Handwashing with soap reduces the risk of diarrhoea in children

Abstract

SummaryQuestionDoes handwashing with soap reduce the risk of diarrhoea in children?Study designRandomised controlled trial.Main resultsHandwashing with soap significantly lowered the incidence of diarrhoea in infants and children (reduction in infants: 39%; 95% CI -61% to -16%; children aged 5-15; 57%, 95% CI -73 to -41; see Results table). There was no significant difference in the incidence or prevalence of diarrhoea between intervention households that received antibacterial soap versus plain soap (see Results table).Authors’ conclusionsHandwashing with soap significantly reduced the risk of diarrhoea in children. The results suggest that handwashing may remove diarrhoea-causing pathogens, resulting in reduced transmission of pathogens and therefore fewer incidences of diarrhoea. This is particularly important in infants and malnourished children who are most at risk of death from diarrhoea.