Developing resilience against the threat of infectious diseases and anti-microbial resistance: Putting targeted hygiene into practice in home and everyday lives.

Introduction

The review is based on findings of recent consensus reviews, prepared by acknowledged hygiene experts. It also draws on studies of hygiene understanding, drivers for behaviour change and behaviour change models.

Results

To build hygiene resilience, HEDL hygiene requires a risk management approach where practices combine to reduce infection risk in community populations to an acceptable level. Using this we construct a framework showing when, where and how to practice hygiene. Based on visualization, it gives clear practical guidance and develops better hygiene understanding. Promoting this approach using health belief models ensures behaviours that are embedded are fit for purpose.

Conclusions

A risk management approach to hygiene, promoted through behaviour change models, provides a framework for developing effective resilient hygiene behaviour. To achieve this, however, the separate aspects of HEDL hygiene (food, healthcare, pandemic preparedness) must be combined and communicated in a user-centric manner. Leadership teams must also be established with sole responsibility for HEDL hygiene, and the power to drive change.

Open access:

Bloomfield SF, Ackerley LM. Developing resilience against the threat of infectious diseases and anti-microbial resistance: Putting targeted hygiene into practice in home and everyday lives. Public Health in Practice. 2023 Jan 23:100362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100362. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535223000083