82% of school boys will suffer from gastric infections and colds this winter term.

This especially high incidence of infection in young boys is due in part to poor hand cleaning and inattention to personal hygiene – which adds to the usual unavoidable transmission hazards.

A survey undertaken by voxpopuk.com for Hands Up For Hygiene, where 1,000 parents, teachers and school nurses were polled, shows:

91% of boys do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, blowing their nose, playing with pets and playing sport.

Compared to:

32% of girls, who are more thorough while washing their hands, making them less susceptible to carry and pass on infections.

Victoria Brunning, brand manager for Carex Hands up for Hygiene is surprised by the results, "I expected boys to spend less time washing their hands than girls, but am worried by the high number who did not spend at least 15 seconds washing their hands. This goes to show Hands up for Hygiene is a great tool for parents and educators in teaching children the importance of good hand hygiene."

According to GP Dr Palastrand, "poor hand hygiene is proven to be associated with increased risk of infection so it should be encouraged for all children to be taught how and when to wash their hands in the correct manner."

www.carex.co.uk/hands-up-for-hygiene