Dettol Habit survey conducts study on hygiene: attitudes, behaviour, insight and traits

In addition the study, which was carried out in 12 countries around the world including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, found that people who have good manners have better personal hygiene and are almost two and a half times more likely to have good health with low levels of colds and diarrhoea.

These results increase awareness of the key factors that influence different hygiene behaviours and highlight the importance of good hygiene (such as effective hand washing and household cleaning) and good manners (such as covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing) in breaking the chain of infection.

Findings from the Middle East (which are composed of data from two countries - Saudi Arabia and UAE) is the only region in which the data was collected by face-to-face interview. Some of the results were expected such as those relating to gender where women report doing more household cleaning however others created what the experts refer to as, 'the most idiosyncratic set of results of any country in the global study'.

For example the results show that someone who cares about being mannerly is less likely to declare a preference for antibacterial soap and unusually, men (not women) are more likely to report better health. In addition, in terms of age older people are more likely to report regular hand washing with soap.

Professor Tariq Madani, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Advisor to His Excellency the Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia commented "Previous studies have shown that intensive hygiene education plus the regular use of disinfectants (soap, surface cleaner, and skin disinfectant) can significantly reduce the risk of illness among children. These new findings from the Dettol HABIT study further emphasise how improved hygiene behaviour (such as hand washing and surface cleaning) can effectively stop the spread of germs and protect health. Practicing good hygiene is not simply the concern of women, more conscientious people or those who live in a dirty environment; it is everyone's responsibility and is vital in breaking the chain of infection."

Professor John Oxford, Chairman of the Hygiene Council and Professor of Virology at Barts and The London School of Dentistry commented, "Understanding what drives hygiene behaviour is very valuable. The study uncovered characteristics and traits which are associated with good hygiene and health outcomes such as conscientiousness and practicing hygiene automatically or routinely. We want people to recognise where they may be falling down and take action to make hygiene a habit. Teach your children good manners and build hygiene into your everyday routine."

The study also showed that tidy/orderly individuals are more hygienic than messy/chaotic people, women and older people tend to be more hygienic than men and younger people and that homemakers display the highest levels of personal and household hygiene whilst students and office workers display the worst.

Levels of personal and household hygiene were highest when hygiene habits were undertaken automatically or as part of everyday routine and for those who are aware of the threat of germs. In addition, people who have heard of antibacterial soap are significantly more likely to have better personal hygiene habits.