Have you washed up?

Schools should insist that children wash hands to prevent infections

Marianne de Nazareth

Hand washing helps to contain the spread of infection. Washing of hands is a ritual most of us should be particular about in India before eating a meal. That's because we eat with our fingers. We tend to be careless when in a hurry and what's worse is we use unclean hands to feed others, especially children.

October 15 has been dedicated to Hand-washing Day across the world. Global Hand-washing Day aims at motivating children to imitate and spread proper hand-washing practices, and turn them into little “hand-washing ambassadors”. It follows that if the child is taught correctly, they will in turn teach the next generation. Studies also suggest that hand-washing promotion in schools can play a role in reducing absenteeism among primary school children.

Reduce diarrhoea

There is a simple explanation for that — hand-washing with soap has been cited as one of the most cost-effective interventions to prevent diarrhoeal related deaths and disease. A review of several studies by the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), shows that hand-washing in institutions such as primary schools and daycare centres reduce the incidence of diarrhoea by an average of 30 per cent. Rates of hand-washing around the world are low. Observed rates of hand-washing with soap at critical moments – before handling food and after using the toilet - range from zero per cent to 34 per cent. “More than 1.5 million children under five die each year as a result of diarrhoea — it is the second most common cause of child deaths worldwide. Hand-washing with soap can save lives by reducing diarrhoea rates by more than 40 per cent,” explains David Trouba, the Programme Officer, WSSCC.

“Hand washing is quintessential in preventing transmission of infections. In the hospital, washing hands as doctors and nurses move from one patient to the next has reduced the spread of contagious diseases. It has also brought down the numbers of infections contracted by healthcare personnel. It is therefore an important means of bringing down respiratory and skin infections. We should remember to wash hands before each meal and also after we touch any object or person capable of transmitting infection. The method of hand washing whereby each finger and inter-digital space is washed thoroughly has to be mastered by all”, adds Jyothi a doctor from St John's Medical College and Hospital.

“On Hand-washing Day we appealed for a change in routine at two critical times in a day – hand washing with soap before eating and after defecation. The practice of hand washing is a behavioural change issue and hence ‘Hand washing Day' tries to bring this into focus every year world-wide,” says Deepinder Kapur of WSSCC.

Our schools should insist on spreading the concept of regular hand washing among their children. By teaching children to be clean, we can help save many young lives and prevent expensive unnecessary hospital treatment.
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