The global handwashing day, is celebrated on October 15th annually with the aim of increasing awareness on the importance of handwashing with soap as a simple, cost-effective way to prevent diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia.
This day involves conducting campaigns, workshops, and educational programs to promote proper hand hygiene practices. Handwashing with soap can reduce diarrheal diseases by up to 40% and respiratory infections by up to 21%, significantly improving community health.
It is particularly crucial for preventing illness in children under five, for whom pneumonia and diarrhea are leading causes of death; effective handwashing with soap and clean water remains key to reducing infection rates and ensuring healthier communities.
Authors: Ritah Namusoosa1*, Hannington Katumba2
Institutional affiliation: 1Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program-Laboratory Leadership Program; Uganda National Institute of Public Health; Ministry of Health Kampala, Uganda, 2Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program-Field Epidemiology Training Program; Uganda National Institute of Public Health; Ministry of Health Kampala, Uganda
Correspondence *Tel: +256785842878 email: rnamusoosa@uniph.go.ug