How important is handwashing?
Nearly all diarrhoeal disease agents can be spread by hands that have been contaminated by faecal material. The risk of diarrhoea is substantially reduced when family members practice regular handwashing. All family members should wash their hands thoroughly after defecation, after cleaning a child who has defecated, after disposing of a child’s stool, before preparing food, and before eating. Good handwashing requires the use of soap or a local substitute, such as ashes or soil, and enough water to rinse the hands thoroughly.
