Nov 06, 2024
Hand hygiene report reveals alarming hand washing habits in Australia
Siddhartha JanaA report from Australia’s Food Safety Information Council revealed that 19% of Australians do not wash their hands every time they use the toilet, and 42% admit they don’t always wash their hands before handling food.
Source: Canva
The survey, which included 1,229 participants, showed that women tend to wash their hands more consistently than men, with 83% of women washing after using the toilet compared to 80% of men.
Source: Canva
Age influences hand washing habits, with 69% of individuals under 34 washing their hands after using the toilet, compared to 86% of those over 65.
Source: Canva
Many individuals may not wash their hands due to a low perception of illness risk, with some citing the inability to see germs as a major barrier to proper hand hygiene.
Source: Canva
Not washing hands after using the toilet can lead to the spread of germs, increasing the risk of infection for others, especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.
Source: Canva
Hand washing before cooking is crucial, as it prevents the transfer of disease-causing germs from hands to food and surfaces, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Source: Canva
Proper hand washing involves wetting hands, lathering with soap for at least 20 seconds, rinsing thoroughly, and drying completely to minimize the spread of germs.
Source: Canva
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective when soap and water are not available, but they are not a substitute when hands are soiled with organic matter.
Source: Canva
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