FECAL CONTAMINATION IN CHILD DAY-CARE-CENTERS - CLOTH VS PAPER DIAPERS

Objectives. Cloth diapers with front closure and all-in-one design wer e compared with paper diapers containing absorbent gel material for th eir influence on fecal contamination of the environment in licensed ch ild day care centers. Methods. One infant room and two toddler rooms i n each of four day care centers were monitored for the presence of fec al bacteria. Microbial samples were taken from the play/sleep area, th e diaper-changing area, and the hands of the caregivers and the childr en. Sampling was done twice weekly for two 4-week periods. Each center used either cloth or paper diapers during the first period, changing to the other diaper type during the second period. Results. A total of 1722 samples were cultured, 881 during the first 4 weeks and 841 duri ng the second 4 weeks. The frequency of isolation of fecal organisms r anged from a low of 12% of the total bacteria isolates at a center usi ng cloth diapers, to highs of 46% and 45%, respectively, at a center u sing first paper and then cloth diapers. Sink faucets and the hands of the caregivers and the children were often contaminated. Conclusions. Analysis of the results of comparisons between cloth and paper diaper s showed no significant difference in the frequency (F = .380, P < .53 5) or the intensity of fecal contamination in child day care centers.