A new study reveals that 85% of American adults wash their hands in public restrooms, an increase of 8% since 2007, according to researchers at Harris Interactive, which was tasked by the American Society for Microbiology and the American Cleaning Institute. Such studies started in 1996, and the authors of the report reveal that 85% is the highest it has been since that date. The findings were presented at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology.

In another survey, people were asked by telephone whether they always wash their hands in public restrooms, 96% said they did, a figure which has remained more-or-less the same for a number of years. The Harris Interactive survey which revealed an 85% handwashing rate at public toilets was not a telephone one, it involved discreetly observing people.

Harris Interactive observed 6,028 in public restrooms in August 2010 to determine whether people were washing their hands after going to the toilet. The survey took place in various public toilets, including Atlanta (Turner Field), Chicago (Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium), New York City (Grand Central Station, Penn Station), and San Francisco (Ferry Terminal Farmers Market).

Males – 77% of males appear to wash their hands in public restrooms these days, compared to 66% three years ago, the surveyors reported. Men in sporting venues, though, seem to wash their hands less frequently – at Turner Field only 65% were seen to do so, but that is still better that 57% three years previously.

Females – 93% of females wash their hands in public restrooms in 2010, up from 88% in 2007. Women appear to be more scrupulous about hygiene in sporting venues, though – 98% of females at Turner Field were reported to have washed their hands.

American Society for Microbiology spokesperson Dr. Judy Daly, Director of Clinical Microbiology at Children’s Primary Medical Center, Salt Lake City, said:

We are really pleased to see these results, which suggest that our campaign is being effective. Although the venues were different, our first observational study in 1996 found only 68% overall washing up in public restrooms, and that declined to an all-time low of 67% when we repeated the study in 2000. We hope that as a result of an increased focus on handwashing in the media over these years, as well as increased public awareness of infectious disease risks, behavior really is changing.

Nancy Bock, ACI Vice President of Consumer Education, said:

The message is that people are getting the message. Between mom’s common sense advice and the recent pandemic scare, people now seem to realize the importance of when and how you wash your hands.

The following cities had the best handwashing results:

  • Equal 1st Place, Chicago and San Francisco – these two cities shared first place at top of the hand-hygiene league with 89% of adults (of both sexes) washing their hands after going to the toilet.
  • 3rd Place, Atlanta – with 82%.
  • 4th Place, New York City – with 79%.

Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry came first for the best overall handwashing regimen with 93%.

Hand hygiene after changing diapers – according to a 2010 telephone survey of 1,006 U.S. adults, 89% say they wash their hands after changing a baby’s diapers (UK: nappies).

Preparing food – 77% of US adults (83% women, 71% men) in 2010 said they clean their hands before eating or preparing food, compared to 78% in 2007.

Coughs and sneezes – a mere 39% of Americans claim to wash their hands every time they cough or sneeze.

Daly said:

Although we are happy about the latest results, there is still work to do. Only a minority indicate they wash their hands after coughing or sneezing. Handwashing in this context is particularly important because we now know that many respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses are transmitted primarily by hand contact when contaminated hands touch the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Nancy Bock said:

Whether it’s cold and flu season or baseball season, handwashing is a no-brainer. Washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or more is a simple way to stay healthy. And if you’re out and about, hand sanitizers or hand wipes are good alternatives for keeping your hands clean.

“Clean Hands Publications” American Cleaning Institute

Written by Christian Nordqvist