Good hand hygiene is generally recommended to help stop the spread of colds, flu, sickness and diarrhoea, although the outcome of specific campaigns may not be consistent.

A Cochrane Review in 2015 evaluated the effects of promoting hand washing on the incidence of diarrhoea among children and adults in day-care centres, schools, communities, or hospitals. Hand washing promotion at child day-care facilities or schools in high income countries probably prevents around 30% of diarrhoea episodes, the authors found. €However, less is known about how to help people maintain hand washing habits in the longer term.€25

Another 2015 meta-analysis of school hand hygiene awareness policies could not draw any firm conclusions on effectiveness. The systematic review of 18 randomised controlled trials found that studies were not generally well executed or reported.26

Evidence of any impact on gastrointestinal infection was considered €equivocal€. However, the report suggested hand hygiene awareness might reduce absence from school and reduce respiratory tract infection and flu among younger children.