Resources / Effect on Washing Hands with Soap on Diarrhoea Risk in the Community: A Systematic Review

Summary

Diarrhoeal diseases are amongst the top three killers of children in the world today. Since diarrhoeal diseases are of faecal origin, interventions that prevent faecal material from entering the domestic environment are likely to be of greatest significance for public health. The key primary barriers to the transmission of enteric pathogens are safe stool disposal and adequate hand washing, especially after contact with faecal material. Hands serve as vectors, transmitting pathogens to foodstuffs and drinks and to the mouths of susceptible hosts. This article presents a systematic review of the effects of washing hands with soap on diarrhoea risk and estimated potential reductions in diarrhoea mortality.