From the Guidelines
Handwashing is the most effective method to reduce the risk of diarrhea, and it should be performed after using the toilet, changing diapers, before and after preparing food, before eating, after handling garbage or soiled laundry items, and after touching animals or their feces or environments. According to the 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea 1, hand hygiene is a crucial step in preventing the transmission of infectious agents. The guidelines recommend hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers, especially in public settings such as petting zoos.
To effectively prevent diarrhea through handwashing, it is essential to wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to clean between fingers, under nails, and the backs of hands. Critical times for handwashing include:
- Before preparing food or eating
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers
- After handling garbage or soiled laundry items
- After touching animals or their feces or environments
If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can be used 1. Handwashing works by physically removing pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause diarrheal illnesses. These pathogens are commonly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, where contaminated hands touch food or surfaces that eventually contact the mouth. Regular handwashing breaks this transmission cycle by eliminating these pathogens before they can enter the body, making it one of the most cost-effective public health interventions for preventing diarrheal disease 1.
From the Research
Reduction of Risk of Diarrhea by Handwashing
- Handwashing with soap is a crucial practice in preventing the spread of diarrheal diseases, as it reduces the risk of transmission by approximately 40% 2.
- The global prevalence of handwashing with soap is estimated to be around 19%, indicating a need for improved hygiene practices worldwide 2.
- Educating parents on handwashing, food preparation, water purification, and improvements in sanitation can help prevent diarrhea in children 3.
- Handwashing is particularly important after contact with excreta, such as using a sanitation facility or coming into contact with children's excreta 2.
- The use of soap and water for handwashing is effective in removing and inactivating pathogens, including viruses and bacteria 4.
Prevention of Diarrhea
- Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a highly effective treatment for acute watery diarrhea, and its use has been instrumental in reducing morbidity and mortality from diarrheal diseases 5, 3, 6.
- Continued breastfeeding, zinc supplementation, and appropriate feeding during diarrhea are also beneficial in managing and preventing diarrhea in children 3.
- Improvements in sanitation, water purification, and hygiene practices can help prevent the spread of diarrheal diseases, including cholera 3.