Assessment of tolerability and acceptability of alcohol-based solution according to World Health Organization (WHO) Protocol among Employees and Students of Kalinga State University (KSU)

Abstract

The present pandemic threatens not only the people’s health but the demand of ABHR (Alcohol Based Hand-rub) which can lead to improved compliance of hand hygiene practices. This study was designed to determine the acceptability and tolerability of ABHR for the hand hygiene of employees and students of Kalinga State University. 40 participants were enumerated according to the WHO protocol which comprised primarily of faculty and staff (60%), the majority were female (58%). Few of the respondents reported asthmatic conditions (10%) and any non-work activity/ies (7.5%) that would damage their skin in the duration of the test period. The majority of the criteria set by the WHO for the acceptability of the product were deemed acceptable except for the two parameters, texture (45%) and drying effect (50%) which is below the recommended percentage of the WHO. The said parameters were suggested to be improved for the next study. The respondents reported their satisfaction with the produced ABHR and added that the test product improved their hand hygiene practices (75%). A separate study should be considered to assess the Product tolerability and skin compatibility with a trained medical staff per WHO Protocol so that objective assessment by an independent observer as well as subjective assessment will be assessed.