A study conducted by Michigan State University in 2013 revealed that only 5 percent of the people in America who use a washroom wash their hands long enough to kill all the infection-causing germs. The worrying figure was that about 33 percent of them didn’t use a soap while 10 percent of them didn’t even wash them with water.
India, a country that faces major sanitation and personal hygiene issues, is much worse off. According to data released by the Public Health Association, only 53 percent of the country’s population use soap to wash their hands after defecation, while just 38 percent wash hands before eating food and only 30 percent do so before cooking.
Now, this becomes a major issue because the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) estimated that about 80 percent of the common infections, including diseases such as swine flu, are spread through contaminated hands and this is why the World Health Organization (WHO) underlined hand hygiene as the first line of defense against the serious threat posed by swine flu.
Reasons for the Spread of Epidemics in India
The first reason is the lack of proper sanitation facilities in the country. A large population in the rural areas don’t have access to toilets and defecate in the open even in the 21st century. Now, if they don’t even have proper toilets, expecting them to have a soap to wash hands when needed seems like asking for too much.
Another reason is the lack of knowledge. Most people are not even aware about the health-related problems that can be caused by contaminated hands. Lastly, Indians are known for their laid back approach. Even if people have soap, they don’t seem to want to use it.
Since you can’t carry a soap everywhere you go, the noble concept of hand sanitizers was introduced but again that led to many misconceptions, including those regarding the safety of such products, due to the alcohol content in it.
Are Hand Sanitizers Safe?
Absolutely! The PHAC itself recommends sanitizers that have at least 60% to 80% of alcohol as an excellent way to keep your hands clean. In fact, a study cited by the WHO, back in 1991, proved that alcohol-based sanitizers, like Dettol Instant Hand Sanitizer, are more effective in preventing the transmission of bacteria from the hands of the healthcare workers to patients’ catheters. Here are a few things you should know about them:
· They are Highly Effective: A hand sanitizer cleans your hand much better than just water and soap, and therefore helps in reducing the bacterial burden. Also, you hands tend to stay clean for a longer period of time.
· They Don’t Cause Super-Bacteria: Another misconception about them is that the frequent use makes the bacteria resistant to the treatment, which is absolutely false. Sanitizers lead to cell-membrane disruption by the alcohol that is present in them and this phenomenon cannot be resisted by bacteria, physically. In simple words, it is not possible.
· They are Good for the Skin: Most such products come with emollients in them that help in improving the skin condition. Although they contain alcohol, a study conducted in New York in 2004 proved that they are more effective for the skin than the soap.
· There is a Way to Use Them: Most of the people who face trouble using sanitizers are actually using it the wrong way. To use it effectively, you need to make sure that your hands are free of any visible dirt or grime before applying it. Then, apply the fluid on your palm and rub it for at least 20 to 30 seconds evenly. Make sure that it is distributed between your fingers, under your nails, etc. When your hands are dry, the job is done.
What Role Does Your Job Play?
Your profession also decides whether you should use the product on a regular basis or not. A person working at a medical healthcare center is more vulnerable to diseases than a corporate worker sitting in his office the entire day. Similarly, a school teacher who has to deal with so many small kids every day is more prone to infections than a mother of two who stays at home.
If you are a chef, it is the people eating your food who are in danger if you don’t wash your hands on a regular basis. OR if your job requires you to travel a lot by public transport or meet many people on a daily basis, you are more vulnerable to the transfer of germs and hand hygiene should be a top priority for you. So, keep a hand sanitizer close at hand and use it regularly.
According to data published by UNICEF India, hand washing can reduce the cases of diarrhea by 40 percent, respiratory infections by 30 percent and also help in reducing the number of child deaths in the country. So, come be a part of the change!