Community Health Volunteer's Training Manual - Population Council

Module 4 The work of Community Health Volunteers
Topic 2 Hand washing
Figure 4.2.1 How clean are your
hands? Asks Dr. Amoussou,
DDHS, AOB
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Hand washing is a simple habit that can help you to stay healthy.
In fact, many diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, worms and chest
infection can be reduced significantly by washing your hands
frequently. How does hand washing prevent the transmission of
these diseases? Throughout the day germs collect on your hands
if you do not wash them. You collect germs through handshake,
touching contaminated surfaces, cleaning yourself after visiting the
toilet, as well as touching food, animals and animal waste. If you do
not wash your hands frequently, you transfer these germs from your
hand to your mouth when you eat or to your eyes and nose when you
touch them. Also, you may infect other people either by touching
them directly or indirectly through objects such as the door handle.
When should you wash your hands?
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Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the
spread of diseases
It is good to wash one’s hands as often as possible. However, there are times when it’s critical
to wash your hands to limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other micro organisms. Box
4.2.2 gives you examples of when to wash one’s hands.
Box 4.2.2: When to wash one’s hands
Before…..
Preparing food
Eating
Treating wounds or cuts
Touching sick or injured person
Feeding children
Preparing ORS
Giving medication
After…….
Preparing food
Eating
Treating wounds or cuts
Touching sick or injured person
Using the toilet
Touching animals or animal waste
Blowing your nose
Handling refuse or garbage
Changing the child’s napkin
After coughing or sneezing into your hands
NB: For health volunteers, it is also important to wash your hands;
Before preparing ORS
After retreatment of an ITN