Study Shows That People Are Washing Hands More Than Ever

September 17th, 2010 - 12:38 am ICT by GD  

By Meena Kar
hand_washingSep 16, (THAINDIAN NEWS) A new study has revealed that people have started washing their hands more often than they ever did. After a study of over 6000 Americans in public toilets, a group has revealed that up to 85% people wash their hands before leaving the public restrooms. This is the highest percentage of hand washers observed by the group which started monitoring the toilets since 1996. It is surely a big rise from the 77% that was observed in 2007 and the best figure that has been observed so far.

The study also compared the genders when it came to washing their hands and the result is sure to shock and disgust some women. Men have fared much lesser than women with just 77% of them washing their hands while leaving the toilet. Among women 93% have been washing their hands while leaving the public restrooms. With a 16% difference between the two the study also shows the difference in the attitude towards sense of hygiene among men and women. Some experts have said that the rise in the frequency and percentage of people washing their hands could be due to the recent swine flu scare as well.

One microbiologist who was involved in the study explained that those 20 seconds of friction with soap and water was one of the best things that the people could do to prevent themselves from falling sick. The volunteers who conducted the research observed the restroom users while pretending to put on make up or combing their hair. Apart from observing from inside the toilet, the researchers also made phone calls to more than 1000 adults with questions about their hand washing habits.

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