No matter how equipped our healthcare system may be, we have all suffered illness at some point, and it's never a comfortable experience. It's important to understand the reasons behind our illness, how to prevent them, and to heed the advice given to us by healthcare practitioners.
Over the years, records have shown that Nigerian children suffer from gastrointestinal infections the most.
"The majority of rotavirus-associated gastroenteritis occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa due to poor hygiene, malnutrition and lack of access to potable water. It has been estimated that about 215,000 infants die each year due to rotavirus-associated gastroenteritis and almost half of these deaths occur in four countries: Nigeria, Pakistan, India and Democratic Republic of Congo. Nigeria alone accounts for 14% (30,800) estimated rotavirus associated deaths in 2013" Source
Gastrointestinal infections are commonly spread through contaminated hands. Proper hygiene is a health tip that many people understand the importance of but often overlook.
Just last week, while teaching my pupils about kitchen hygiene, I heard several concerning remarks from them. We often neglect seemingly small things, such as washing our hands. This is something we do unconsciously; we grab a piece of fruit to eat without considering the importance of washing it, and some even wipe off invisible dirt using their clothing.
Proper hygiene is paramount when it comes to anything that enters our mouths. The first step in hygiene is handwashing. Growing up, I remember receiving basic education on always washing our hands with soap and water and avoiding putting dirty fingers into our mouths.
It's shocking that despite this being taught in various schools, many people still don't pay much attention. Even top schools lack facilities for handwashing on their premises even when proper hygiene and sanitation is sang as song.
WHY THIS TIP IS IMPORTANT
Proper hygiene protects us from lots of infectious diseases. Some illnesses we experience are the result of improper hygiene, though they may not seem serious because they don't land us in the hospital. We often dismiss discomfort, neglecting the root causes. Eating with contaminated hands or consuming contaminated fruits or food can lead to gastrointestinal infections such as cholera, Lassa fever, typhoid fever, etc.
Our hands come into contact with numerous surfaces daily, many of which may harbor harmful viruses. By washing our hands frequently before touching our mouths, we can prevent the spread of germs. Just this morning, I woke up with swollen eyelids despite not consuming starchy foods yesterday. I recalled how many times I rubbed my eyes yesterday, likely transferring germs to them. The chemist advised me to refrain from rubbing my eyes, as it can transfer germs and cause infections.
Observing proper hygiene is vital for reducing the risk of infections and maintaining good health. During the pandemic, many Nigerians took hygiene seriously, with various organizations providing handwashing facilities at entrances. However, it's disheartening that this practice stopped after the pandemic, sending the wrong message that handwashing is unnecessary.
Access to water and soap for handwashing can help raise awareness of its importance. A little discomfort in any part of the body affects the entire body, emphasizing the importance of prevention is better than cure.