HAND-WASHING WITH SOAP REDUCES DIARRHEA AND SPREAD OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN A BANGLADESH VILLAGE

Hand washing with soap and water can prevent the spread of diarrhoeal diseases in areas where comparatively costly interventions, such as su pply of safe water and improved sanitation, are not possible, In this study, the practice of hand washing with soap and water was instituted in a periurban slum of Dhaka city, and the surveillance for diarrhoea sustained for a one-year period, Rates of primary and secondary attac ks were compared to those of a non-intervention area similar in age st ructure, economic status, education, and other relevant variables, Rec tal swabs of cases and contacts established aetiologies, There was a l arge (2.6 fold) reduction in diarrhoeal episodes in the intervention a rea during the observation period, Rates of bacterial pathogens were a lso lower in the intervention area, Significant reduction in diarrhoea l incidences was observed in all age groups for all pathogens except f or rotavirus, These observations if implemented as health policy could reduce the spread of diarrhoeal diseases at low cost in high risk are as.