Healthcare is a basic human right though it is often described as expensive to many. In a bid to achieve quality healthcare and also goal three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), there is the need to invest in Primary Health Care (PHC) as a key area to promote quality healthcare. Here in Ghana, one of governments’ key strategies to achieve quality healthcare as far as Primary Health Care is concerned is the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Primary Healthcare is basically the little, yet important things we do to improve our health and by so doing, save ourselves from malaria, cholera, and other related diseases. Some of these include; the regular and proper use of treated mosquito nets, food nutrition, proper sanitation, hand washing and several others.
In spite of the above mentioned, the common, affordable and simple way to achieve primary healthcare is proper hand washing which is the least thing that comes to mind and often disregarded by many.Despite its critical role, it appears most people even do not know its importance irrespective of the education done by CSOs, NGOs and government. In January 2017, I conducted a research on hand washing in La – a community said to have recorded the highest number of cholera cases in 2014.

I visited the La market in Accra and some households to test the knowledge of people between the ages of 25 – 50 years on hand washing. Below is the result.

• Number of people interviewed = 15.

• Number of market women = 8.

• Number of households visited = 7.

• Number of people who wash their hands with water only = 13%. It is quite amazing as I listened to this group who supported their actions with some myth. They wash their hands alright but without soap before eating because to them, the fragrance of the soap is infectious if used and can even contaminate the food they eat or sell.

• Number of people who wash their hands with soap = 20%. These market women have their soap mixed with the water already but do not wash under running water.

• Number of people who wash their hands under running water with soap at critical times, that is, after using the toilet = 47%. This set of people do not have toilets in their homes and therefore, use a public toilet and only get the chance to wash their hands with soap and under running water after using the facility since the resources are available.

• Number of people who do not wash their hands under running water but with soap and water = 40%. This group of people have the water and soap but do not practice hand washing under running water because they do not know. Click To Watch Compilations of Hand Washing Demenstrations.

Although this survey involved a smaller population in relation to the residents, it raises concerns about knowledge and practice in many ways;

1. Most parents do not know when to wash their hands and how well to do it. Therefore it indicates that children of these parents do not teach their wards the right thing since it appears they also do not know.

2. The message about proper hand washing has not gone down well with some people especially parents.

3. La-the community that recorded the highest cholera cases in 2014 is likely to face that same challenge again and perhaps it will be worse this time.

Reasons why people do not make proper hand washing a habit:

1. Fragrance of soap: most vendors at the La market are against washing of hands with soap always due to soap fragrance. It is assumed that, the strong fragrance of some soap when it comes into contact with anything that is supposed to be eaten is infectious.

2. Time Factor: Others are of the view that proper hand washing is time consuming especially when food is ready to be eaten.

3. Lack of knowledge: Per the information I gathered it appears people do not know the consequences and assume it is just okay to wash hands either with water only or soap. Also, the survey tells the different category of people and the understanding on hand washing.

4. Behavioral Change: Though there has been lots of practical sensitization on hand washing, behavioral change is and has been the greatest obstacle. People seem not to accept the message because of misconceptions/myths, cultural background and other reasons.

Recommendations:

Research has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that, failure to perform appropriate hand washing is considered to be the leading cause of the spread of multi-resistant organisms, and has been recognized as a significant contributor to outbreaks. To spark development and also get the clear message out to all, policy makers, advocates, and everyone whom it may concern has to consider the following:

1. Use of appropriate and practical mechanisms to educate: People turn to accept messages and respond faster especially when it is in their best interest. This is a very practical way which should be adopted and by so doing, the message about proper hand washing would be out to all.

2. Use of influential people as targets: In every community there are influential personalities people look up to, especially chiefs. These people should be taking the lead now to send the good message across since they relate directly with the people. NGO’s and CSO’s need to engage chiefs at the community level to weave some of these things into their cultural practices.

3. Consistent Sensitization: I always say that, the massive outbreak of cholera in 2014 which left put many people at risk could have been prevented, that is if, sensitization was done on regular basis. That is one problem we have as citizens of Ghana, we act after the harm is caused, but if we stay committed to the task more lives would be saved.

It is never too late to get involved, let us get started and make hand washing a habit for it is a foundation to good health and a solid protection.