Context:
Many believe their hands are clean if they appear visibly clean, but that’s not entirely true. In reality, hand hygiene goes beyond mere visual cleanliness. Germs and bacteria are invisible to the human eye and can reside on seemingly clean hands, leading to the risk of infectious diseases. Various psychological factors play a role in subconsciously discouraging people from washing their hands with soap. Apart from forgetfulness, some such factors include HWWS being considered a cleanliness practice than a disease prevention action, preconceived notions on the use of only water against water with soap, level of optimistic beliefs, the intensity of their feelings of disgust and risk perception.
Purpose:
The Glo Germ Demonstration is an interactive tool that reveals the presence of invisible germs on one’s hands and emphasizes the importance of using soap to eliminate them. The demonstration kit includes the glow-germ powder, a UV torch, and a black viewing cloth. Participants sprinkle the powder on their hands that mimic invisible germs, and when illuminated by the UV torch, the stimulated powder that symbolizes germs glow, exposing the hidden truth. This engaging activity allows parents and children to visualize various scenarios, highlighting the significance of washing hands with soap to prevent infections. It dispels the misconception that water alone is sufficient for cleanliness and that visibly clean hands are actually clean.
Target Groups:
Parents and children
Key Messages:
Visibly clean hands are not always clean.
Washing hands with both soap and water is necessary to eliminate invisible disease-causing germs.
Duration:
6 minutes
Required Resources:
Glo Germ Powder, UV Torch, Soap, Water, Black Cloth, and a small towel to wipe hands.
How to Use:
- Set up a handwashing station with soap and water.
- Apply Glo-Germ powder to the hands of three volunteers from the audience and display it to the rest of the audience, allowing them to observe the visible dirt.
- Instruct the three volunteers to wash their hands:
- The first volunteer does not wash their hands.
- The second volunteer cleans their hands with water.
- The third volunteer washes their hands with soap and water.
- Ask the audience to assess if the volunteers’ hands appear clean and wait for their response.
- Examine their hands under a UV torchlight in a darkened area to reveal the true presence of germs (mimicked by the glo-germ powder).
- It becomes evident that although the hands washed with water and soap and water may have appeared clean on the surface, the UV light exposes the hidden germs on the ones washed with only water.
- Emphasize the importance of washing hands with soap to effectively eliminate germs.
- Encourage all volunteers, as well as the audience, to wash their hands with soap for proper hygiene.
