Hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of diseases. Proper hand hygiene can reduce respiratory illnesses by 16-21% and diarrheal diseases by 23-40% according to the WHO. Pathogens can get onto hands through sneezing, shaking hands, using the toilet, touching surfaces, changing diapers, or handling patients. Proper hand washing involves using soap and clean running water at 5 critical times: after using the toilet, changing diapers, before eating, before food preparation, and before feeding a baby.

1. BY
BENARD OTIENO ONYANGO

2. Hand hygiene; Why hand washing
 Ladies and gentlemen, According to Center for disease control
and prevention (CDC), keeping our hands clean is one of the most
important step we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading
diseases to others
 Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands
with soap and clean running water
 Proper hand hygiene prevent spread of flue, food poisoning and
other communicable diseases
 According to WHO Hand washing with soap and water;
 Reduces respiratory illnesses in the general population by 16 – 21%
 Reduces diarrheal diseases in the general population by 23 – 40%
 Reduces diarrheal illnesses in people with weak immunity by58%
 Estimated global rates of hand washing after using the toilet is 19%. Hence
prevalence of diarrhea among children at 18.7 % (Osero O, et al, 2018)

3. How do pathogens get into our hands?
Sneezing/Coughing on hands
Shaking contaminated hand
Using a toilet
Touching contaminated surfaces
Changing a diaper
Handling a patient

4. What should we do?
 We should wash our hands with clean running water and sop at 5 critical times
After changing
diaper
After visiting the
toilet
Before eating
Before handling
food
Before feeding a baby

5. How should we do it?
Image source; WHO