Microorganism Design On Nails and Hands (Students of Tunas Harapan Vocational School, East Jakarta City)

Abstract

Human hands are the most common and efficient medium for the spread of pathogenic microorganisms in everyday life. Millions of germs from various species can adhere to and transfer from one individual to another, or from the surface of objects to the body, simply through physical contact. Hand and nail hygiene play a crucial role in preventing infectious diseases because these areas are often colonized by pathogenic microorganisms. This study aimed to identify microorganisms on hands and nails before and after hand hygiene education and to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test design. Samples were collected by swabbing the palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and nails using sterile cotton swabs soaked in 0.9% physiological NaCl, and nail scrapings with sterile instruments. Samples were examined by direct examination, smearing the samples on glass slides and then observing them using a light microscope. The intervention, in the form of hand hygiene education, was delivered through lectures, discussions, questions and answers, and demonstrations of handwashing techniques. The results showed the discovery of pathogenic microorganisms in the form of worm eggs (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura). Hand hygiene education has been shown to increase respondents' understanding and improve hygiene practices. In conclusion, simple handwashing education is effective in reducing pathogenic microorganisms and can be used as a community-based infection prevention strategy.