Page 140 - LECTURE NOTES

to poor hygiene. The benefits of safe water supply and sanitation efforts in a given

community can easily be lost if the communities still engage in poor personal hygiene.
Health related programs, therefore, should consider carefully the changes in hygiene

practices needed to complement improved water and sanitation facilities. To achieve
these goals, hygiene education plays a central role and has to be applied in a

sustainable way. For a more detailed explanation on personal hygiene the reader is
advised to refer the lecture notes on Personal Hygiene prepared by the Carter Centre

for Ethiopian Health center team.

Tips on personal hygiene for every day items

Here are some important points that environmental health professionals need to

consider in addressing the promotion of personal hygiene which is important in the
prevention and control of common skin infections.

- Washing the body with warm water and soap preferably every day to remove dust and dirt

- After showering or bathing ensure thorough drying of the body. Take special care to
dry between the toes, under the armpits and in the groin region.

- Regular exposure of the skin to air and sunlight is beneficial
- After a bowel action, ensure the anal area is cleansed from the front backwards and

not in the reverse direction. This reduces the chance of infections being passed to

an individual’s sexual organs.
- Wear the right size and type of clothes to suit local weather.

- Change your clothes, especially underwear, socks, stocking or tights on a regular
basis-preferably daily.

- Launder towels, washcloths, sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and bedclothes on a
frequent and regular basis.

- After washing, hang clothes and if possible, iron it before wearing

- Do not share cleaned clothes or towels.
- Do not share brushes, combs, toothbrushes or toilet articles

- Keep washbasins, toilet seats, bathrooms, kitchens and fixtures thoroughly clean.
- Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs

- Use paper towels or tissues in the kitchen

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