By Maria Famakinwa

|

Findings have revealed that most Nigerians no longer wash their hands regularly as it was during the out break of COVID-19 in the country few years ago. Not even schools, banks, offices, religious centres that put washing hand bowls, soap and hand sanitizers at their entrances during the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus see regular hand washing as necessary again.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from  common cold to more serious infections, such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, the flu, hepatitis A, and many types of diarrhea. WHO, while urging the general public on the need to make regular hand washing a habitual act added that it will help to accelerate action to prevent infections and antimicrobial resistance in health care and build a culture of safety and quality if hand hygiene improvement is given high priority.

However, despite the much sensitization by health practitioners about the importance of regular hand washing especially now that diphtheria outbreak has been reported in some states and good hygiene is one of the ways to stay safe, it is worrisome that some people who spoke with The Hope revealed that they cannot remember when last they practiced regular hand washing.

A parent, Mrs Bukola Afolabi, said that she and her family have not been observing regular hand washing compared to COVID-19 pandemic period. “The only time I remember to wash my hand is when I use the toilet. I don’t think any of my children or my husband also observe regular hand washing again. The reason is because I am too busy to remember washing my hands every 10 minutes like I did during coronavirus.

“Most Nigerians are guilty of this. This is because we believe that since there is no more coronavirus, we can continue living our usual life. If you move around you will observed that most pubic places like religious centres, banks where washing hand bowls and hand sanitizers were placed at the entrance during coronavirus era are no longer placing them there. This is one of the reasons most citizens are no longer taking regular hand washing seriously not knowing that regular hand washing must be a continuous culture for good health because infections are everywhere. I am being reminded now and will adjust,” she said.

A teacher, Mrs Omotayo Olorunda, who revealed that most schools both private and public no longer observe regular hand washing, blamed it on Nigerians’ mentality. He said; “Everyone is at fault in this regard and this is because of our way of reasoning. God forbid, if there is a breaking news that coronavirus has broken out again killing people, you will see Nigerians rushing to buy hand sanitizers, nose masks and observing COVID-19 protocols. That is who we are.

“I doubt if we have any bank in Ondo State including other States that still have hand sanitizers at the entrance of the banking hall like it was the case two years ago during coronavirus out break. There is need for continuous sensitization of the general public to be under an obligation to take  hand washing seriously to prevent germs such as bacteria and viruses that are not visible to the naked eyes. Some of the common ways that germs get transferred to our hands are by using the toilet, changing a diaper, sneezing, coughing among other ways and only regular hand washing with soap and clean water remain the solution to keep the body against germs.

“There is need to campaign massively for regular hand washing most especially because of our children who are susceptible to germs as they are not always careful while playing. Some of them when they get home from school don’t remember to wash their hands before eating. When children come in contact with germs, they can become infected just by touching their eyes, nose or mouth and once they are infected, it is usually a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness. I have experienced this many times in my family. Regular hand washing is an antidote to healthy living.”

A civil servant, Mr Abayomi Adewumi, who also disclosed that he has not been washing his hands regularly compared to the era of coronavirus said that he has a lot of important issues to think about than prioritizing regular hand washing. “I understand that washing of hands with clean water and soap promotes good health but that is not my worry for now. I am battling with a lot of issues to remember regular hand washing.

“In year 2020 when coronavirus broke out, washing of hands regularly was practiced because people were not allowed to go out. As it is now, what preoccupied a lot of peoples’ minds is how to feed and pay children’s school fees. The situation in the country is preventing people from observing basic health rules. You can also see that government no longer talk about regular hand washing or use of nose masks again because everyone is busy thinking of how to survive with the current economic situation. Thank God that coronavirus is no longer here so let’s forget about regular hand washing and talk about how people can get regular food to eat because there is hunger in the land  and civil servants monthly take home can no longer take them to the next bus stop not to talk of getting them home. The truth is that I have not been observing regular hand washing except after eating.

“Even in my children’s school where they were beaten for not washing their hands regularly during the outbreak of coronavirus in year 2020 hardly reminded them about it again. My children told me that they no longer see the bowls, soap and hand sanitizers they put at the entrance of their school during COVID-19. How many of the people who went about with hand sanitizers during coronavirus still do that now?  That is the reality of the time. So everyone is guilty of it. But I agree that it is good to wash our hands regularly to stay healthy,” he said.

A laboratory technician, Mrs Omolola Aniranoye, explained that imbibing the act of hand washing regularly with soap required commitment and determination because most citizens don’t see reasons for such important hygiene since the country no longer records any case of coronavirus.

Her words: “The nature of my job made me understand that many people don’t see the need for regular hand washing again because coronavirus is no longer with us. But the fact remains that after coronavirus, a lot of people are down with different ailment caused by other infections they contracted due to lack of regular hand washing. The most scary part is that infections if not treated early or not well treated can lead to serious health issues and eventually lead to death. What will it cost one to wash the hands regularly with soap and clean water for one’s well being? Is it not better to do that than being admitted in the hospital?

“Regular hand washing is not only to prevent coronavirus but other infections and must be observed by everybody who want to live long. We are told right from childhood to always wash our hands after playing, before eating, after using the toilet, and as often as possible but how many people are observing this? Do you know that we can contract germs anywhere? From the money we are holding, touching dirty surfaces, in the cab or public places, shaking of hands, hugging, toilet, and other places. That is why it is advisable to always wash our hands as often as possible. Some women when they are coming from outside go to the kitchen without first washing their hands. They ended up preparing contaminated food that upset their stomachs then started stooling. People need to be better educated on the many benefits of regular hand washing for safety,” she said.