40% of children do not wash with soap says report
Effective hand hygiene and the need for it has very much been a focus of attention across the globe during the ongoing pandemic. Put simply, it works when it comes to infection control. Nonetheless, there is a great deal to be done, particularly with regard to the teaching of hand washing habits amongst younger children, according to a recent report on the Yahoo website.
The article begins with a worrying statistic, courtesy of research by University College London which actually shows a decline of hand washing compliance, where the number of adults always washing hands with soap has fallen from 55% at the end of 202, to a low of 44% by July 2021.
Educational establishments provide ample opportunities for the spread of all kinds of illnesses says the article, but miss the change to rectify this, because “many schools fail to teach the benefits of hygiene in helping to prevent illness.”
Another survey mentioned – by The Global Hygiene Council – raises concerns that 40% of primary school kids do not always use soap when washing and that 47% incorrectly think that clean looking hands are free of germs.
Focus on the teaching of good hand washing habits
The time is “ripe” to really push the teaching of effective soap and water hand washing in primary schools according to research published in BMC Public Health.
The lead author, Warwick Medical School‘s Kelly Schmidtke, emphasised the great need for the effective teaching of hand washing to children – and its benefit for everyone for years to come.
“Behavioural interventions help to change people’s immediate behaviour for the better whilst encouraging long-term habit formation.
“By improving handwashing education and habits in children, absenteeism rates in schools and time taken off work by parents and teachers can be reduced.”
Educating children about good hygiene is key to helping reduce future health threats »
Please supervise children closely to ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly.
Teach children effective hand washing techniques with portable sinks that can go anywhere – indoors or out
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