Uncleanliness Among Persons Seen by Community Health Workers

Community nurses and other community workers often encounter persons who live in conditions of extreme uncleanliness, but not much attention has been paid to the causes of this behavior. The author surveyed 12 community health centers in Sydney, Australia, to obtain data on specific aspects of personal and home cleanliness for persons under their care. Of the 83 subjects identified as living in unclean conditions, 15 were age 60 or younger. Almost two-thirds had some degree of memory impairment, and 40 percent were or had been heavy drinkers. However, 12 subjects did not have obvious physical or mental disorders, and the author suggests that eccentric personality factors may account for their living conditions. He believes uncleanliness should not be labeled as part of a syndrome, but that it is a sign that may lead to recognition of a causative disorder. He recommends further study of the problem.