Nationwide Survey Reveals Men Need a Lesson in Hygiene

Media Release
For Immediate Release
3 July 2012

Nationwide Survey Reveals Men Need a Lesson in Hygiene to Help Stop the Spread of Cold and Flu

Dettol has recently conducted an extensive nationwide survey that has revealed almost half of Kiwis don’t wash their hands after coughing sneezing and blowing their noses, with men being less likely than women to partake in this basic hygiene practice (A).

Every year, approximately 400 deaths in New Zealand are related to influenza[1], with one in five people being affected by the virus. Add to this the 200 different versions[2] of the common cold, and many Kiwis struggle with sickness throughout the winter months, making the need to protect yourself a priority.

The survey shows that teaching children to wash their hands is still the most popular way for parents to help stop their littlies from picking up cold and flu bugs at school (B). However according to Dettol Brand Manager Narissa Harvey, some parents need to take heed of their own advice.

“The fact that nearly half of Kiwis don’t wash their hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing their noses (C) shows we can greatly reduce our chances of catching cold and flu germs by making simple changes to our hygiene habits.

“Dettol recommends following basic hygiene practices to help stop the spread of cold and flu, including regular hand washing and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing,” she adds.

Interestingly, women are more proficient in this department than men (D), being on average about twice as likely to wash their hands. Women are also twice as likely as men to turn to cleaning and disinfecting the home to aid recovery from cold and flu. Considering that the flu virus can live for up to two days, and the cold virus for up to seven[3], men seem to be the victims of their own bad habits. Perhaps this helps to explain the ‘man flu’ phenomenon.

Even though a third of New Zealanders came down with a cold or the flu at least twice last year (E), over half of us soldiered on and took no time off work to recover (F). The good news is that the older you get, the less likely you are to take time off work due to these viruses (G). People tend to get fewer colds as they get older because they build up immunity to the common strands of the virus[4].

Dettol has a range of products to protect Kiwi families this winter and help stop the spread of cold and flu:

Dettol Cold and Flu Products

Disinfectant Spray: Dettol Disinfectant spray is proven to kill 99.9% of germs including those that cause cold and flu. It is suitable for use on surfaces that you and your family come into contact with everyday.

Disinfectant Surface Cleanser Wipes: These wipes kill 99.9% of germs and are bleach free. They are suitable to be used around the home in the kitchen, bathroom and even the nursery.

Instant Hand Sanitiser: Dettol Healthy Touch Instant Hand Sanitiser kills 99.99% of germs and can be used on the go without soap or water, providing protection from germs no matter where you are. It is suitable for use by the whole family.

For tips on protection and prevention please refer to http://www.dettol.co.nz/cold-and-flu and for more information about the Dettol product range, please visit http://www.dettol.co.nz/

Summary of Survey Findings

A) Women are more likely to wash their hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing their noses with 59% washing their hands after one or more of these activities but only 42% of men doing the same.

B) 37.3% of parents believe that teaching children to wash their hands is the best way to stop their littlies picking up cold and flu at school.

C) Nearly half (48.8%) of Kiwis don’t wash their hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing their noses.

D) 32% of New Zealanders came down with a cold or the flu at least twice last year.

E) 55.8% of New Zealanders took no time off work last year to recover from a cold or the flu.

F) 70% of those aged 18-34 years, had taken at least one day off work in the last year due to having a cold or the flu (just over a third of this age group taking between 3-5 days off for this) 48% of those aged 35-64 years, had taken at least one day off work in the last year due to having a cold or the flu (14% of this age group taking between 3-5 days off for this).

G) Women are almost three times (2.7) more likely to use disinfecting cleaning products than men to avoid catching a cold.

H) Men are more likely (2.5 times) to get a ‘sweat on’ to get rid of a cold than women.

Editor’s Note: Nationwide survey conducted by Buzzchannel with a base of 303 respondents
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[1] http://www.fightflu.co.nz/influenza-facts/
[2] http://www.health.govt.nz/yourhealth-topics/diseases-and-illnesses/colds
[3] http://www.dettol.co.nz/cold-and-flu.php
[4] http://www.health.govt.nz/yourhealth-topics/diseases-and-illnesses/colds

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