New Zealand researchers report in Eurosurveillance today about hand sanitiser use in a hospital entrance foyer four months after a baseline study during New Zealand’s influenza pandemic.

Of the 743 people observed over one (summer) day in December 2009, 8.2% used the hand sanitiser, which was significantly lower (p<0.0001) than the 18.0% reported in the August (winter) study. Health authorities may need to intensify promotion of hand hygiene to reduce the impact of future influenza pandemic waves.

We’re exploring more on the shock and shame approach in a number of settings.