Washing machine usage in remote Aboriginal communities

Abstract

The use of washing machines was investigated in two remote Aboriginal communities in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara homelands. The aim was to look both at machine reliability and to investigate the health aspect of washing clothes. A total of 39 machines were inspected for wear and component reliability every three months over a one‐year period. Of these, 10 machines were monitored in detail for water consumption, hours of use and cycles of operation. The machines monitored were Speed Queen model EA2011 (7 kg washing load) commercial units. The field survey results suggested a high rate of operation of the machines with an average of around 1,100 washing cycles per year (range 150 and 2,300 cycles per year). The results were compared with available figures for the average Australian household. A literature survey, to ascertain the health outcomes relating to washing clothes and bedding, confirmed that washing machines are efficient at removal of bacteria from clothes and bedding but suggested that recontamination of clothing after washing often negated the prior removal. High temperature washing (>60d̀C) appeared to be advantageous from a health perspective. With regards to larger organisms, while dust mites and body lice transmission between people would probably be decreased by washing clothes, scabies appeared to be mainly transmitted by body contact and thus transmission would be only marginally decreased by the use of washing machines.

Community Management of Endemic Scabies in Remote Aboriginal Communities of Northern Australia: Low Treatment Uptake and High Ongoing Acquisition

“…Participation in these activities was not necessary for an individual or household to be considered to have participated fully in treatment. Evidence indicates that the role of fomites in transmission of scabies is minimal [22],[23]. However we consider these environmental recommendations to be positive public health messages, particularly in a highly overcrowded setting such as this.…”

Skin disease in the first two years of life in Aboriginal children in East Arnhem Land

“…6 Skin diseases in Aboriginal children are a significant public health issue, with poverty, overcrowding and poor hygiene all contributing factors. 1,4,[8][9][10] This study aims to describe the frequencies of scabies and impetigo in the first 2 years of life for children in a remote Aboriginal community and report on patterns of treatment for impetigo.…”

The elimination of scabies: a task for our generation

“…68 However, transmission occurred in as many as 15% of cases if the previous occupant's infestation comprised over 50 mites. 70 It is worth noting that treatment of potential formites was not carried out by Taplin et al in Ticantiki, 1 where elimination was temporarily successful. On the basis of Mellanby et al's work, the transmission of S. scabiei via the environment has been described by some as minimal.…”

“…69 Treatment of bedding and clothing by washing at 60°C or the application of a scabicide lotion to potential fomites has been recommended in the past 5 ; however, this is not practical in many of the communities where scabies is endemic. 70 It is worth noting that treatment of potential formites was not carried out by Taplin et al in Ticantiki, 1 where elimination was temporarily successful. On the other hand, it is possible that the topical permethrin used indirectly treated bedding and clothing, which would not be the case with mass administration of oral ivermectin.…”