This study examines the use of disinfectants by Egyptian women during the coronavirus lockdown. Data will be collected via an online self-administered questionnaire that will be distributed to Egyptian women via social media channels. Questions in the questionnaire will assess types of disinfectants frequently used and how often they have been used for household disinfection during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The investigators hypothesized that the frequent use of disinfectants in deep household cleaning during the lockdown has been associated with increased incidents of toxicity by bleach and similar products. At the same time, people were advised to stay home and refrain from seeking in-person medical care to avoid catching the coronavirus. Therefore, many people used social media to receive medical advice not necessarily from the right sources nor qualified experts.
This study examines the use of disinfectants by Egyptian women during the coronavirus
lockdown. Data will be collected via an online self-administered questionnaire that will be
distributed to Egyptian women via social media channels such as (Facebook and WhatsApp).
Google Forms tool will be used to conduct the questionnaire as questions in the questionnaire
will assess types of disinfectants frequently used and how often they have been used for
household disinfection during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Questions will also assess the
occurrence of adverse effects related to the increased use of disinfectants during the
lockdown and how women reached out for medical care for their family members in cases of
accidental toxicity.
The investigators hypothesized that the frequent use of disinfectants in deep household
cleaning during the lockdown has been associated with increased incidents of toxicity by
bleach and similar products. At the same time, people were advised to stay home and refrain
from seeking in-person medical care to avoid catching the coronavirus. Therefore, many people
used social media to receive medical advice not necessarily from the right sources nor
qualified experts.
The questionnaire is designed by the primary investigator (Dr. Maha Farid) and was reviewed
by other experts in the field of forensic medicine and clinical toxicology. The questions
were developed in English and then translated in Arabic to be distributed to the target
population in Arabic.
The inclusion criteria for women participating in this survey will include adult females
living in Egypt during the time of lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic that started in Egypt
in March 2020.
The questionnaire will be open for a month or till we reach the desired sample size,
whichever comes first.
The data collected via this questionnaire will be then tabulated and analyzed using the
proper statistical analysis methods.
Other: use and exposure to disinfectants during the coronavirus pandemic
The use of disinfecting products in deep house cleaning by women during the coronavirus lockdown.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult women living in Egypt the coronavirus lockdown started in March 2020
Exclusion Criteria
- Men living in Egypt
- Adult women not living in Egypt during the coronavirus lockdown started in March 2020.
Maha M Farid
Cairo, Egypt
Maha M Farid, PhD, Principal Investigator
Helwan University