Only 38% of men wash their hands after using the toilet

A new survey monitoring 100,000 people has found that only 38% of men and 60% of women wash their hands after going to the toilet. 

The hygiene survey was carried out by business services company Initial who found this as well as the sneeze effect is aiding the spread of germs.

The sneeze effect is what happens when a flushed toilet gives rise to a cloud of tiny water droplets that contain micro-organisms that are associated with urine and faecal matter.

These can splash the person who flushes and everything outside the bowl which spreads the bacteria causing disease.

This increases the risk of illness at home, work and in public places, but adults still have significantly cleaner hands than children.

To mark International Hand Hygiene Day on May 5, Initial is launching the Hygiene Angels tour of the country’s schools.

They'll be sending people out to schools around the country to promote the importance of proper handwashing from a young age.

Dr Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager at Initial, said: “Good handwashing is vital in all stages of life. By simply washing their hands properly, children and adults can reduce the bacteria on their hands by up to 80%.

"It is not enough to wash hands when they are visibly dirty. Germs such as Swine Flu, MRSA, E-coli and Salmonella are commonly carried on our hands, even clean looking hands can be contaminated.”

"The high levels of bacteria recorded on some children’s hands are worrying, as they are at a higher risk of both contracting an illness and passing bacteria onto other children,” said Dr Moore.

You can reduce the spread of bacteria by following these steps:

- Wet hands under warm water and add plenty of soap

- Take time to wash hands thoroughly for around 20 / 30 seconds

- Rinse hands to remove the soap using running water

- Make sure hands are thoroughly dried

- Use hand sanitizer for added protection

Initial first launched the Hygiene Angels tour in 2015 after testing in the same year found 41% of Irish primary school students had dangerously high levels of bacteria on their hands.