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Women Better at Washing Hands Than Men
Sept. 21, 2005 -- About nine in 10 American adults say they wash their hands after using a public restroom, but only about eight in 10 actually do so, according to a new report.
Women were more likely to wash their hands than men, but the study shows that both sexes were guilty of not being as diligent about hand washing as they said they were.
Researchers say hand washing is the single most important thing people can do to stop the spread of illness and reduce the risk of getting sick.
Contrary to what many people believe, experts say cold and flu viruses are spread by hands more often than through the air from sneezing.
"We unconsciously touch our mouths, noses, and eyes many, many times each day," states Judy Daly, PhD, professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine, in a news release. "These mucous membranes are welcome mats for cold and flu viruses, which are readily transferred from unclean hands."
Daly is also secretary of the American Society for Microbiology, which commissioned the study along with the Soap and Detergent Association.
The CDC says it's important to remember that in addition to colds, some pretty serious diseases -- like hepatitis A, meningitis, and infectious diarrhea -- can easily be prevented if people make a habit of washing their hands.
Comparing Cities
The study, conducted by the research firm Harris Interactive, consisted of a nationwide telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults as well as observing the behavior of people in public restrooms in August 2005.
Researchers observed more than 6,000 people in restrooms at six major public attractions in four major U.S. cities: Atlanta (Turner Field), Chicago (Museum of Science and Industry and Shedd Aquarium), New York City (Grand Central Station and Penn Station), and San Francisco (Ferry Terminal Farmers Market).
Overall, the results showed that 90% of women washed their hands after using the restroom compared with 75% of men.
Researchers say that's much lower than the 97% of women and 96% of men who said in the telephone survey that they always or usually wash their hands after using a public restroom.
Washing habits also varied from city to city. For example:
- Sports fans at Atlanta's Turner Field had the worst hand washing habits. About a quarter (26%) did not wash their hands after using the public restroom.
- The biggest disparity between men's and women's hand washing habits was at New York's Penn Station: 92% of the women washed their hands after using the restroom compared with only 64% of the men.
- San Francisco shoppers had the best hand hygiene with 88% washing their hands after using the facilities.
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