Adherence to handwashing behaviour and its impact on the incidence and death of viral respiratory infectious diseases: a systematic review, meta-analysis and modelling study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Washing hands is considered an effective way for preventing viral respiratory infections. This study systematically investigated the global and regional adherence to hand-washing behaviour and its impact on the incidence and death of viral respiratory infectious diseases (VRIDs).

Methods

In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus for related studies. We included observational studies with raw data of adherence to handwashing (rates of acceptability of handwashing, daily habitual handwashing and key-moment handwashing) during VRID pandemics/epidemics. Pooled rates and effect of handwashing were calculated by random-effects model and generalised linear model.

Results

We analysed 108 articles, generating 2

SUBMITTER: Zhou W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12684194 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature