Indians believe
low hygiene standards in the country make infections here more serious as
compared to other nations
Global
study reveals that good hand and surface hygiene is a universal measure to
prevent spread of infection
 |
| From LtoR Professor John Oxford, Chairman of the Hygiene Council, Mr. Chander Mohan Sethi, Senior Vice President - South East Asia, RB, Dr Narendra Saini, India Representative GHC |
Mumbai: October
11th, 2013, The Global Hygiene Council
2013 study reveals that over three quarters (76%) of adults are concerned about
themselves or their family contracting an infectious disease. The level of
concern varies greatly between countries, with respondents from India showing
the most concern (95%) compared to just 54% in Germany.
The survey of
more than 18,000 adults across 18 countries, including India, has revealed that
the biggest (30%) infectious disease concern across the world is seasonal flu.
Despite this unified concern, the data from individual countries shows that
infectious disease priorities do vary widely across the world. For example in
India the top three concerns are illnesses that cause seasonal colds (47.3%),
skin infections (37.1%) and seasonal flu (31.9%). In UK it is stomach upset
(e.g. E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella) (42%); diarrhoea and vomiting
(33%); and staph infection/MRSA (30%). While the priorities in Nigeria are
seasonal colds (49%); waterborne illnesses (e.g. Cholera and Typhoid) (44%); and
skin infections (42%). Despite these differences, the one common theme is the
important role that hygiene has in all countries in helping control and
preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Mr. Chander
Mohan Sethi, Senior Vice President – South East Asia, RB commented, "Dettol
is considered as the gold standard in germ protection and a leader in the
hygiene and health care segment. It is our responsibility to educate consumers
about the importance of adopting correct hygiene practices to ensure a healthy
lifestyle. The focus of the study this year was to get inside the consumer
psyche and understand their concerns about the risk of infectious diseases or
infections that can pose a potential threat to their health as well as that of
their family both at home and while engaging with communities outside. More
than 3/4th of the respondents from India ensured that they and their
families wash their hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and
before eating to prevent infections or infectious diseases. We are happy to see
that our consistent effort over the years to educate the consumers about
hygiene practices is somewhere contributing to the results we are witnessing
today.”
Professor
John Oxford, Chairman of the Hygiene Council and Professor of Virology at Barts
and The London School of Dentistry commented, “It
is clear from our latest study that the infectious disease concerns of members
of the public vary considerably, depending upon the country they live in. In
some countries respiratory illnesses, such as seasonal influenza and common
colds are of most concern, whilst in others gastrointestinal illnesses, caused
by pathogens including E. coli and Salmonella are of more concern. Despite
these differences, it appears universally recognised
that good hygiene is an important way to stop the spread of infectious
diseases. Simple hygiene measures, such as handwashing with soap before
handling and eating food and after using the toilet, and targeted surface
disinfection are essential in helping to break the chain of infection.”
Dr Narendra Saini, India
Representative GHC commented, “We know from our studies that
members of the public in India and across the world are concerned about
infectious diseases and the impact they have on their health and the health of
their families. It is also apparent that the home is consistently seen as the
least risky place for picking up infectious diseases. However, we know that
infectious diseases, including respiratory illnesses like influenza and
foodborne illnesses, such as Salmonella, are regularly transmitted in the home
between family members, through improperly cooked food and via contamination
from unhygienic kitchen surfaces. I urge members of the public not to be
complacent about the safety of their homes. In order to help protect the whole
family against potentially harmful infections, thorough and regular hand
washing with soap and cleaning and disinfection of food contact surfaces and
commonly touched areas is essential.”
When asked why
they are concerned about themselves or their family contracting an infectious
disease, 64% state that it is because of the long term effect on health, whilst
more than half (51%) say they are worried by an increase in antibiotic
resistance, which they believe is making infections caused by bacteria more
difficult to treat. Overall, 68% of adults think public transport is one of the
riskiest places for picking up infectious diseases, compared to just 11% who
view the home as risky. In addition to these concerns, 73.8% respondents in
India believe that it is because it affects the family’s long term health.
51.6% believe infection spreads easily to other family members and 48% think
that this is because viruses are becoming more resistant to drugs and so are
harder to treat.
Despite varying
infectious disease concerns between countries, 77% of adults say they ensure
that they and their family wash their hands with soap and water after going to
the toilet and before eating and over half (55%) of adults say they also
regularly clean and disinfect surfaces in the home (e.g. toilet and kitchen
surfaces), demonstrating an understanding that good hygiene can help to prevent
infection. India is relatively better than the global average with 57% of
adults regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in the home (e.g. toilet
and kitchen surfaces) while 77% Indians endure that they and their family wash
their hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before eating.
Notwithstanding
this data, previous Global Hygiene Council studies such as the Dettol HABIT
Study have indicated that although people know good hand hygiene is important;
in reality they do not always practice it correctly. 83% of adults say they
intend to wash their hands every time they go to the toilet, but just 68% say
they do this with soap and water.[i]
49% of adults
around the world (including India) perceive mass gatherings (e.g. sports
matches & music concerts) as some of the most risky places for picking up
infectious diseases. In addition to this 20% say they avoid attending mass
gatherings as a measure to help prevent them from picking up infectious
diseases. 68% of all survey respondents, and 75% of the respondents in India,
perceive the most risky place for picking up infectious diseases to be on
public transport.
Further
information please visit:
•
Hygiene Council: www.hygienecouncil.com
•
Reckitt Benckiser: http://www.reckittbenckiser.
Notes to
Editors
The Hygiene Council Global Infection
Challenge Survey
The Global Infection Challenge Survey
was designed to gain insight into consumers’ concerns about the risk of
infectious diseases/infections posed to themselves and their family at home and
in the community. 18,162 adults were surveyed from 18 different countries via
online and/or computer-assisted telephone interview.
The Global
Hygiene Council
The Global Hygiene
Council is an initiative bringing together leading global experts in the field
of microbiology, virology, infectious diseases, immunology, and public health
to formulate realistic and practical recommendations on simple hygiene measures
to help the public improve levels of hygiene in the home and community and, in
turn, help to prevent the spread of all kinds of infections.
The Hygiene Council is supported by
an unrestricted educational grant from Reckitt Benckiser
For further information, please visit
the Hygiene Council website at www.hygienecouncil.org
Visit us on YouTube at http://youtube.com/user/
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