Dubai: A survey on hand hygiene has revealed that the hygiene standards of the UAE are currently below the global average with 31 per cent of the population washing hands less than five times a day.

Commissioned by Dettol’s ‘Mission for Health’ community-based initiative and conducted by YouGov, the survey was based on responses by 1,009 residents.

The results suggest that the main source of germs came mostly from contact with people coughing and sneezing (80 per cent), unclean surfaces (71 per cent) and flush knobs (65 per cent).

The initiative focuses on on teaching children, mums and families on how to wash their hands properly with soap at least for six times a day, and use hands sanitisers when applicable.