THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT
There are many harmful microorganisms in crowded places where children are located, such as schools, and on the surfaces in these areas. These microorganisms can be transported to different locations through our hands, which are the most used organs in our daily lives, and the intake of microbes into the body becomes easier.
Germs carried through hands cause many diseases and epidemics. Hand hygiene is a simple but most important preventive method in preventing infections that are difficult to treat, such as flu, cold and hospital infections. In order to prevent these diseases, societies with developed health awareness should be created. It is of great importance to provide education at an early age in order to raise health awareness. With the "Health Begins in Hands" project, it is aimed to explain the importance of "hand washing habits" by showing correct hand washing steps to first grade students studying in crowded classes and to set an example for their families and friends with this habit they will acquire.
THE SUBJECT OF THE PROJECT
The “Health Begins with Hands” project has been continuing since 2017 with the support of our collaborators, Zeytinburnu Municipality and District Directorate of National Education. Within the scope of the project, awareness raising activities are carried out in schools determined by Zeytinburnu Municipality about cleaning hands and nails and instilling correct "hand washing habits" in children. Project President Prof. Dr. Süda Tekin and her team visit primary schools in Zeytinburnu district at regular intervals. Proper hand washing steps are shown to students one by one with the portable sink that is taken to all schools attended. After this practice, our volunteer students repeat the hand washing steps verbally and practically, with the help of our team, in order to reinforce what they have learned. In addition to hand hygiene information, informative content about oral health and general hygiene is also shared. At the end of the event, soap, napkins, wet wipes, disinfectant and toothbrush kits prepared by our project stakeholder Zeytinburnu Municipality are distributed to students in order to further reinforce and encourage hygiene awareness.
PROJECT GROUP
Prof. Dr. Süda Tekin & Infection Control Nurses & Corporate Communications (Gamze Tepret)
STAKEHOLDERS OF THE PROJECT
Zeytinburnu Municipality & Zeytinburnu District Directorate of National Education
ACTIVE DURATION / STATUS OF THE PROJECT
It has been active since 2017.
THE COMMUNITY TARGETED IN THE PROJECT
First grade students of schools in Zeytinburnu district, which have crowded classrooms and poor hygiene conditions and facilities, were targeted.
COMMUNITY'S NEEDS MEET
First grade students living in Zeytinburnu and studying in crowded classrooms were shown correct hand washing practices, were taught how to ensure hand hygiene in their daily lives, and were given the habit of regular “hand washing habit” .
WHAT RESULT DID THE PROJECT GIVE? / WHAT DID HE ACHIEVE?
Within the scope of the "Health Begins with Hands" project, which has been active since 2017, nearly more than 35.000 first grade students were given practical hand washing training. As a result of these trainings, our children, who are in constant contact with the environment, were taught that the biggest hero in preventing bacteria carried through hands from turning into diseases is the "hand washing habit". Every year, the importance of "hand washing habits" and the correct hand washing steps were explained, and children were helped to teach these techniques to their families and those around them.
IN WHICH OUR INSTITUTIONS IS THE PROJECT CARRIED OUT?
The “Health Begins with Hands” project continues at Koç University Hospital.