Effect of handwashing on child health: a randomised controlled trial

摘要: Summary Background More than 3·5 million children aged less 5 years die from diarrhoea and acute lower respiratory-tract infection every year. We undertook a randomised controlled trial to assess the effect of handwashing promotion with soap on incidence respiratory infection, impetigo, diarrhoea. Methods In adjoining squatter settlements in Karachi, Pakistan, we randomly assigned 25 neighbourhoods promotion; 11 (306 households) were as controls. promotion, 300 households each antibacterial containing 1·2% triclocarban plain soap. Fieldworkers visited weekly for 1 year encourage by residents record symptoms all households. Primary study outcomes diarrhoea, infections (ie, number new episodes illness per person-weeks at risk). Pneumonia was defined according WHO clinical case definition. Analysis intention treat. Findings Children younger that received had 50% pneumonia controls (95% CI (−65% −34%). Also compared controls, 15 53% −41%) 34% impetigo (−52% −16%). Incidence disease did not differ significantly between given those Interpretation Handwashing prevents two syndromes cause largest childhood deaths globally—namely, infections. daily bathing also impetigo.