2017 Handwashing Survey UAE
The results are in for Bradley’s 2017 Healthy Hand Washing Survey, which queried 522 adults across the UAE. The survey, conducted June 13-23, 2017, focused on Emiratis’ hand washing habits in public toilets and concerns about germs, colds and the flu. Participants were from around the country, 18 years and older, and split between men and women (55 and 45 percent).
Public Toilet Aggravations Rise Along with Reports of Finding Unpleasant Toilets
As the infographic illustrates, Emiratis report a lengthy list of high-level aggravations in public toilets. Clogged or unflushed toilets, and unpleasant smells are by far the most aggravating annoyances in public toilets in the UAE. And it appears that these grievances hit home for much of the population, as 86% of UAE residents report they’ve had a particularly unpleasant experience in a public toilet due to the condition of the facilities. That number has increased significantly – last year only 69% felt that way.
Half of UAE adults believe that an unclean toilet at a business indicates poor management or shows they don’t care about their customers. For one-third a messy toilet causes them to lower their opinion of the business.
What’s even more impactful, is Emiratis’ responses to an unpleasant facility. Half say that poor toilet conditions affect their likelihood of returning to the business at all.
On the other hand, there is clearly a business advantage to ensuring facilities provide cleaner and nicer toilets. A clear majority – 80% of respondents – say they have made a conscious decision to use a business because they know it has cleaner, well-maintained toilets.
Top Concerns:
1. Contracting the flu weighs on the minds of Emiratis. 82% of UAE adults are extremely or quite concerned about contracting the flu this season. In response, an overwhelming majority say they’ll improve their hand washing habits after using public toilets. Half plan to wash their hands more frequently and another third will wash longer or more thoroughly.
2. Emiratis go out of their way to avoid personal contact with germs. Respondents stay home when they’re sick, sit far away from others in crowded areas and refrain from shaking hands with people. Instead of a hand shake, they prefer to wave hello or give a high five or air kiss.
3. Almost all Emiratis believe it’s important to wash up after using a public toilet; however, 29% say they frequently see others leave a public toilet without washing their hands. That’s an uptick from the 2014 Healthy Hand Washing Survey when only 16% reported seeing others skip out on hand washing.
