De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute

SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

A MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY ON THE DETECTION OF BACTERIA BEFORE

AND AFTER HANDWASHING ON THE PALMAR SURFACE OF THE

HANDS AMONG GRADES 1 AND 2 PUPILS IN TIERRA SANTA

MONTESSORI SCHOOL IMUS CITY, CAVITE

A Research Presented to the

Special Health Sciences Senior High School

De La Salle - Medical & Health Sciences Institute

City of Dasmariñas, Cavite

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Inquiries, Investigation & Immersion

TRISHA LORRAINE G. BRAVO

SHERMAINE D. COMIA

CHARLAINE B. CONCEPCION

JEREZAMEI ERICKA S. LUCAS

JULIENNE CARLY R. SAPUTIL

June 2019
 De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

ABSTRACT
Hand hygiene is any action of cleaning hands to reduce microorganisms. Global
research shows that almost half of diarrheal diseases and 16% of respiratory infections are
preventable by proper hand washing. A study showed that poor hand-hygiene has a high
prevalence among students. The purpose of this study was to detect the presence of
bacteria before and after hand washing in palmar surface of the hands among Grades 1 and
2 pupils in Tierra Santa Montessori School. Forty randomly selected students performed the
traditional and medical handwashing. Swabbing method was done to take samples. Serial
dilution was done to dilute the bacteria and Spread Plate method was performed. While,
Standard Plate Counter was used to count the CFU and the data was subjected to statistical
analysis. Results showed that there is a 25% decrease in the proportion of agar plates with
CFU in traditional hand washing while, 22% decrease in medical hand washing. The data
suggests that traditional handwashing can reduce more bacteria in our hands than in medical
handwashing. There are several factors identified that may have affected the presence of
bacteria. It was concluded that traditional handwashing is more effective compared to
medical handwashing.

Key terms: Hand hygiene, Handwashing, Handwashing technique, Bacteria, Hands

 De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

THESIS APPROVAL SHEET

This is to certify that this Research titled A MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY ON THE

DETECTION OF BACTERIA BEFORE AND AFTER HANDWASHING ON THE PALMAR
SURFACE OF THE HANDS AMONG GRADES 1 AND 2 PUPILS IN TIERRA SANTA
MONTESSORI SCHOOL IMUS CITY, CAVITE prepared and submitted by TRISHA
LORRAINE G. BRAVO, SHERMAINE D. COMIA, CHARLAINE B. CONCEPCION,
JEREZAMEI ERICKA S. LUCAS, AND JULIENNE CARLY R. SAPUTIL in partial fulfillment
of the requirements in Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion (I3) was successfully
defended by the researchers and approved by the Research Review Panel (RRP) on
January 25, 2019.

PAULINE L. CUENO, LPT VIVIAN B. RAMIREZ, MSc

Research Adviser Chair, RRP

CARMELETTE C. DAVILA, RN, LPT VERONICA S. BERNAS

Member, RRP Member, RRP

The Special Health Sciences Senior High School Department (SHSSHS) endorses
acceptance of this Research as partial fulfillment of the requirements in Inquiries,
Investigation, and Immersion (I3).

JOSE ISAAK M. CALAMLAM, LPT, MA VIVIAN B. RAMIREZ, MSc

Academic Chair, SHSSHS Director, SHSSHS

De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

ENGLISH EDITING CERTIFICATION FORM

This is to certify that I have edited this Research paper titled:

A Microbiological Study on the Detection of Bacteria Before and After

Handwashing on the Palmar Surface of the Hands Among

Grades 1 and 2 Pupils in Tierra Santa Montessori

School Imus City, Cavite

Prepared by:

BRAVO, TRISHA LORRAINE G.

COMIA, SHERMAINE D.

CONCEPCION, CHARLAINE B.

LUCAS, JEREZAMEI ERICKA S.

SAPUTIL, JULIENNE CARLY R.

Gemmarie E.Belardo

09351749636

Affiliation/ Contact Number

June 27, 2019

Date
 De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that Bravo, Trisha Lorraine G., Comia, Shermaine D.,
Concepcion, Charlaine B., Lucas, Jerezamei Ericka S., and Saputil, Julienne Carly R.
of Grade 12-Andres, under the supervision of Ms. Pauline L. Cueno, have sought services
for the statistical analysis in their research study titled A Microbiological Study on the
Detection of Bacteria Before and After Handwashing on the Palmar Surface of the
Hands Among Grades 1 and 2 Pupils in Tierra Santa Montessori School Imus City,
Cavite.

This certification is issued this (date) day of June 2019 upon the request of the
researchers.

PATRICIA GELIN DOCTOLERO

Consultant
ConsulStats Group
 De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The researchers would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the

following:

Our Lord, the Almighty God for being there all the time and for showering the researchers

blessing, wisdom and knowledge.

Mr. Rowell T. Maglalang and Ms. Patricia Gelin Doctolero, for providing assistance and

verifying the researchers’ statistical treatment of data.

Ms. Vivian B. Ramirez, the Director of the Special Health Sciences High School, for giving

the researchers her approval to conduct this research and checking the contents of the

research.

Ms. Pauline L. Cueno, our research adviser, for imparting her knowledge, guidance and time

throughout the process of developing our study.

Lastly, the authors would like to thank their parents for providing financial and moral support

all throughout the research process. Their support and motivation has kept the researchers

not to give up on their research process.

 De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page 1

Abstract 2

Thesis Approval Sheet 3

English Editing Certification 4

Statistician Certification 5

Acknowledgments 6

Table of Contents 7

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 10

Conceptual Framework 12

Statement of the Problem 13

Hypotheses 13

Scope and Delimitations 14

Significance of the Study 15

Definition of Terms 16

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Technique in Keeping Clean and Sanitize Hands 18

Bacteria Present in Hands 20

Causes of Unhygienic Practices 22

Health Risks of Contaminated Hands 27

 De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Children’s Ability to Follow Multi-step Directions 28

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

Research Design 30

Research Setting 30

Research Procedure

A. Population and Sampling 31

B. Application of Handwashing 31

C. Preparation of Equipments /Materials 33

D. Preparation of Agar Plates 34

E. Swabbing Method Procedure 34

F. Detection of Bacteria 35

Data Gathering 36

Statistical Analysis 36

CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Statement of the Problem 1 41

Statement of the Problem 2 43

Statement of the Problem 3 44

CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Findings 46

Conclusions 47

Recommendations 48
 De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute
SPECIAL HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

References 49

Appendices

A. Standard Procedure 57

B. Raw Data 60

C. Statistical Treatment 63

D. Timetable of Activities 66

E. Budgetary Requirements 67

F. Forms 68

Curriculum Vitae 71