Sally Furniss
Well-known member
New Zealanders revealed to have bad hygiene habits ahead of flu season
Thu, 15 May 2008 07:03a.m.
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As the cold and flu season looms a new survey reveals a large number of New Zealanders are not practising good cold and flu hygiene - a situation which needs attention as winter bites, according to a top virologist.
A Colmar Brunton survey of 716 people aged over 18, conducted in March 2008, reveals the state of cold and flu hygiene practice in New Zealand.
Results show that 25 percent of New Zealand adults clear mucus from their nose onto the ground at least sometimes; 55 percent admit to sometimes sneezing into the air for others to breathe; 34 percent use their clothing, fingers or wrist to wipe a runny nose at least occasionally; 12 percent of those who sometimes sneeze into their hands never wash them afterwards; and 73 percent think "snot" is part of normal vocabulary in New Zealand.
This low standard of hygiene among adults was not setting a good enough example for children, virologist Lance Jennings said.
Dr Jennings encouraged schools to get involved in the annual Kleenex SneezeSafe health education initiative which kicks off in Year 9 classes in secondary schools around the country this week.
Students will learn that they should trap a sneeze with a tissue, cupped hands or crook of the elbow to stop cold and flu virus particles entering the air.
Dr Jennings said people should stay home and keep children at home when they are sick.
When the survey was expanded to reach parents of 700 school-age children, it was revealed that 97 percent of children were sent to school at least sometimes with a cold or the flu, 24 percent of children never carried tissues to school, only 15 percent always covered their nose and mouth when sneezing, with 24 percent of those who sneeze into their hands never washing them afterwards.
Teenage boys and men were generally more relaxed about practising good cold and flu hygiene.
Handkerchiefs were the domain of males and older people, while tissues were more readily used and carried by women and girls.
NZPA
http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/NewZealan.../articleID/55825/Default.aspx?ArticleID=55825
Thu, 15 May 2008 07:03a.m.
<table><tbody><tr><td valign="top">
</td> <td valign="top">
</td></tr></tbody></table>
As the cold and flu season looms a new survey reveals a large number of New Zealanders are not practising good cold and flu hygiene - a situation which needs attention as winter bites, according to a top virologist.
A Colmar Brunton survey of 716 people aged over 18, conducted in March 2008, reveals the state of cold and flu hygiene practice in New Zealand.
Results show that 25 percent of New Zealand adults clear mucus from their nose onto the ground at least sometimes; 55 percent admit to sometimes sneezing into the air for others to breathe; 34 percent use their clothing, fingers or wrist to wipe a runny nose at least occasionally; 12 percent of those who sometimes sneeze into their hands never wash them afterwards; and 73 percent think "snot" is part of normal vocabulary in New Zealand.
This low standard of hygiene among adults was not setting a good enough example for children, virologist Lance Jennings said.
Dr Jennings encouraged schools to get involved in the annual Kleenex SneezeSafe health education initiative which kicks off in Year 9 classes in secondary schools around the country this week.
Students will learn that they should trap a sneeze with a tissue, cupped hands or crook of the elbow to stop cold and flu virus particles entering the air.
Dr Jennings said people should stay home and keep children at home when they are sick.
When the survey was expanded to reach parents of 700 school-age children, it was revealed that 97 percent of children were sent to school at least sometimes with a cold or the flu, 24 percent of children never carried tissues to school, only 15 percent always covered their nose and mouth when sneezing, with 24 percent of those who sneeze into their hands never washing them afterwards.
Teenage boys and men were generally more relaxed about practising good cold and flu hygiene.
Handkerchiefs were the domain of males and older people, while tissues were more readily used and carried by women and girls.
NZPA
http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/NewZealan.../articleID/55825/Default.aspx?ArticleID=55825