By:Khima Rudach

Dr. Ignaz Semmelwies (1840) Assistant in maternity wards in vienna Observed high mortality in delivery done by medical students than done by midwives

He observed that students came directly from their lessons in autopsy room to delivery room He then advised them to wash hands with chlorine before attending deliveries which resulted in dramatic reduction in mortality

Dr. Oliver Windell Holmes (1843) Advocated hand washing to prevent child bed fever (caused by group A beta hemolytic streptococci) He believed that it was passed to pregnant women by contaminated hands of doctors

This knowledge has led to many studies which involved hand washing techniques, devices, different soaps, detergents & anti-microbial agents Since past 15 yrs it has become a standard practice for health care personnel to wear gloves to protect themselves & prevent spread of pathogens

In 1986 CDC laid down guiedlines for routine handwashing– A vigorous rubbing together of all surfaces of lathered hands for atleast 10 secs Thorough rinsing under stream of water

HAND WASHING SIGNIFICANCE

DO YOU KNOW ? Diarrhoeal diseases alone account for 1.8 million deaths among children under 5yr. Diarrhoea along with respiratory tract infections take a toll of 3.5million deaths among the <5 age group..

Diarrhoea and the acute respiratory tract infections are the major killer diseases among the children.

HOW TO BRING THIS DOWN? WE NEED SOME METHOD … WHICH IS… ACCESIBLE FOR ALL SIMPLE TO FOLLOW COST EFFECTIVE

THE ANSWER COMES… “HAND WASHING” THE ANSWER COMES… “HATHE ANSWER

WASH HANDS… CUT DOWN INFECTION?

INFECTIONS droplet feaco oral spread route INFECTIONS droplet feaco oral spread route HANDS ea eating, nose poking, rubbing the eyes infection gets into you.

SAVES MORE LIVES THAN ANY VACCINE OR MEDICAL INTERVENTION TER TOILET TURNING HAND WASHING INTO A HABIT… TWO TIMES i.e BEFORE MEALS & AF TURNING HAND WASHING INTO A HABIT… TWO TIMES i.e AFTER TOILET SAVES MORE LIVES THAN ANY VACCINE OR MEDICAL INTERVENTION TER TOILET SAVES MORE LIVES THAN ANY VACCINE OR MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

EVIDENCE SHOWS WITH HAND WASHING . DIARRHOEAL DEATHS BY 50% ARI BY 25%

BUT, IN INDIA … ONLY 53% wash hands after defecation only 38% wash hands before eating…

PACTISO FRIENDS… PRACTISE HANDWASHING SPREAD THE MESSAGE STOP INFECTION SE HANDWASHING

STEPS OF HAND WASHING

Step 1 Rub palm to palm

Right palm over back of left hand and left palm Step 2 Right palm over back of left hand and left palm over back of right hand

Palm to palm, with bent and spread out fingers Step 3 Palm to palm, with bent and spread out fingers

Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers Step 4 Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked

Circular rubbing of left thumb in closed right Step 5 Circular rubbing of left thumb in closed right hand and vice versa

Circular rubbing, backwards and forwards with Step 6 Circular rubbing, backwards and forwards with closed right hand fingertips in left palm and vice versa.

Finally, rinse and dry hands thoroughly

CRITICAL MOMENTS After using toilets After cleaning child’s bottom Before and after preparing food Before eating After sneezing and blowing your nose After you handle or touch animals, animal wastes Inserting or removing contact lens

GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY

Q. Isn’t it enough to wash hands with water alone, Is soap required, if so, what are its benefits ?

X

Q.Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap ?

Soap Makes A Big Difference

Q. What about people who don’t have access to soap?

Handwashing with soap is the single most cost-effective health intervention

Q. Is lack of handwashing with soap a problem only in developing countries?

*Farewell to filth, Hello to health Wash your hands everyday to keep diseases at bay

Q. How can you change people’s handwashing behaviours ?

TEACH THEM EARLIER……….

Q. Can handwashing with soap make a difference in overcrowded, highly contaminated slum environments?

Hand washing with soap can prevent diseases that kill millions of children every year

Q. Once people understand the health benefits of handwashing with soap, won’t they automatically do it?