Hand washing will properly reduce the risk of diarrhea by 30%, scientists said Nigeria.

A survey of 14 different studies has shown that in rich and poor countries alike, in schools and hospitals, as well as elsewhere, hand washing is a simple way to prevent infectious diarrhea.

The challenge is to find a way to influence the habit of washing hands so that useful practice becomes part of a person's lifestyle, said Dr. Regina Ejemot from the University of Nigeria.

According to the Ministry of Health, diarrhea kills 2.2 million people a year.

The highest rate of deaths from diarrhea in middle- or low-income countries was observed among young children.

Microbes that cause diarrhea are found in the intestines and spread through fecal contamination of hands and water. Washing hands after using the toilet will help reduce the incidence of diarrhea, says Dr. Ejemot.

Just a simple washing of hands will reduce the risk of disease by 30%. The problem is to find an effective way to encourage people to wash their hands properly, say scientists.

Medicinform. Net.

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