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Can Face- and Smartphone-Touching Behaviors Be Altered with Personal Hygiene Reminders during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period? An Observational Study

Author

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  • Lok-Yee Joyce Li

    (Department of Medicine, Shin Kong Wu-Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
    Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
    Department of Otolaryngology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei 23561, Taiwan)

  • Shin-Yi Wang

    (National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan)

  • Jinn-Moon Yang

    (Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
    Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan)

  • Chih-Jou Chen

    (Master Program in School of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 111, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Yu Tsai

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BT, UK)

  • Lucas Yee-Yan Wu

    (School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
    Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
    Department of Otolaryngology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei 23561, Taiwan
    Ph.D. Degree Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Jung Wu

    (School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
    Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
    Department of Otolaryngology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei 23561, Taiwan
    Ph.D. Degree Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan)

Abstract

As part of the new measures to prevent the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), medical students were advised to wear a mask in class and avoid touching their faces. Few studies have analyzed the influence of health education on the frequency of face- and smartphone-touching behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research compared the frequency of in-class face- and smartphone-touching behaviors of medical students before and after the delivery of personal hygiene education during the COVID-19 pandemic. A behavioral observational study was conducted involving medical students at Taipei Medical University. Eighty medical students were recruited during a lecture on otorhinolaryngology. All medical students were required to wear a mask. Their face- and smartphone-touching behavior was observed by viewing the 4 k resolution video tape recorded in class. The recording lasted for 2 h, comprising 1 h prior to the health educational reminder and 1 h afterwards. The frequencies of hand-to-face contact and hand-to-smartphone contact were analyzed before and after the delivery of health education emphasizing personal hygiene. Comprehensive health education and reminders effectively reduce the rate of face- and smartphone-touching behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Lok-Yee Joyce Li & Shin-Yi Wang & Jinn-Moon Yang & Chih-Jou Chen & Cheng-Yu Tsai & Lucas Yee-Yan Wu & Cheng-Jung Wu, 2021. "Can Face- and Smartphone-Touching Behaviors Be Altered with Personal Hygiene Reminders during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period? An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10038-:d:642014
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    Cited by:

    1. Hirani, Jonas Cuzulan & Wüst, Miriam, 2024. "Reminder design and childhood vaccination coverage," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).

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