Hand Washing Statistics: People Don’t Wash Hands
Some statistics illustrating that people don't wash their hands. Excerpt from the 2006 Minnesota Handwashing Tool Kit.
- American Society of Microbiology studies showed:
- 97% of females and 92% of males say they wash
- of these only 75% females and 58% males washed
- 50% of middle and high school students say they wash
- of these 33% of females and only 8% of males used soap while washing hands
- 97% of females and 92% of males say they wash
- Minnesota Department of Health led three observational studies:
- 2003 Back to 50’s Car Show Event—64% females washed and 30% males
- 2003 State Fair—65% females washed and 39% males
- 2004 State Fair—75% females washed and 51% males
- Hand Washing Among Public Restroom Users At the Minnesota State
Fair
Hand Washing at three events on MN State Fairgrounds.
- Hand Washing Among Public Restroom Users At the Minnesota State
Fair
(Source: 2006 Minnesota Handwashing Tool Kit)
“Hand Washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection”
Spotlight
Which Soap is Best?
Antibacterial soap vs. plain soap: Which is better? Liquid soap or bar soap? What about alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
Hand Hygiene Print Materials
Signs, posters, brochures, manuals, curricula, and other hand hygiene materials that you can print and use.
Clean Your Hands! Poster
This 11x17 poster shows the six steps for washing hands with soap and water or two for cleaning with alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Note:If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. Wash your hands with soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled.
Food handlers in restaurants, schools, delis and grocery stores must wash their hands with soap and water before applying hand sanitizers. [Minn Rules Chap. 4626.0070 - 4626.0085] See Hand Hygiene for Food Handlers for more information.
If you have questions or comments about this page, please use our Foodsafety Comment Form.
