Posted in:
Sports, Health & Lifestyle
Written By: Observer staff
Article Date: Sep 25, 2007 - 2:47:18 AM
Washing one’s hands after using the bathroom is one of the first rules of personal hygiene.
A new American study has shown that the gap between the sexes is wide when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene. The study found that over 33 percent of males didn’t bother to wash their hands after leaving the bathroom, compared to just 12 percent of females.
The study, sponsored by the American Microbial Society and the Soap and Detergent Association, was reported at a recent conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
American market research company, Harris Interactive employed people to monitor public restrooms in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and San Francisco. Of the 6,000 adults monitored, only 66 percent of men washed their hands after using the bathroom - down from 75 percent in a similar study conducted in 2005. Women were cleaner, with 88 percent bothering to lather up - down just 2 percent from the 2005 study.
“I agree with this study. My husband doesn’t care about his personal hygiene. For example he doesn’t put tools such as his toothbrush in a suitable place after washing his teeth. He also throws his clothes everywhere whenever he changes them,” said H.K, 26, a new housewife.
Its not only housewives who think that their husbands are filthy, single women also say the same thing about their fathers and brothers. “My father often doesn’t pay attention to entering the bathroom wearing shoes. My father is considered an example for my brothers, so they do the same thing,” said Hadeel. A.
“I do not believe such studies because I think that there is not a human in this world who would not wash their hands after using the bathroom. It is impossible to believe that any man or woman can do such bad thing. My husband, father and brothers always wash their hands after leaving the bathroom,” said Ashwaq al-Doba’i, another housewife.
Doctors say that washing hands frequently is the best defense against infections and diseases, especially highly contagious ones such as influenza.
To maintain good hygiene, hands should always be washed after using the toilet, changing a diaper, tending to someone who is sick, or handling raw meat, fish and poultry. Hands should also be washed before eating, handling or cooking food.
When washing ones hands its important to rub wet, soapy hands together outside the stream of running water for at least 20 seconds, before rinsing thoroughly and then drying with a clean or disposable towel.
After drying, a dry paper towel should be used to turn off the water (and open the exit door if it is a public restroom or other separate room). Moisturizing lotion is often recommended to keep the hands from drying out.
