Maria Lapinski, Michigan State University; Erin Maloney, University of Pennsylvania; Mary Braz, Westchester University; and Hillary Shulman, North Central College published new research in the Jan. 11, 2013, issue of the journal Human Communication Research that indicates signs prompt more adult males to wash their hands after using the bathroom.
The study of college-aged men conducted at Michigan State University indicated 75 percent of men washed their hands after using the bathroom. The data was based on self reported interviews.
When signs were posted in bathrooms that read "4 out of 5 Males Wash Their Hands," with pictures of students wearing MSU hats and a guide to effective hand washing the incidence of hand washing and the duration of hand washing increased to 86 percent according to self reported interviews.
“The findings suggested that men who are exposed to a relatable message in the bathroom are more likely to wash their hands and ran the water longer than participants not exposed to the messages. This can have huge implications on public health, particularly during cold and flu season.”
Flu season started early and hit hard in Alabama. Hand washing after using the bathroom can help prevent the spread of flu and a host of other diseases.
The research was reviewed at the Eureka Alert website the date of publication.
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