Post-defecation handwashing in bangladesh: Practiceand efficiency perspectives

Inadequate handwashing after defecation and anal cleaning practices in the Indian subcontinent is an important source of faeco-oral transmission of enteric diseases. To better understand the process as traditionally practised, 90 women in semi-rural Bangladesh were observed washing hands after defecation. Several components of handwashing practices were identified: the cleaning agent, using left or both hands; frequency of rubbing hands, type and amount of water used to wash, and the drying of hands on the wearer's clothes. A subsequent experiment was conducted to assess the effect of currently practised handwashing and drying according to standardised procedure on faecal coliform count of hands. As a rubbing agent, soil was commonly used (40%); soap was used by 19% and was reported unaffordable…