I am a clean freak mom with my children. It is important to me whenever we eat or do something to wash our hands all the time so as to protect ourselves from bad bacteria and diseases that comes with it. I strongly emphasize to them that it is also important to follow the handwashing rule as it will be useless if not done properly.
In this year’s Global Handwashing Day celebration, Safeguard has partnered with one of the most prominent personalities in the country today to bring attention to the importance of proper and habitual handwashing. The nation’s leading soap together with the “Pambasang Bae” Alden Richards join forces to educate Filipinos on the importance of handwashing through the power of a song.
After using the toilet:
· 7 out of 10 Filipinos CLAIM to wash their hands after using the toilet but—ONLY 2 out of 10 really do.
· A shocking 64% of Filipinas DO NOT wash their hands at all after using a mall toilet.
Before eating and cooking
· It was observed that 60% of females washed their hands with water ONLY before cooking.
· Before feeding the kids, 40% washed their hands with water ONLY.
Before and after bonding:
o 80% of Filipinos DO NOT wash their hands after shaking hands with another person
o 40% of Filipinos DO NOT wash their hands before touching young children
After playing or travelling
o 49% DO NOT wash their hands after using their mobile phones
o 50% DO NOT wash their hands after traveling on public transportation
If these statistics seem particularly innocuous, keep in mind that one of the fastest ways to spread germs and diseases is by human contact and ingesting contaminated food. Clearly, Filipinos haven’t nurtured the habit of proper hand washing, and based on statistics, a great number do not care. There’s a great opportunity to educate citizens that washing hands with soap can effectively remove disease-causing germs and is the most basic way to prevent oneself from getting sick.
Did you know that 1.5 million children around the world die every year due to diarrhea? As shocking as it may seem, diarrhea is the second most common cause of death among kids. UNICEF has declared that pneumonia takes the lives 1.8 million children globally each year. Furthermore, in a study done by DOH locally, it has been found out that pneumonia is the number one cause of death among Filipino children of age 1-14 years. Believe it or not, the simple habit of proper handwashing with an anti-bacterial soap can be an effective way of reducing these incidents.
“The results of the Philippine Handwashing Index indicate that Filipinos clearly haven’t nurtured the habit of proper handwashing. Which is why, Safeguard continues to take active steps to spread awareness on its relevance specifically through the Global Handwashing Day and through the new handwashing song with Alden Richards,” explains Jia Salindong- Du, Safeguard Philippines Brand Manager.
