Health

Hand washing can prevent 30 per cent of diarrhea in children and one of the best means of preventing the disease in them, according to an expert, Dr Ekong Udoh.

Udoh of Calabar Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention stated this on Tuesday in Calabar at a media round table organised for journalists by Cochrane Nigeria.

He said clinical trials conducted in both High Income Countries (HIC) and Low Middle Income Countries (LIMC) in May 2015 showed that diarrhea caused many deaths in children below five years, mostly in LIMC, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

“Hand washing promotion at child day care facilities or schools probably prevents around 30 per cent of diarrhea and may prevent similar proportion in schools in LIMCs, ‘’ he said.

Udoh said research showed that about one million children die annually from diarrhea, mostly in developing countries due to several factors, including poverty and ignorance.

“Poverty is a big factor; ignorance and lack of information is also another factor.”
He advised the people to always wash their hands before and after eating and must do same after defecation.

“Breast feeding mothers should wash their hands after helping the child defecate, before preparing food and before feeding the child, using soap and running water. ‘’