Objectives

This study aimed to quantify hand-to-face contact (HFC) and identify the related factors that influence HFC in the daily life of Korean older people.

Methods

From November 20–December 4, 2018, 30 older people were enrolled and were each videotaped for their daily activities for two hours in total. The videotaped HFC data were classified by frequency, duration, site of contact, and as self-contact with membranes (eye, nose and mouth) or non-membranes (head, forehead, chin, cheek and ear).

Results

Of the 4826 self-contacts, 1311 HFC (560 membrane contacts [42.7%], 751 non-membrane contacts [57.3%]) were observed in 60 person-hours. The mean contact frequency (mean/person) of membrane and non-membrane contact was 18.7 times (nose, 9.3; mouth, 5.7; and eye, 3.6) and 24.6 (highest with the chin, 8.5), respectively. The mean contact duration (seconds/contact) for membrane and non-membrane contacts was 3.4 s (nose, 3.1; mouth, 3.7; and eye, 3.0) and 6.3 s (highest with the chin, 8.2), respectively. Contact exposure (frequency-duration/second/person) of the membrane and non-membrane was 3510.7 (nose, 1002.3; mouth, 639.3; and eye, 92.3) and 11,727.1 (highest with the chin, 2,965.6), respectively. The frequency and duration of HFC differed by age, economic activity and household income.

Conclusions

HFC was highest at the nose in Korean older people, followed by the mouth. Consequently, education about avoiding HFC of the nose and hygienic care of the nose should be a nursing priority. Awareness of the risks of HFC and the prophylactic effects of vigorous hand hygiene should be strengthened among the elderly to prevent the spread of infectious diseases via hand contact.