Study shows a third of us fail to wash our hands!

[Tork UK]

Hi all, There has been a fair amount of chatter about Swine Flu/H1N1 news lately so I thought a few of you might be interested in this recent study, it can be found on the Tork UK website under the 'news' section.

There's a load of quite shocking stats, some really good info and it's a really interesting short article, I hope you find it useful, enjoy.

Cheers

[Petnanny]

Not only am I always washing my hands (working with animals and cross infection), I carry a hand antibiotic gel with me everywhere.

It's sickening though, how many women use the loo and walk straight out without washing theirs - YUK

[skeeter]

Worse still...I bet none of you wash your "keywboard"

[Petnanny]

Worse still...I bet none of you wash your "keywboard"

Oh yes I do

[Tork UK]

A great point especially as 5,000 workers die every year from communicable diseases acquired at work.

The overall loss of output due to non-injury ill health was estimated to be between £7-£10.24 billion in GB in 2004.

These figures show that businesses are losing out and hand hygiene amongst other things is one of the main contributing factors.

There are many simple changes that you can make to minimise sickness, if you want more info there is plenty in the Tork report that can be found on the website.

[Indizine]

we are rarely sick in this house, as we wash hour hands regularly, wipe down surfaces after every mealtime, and clean the keyboard! So yes, I would agree cleanliness goes a long way to keeping you healthy. I was brought up in a house wear domestos ruled!

[rayquarrell]

I'm not knocking the fact that most people wash their hands after using the loo, but have we all become a bit too clinical and sterile, are we not at risk of our immune systems failing to be self reliant and able to cope with everyday desease and virus'. Is it not the case that our bodies fight infection better if they are introduced to them at an earlier age.

Yes I for one wash my hands after using the loo, but I'm also wary of relying on an external immune system.

[EasiEar]

Even Debrett's have issued guidelines for improved hygiene during the Christmas social scene where they suggest a cheek to cheek kiss is safer than shaking hands.

[Tork UK]

Interesting comments guys. EasiEar how on earth did you come across that. I must say some of the Do's and Don'ts are quite funny..
7) Don't kiss the air.
8) Don't make sound effects.
9) Keep away from the mistletoe if you've had too much to drink - your social skills will be impaired & you don't want any of those morning-after regrets.


On another note, it is the children who need to be implementing the correct hand hygiene procedures. Our recent study showed that 8 out of 10 British parents are failing to ensure that their children wash their hands before eating.



Nearly 5,000 people from nine countries across the globe were polled and the study showed that only 21 per cent of parents ensured their child’s hands were washed before eating, while around 34 per cent of adults failed to wash their hands a recommended six times per day.

[Barry]

I must be a stinking pig compared to the rest of you.

I hardly ever wash my hands some days, sometimes it just cant be done and it doesn't really bother me in the slightest.

Just dont eat the corner of the sandwich your eating!!

Ta

Baz