After defecation, women wash their hands more thoroughly than men, according to a German study that concludes that both genders need to improve.
According to research by the private university of SRH in the city of Heidelberg, 11 percent of men did not wash their hands at all after going to the toilet, and neither did three percent of women.
82 percent of women used soap and water, but only 51 percent of men.
"For research purposes, 10 psychology students observed the hands of about a thousand visitors to public toilets during one month," said the author of the research, Frank Musolesi.
"Students stood inconspicuously in hand-washing areas in public toilets in fast food restaurants, service areas on highways, railway stations, as well as in the toilet of the university canteen," Musolesi said.
An earlier survey by the federal Office of Health Education conducted in 2013 found that 95 percent of men said they "almost always" wash their hands after using the restroom, and 98 percent of women said so.
The federal office recommends that you wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the toilet, and don't forget to wash the space between your fingers.
According to research by the University of Heidelberg, only eight percent of observed women and men washed their hands in this way after using the toilet.
Seven percent did not wash their hands, 27 percent only wet their hands with water, and 58 percent used soap and water but did not wash their hands thoroughly enough, reports B92.
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