Poor hygiene standards in public places affect women more than men. More women than men refrain from using public toilets or public facilities such as gyms and swimming pools due to poor hygiene and lack of cleanliness, according to SCA's nine-country Hygiene Matters survey.
Click on the image to download Hygiene and public places infographic The survey shows that more than half of women had recently avoided using a public toilet, and more than a quarter had refrained from showering or swimming at a public facility, due to their concerns of poor hygiene and lack of cleanliness. For the same reason did as many as one out of ten avoid using public transport.
Hindering routine activities
Undoubtedly, both women's and men's everyday lives are affected by poor hygiene standards in public places, and it prevents people from effortlessly participating in routine activities. Most affected by poor hygiene standards are, according to our survey, women in China and Russia. Also, especially Chinese women worry about becoming ill due to poor hygiene.
Individuals to take greater responsibility
To solve the problem with poor hygiene in public places and improving people’s health, individuals need to take greater responsibility. That seems to be the ruling opinion among the survey respondents. But improved hygiene in public toilets would also make a huge difference, as well as more information and education to citizens, according to the survey.
About half of the women and nearly as many of the men see themselves participate to improve the public hygiene standards in their communities. The answers from Chinese respondents differ substantially though, as they believe that health and hygiene would be improved mainly by more clear and strict legislation.
Hygiene Matters 2011 - SCA's yearly global survey of people's attitudes and habits regarding hygiene and health
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