Hand washing for preventing Diarrhoea.

This analysis used the results of fourteen randomised controlled trials in institution-based interventions (day-care centres or primary schools), mainly conducted in industrialised countries, community-based interventions conducted in low- and middle- income countries, and interventions in people at high risk of diarrhoea. The study compared interventions to promote hand washing or general hygiene promotion including hand washing. Results suggest that hand washing can reduce diarrhoea episodes by about 30%. This significant reduction is comparable to the effect of providing clean water in low-income areas. Int. J. Epidemiol. Advance Access published May 15, 2008 1-4.