Editorial

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Good hygiene practice is an important element in terms of preventing the spread of infections, but it is not always carried out according to instructions among employees in hygienically sensitive work processes. To improve this, tools for nudging hygienic behaviour have been developed, which subconsciously encourage the individual to perform the desired hygienic behaviour. Examples of activity where employees and children constantly come into contact with pathogenic microorganisms are educational institutions (kindergartens). By observing the working process in the selected kindergartens, we wanted to determine the time, technique, and frequency of handwashing among childcare workers and children. In the case of the first ones, we wanted to find out whether they also wear personal protective work equipment. Based on the findings, we wanted to implement the selected nudging tools for better hygiene behaviour. In the first half of the observation, we found that the hygienic behaviour regarding handwashing of childcare workers and children is poor. After setting the nudging tools, hygienic behaviour improved in all the observed groups. The results suggest that the use of nudging tools in kindergartens can significantly contribute to the better implementation of hygienic behaviour (especially handwashing) in childcare workers and children. Consequently, we conclude that with the tools for promoting hygiene behaviour, the incidence of infectious diseases in kindergartens can be reduced. We can direct children towards the healthier and hygienically appropriate way of life by means of the appropriate hygiene behaviour.</abstract>

An evaluation of the effectiveness of nudge techniques in improving hygiene behaviours in Kindergartens

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The year 2020 has been marked by the novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic on the 11th of March 2020 due to the spread of this very contagious virus throughout the world. Since the outbreak, we have gained many insights about the virus, its presence and persistence in the environment and its possible and most common transmission routes. Such knowledge about the virus is invaluable for establishing effective preventive and control measures (also referred to as Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)) that have become a key to tackling this pandemic in the absence of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. In this review, we discuss five main groups of NPIs: 1) ventilation, 2) cleaning and disinfection, 3) hand hygiene, 4) physical distancing, and 5) protective masks. We explore their shortcomings and potential negative consequences that might occur as unwanted side effects.</abstract>

Master student of Sanitary Engineering at University of Ljubljana

SARS-CoV-2: A critical review of preventive and control measures in the context of the virus’ characteristics

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The agricultural sector is important to Northern Ireland (NI) as it accounts for almost 10% of all jobs and 75% of all land usage. Despite a reduction in fatalities in other sectors, the number of fatalities in the agricultural sector in NI has remained stubbornly consistent. This research looked to use qualitative data to explore the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and factors that influence health and safety measures and controls. Using a snowball sampling technique, a number of semi structure interviews were undertaken with participants to explore these areas. The findings of these semi-structured interviews identified six key themes: the importance of health and safety; the impact of poor health and safety; different generational attitudes; fear; time management and finance. This revealed that although participants feel they have some level of knowledge around health and safety, they felt this was lacking. However, a lack of knowledge did not mean they were unaware of the importance of health and safety and its potential impacts, although they perceived that farmers of a different generation to themselves were more at risk. Participants also indicated they were willing to make value judgements, where the need for action and cost of health and safety outweighs the importance implementing appropriate measures and control. Therefore, despite understanding the importance of health and safety, until the cost benefit equation is rebalanced for farmers in NI they still face significant risks to their health and safety.</abstract>

“A farmer’s time is expensive”: A qualitative study exploring the knowledge attitudes and perceptions of farmers regrading health and safety in Northern Ireland

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Pathogenic bacteria of the genus <italic>Legionella</italic> cause atypical pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease and flu – like disease known as Pontiac fever. As pathogens of the respiratory system, these bacteria represent a public health problem and there is a need for examine new alternative ways to inactivate them. These bacteria live naturally in water and are transmitted by infectious aerosols. To purify the air, essential oils that show antimicrobial properties are widely used. The anti-<italic>Legionella</italic> activity of five exotic essential oils and five Mediterranean essential oils characteristic for coastal Croatia was examined. Model organism used in experiments was <italic>L. pneumophila</italic> (strain 130b). This experiment was conducting with modified version of sealed plate method using a BCYE medium. The exotic essential oil with highest anti-<italic>Legionella</italic> activity was Niaouli essential oil, and the best anti-<italic>Legionella</italic> activity among Mediterranean essential oils showed Immortelle essential oil. Anti- <italic>Legionella</italic> activity of four main chemical compounds was examined and compound that show significant highest anti-<italic>Legionella</italic> activity was α – pinene. Volatile components of essential oils have a great potential as anti-<italic>Legionella</italic> agents and further research are needed.</abstract>

Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine

Antimicrobial activity of the volatile phase of essential oils and their constituents on <italic>Legionella pneumophila</italic>

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Volume 16 (2023): Issue 1 (December 2023)

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Sanitarno inženirstvo International Journal of Sanitary Engineering Research

 Sanitarno inženirstvo / International Journal of Sanitary Engineering Research (IJSER) publishes the latest scientific achievements and results of applied research and professional achievements of scientists and experts in the field of sanitary engineering, public health, medicine, environmental health, ecology, occupational safety, the hazardous chemicals, and other related topics.  IJSER is interested in:   consequences of human exposure to the biological, chemical, and physical environment,  risk assessment and risk management,  applied epidemiology,  occupational hygiene,  hygiene in facilities and working processes,  control of communicable diseases,  quality and safety of drinking water,  management of food quality and food safety,  sanitation,  environmental control and safety,  fate and transport of contaminants on watersheds, in surface waters, in groundwater, in the soil, and in the atmosphere,  environmental biology, microbiology, chemistry,  fluid mechanics, and physical processes that control natural concentrations and dispersion of waste in the air, water, and soil,  non-point source pollution on watersheds, in streams, in groundwater, in lakes, and in estuaries and coastal areas,  management of solid waste,  treatment, management, and control of hazardous wastes,  wastewater collection and treatment,  pest control.   This is not an exhaustive list, and the editors will consider articles on any issue relating to public health, environmental health, or engineering in the context of the previous two fields.  The interdisciplinary scope of the publication also extends to the fields of research that are theoretically and methodologically natural sciences but are also significant for wider society, which means that the range of the research also integrates social science. Topics of research in the fields such as food irradiation, the genotoxicity of natural chemicals, the handling of organic waste and oils from kitchens, eco-remediation – ecosystem environmental technologies must be supplemented with research in the social field. For example, only by studying habits related to the improper handling of waste can certain answers be found for the quality of the environment and human health.  In the journal, in addition to the latest research and the transfer of skills into practice, we also publish information about scientific and professional meetings both in Slovenia and throughout the world. The domestic scientists and experts are familiar with the latest research in Slovenia through the journal, including the successful transfer of skills into practice.  In addition, we want to encourage the participation of experts from the areas EU and beyond. With the participation and with the publishing of technical and scientific articles, we will encourage joint projects, research and contribute to the greater visibility of the sciences as well as the promotion of experts.  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.

Sanitarno inženirstvo International Journal of Sanitary Engineering Research

Volume 14 (2020): Issue 1 (December 2020)

Editorial

An evaluation of the effectiveness of nudge techniques in improving hygiene behaviours in Kindergartens

SARS-CoV-2: A critical review of preventive and control measures in the context of the virus’ characteristics

“A farmer’s time is expensive”: A qualitative study exploring the knowledge attitudes and perceptions of farmers regrading health and safety in Northern Ireland

Antimicrobial activity of the volatile phase of essential oils and their constituents on Legionella pneumophila

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