Mister Germ Hygiene and Nutrition Program

AimProvide resources and train teachers to implementa sustainable nutrition and hygiene program intheir whole early childcare centre & community tolower the risk of disease transmission.

Nature and extent of the problemOutbreaks of communicable disease in children agedbetween 0 –5 yrs. E.g. cryptosporidium, boils &whooping cough.Fear of outbreaks like H1N1 have highlighted theimportance of good hygiene practices, nutrition & foodsafety requirements.Children in childcare are particularly vulnerable toinfectious disease.Many Childcare Centres are isolated with limitedaccess to health informationor support.

Strategic importanceThe program is based on best practice health promotionprincipals (Ottawa Charter, 1996).A multi‐strategic program, strengthening primary health andcontinuing care in the community.Builds regional partnerships in rural and remotecommunities.Re‐investment ‐ shifts resources to support prevention.

Planning & implementing solutionsLiterature review was undertaken to identify culturallyappropriate hygiene health promotion programs. QueenslandMister Germ Primary School Model identified.Partnerships formed between health services and early childcare centres to progress program design.2007 pilot program evidenced high incidence of child carechildren sick daily. Aboriginal preschools an average of 17% ofchildren reported sick daily compared to non‐Aboriginalpreschools 7%.

Hygiene Program ComponentA teacher's/presenter's activity guide containing fun flexibleinteractive activities.Includes props to perform activities i.e. Mister Germ andGerminator Costumes, UV light and magic cream.Communicable diseases information fact sheets andimmunisation schedules.

Section 2. Implementation of a ProjectProposal10

Nutrition Program ComponentA nutrition kit and display –Great Lunch Box DilemmaDeadly Tucker nutritional program

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Food Safety Program Component“Junga‐Marlannggu Yuraal”‘Proper serving of food ’Toolkitfor Early Childcare Centres

Program ComponentsJunga‐marlanngguYuraal Kit – DalaigurPreschool

Outcomes & evaluationIncrease of post‐program rate of hand washing amongchildren.Increased knowledge of hygiene and nutrition.Early Childhood Centres have reviewed hygiene andnutrition policies.Program is friendly, flexible, culturally appropriate,quick and easy to implement.

Outcomes & evaluationMister Germ established in 10 local government areas 2009NSW North Coast115 teachers trained78 early childcare centres attended training6,000 children across the NCAHS now have the opportunity toparticipate in this program.2010 –Currently being expandedon the North Coast

Outcomes & evaluationProgram is being utilised:Croc Festival, Kempsey: 2006 and 2007 – 10,000 kids.Shake a Leg Program –25 Primary Schools .Animal Management in Rural Remote Indigenous Communities(AMIRRIC) dog health program.Greenhill's Primary School boil outbreak 2008.

Lautoka School Fiji

Outcomes & evaluationNational Hand Washing Day 5 May 2010 –Mister Germappeared on Channel 7 Sunrise, as part of a segment organisedby the Clinical Excellence Commission.

Sustaining ChangeResource shared among Early Childcare CentresNCAHS maintain a school database, the kits, manage theloan roster and provide staff training and support.Assists Early Childcare Centres to meet Department ofCommunity Service accreditation requirements.100% of Early Childcare Centres trained in the programhave committed to this programCost neutral program.

ChallengesLimited workforce capacityThere was the assumption basic hygiene resourceswould be available to implement this program inschools.Primary Schools are not required to provide soap andhand drying facilities to students.

Future Scope 2010 and beyondContinue to be delivered and expanded on the North CoastNSW Health Aboriginal Environmental Health Branch hasformed a Mister Germ focus group to plan and implement thisprogram in NSW.Nationally enHealth ‐ Northern Territory established aworking group to develop an Indigenous Germ Theory Kit andprovided funding for this project and resources.Queensland is seeking to adopt the NCAHSmodel of the Mister Germ program in EarlyChildcare Centres across that state.

I wish to acknowledgeUncle Martin Ballangarry fromGumbaynggirr for the GerminatorCharacter