Why promoting hygiene is vital to strengthening public health

Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Health Day, it has been said that promoting hygiene through education provision is crucial to controlling diseases and strengthening public health in the country.

World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. The day is observed to raise awareness about global health issues and highlight the importance of well-being.

Each year, a theme is selected to highlight a priority area of public health concern in the world.

This year’s commemorations, which go under the theme ‘My Health, My Right', aim to champion the rights of everyone, everywhere.

They include access to quality healthcare services, the provision of education and information, access to safe drinking water, and exposure to clean air.

Others are the consumption of healthy food, living in quality houses, being employed in decent jobs, being exposed to a properly conserved environment, and a society that is free from incidents of abuse and discrimination.

It calls for society to maintain the cleanliness of our surroundings and prioritise personal hygiene, although there are perceptions preventing some individuals from accepting the fact that health is an individual's fundamental right.

Speaking from a psychological perspective, a social psychologist and President of the Tanzania Association of Psychologists (TAPA), Mr Magolanga Shagembe, says children's upbringing plays a crucial role, especially when parents consistently provide friendly guidance to their children.

He says the guidance should be built on areas of personal hygiene and the cleanliness of their surroundings, noting that the habit will develop as the children grow up.

“Equally, if parental instruction involves issues of conflict and abusive language, the same will be adopted by children, hence neglecting cleanliness and personal hygiene among issues of their concern," he explains.

Mr Shagembe emphasises the importance of parents using positive language and a friendly approach to guide their children, as well as aiding them in developing better health habits.

A Kariakoo market businessman, Mr Adam Simba, expresses his surprise following the growing trend involving young men who mock peers for opting to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene.

“Most young people today think that maintaining the cleanliness of their surroundings and personal hygiene is the responsibility of wealthy people rather than practices that prevent them from contracting diseases,” he says.

He remarks that more education needs to be dispelled against outdated beliefs, insisting that cleanliness transcends individuals’ dress codes; rather, it is about prioritising self-care and living a healthy life.

Similarly, a cosmetics trader carrying her business at Mwenge, Dar es Salaam, Ms Oprah Mathias, emphasises the importance of personal hygiene, regardless of an individual’s occupation.

“No matter how hard a man works, it is important to keep our bodies clean to prevent possible healthcare challenges that can disrupt routine attendance at work. Good health should start with every individual,” she says.

Ms Mathias also underscores the significance of hygiene among food vendors, urging that the prioritisation of keeping customers healthy by maintaining clean attire should be a matter of concern.

“I recently visited a food vendor who wore dirty clothes that emitted an unpleasant odour that forced me to walk away,” she shares, insisting that the cleanliness of food vendors was crucial.

A Tabata food vendor, Ms Jamila Khalfan, says adverse weather conditions were among the challenges to their cleanliness.

“When it rains, there are occasions when mud forms or working areas become muddy. It's not our preference, but it's the area that suits our income. That's why we make an effort to ensure that the environment remains clean and safe,” she says.

A cardiologist at the Aga Khan Hospital, Dr Zahra Khan, says there is a huge importance of utilising media in acquiring health information.

“The community should utilise media in the right way to acquire health information and voice concerns,” she shares.

She highlights people’s reluctance to invest in their health, noting that some people are ready to spend up to Sh75, 000 a day on other things, but they are averse to spending money for their health.

During this year’s World Health Day commemorations, Dr Zahra calls for investment in nutrition across different sectors to promote dietary health practices.

“Some people go to the gym to climb treadmills, yet some of them are facing heart complications, therefore posing a huge threat to their health,” says the cardiologist.

Muhimbili National Hospital dermatologist, Dr Andrew Foi, urges the controlled use of cosmetic products to maintain skin health.

"The society should allocate time for physical exercise and drink sufficient amounts of water. They should also consume a balanced diet to give their skin optimal health,” he advises.

Dr Foi emphasises that skin issues may indicate underlying internal health problems, noting that there is a need for comprehensive health education.

“It is imperative for the community to access health education as they are entitled. With health services readily available everywhere, it's our duty to ensure we receive accurate information to maintain our skin's well-being and overall health,” he noted.