HAND SANITIZERS USE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: KNOWLEDGE, PREFERENCE, AND ADHERENCE OF A SAMPLE OF THE LEBANESE POPULATION.

Authors

May Saab, Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Souraya Domiati, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, PharmD coordinator, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow

English Title

HAND SANITIZERS USE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: KNOWLEDGE, PREFERENCE, AND ADHERENCE OF A SAMPLE OF THE LEBANESE POPULATION.

Keywords

COVID-19, Hand sanitizers, Knowledge, Preference, Adherence, Lebanese

Disciplines

Architecture | Business | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Purpose: Preventive measure has been a gold stone in reducing the spread of Coronavirus disease of 2019. These measures include quarantine, social distancing, face mask use, and most importantly hand hygiene. Consequently, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been used abundantly. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge, preference, and practice toward hand sanitizers of the Lebanese community, during the pandemic period.

Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out from mid of May to mid of June 2020. Adult Lebanese residents from the 5 main Lebanese districts were invited to participate in the study. The questionnaire included demographic data, 5 knowledge questions, practice during COVID-19, and preferred characteristics of hand sanitizers. Data was analysed using SPSS-version 20. Results were considered significant at p-value ≤0.05 with a confidence interval of 95%.

Results: Out of the 481 participants, 278 were unable to be quarantined, and accordingly 74.5% had to use hand sanitizers regularly. Gel form, fast-drying, and low price were the main factors behind the choice of hand sanitizers by percentages of 51.2%,40.2%, and 36.2%, respectively. Nevertheless, all types of hand sanitizers have caused skin irritation in 43% of the respondents. The knowledge score revealed an average score of 2.56±1.1 over 5 with a significantly higher means for medical workers and university degrees.

Conclusion: Consequently, educational campaigns should target common people for the proper choice and use of hand sanitizers.

Recommended Citation

Saab, May and Domiati, Souraya (2021) "HAND SANITIZERS USE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: KNOWLEDGE, PREFERENCE, AND ADHERENCE OF A SAMPLE OF THE LEBANESE POPULATION.," BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing: Vol. 3: Iss. 3, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2789-8288.1141