Only 1 in 20 washes hands properly

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Only one in every twenty people washes their hands properly, a new global survey has found. And South Africans are no exception. Although South African adults are worried about infectious diseases, they still don’t wash their hands properly.

In a survey of more than 18 000 adults across 18 countries, including South Africa, the Global Hygiene Council has revealed that over three quarters (76 percent) of adults are concerned that they or their families might contract an infectious disease. In South Africa, however, the top three concerns are E. coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella. These bacteria cause upset stomachs.

The aim of the Global Infection Challenge Survey was to gain an understanding of people’s concerns about the risk of infectious diseases, and infections at home and in the community.

The survey also aimed to highlight the current knowledge of the relative severity of key infectious diseases and infections, and to identify the measures that individuals take to help prevent infections. A common theme of the survey is the important role of hygiene when it comes to controlling and preventing the spread infectious diseases.

South Africa health concerns could easily be put to rest through proper hygiene – more specifically, proper hand washing, Prof John Oxford, Chairman of the Global Hygiene Council, told Health24.

Source: News24 (link opens in a new window)

Categories
Health Care
Tags
infectious diseases, public health