Study Reveals Hand-Washing Habits of Europeans

by Jakub Marian

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WIN/Gallup International, an association of market research companies from all around the world, recently conducted a survey of hand-washing habits in 63 countries. Participants were asked whether they wash their hands automatically with water and soap after going to the toilet (which has been shown to decrease the risk of contracting contagious diseases, especially in children).

The survey did not ask people whether they wash their hands with water alone, but there is a good enough reason to always use soap. A recent study by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showed that using ordinary (non-antibacterial) soap completely removes dangerous bacteria in about 82% of cases, whereas washing with water alone removes them in only about 48% of cases.

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washing hands with soap and water
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