Background & Aims: COVID-19 incidence has persisted since December 2019, with emerging variants affecting infection rates in children. Limited studies exist on the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions for children. To investigate the relationship between hygiene habits and infection rates among elementary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 498 students in Gunma Prefecture. Hygiene habits were surveyed, and handwashing frequency and daily physical condition were recorded from January to February 2022. Incidence of acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) was calculated based on self-reports, while COVID-19 and influenza cases were confirmed via medical tests.
Results: Data was available for 431 students; 35 reported episodes of AURI, ILI, or COVID-19. Handwashing 16 or more times a day significantly reduced infection risk (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.92). Cloth masks were associated with a higher infection risk compared to non-woven masks (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.05-2.73).
Conclusions: Regular handwashing and the use of non-woven masks are effective non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent infectious diseases, including COVID-19, in elementary school students.
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