Human Observation Project: Keeping Hands Clean

Keeping the hands clean is among the important steps that an individual can take to avoid becoming sick. It also aids in ensuring that a person does not transfer disease-causing micro-organisms to other people (Gross, 2009). Additionally, it has been scientifically proven that most disease, as well as conditions, are spread among persons for failing to use clean running water and soap to wash hands (Smith, 2013). This research is focused discussing the problem that numerous persons fail to clean their hands after washing the restroom, which is a risk factor for the attainment and spread of diseases.

Problem Statement

Most persons fail to wash their hands after visiting the restroom. According to a publication featured on the Mail-Online website, 62% of men and 40% of women admitted that they did not bother to clean their hands after visiting a restroom (Davies, 2015). These statistics were obtained from a research survey carried out among 100, 000 persons living in the United Kingdom (Davies, 2015). Additionally, according to Nordqvist (2013), in a publication featured on the Medical News Today website, only 5% of people wash their hands long enough to destroy all traces of infectious germs.

Statement of Theory

First, most men and women do not wash their hands properly using water and soap materials after using the restroom. Second, most people do not bother to clean their hands after touching a dirty environment before touching food or other people.

Hypothesis

Most persons fail to clean their hands after getting in contact with a dirty environment because they make an assumption that they are not dirty, which then causes them to attain health conditions.

Procedure

During an investigation aimed to ascertain the reasons why persons fail to clean their hands, an experiment was developed. The sample population used for the study included 100 persons from the local medical learning institution. Furthermore, the population was made 50 men and 50 women. Initially, the participants were not informed of the reasons for their participation in the research. This was an effort made to ensure that the findings of the data collected from their participation were not influenced or compromised.

Moreover, during the execution of the research, the sample population were asked to sit in the institutions auditorium, which was the designated site for executing the research. Also, the research participants were asked to sit in two rows where they were served with hot beverages and soft drinks. Meals were also served for those who were interested in having a heavy lunch. Every time a research participant visited the restroom, he/she would be isolated from the rest of the sample population.

Furthermore, all the isolated participants were asked to fill out a simple structured questionnaire focused on determining whether they had cleaned their hands after visiting the restrooms. Additionally, this procedure was repeated until all the research participants had visited the restroom. The data was recorded on a statistical chart that was prepared on a computer system and preserved for analysis.

Ultimately, to promote the validity and reliability of the data collected during the experiment, a retest exercise was performed. It entailed offering all the participants of the research a different questionnaire that was structured using different questions focused on seeking similar information as the first questionnaire. The data collected was matched with the first set of data to attain the final result.

Results

The results attained from the research portrayed that 85% of the research participants did not clean their hands after visiting the restroom. In this proportionate, the number of men who did not clean their hands was 60% while the women who did not clean their hands were 38%. Additionally, the remaining 2% only wiped their hands using toilet paper, which was not enough to completely eradicate any traces of germs on their hands. The table and chart below summarizes the findings of the experiment.

Variable Results Based on Gender

Total population that washed their hands. 15%

Total population that did not wash their hands 85%

Men Women

Men and women did not who wash their hands 60% 38%

Discussion

In light of the attained data, it was ascertained that a large number of persons fail to wash their hands after visiting an ablution block. Additionally, it is evident that more men than women fail to wash their hands. As such, it is plausible to state that failure to wash hands after being in contact with dirty environs is a critical problem facing numerous persons in different parts of the society.

Consequently, there is need to devise effective strategies for educating the public about the dangers of failing to wash hands. This is because handwashing reduces the risk of a person getting a respiratory infection by a proportionate of 16% and diarrhea-linked deaths by a proportionate of 50% (CDC, 2013). Ultimately, to avoid such occurrences, it is imperative for people to always wash with a lot of water and soap before handling food or touching other persons.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that majority of people in the society do not wash their hands after visiting the bathroom. Research has portrayed that more men than women fail to wash their hands after visiting the toilet. Ultimately, it is recommended that people should always clean their hands with a lot of water and soap before handling food or being in contact with other persons. This is because it will aid in helping them to avoid infections due to disease-causing microorganisms in their hands.

References

CDC. (2013, July 8). Water, Sanitation, & Environmentally-Related Hygiene. Retrieved from Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/fast_facts.html

Davies, M. (2015, February 27). Do YOU always wash your hands after going to the loo? 62% of men and 40% of women admit they don't bother. Retrieved from Mail Online: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2971931/Do-wash-hands-going-loo-62-men-40-women-admit-don-t-bother.html

Gross, J. (2009). Keeping Clean: A Cross-Curricular Unit. Dayton: Lorenz Educational Press.

Nordqvist, C. (2013, June 12). Only 5% Wash Their Hands Properly After Going To The Toilet. Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261875.php

Smith, S. (2013). Keeping Clean. Hampshire: Raintree.