FOCUS HEALTH Dr. Guru Prasad Mohanta
Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the transfer of germs from one to another and preventing them from entering one’s own system
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A Swachh Hasth (Clean Hand) campaign is on, enlightening healthcare workers and the general public on the importance of hand hygiene and its health benefit. World Health Organisation has been advocating the good-hand hygiene practice in healthcare facilities in order to prevent hospital-acquired infections, which are one too many.
Hospital-acquired infections continue to be a concern to patients, healthcare providers and the health systems. In the US, for instance, one out of every 25 patients gets infected with hospital-acquired infection. The incidences are much higher in the poor and developing countries. Hospital-acquired infections are not only serious and life-threatening, but even difficult to treat. This increases the length of stay in the hospital. Poor hand hygiene is one of the major reasons for spreading of infection in the hospital. It is said, “Poor hand hygiene in hospitals is causing more deaths every year than all types of cancers combined.”
While World Health Organization emphasises the need to have good hand hygiene practices (clean care) in hospitals, there is the equally important need for Swachh Hasth practices at individual and community level. In one of my campaigns on health, hygiene and medicine use, some school children said, “We use the leftover soap after bathing for washing hands after toileting.” Following the next question, “When do you need better cleaning? During bathing or after toileting,” they realised the need for better hand washing after toileting. This becomes the practice in many households and out of ignorance. A little of sensitization, like t hcampaign of Swachh Bharat, would change the scenario.
In addition to the microbes usually present in the skin, we do pick up microbes from contact with other persons or objects in our surroundings. These germs are easy to pick up and transfer. The transfer of pathogenic germs makes one sick and help spreading infection further. Hand contact is the commonest way of spreading these germs from one to another and spreading infection. The skin on our hands with its natural secretion of oil forms an ideal environment for microbes to hitch a ride.
Hands can easily carry bacteria or virus from our gastro intestinal tract after we cough, sneeze, rub our mouths, noses or use toilets. Often, the outbreaks of food-borne illnesses are directly linked to poor hand wash practices. Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the transfer of germs from one to another and preventing them from entering one’s own system. Hand hygiene is the new term coined to describe good hand washing practices. Studies have proven that there is strong association between the improvements in hand hygiene and reduction in rates of infectious illnesses in the community.
Washing hands physically removes germs by friction. While regular washing with soap and running water is adequate while at home, hand washing with antibacterial agents may be essential in hospitals. In the absence of soap or water especially in healthcare settings, waterless hand scrubs may be used. Liquid soaps are preferable. Good hand washing techniques requires use of adequate amount of soap, rubbing the hands to create friction and washing under running water.
Hand washing is also clearly associated with our cultural and religious faith. Hand cleaning as a measure of preventing the spread of disease is clearly in harmony with the fundamental Hindu value of non-injury to others (ahimsa) and care for their well being (daya).
Behaviour science confirms that the hand cleansing patterns are most likely to be established in the first 10 years of life. This imprinting subsequently affects the attitude of the individual towards hand washing in rest of the life. It is necessary to catch them young. The children should be taught of hand hygiene both at home and school for promoting better health at personal and community level.
The writer is Professor of Pharmacy, Annamalai University
