Primary Prevention of Acute Respiratory Infection among United States Air Force Recruits Through the Use of Antimicrobial Handwipes-A Randomized Clinical Trial

This double-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed to determine the efficacy of antimicrobial handwipes in reducing acute upper respiratory infections among United States Air Force Basic Military Trainees and in changing the prevalence of Group A Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (GABS) positive throat cultures. The study was conducted in two phases. During Phase I, forty recruits were block randomized into four groups often subjects each. Two groups used antimicrobial handwipes containing parachlorometaxylenol (0.5%) and alcohol (40%); with one group additionally using hand soap containing triclosan. A third group used placebo handwipes containing water and lemon juice, and a fourth group continued normal handwashing practices. Bacterial hand counts were determined. In Phase II, fifty groups (each consisting of approximately 53 recruits) were block randomized to use either the aforementioned antimicrobial or placebo handwipes during the six-week basic military training period. From medical records and questionnaires, data on sick- call visits were collected.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH is the author of 'Primary Prevention of Acute Respiratory Infection among United States Air Force Recruits Through the Use of Antimicrobial Handwipes-A Randomized Clinical Trial', published 1997 under ISBN 9781423584698 and ISBN 1423584694.