Hypochondriac

Panhinaw! We are told by our parents to wash our hands before and after eating. One reason is for us not to ingest anything dirty and the other is for our hands not to smell “paksiw” and dried fish which we often eat by our bare hands. As time goes by, the reason for washing our hands elevated to disease prevention and even hypochondria.

As of press time, CNN Philippines reported that sixteen more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Philippines, bringing the total number of those who have been infected with the new virus to 49.

The dreaded virus is not airborne according to medical experts. It can be transmitted through droplets from the sneeze or cough of the infected person. Also, the virus could land on surfaces and can last for some minutes that it can be transferred to the hands. The affected hand can be placed on the mouth, eyes or noses which the viruses thrive in the persons as s/he now becomes its host. Flu-like illness will then take place which can lead to severe cases and even death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018), keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs and virus to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

But how adept the Filipinos are in terms of hand washing?

A study conducted by Safeguard Philippines in 2017 was found out that 8 out of 10 Filipinos claim to wash their hands after using a public toilet but only 2 out of 10 really do.

In the school level, learners are taught how to wash their hands properly. Hand-washing with soap is one of the key elements of DepEd’s comprehensive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools (WinS) Program, stipulated in DepEd Order No. 10, s. 2016, which advocates correct hygiene and sanitation practices among schoolchildren, and promotes an environment conducive to learning to keep learners safe and healthy.

Still, we can ask the practices in terms of hygiene in the home. Are they at par with the health department’s standards?

Jeff Harvie (2017) wrote: Filipinos are a sociable people, and sharing food is as natural as breathing. Arrive anywhere when food is being eaten, and you will be invited to share it. Small children (i.e. those under 10) are often fed very informally by whoever is there. If a child is in reach, it’s normal practice to get a bit of food off your plate (by utensils or eating-fingers) and stick it in the child’s mouth. And if the child wants something you are eating, don’t be too surprised to find that small child with mouth open in front of you.

In 2011 Brian A. Vasquez conducted a research titled “Tagay” and Cross Contact Contamination. He observed that in Cebu City, drinking alcoholic beverages was done by sharing glasses. Each one takes turn in drinking and this is called "tagay". Variations from the traditional practice were also observed. These were: (1) passing two glasses in round-robin style; (2) passing the drink under the table; and (3) passing the glass on the next table. Medical and paramedical professionals were also observed in the practice of sharing glasses during drinking session.

Systematic reviews of related studies revealed that this practice, be it traditional or contemporary, may result in the transmission of communicable diseases or cross contamination of allergen, bacteria and viruses.

This writer is putting a parameter in looking at culture and community practices as causal factors in the spread of communicable diseases like the dreaded COVID-19. There is a need for authorities, legislators, people in the academe and parents to look into them. A little bit of paranoia can be useful these days.

REACH conducted a large-scale study in 2015 to contribute to the development of best practices for sustainable change in sanitation and hygiene behavior in the Philippines.

The assessment examined knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, and included a survey of 3,025 households in project areas across six provinces: Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz and Iloilo. The study used a mixed-methods approach to collect both qualitative and quantitative information at household level, community level, and in schools. The assessment found significant variation between the six provinces, but revealed a high overall level of hygiene awareness and knowledge. It also demonstrated a significant gap between the reported importance of hand-washing and its practice, therefore careful selection and targeting of relevant hygiene messages will be particularly important.

With this data, we need to consider our hand-washing practices as a people. We can also avoid the “tagay” practice since it is not medically-sound. There must be a widespread awareness among us of hygiene’s importance and how we can survive from this looming pandemic.

Panhinaw na!