Evaluating a children’s learning resource to improve handwashing behaviour

Effective handwashing can reduce up to a third of infections and is an important line of defence against community and hospital-acquired infection, including Covid-19. Young children are particularly vulnerable to spreading and contracting infectious disease, and often lack the knowledge and motivation to engage in effective handwashing strategies. Despite this, there are few evidence-based handwashing interventions aimed at children. This article summarises research on the effectiveness of a set of learning resources for children designed to improve handwashing behaviour, which have been tested in school and community settings; it also discusses how nurses could use these resources in hospital and community settings to help with infection control.