%) hand sanitizers (HS12, HS9, HS13 and HS14) showed a 5.9 reduction factor on all the three bacteria strains. Seven (50%) hand sanitizers had efficacies of <3 against all the three bacteria strains used. Efficacy on E. Coli was higher compared to the other pathogens. Three hand sanitizers were efficacious on one of the pathogens and not the other. In terms of organoleptic properties, gel-based formulations were rated far higher than the liquid based formulations brands. Conclusion Fifty percent (50%) of the selected hand sanitizers in the Kenyan market have efficacy that falls below the World Health Organization (WHO) and DIN EN 1500:2013. Of the 14 hand sanitizers found in the Kenyan market, only four showed efficacies that were comparable to the WHO-formulation. There is a need to evaluate how many of these products with <3 efficacy that have been incorporated into the health system for hand hygiene and the country’s policy on regulations on their usage. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:29:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ee047814d8f24460b1194939ed49a617 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2047-2994 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:29:34Z |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
| spelling | doaj.art-ee047814d8f24460b1194939ed49a6172022-12-22T02:58:14ZengBMCAntimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control2047-29942017-01-01611610.1186/s13756-017-0174-3Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015Missiani Ochwoto0Lucy Muita1Keith Talaam2Cecilia Wanjala3Frank Ogeto4Faith Wachira5Saida Osman6James Kimotho7Linus Ndegwa8Production Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteProduction Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteProduction Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteProduction Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteProduction Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteProduction Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteProduction Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteProduction Department, Kenya Medical Research InstituteCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAbstract Background Hand hygiene is known to be effective in preventing hospital and community-acquired infections. The increasing number of hand sanitizer brands in Kenyan hospitals and consumer outlets is of concern. Thus the main aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-bacterial efficacy and organoleptic properties of these hand sanitizers in Kenya. Methods This was an experimental, laboratory-based study of 14 different brands of hand sanitizers (coded HS1-14) available in various retail outlets and hospitals in Kenya. Efficacy was evaluated using standard non-pathogenic Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) as per the European Standard (EN). The logarithmic reduction factors (RF) were assessed at baseline and after treatment, and log reduction then calculated. Ten and 25 healthy volunteers participated in the efficacy and organoleptic studies respectively. Results Four (28.6%) hand sanitizers (HS12, HS9, HS13 and HS14) showed a 5.9 reduction factor on all the three bacteria strains. Seven (50%) hand sanitizers had efficacies of <3 against all the three bacteria strains used. Efficacy on E. Coli was higher compared to the other pathogens. Three hand sanitizers were efficacious on one of the pathogens and not the other. In terms of organoleptic properties, gel-based formulations were rated far higher than the liquid based formulations brands. Conclusion Fifty percent (50%) of the selected hand sanitizers in the Kenyan market have efficacy that falls below the World Health Organization (WHO) and DIN EN 1500:2013. Of the 14 hand sanitizers found in the Kenyan market, only four showed efficacies that were comparable to the WHO-formulation. There is a need to evaluate how many of these products with <3 efficacy that have been incorporated into the health system for hand hygiene and the country’s policy on regulations on their usage.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13756-017-0174-3Hand rubsHand sanitizerEfficacyOrganolepticReduction factor |
| spellingShingle | Missiani Ochwoto Lucy Muita Keith Talaam Cecilia Wanjala Frank Ogeto Faith Wachira Saida Osman James Kimotho Linus Ndegwa Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015 Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Hand rubs Hand sanitizer Efficacy Organoleptic Reduction factor |
| title | Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015 |
| title_full | Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015 |
| title_fullStr | Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015 |
| title_short | Anti-bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the Kenyan market, 2015 |
| title_sort | anti bacterial efficacy of alcoholic hand rubs in the kenyan market 2015 |
| topic | Hand rubs Hand sanitizer Efficacy Organoleptic Reduction factor |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13756-017-0174-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT missianiochwoto antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT lucymuita antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT keithtalaam antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT ceciliawanjala antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT frankogeto antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT faithwachira antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT saidaosman antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT jameskimotho antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 AT linusndegwa antibacterialefficacyofalcoholichandrubsinthekenyanmarket2015 |