Innovative Approach to Measure Effectiveness of Handwashing Education in School-Age Children by Extension Educators

Abstract

University of Idaho Extension educators developed an innovative approach to analyze the effectiveness of handwashing lessons taught to school-age children. A protocol was designed to determine if there was a significant decrease in bacterial Colony Forming Units (CFUs) before and after implementing an educational handwashing lesson. The protocol allowed Extension educators with limited to no research experience to validate their handwashing lessons with scientific research. A 79% reduction in Mean CFU counts pre- and post-handwashing was found, excluding an outlier. The results support the effectiveness of Extension handwashing lessons using a novel quantitative approach.

Keywords

• handwashing effectiveness protocol
• school-age children