What is hand hygiene? Why is it important?
This issue, which we pay little attention to, starts with the education in kindergartens in developed countries and continues with education for all ages and individuals in many state and private sectors. We all know how important this issue is in many areas, especially in the health and food sector in our country. But it is worth reminding and emphasizing.
We have a very high number of microorganisms in our hands.
The spread rate in our body is 40%, Armpit 15-25%, Waist 30-39%. Microorganisms are transmitted to us from the environment. There are microbes on every surface we touch, even in air. Bacteria, yeasts, molds, fungi multiply when they find the appropriate environment becomes harmful. By touching everything with our hands, we become contaminated. We even contaminate others. So we take germs from someone else's environment and we spread it to others. In our hands, the germs in our hands unaware to infect. Itching, eye and mouth, nose, ear is enough to touch. We endanger our own health and the health of others. Respiratory tract infections, colds, bronchitis, influenza, cholera, diarrhea, tuberculosis, etc. diseases are contagious. The easiest and most basic method to prevent the transmission of these diseases is to provide hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is basically provided by washing hands.
WHEN WE WASH OUR HANDS ?
• After each toilet
• If you see your hands very dirty immediately
• Before eating and preparing food
• After touching dirty foods, meat, chicken, fish, vegetables, fruits
• Before returning home from work, after arrival
• After sneezing, coughing, mixing nose, ear
• After touching any dirty area of your body
• After touching cuts or wounds on your body
• Before touching your eyes and face, before applying makeup
• Before any medication and application
• After loving and touching animals (including cage, material)
• After touching sick persons and shaking hands
• After touching money and trash
HOW TO WASH HAND?
Liquid soap or disinfectant liquid soap with warm and running water under the wet, thoroughly spread the soap, ensuring at least 15-20 seconds, top of our hands, six, between the fingers, fingernails, palms, elbow levels are rubbed thoroughly.
It is rinsed well until the soap and foam are removed.
Dry thoroughly with paper towel or personal towel. If there is drying, dry thoroughly.
The faucet is closed and the paper towel is thrown into the trash.
Health and food workers should also use alcohol hand disinfectant.
HAND WASHING TYPES
Social hand washing
With this washing, the flora of the temporary microorganism is removed. At least 15 sec.
Hygienic hand wash
Antimicrobial soaps and self-curing alcohol-based antiseptics are used. It is at least 10-15 sec.
Surgical hand wash
It is made with antimicrobial soaps and alcohol-based antiseptics. The temporary flora is killed and removed. Disinfectants are also used in this washing. The nails are brushed and hand washed up to the elbows.
HAND WASH STATISTICS IN OUR COUNTRY
Hand washing habits; 52% in women and 48% in men.
Hand washing habits according to age; 22% among young people, 38% between 35-54 years, 38% among those over 55 years.
In very crowded places, unsuitable times, places without toilets, soap-free toilets, hand washing habits disappear.
Hand washing has been proven to be effective with soap, more effective with disinfectant soap, and more effective when applied with the latest alcohol. World May 5 World Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated every year under the leadership of World Health Organization in order to emphasize the importance of hand hygiene and raise awareness.
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Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap, Apple, 12.5 fl oz