പി.കെ.എസ്.എച്ച്.എസ്.എസ് കാഞ്ഞിരംകുളം/അക്ഷരവൃക്ഷം/Hygiene a practice and responsibility

Hygiene a practice and responsibility Hand sanitization is quite familiar term which we encountered recently many times, Hygiene refers to behaviors that can improve cleanliness and lead to good health, such as frequent hand washing, face washing, and bathing with soap and water. In many areas of the world, practicing personal hygiene etiquette is difficult due to lack of clean water and soap. Many diseases can be spread if the hands, face, or body are not washed appropriately at key times. As malayalees one is not too much worried of pure water to keep body hygiene to recently we also facing scarcity of water and health issues from water bodies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases." Personal hygiene refers to maintaining the body's cleanliness. Many people equate hygiene with 'cleanliness,' but hygiene is a broad term. It includes such personal habit choices as how frequently to take a shower or bath, wash hands, trim fingernails, and wash clothes. It also includes attention to keeping surfaces in the home and workplace, including bathroom facilities, clean and pathogen-free. In many modern societies good hygiene practices are considered good habits and taught in schools to children to follow in their daily life. Hygiene practices will reduce the chances to be attacked by diseases and give a good and healthy body as well as society. Spiting on roads is quite often in Indian streets, one can’t imagine the risks of public spit and the damages it can create. Another example is how leisurely we keep our water bodies. These are issues related with the attitude of health practices of a society and their carelessness towards public as well as personal health. The terms cleanliness and hygiene are often used interchangeably, which can cause confusion. In general, hygiene refers to practices that prevent spread of disease-causing organisms. Cleaning processes (e.g., handwashing) remove infectious microbes as well as dirt and soil, and are thus often the means to achieve hygiene. Other uses of the term appear in phrases including body hygiene, personal hygiene, sleep hygiene, mental hygiene, dental hygiene, and occupational hygiene, used in connection with public health. Hygiene is also the name of a branch of science that deals with the promotion and preservation of health. It can also divided in to the set of practices for good health of individuals and society. Types of personal hygiene: Each person’s idea of personal hygiene differs. These main categories are a useful place to start for building good hygiene habits: Toilet hygiene: Wash your hands after you use the restroom. Scrub with soap for 20 to 30 seconds, and be sure to clean between your fingers, on the back of your hands, and under your nails. Rinse with warm water, and dry with a clean towel. If you don’t have running water or soap, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer will also work. Use one that’s at least 60 percent alcohol. Now a days (Covid 19 pandemic) the entire world faced scarcity of hand sanitizers. Shower hygiene: Personal preference may dictate how often you wish to shower, but most people will benefit from a rinse at least every other day. Showering with soap helps rinse away dead skin cells, bacteria, and oils. Nail hygiene: Trim nails regularly to keep them short and clean. Brush under them with a nail brush or washcloth to rinse away buildup, dirt, and germs.Tidying nails helps to prevent spreading germs into mouth and other body openings. Teeth hygiene: Good dental hygiene is about more than just pearly white teeth. Caring for teeth and gums is a smart way to prevent gum diseases and cavities. Brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes. Aim to brush after you wake up and before bed. If you can, brush after every meal, too. Floss between your teeth daily, and ask your dentist about using an antibacterial mouthwash. These two steps can help prevent tooth decay and eliminate pockets where bacteria and germs can build up. Sickness hygiene: If you’re not feeling well, you should take steps to keep from spreading germs to others. This includes covering your mouth and nose when sneezing, wiping down shared surfaces with an antibacterial wipe, and not sharing any utensils or electronics. Also, immediately throw away any soiled tissues. Hands hygiene Germs on your hands can easily enter your body through your mouth, nose, eyes, or ears. Wash your hands: • when you handle food • before you eat • if you handle garbage • when you sneeze • any time you touch an animal Likewise, wash your hands after changing a baby’s diaper, helping someone clean themselves, or when cleaning a cut or wound. Medical hygiene: Medical hygiene pertains to the hygiene practices related to the administration of medicine and medical care that prevents or minimizes the spread of disease. Medical hygiene practices include: • Isolation or quarantine of infectious persons or materials to prevent spread of infection. • Sterilization of instruments used in surgical procedures. • Use of protective clothing and barriers, such as masks, gowns, caps, eyewear and gloves. • Proper bandaging and dressing of injuries. • Safe disposal of medical waste. • Disinfection of reusables (i.e., linen, pads, uniforms). • Scrubbing up, hand-washing, especially in an operating room, but in more general health-care settings as well, where diseases can be transmitted. Most of these practices were developed in the 19th century and were well established by the mid-20th century. Some procedures (such as disposal of medical waste) were refined in response to late-20th century disease outbreaks, notably AIDS and Ebola. the Sustainable Development Goal Number 6 whose second target states: "By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations", the burden to facilitate good hygiene practices became a burden to women in family, the gender aspects of the practice also a societal problem. In many countries collection of drinking water is only a responsibility of women in the family, even they forced to skip food on time to collect water. In indian villages it’s a sole responsibility and duty of women to access water for family. This gender based discrimination also pointing towards the gender issues and how it affects public health. References: • "Hygiene: Overview". World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved 29 January 2020. • "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Standards for Schools in Low-cost Settings" (PDF). World Health Organization. 2009. • "How can personal hygiene be maintained in difficult circumstances?". World Health Organization. 2005. Aadithyan 12 B ആദിത്യൻ 12 B പി.കെ .എസ് .എച്ച്.എസ് .എസ് .കാഞ്ഞിരംകുളം നെയ്യാറ്റിൻകര ഉപജില്ല തിരുവനന്തപുരം അക്ഷരവൃക്ഷം പദ്ധതി, 2020 ലേഖനം  സാങ്കേതിക പരിശോധന - Mohankumar S S തീയ്യതി: 20/ 04/ 2020 >> രചനാവിഭാഗം - ലേഖനം