Essay On Hand Washing Day

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Hand washing refers to the process of cleaning hands with water, a cleansing agent such as soap or an antiseptic solution. The term hand hygiene is a universal term that refers to activity aimed at cleaning the hands, for instance hand washing, hand antisepsis or use of an alcohol-based hand rub . Global hand washing day (GHD) is a campaign to motivate and mobilize millions around the globe to wash their hands with soap. Raising awareness of hand washing campaign with soap as a key approach to disease prevention. During the annual World Water Week 2008 the global hand washing day was proposed, which was held in Stockholm from August 17 to 23, 2008 and was initiated by the Public Private Partnership for hand washing (PPPHW). October 15 2008, the global hand washing day took place for the first time in accordance with year 2008 as the International year of sanitation as a day appointed by UN General Assembly . The use of soap to clean the hands is the most effective and inexpensive means to prevent diarrhea and its spread. It has been established that hand washing with soap decreases the dangers of diarrhea by 42-47%, also half of all food borne illnesses could be reduced or eliminated by proper hand washing. Lives can be saved by washing the hands before eating and after toilet use than using vaccine or medical intervention which result in halting half of deaths from diarrhea and acute respiratory infections by one-quarter. The Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that “It is also well documented that one of the most important measures of preventing the spread of pathogens is by hand washing" . A key factor in preventing transmission of colds, diarrhea, and influenza viruses, which is considered a social n... ... middle of paper ... ...that people overstate the degree to which they wash their hands; that women are much more likely to wash their hands than men. Although hand washing compliance appears to have increased in recent years, much room for growth still exists. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) failing to wash or insufficiently washing hands contributes to almost 50% of all food borne illness outbreaks . Additionally Curtis and Cairn cross (2003) performed meta-analysis that suggest that hand washing with soap can reduce diarrhea disease risks by more than 40% and that hand washing interventions could save 1 million lives annually. Yet nobody knows why people fail to wash their hands at recommended rates and in the proper fashion. This research attempted to establish predictors of hand washing that can be used to induce higher rate of hand washing compliance .

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