Hi Sjoerd

I just remembered a question that I had been meaning to ask you in relation to your post; you said

In the demonstrations the drying of the hands is often forgotten and not mentioned as an essential item to prevent bacteria development. Bacteria develop rapidly with food source, warmth and water. Although handwashing with soap reduces strongly the bacteria and germs, if the hands are not well dried afterwards the remaining bacteria will rapidly multiply. Especially in countries where anal cleaning is done by hand and water, the washing AND drying should be emphasized together.

I wanted to ask you if you could elaborate on the bacteria growth that takes place on washed but not dried hands?

Can you share any research or studies that have been done on this aspect?

Appreciate your assistance.
Rgds
Trevor

Dear all

Thank you for your interest and your updates regarding the Think Tank.

Community of Practice on Sanitation and Hygiene event on Behaviour Change – including lessons from the June 2012 Handwashing Think Tank
World Water Week, Stockholm, Room M16
28th August, 2012. 14-15:00

Responding to queries and ideas shared on the SuSanA Forum and the Community of Practice forums around the June 2012 Handwashing Think Tank, all with an interest in sanitation and hygiene are invited to share experience, gain inspiration and develop ideas for future collaboration on this important topic. Updates from the Think Tank will form the platform for discussion.

Do let me know if you have any questions or ideas that you would like to post for the event organisers.

Best wishes

Zelda

I have followed some demonstrations of hand washing in promotion areas. In the demonstrations the drying of the hands is often forgotten and not mentioned as an essential item to prevent bacteria development. Bacteria develop rapidly with food source, warmth and water. Although handwashing with soap reduces strongly the bacteria and germs, if the hands are not well dried afterwards the remaining bacteria will rapidly multiply. Especially in countries where anal cleaning is done by hand and water, the washing AND drying should be emphasized together.

Some information from PPPHW:

The Latest in Handwashing Behavior Change: Outcomes from the Handwashing Think Tank
• Join PPPHW for a Webinar on July 17
• Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

www1.gotomeeting.com/register/937297169

The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing (PPPHW) and its partners hosted 30 experts working on behavior change from the academic, NGO, government, and private sectors for a Handwashing Think Tank from June 20-21, 2012. Participants came together to take stock of the best, identify the gaps, and articulate the way for forward for handwashing behavior change.

Sharing and discussing the latest handwashing program results and the research, the group came to consensus on issues like critical times for handwashing. The group also realized that they were all facing similar challenges and committed to continuing communicating and learning from each other as a handwashing behavior change network.

Please join the PPPHW for a recap of the Think Tank and learn how the partnership plans to follow up on the Think Tank outcomes.
• Title: The Latest in Handwashing Behavior Change: Outcomes from the Handwashing Think TanK
• Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2012
• Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Dear Zelda,
it would great to get info on the outcome and recommendations of the 2 day think tank. Will there a compilation at the end?

Cheers
Christian

The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing (PPPHW - www.globalhandwashing.org) will be hosting a Handwashing Behavior Change Think Tank from June 20-21. At the Think Tank, a small group of handwashing behavior change experts will take stock of the best, identify the gaps, and articulate the way forward for handwashing behavior change. The PPPHW is reaching out to other handwashing behavior change practitioners around the world to join the discussion as virtual participants. Virtual participants will have access to periodic updates on the Think Tank discussion as well as the Twitter feed during the two-day event. Virtual participants are encouraged to comment and or ask questions about any aspect of the Think Tank discussions. There may also be an opportunity to join the Think Tank in a live webinar the morning of June 21.

If you are interested and available to join the Handwashing Behavior Change Think Tank as a virtual participant, please send your name, email, organization, country, and interest/experience in handwashing behavior change to Sarah Yagoda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..