Research

We have opened up this section to facilitate more research in the arena of Hand Awareness, as there is no other source for studying Hand Awareness in the WORLD. Many have studied handwashing for more than 150 years and there is still POOR compliance.

    HAND AWARENESS involves the concepts Hand Hygiene, Respiratory Etiquette and Cross contamination behaviors. The direct inoculation of our own mucus membranes, surfaces(cross contamination), patients(cross contamination), food(cross contamination) and other examples which need BETTER promotion to the PUBLIC. An aggressive Social Marketing plan with many collaborators would be very effective. This could be a PRIVATIZATION of the Buckle Up Campaign and Anti-Smoking Campaign would lead a dramatic increase in utilization of the already existing products of many corporations. The end result would be reducion in seasonal illness, and ultimately NO Pandemic, if we ALL were more Hand Aware!

    Globally, cultural differences and application of Hand Awareness is important to understand, as well

Different Cultural Beliefs and Practices that effect Hand Washing

      We seek to develop a comprehensive data base of  cultural beliefs and
practices that influence atitudes toward hand washing and Hand Awareness in countries around the world. This will provide critical information for  more successful programs  promoting Hand Awareness behaviors globally.. We would appreciate  you sharing any insights you have  regarding cultural perspective on these topics.
     For example, in  some countries such as Burkina Faso, Africa (Traore,1994 Journal of Epidemiology and Commiuity Health 1994; 48(3)p.270-275), babies feces are regarded as "innocuous" (non contaminated) and so adults do not wash their hands after changing a child's diaper.  Also, in Mali, West Africa the use of soap when washing hands is thought to remove their luck.  This type of cultural   information is essential to know when developing a Hand Washing or Hand Awareness program in the developing world.

 .Please email dr.will@henrythehand.com  and place Cultural  Handwashing in the subject line.    Thank you,

  Jean Farmer RN PHN
MSN student UCSF, graduate student
Advanced Community Health and International Nursing Program

Mucus Membrane Inoculation

Direct inoculation of a mucus membrane of the T Zone (eyes, nose or mouth) is the primary mode of inoculation of viral and bacterial diseases. There is much research on handwashing effectiveness, although virtually no controlled studies on mucus membrane inoculation. 

   Dr.Will and Henry the Hand Champion Handwasher would be happy to help support any one who is interested in pursuing this type of research. It would help reduce MRSA, VRE and C. difficile incidence in the hospital setting. Flu, flu-like and other seasonal illnesses would be reduced.

   Imagine the benefit to your family, patients and to the Public!

Sniff Test

   Are you interested in helping to prove that when hands SMELL clean, they are clean? Imagine as more of us become aware that smelling clean, means being clea.n. No sample is too small or too large. Using more of our innate senses(olfactory, smell) can help prevent the inoculation and transmission. Rather than relying on the traditional visual sense.

    PLease contact Dr.Will. dr.will@henrythehand.com or 513-769-4951