These barriers prevent fecal pathogens from reaching the domestic environment in the first place. It has been estimated that Studies estimate that over 75% of all diarrheal cases can be caused by contaminated food and water (Curtis 2000, Maxwell 2012). Poor hygiene behaviors and improper handling practices of caregivers has been claimed associated with high levels of bacterial contamination food and water (Iroegbu 2000, Mannan 2010 and Pickering 2011).
In some cultures children’s faeces are regarded as harmless. For this reason adults may not wash their hands after handling children’s faeces (Traore 1994 and Curtis 2000). However, evidence from Tanzania suggests that children’s faeces are equally as hazardous as adult faeces and may contain …show more content…
Washing hands with soap and water removes pathogens mechanically and may also chemically kill contaminating and colonizing flora, making hand washing more effective (Hugonnet 2000). Also washing hands with soap under running water or large quantities of water with vigorous rubbing was found to be more effective than several members of a household dipping their hands into the same bowl of water (often without soap) (Luby 2005), which is a common practice in many low-income countries, especially before household meals (Ehiri 2001). This may contribute to, rather than prevent, food contamination as pathogens present on contaminated hands of household members can be transferred to those who subsequently dip their hands in the same bowl of water (Prüss 2002).
The practice of hand washing and the factors that influence hand washing behavior among individuals in communities are complex (Whitby 2007). For instance, washing hands with water only or with soap may be influenced by both knowledge of best practice and availability of water and soap (Curtis 2011). Also, hand washing may require infrastructural, cultural, and behavioral changes, which take time to develop, as well as substantial resources (for example, trained personnel, community organization, provision of water supply and soap) (Luby, 2001 and UNICEF/WHO
In some cultures children’s faeces are regarded as harmless. For this reason adults may not wash their hands after handling children’s faeces (Traore 1994 and Curtis 2000). However, evidence from Tanzania suggests that children’s faeces are equally as hazardous as adult faeces and may contain …show more content…
Washing hands with soap and water removes pathogens mechanically and may also chemically kill contaminating and colonizing flora, making hand washing more effective (Hugonnet 2000). Also washing hands with soap under running water or large quantities of water with vigorous rubbing was found to be more effective than several members of a household dipping their hands into the same bowl of water (often without soap) (Luby 2005), which is a common practice in many low-income countries, especially before household meals (Ehiri 2001). This may contribute to, rather than prevent, food contamination as pathogens present on contaminated hands of household members can be transferred to those who subsequently dip their hands in the same bowl of water (Prüss 2002).
The practice of hand washing and the factors that influence hand washing behavior among individuals in communities are complex (Whitby 2007). For instance, washing hands with water only or with soap may be influenced by both knowledge of best practice and availability of water and soap (Curtis 2011). Also, hand washing may require infrastructural, cultural, and behavioral changes, which take time to develop, as well as substantial resources (for example, trained personnel, community organization, provision of water supply and soap) (Luby, 2001 and UNICEF/WHO