In the aftermath of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the unsung hero of public well being has been revealed as hand hygiene, seamlessly integrating itself into the tapestry of our each day lives with unparalleled dedication. What was as soon as a routine act of hand washing metamorphosed right into a ritualistic defence mechanism, a formidable protect in opposition to an invisible adversary. Society collectively adopted the meticulous artwork of thorough hand cleaning, elevating hand sanitizers to the standing of ubiquitous equipment.
Fast-forward to the current, and the narrative has developed. The once-ritualistic hand washing, is now a fading customized. As the immediacy of the pandemic diminishes, so does the stringent adherence to hand hygiene practices. The journey from the meticulous choreography of handwashing to its current state symbolises the evolving narrative of a society transitioning from heightened alertness to a semblance of normalcy.
Simple however highly effective instrument
In the arsenal of preventative measures throughout the pandemic, handwashing emerged as a easy but highly effective instrument in the struggle in opposition to the extremely contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus. As the pandemic unfolded, public well being specialists and authorities globally emphasised the significance of common handwashing as a basic follow to cut back transmission charges and defend people from an infection.
Correct handwashing entails utilizing cleaning soap and water to cleanse fingers completely, eliminating not solely seen dust but in addition invisible pathogens, together with viruses and micro organism. The mechanical motion of rubbing fingers collectively whereas washing, mixed with the cleaning soap’s potential to break down the viral lipid envelope, proved extremely efficient in decreasing the threat of an infection.
Initiated in 2008 with the purpose of mobilising folks worldwide to wash their fingers, Global Handwashing Day is widely known yearly on October 15. This 12 months’s theme is ‘Clean hands are within reach.’
Speaking to The Hindu, Ranga Reddy Burri, President of the Infection Control Academy of India, highlighted how COVID-19 served as a silver lining, underscoring the significance of handwashing. He emphasised that handwashing is an easy intervention that doesn’t require in depth sources. It is a vital follow that may considerably cut back the burden of numerous illnesses, corresponding to flu, diarrheal problems, and higher respiratory tract infections. In truth, correct handwashing can probably halve little one mortality, particularly in low and middle-income international locations.
Dr. Burri identified that in lots of creating international locations, diarrhoeal problems stay a major burden. Improving hand hygiene in communities might cut back such problems by not less than 50%. The main obstacle to this enchancment is a behavioural one, as individuals are typically not taught about the necessity of handwashing from childhood, particularly after defecation, travelling, and consuming. While putting in such practices in adults below abnormal circumstances could be difficult, extraordinary conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic have confirmed efficient in altering behaviour due to worry, he mentioned.
Activating colleges
To guarantee widespread public consciousness, activating colleges to have interaction in such initiatives is essential. This entails not solely incorporating these initiatives into the curriculum but in addition selling them as integral to general good well being practices. Such efforts not solely contribute to speedy well being advantages but in addition improve our readiness for future pandemics and epidemics. Dr. Burri emphasised that heightened particular person preparedness interprets into elevated world well being preparedness.
A 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report disclosed alarming statistics: almost 384,000 deaths due to diarrhoea and 20 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) have been linked to insufficient hand hygiene practices. This difficulty was significantly pronounced in Africa and South-East Asia.
In October 2022, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) performed a complete examine in India specializing in the bottleneck evaluation of hand hygiene programming. The examine’s key findings unveiled that 76% of households in the area possess a useful faucet connection. Moreover, a notable 91% of respondents acknowledged the significance of washing fingers with cleaning soap in decreasing the threat of illness transmission.
However, the examine additionally introduced to mild some regarding gaps in information about handwashing practices. Specifically, 15% of respondents have been unaware of even a single step in the correct handwashing course of, whereas 30% demonstrated consciousness of all the appropriate steps. The information additional indicated that 79% of people have been conscious of the want to wash fingers with cleaning soap after utilizing the bathroom, with barely decrease percentages for different eventualities: 77% earlier than meals, 62% after getting back from outdoors, 40% after cleansing houses or dealing with rubbish, 30% after coming into contact with sick people, and 19% after sneezing or coughing.
One important revelation from the examine was the absence of budgeted actions inside the Departments of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Education devoted to selling hand hygiene. The examine emphasised that none of these departments had allotted funds for initiatives particularly focusing on hand hygiene promotion. Additionally, the examine underscored the pressing want for enhancements in Anganwadi centres, noting a scarcity of fundamental hand washing infrastructure, together with insufficient water provide for youngsters. The examine concluded by highlighting the crucial for immediate upgrades to handle these deficiencies in hand hygiene services.
No Need for antimicrobial soaps
In routine hand washing eventualities, there isn’t any want for antibacterial soaps. The public is suggested to steer clear of antibacterial soaps below regular circumstances and to keep away from hand sanitizers until entry to faucet water or a sink is restricted. A fundamental, conventional hand cleaning soap suffices to preserve hygiene and forestall infections. The post-COVID surge in disinfectant and antiseptic utilization is cautioned in opposition to, as it might lead to penalties akin to the present Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Kiran Madala, Scientific Committee Convenor of Indian Medical Association Telangana State warned that, simply as with AMR, there’s a looming menace of antiseptic and disinfectant resistance, emphasising that no chemical is completely benign and that every one substances have their very own results and potential unwanted side effects.
Way Forward
In order to guarantee a constant and efficient messaging technique on the significance of handwashing, the authorities wants to set up a cohesive communication framework. This ought to contain a structured method, akin to a pyramid, connecting ASHA staff at the grassroots stage to tertiary care hospitals. Drawing inspiration from profitable previous campaigns like ‘Hum Do Hamare Do’ for the 2-child coverage and door-to-door polio immunisation drives, the authorities ought to prioritise handwashing as a top-three agenda merchandise.
The want for a sustained and constant marketing campaign can’t be overstated. In the identical vein as earlier initiatives, incorporating a memorable jingle can improve the public’s consciousness of the significance of hand hygiene. On one other entrance, addressing the inadequacies in infrastructure is essential. Even in city areas, the lack of accessible and sanitary public restrooms poses a major problem, contributing to the unfold of infections. The authorities should direct its consideration towards creating public services for defecation and urination, making certain not solely their availability but in addition sustaining excessive requirements of hygiene, shared a authorities physician from a tertiary care hospital.
Furthermore, integrating hand hygiene into the college curriculum is pivotal. By instilling these practices at a younger age, we are able to set up lifelong habits. However, the effectiveness of such measures relies on the presence of ample services and sanitation inside authorities instructional establishments. It is crucial that the authorities not solely formulates instructional packages but in addition invests in the needed infrastructure to help these initiatives.
(Siddharth.kumar@thehindu.co.in)
