Global Access to Handwashing: Implications for COVID-19 Control in Low-Income Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low-income countries have reduced health care system capacity and are therefore at risk of substantially higher COVID-19 case fatality rates than those currently seen in high-income countries. Handwashing is a key component of guidance to reduce transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior systematic reviews have indicated the effectiveness of handwashing to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses. In low-income countries, reduction of transmission is of paramount importance, but social distancing is challenged by high population densities and access to handwashing facilities with soap and water is limited.

Objectives

Our objective was to estimate global access to handwashing with soap and water to inform use of handwashing

SUBMITTER: Brauer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7263456 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature