A recent 2020 Philippines Handwashing Habits Survey* revealed that 99% of Filipinos washed
their hands more in the last 6 months, but only 50% do the proper steps for a safe wash.
Despite numerous campaigns from health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO)
and the Department of Health (DOH), some Filipinos continue to fall into the pits of the “puwede
The study identified that “washing quickly with soap and water” is the commonly observed
practice among other people, and that 50% are guilty of unsafe handwashing habits like
washing without soap, washing for less than 20 seconds, or even just using tissue.
In the health guidelines released by the DOH, safe handwashing is regarded as the first line of
defense to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. #SafeWash includes the use of soap and
running water and hand scrubbing with an adequate period of at least 20 seconds.
While these public health advisories remain to be rampant, the survey has uncovered that
Filipinos’ bad hand hygiene habits die hard.
Filipinos Are Guilty of These Common Handwashing Mistakes Without Realizing It
These incidents of unsafe handwashing are said to be commonly observed at home with 40% of
the respondents having at least seen someone they know practice improper handwashing.
The real problem with unsafe handwashing is that this habit is deep-rooted in every Filipino. At
one point everyone is guilty of committing these poor practices: the quick washing of hands,
spraying a small amount of water to the hands, mere wiping or rubbing of hands, and the use of
tissue paper to clean hands.
Several researches have shown that handwashing habit is inherent in nature. It develops in the
early life stages and becomes a habitual behavior as one ages, and this poses the risk that
when one grows up with poor hand hygiene habits, it can be ingrained for a lifetime without
realizing it.
Cross-contamination is the main consequence when people do not exercise a safe wash.
Respiratory illnesses like the common cold and influenza, and nosocomial infections like E.coli
and MRSA are caused by the spreading of germs and bacteria on the hands.
This lack of knowledge on safe wash practices was validated in the survey with an alarming
number of less than 5% of the respondents who do not realize the key times when to wash
hands. This includes -- before eating, after coming from outside the house, after using the toilet,
after eating, and after shaking someone’s hands, as only the first two key times were regarded
as important by the respondents.
DOH Promotes Proper Safe Wash Habits
The Department of Health (DOH) launched in August its nationwide information campaign with
easy-to-remember BIDA Solusyon guidelines that urge Filipinos to partake in behavioral
changes to reduce the transmission of the virus. The guidelines include wearing masks, hand
sanitation, social distancing, and obtaining of correct information about the pandemic.
In its communications, the DOH highlights the importance of safe handwashing habits outlining
the following steps: First, wet hands with clean, running water and apply soap. Lather the hands
and rub them together with soap by cleaning thoroughly from the back of the hands, the palm,
between the fingers, under the nails. Scrub the hands for at least 20 seconds and not less. Then
rinse the hands under clean and running water and finally dry the hands using a clean towel.
This adequate habit of a safe wash is proven to destroy the structure of the virus, thus, greatly
minimizing chances of contracting and transmitting the virus.
Safe handwashing, along with the wearing of mask and practice of social distancing, is the first
line of defense against germs and viruses. Today, the duty lies in the hands of every Filipino to
teach and learn the value of a safe wash that starts at home, and not fall into the traps of the
“pwede na” mentality.
