November 23, 2011—Something as simple as handwashing has been shown to have a major impact on stopping the spread of germs. In some areas handwashing is being understood and emphasized, but a recent study reveals that much more work needs to be done before handwashing becomes a universal habit. The research also shows that consumers look to the businesses they frequent to be up to par on handwashing habits and accommodations—for both employees and patrons.
A recent survey by SCA, a global hygiene company, took a close look at North American consumer and college student hand hygiene habits. SCA is maker of the Tork brand of away-from-home paper products. Commissioned in honor of this year’s Global Handwashing Day, close to 3,000 U.S. and Canadian adults and U.S. college students were surveyed by IBOPE Zogby International to determine handwashing habits.
While those surveyed showed extra care in some hygiene situations, some bad habits prevail:
- Forty percent of U.S. adults and 53 percent of Canadian adults said they sometimes skip using soap when washing their hands.
- Nearly a quarter of U.S. and Canadian adults do not wash their hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Nearly 60 percent of U.S. college students never or only sometimes wash their hands before dining in the campus cafeteria.
- More than half of U.S. and Canadian adults do not wash their hands after handling money.
- Fewer than 55 percent of U.S. and Canadian adults indicated they wash their hands after activities such as going to the gym or using public transportation.
- Fewer than one in five U.S. and Canadian adults wash their hands after using their computers at work, with fewer than 25 percent of U.S. college students admitting to the same habit on campus.
- Nearly a quarter of U.S. and Canadian adults do not wash their hands after coughing or sneezing.
While the use of soap may be inferred when washing hands, many in North America are skipping its usage. “Soap is what helps remove bacteria when washing hands,” said Dr. Allison Aiello, Tork Green Hygiene Council (TGHC) member and associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. “For handwashing to effectively prevent the spread of germs, plain soap should always be used.”
Drying hands thoroughly also plays a role in effective handwashing; SCA research shows damp hands spread up to 500 times more germs than dry hands. More than 65 percent of U.S. and Canadian adults never or only sometimes continue using the hot air drying machine until their hands are completely dry. U.S. and Canadian consumers showed an overwhelming preference for using paper towels, with more than 70 percent preferring this drying method in foodservice, office and healthcare facilities. In fact, more than 50 percent indicated they have avoided using hot air dryers while in a public restroom since they take too long to dry hands or they don’t dry hands completely.
There are different practices of handwashing outside the office and home. The research showed that consumers look to the businesses they frequent to be up to par on handwashing habits and accommodations—for both employees and patrons. Specific insights include:
- More than 80 percent of both U.S. and Canadian adults would avoid a restaurant whose restroom they found to be unclean.
- More than 70 percent of U.S. adults and 66 percent of Canadian adults would avoid a healthcare facility or office if they found their restroom to be unclean.
- Nearly one-quarter of both U.S. and Canadian adults feel their office/place of employment does not provide adequate encouragement for employees to wash their hands with nearly one in four U.S. college students agreeing in regards to their on-campus facilities.
- Nearly 90 percent of U.S. and Canadian adults would think less of a restaurant’s conditions if they did not have proper handwashing tools available.
- U.S. college students were the most likely to wash their hands after working out at the gym or health center (73 percent) and using their cell phone (nearly 17 percent) than any other group surveyed.
- More than 70 percent of U.S. adults and 66 percent of Canadian adults would avoid a healthcare facility or office if they found their restroom to be unclean.
“Handwashing continues to be one of the most important steps we can take to avoid spreading germs and infections to others, both in our personal and professional lives,” said Tork Green Hygiene Council (TGHC) member and assistant professor of Clinical Laboratory Science at Saint Louis University, Donna Duberg. She also encourages businesses to provide hand-sanitizing stations, as this promotes hand hygiene outside of the restroom and demonstrates commitment to patron health.
SCA’s Tork brand offers downloadable handwashing posters to facilities managers wishing to promote handwashing in the workplace.
