A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection examined the effect of alcohol-based hand rub format and dose on factors affecting hand hygiene compliance.
Researchers conducted sensory descriptive analysis establishing key sensory differences between 10 alcohol-based hand rubs: three gels, four foams, two liquids and one aerosol foam. They also conducted focus groups.
Researchers found all formats were less desirable at the highest dose as compared to the lower doses. At higher doses, foams and gels became stickier and slower to dry, while liquids were more difficult to handle and apply.
Overall, the gel and foam formats were more desirable than the liquid. The most desirable properties with regard to hand rub format were:
• Fast absorption
• Soft/moisturized hand feel
• Non-sticky
• Clean feel
• Little smell
"The foam provided the benefits of both the liquid and gel and combined them into a more widely acceptable format that may lead to greater hand hygiene compliance," study authors concluded.