Hygiene and Sanitation- Key Concepts and Study Tips for NEET
Maintaining good hygiene and proper sanitation is more than just a personal responsibility—it’s a global priority. Whether it’s washing your hands regularly, properly disposing of waste, or treating water to remove harmful pathogens, these practises contribute to a healthier and safer environment for everyone. In this article, you’ll learn
Key reasons why hygiene and sanitation are crucial to preventing diseases.
Practical tips on personal, domestic, and community hygiene.
Global and local initiatives aimed at promoting cleanliness and preventing illness.
Answers to frequently asked questions that will help you or your community stay safe and healthy.
What are Hygiene and Sanitation?
Hygiene refers to practises that help maintain health and prevent disease, primarily through cleanliness. This can include personal habits like bathing, washing hands, brushing teeth, and caring for your immediate living environment.
Sanitation, on the other hand, focuses on the systems and processes that ensure cleanliness in a broader context. This includes-
Waste disposal (solid and liquid)
Safe drinking water supply
Sewage treatment
Vector control (reducing disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes)
Both hygiene and sanitation go hand-in-hand; inadequate sanitation systems can undo the benefits of good personal hygiene and vice versa.
Why are Hygiene and Sanitation Important?
1. Disease Prevention
Reduces the risk of infectious diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, and hepatitis.
Minimises the spread of parasites and viruses in crowded or vulnerable regions.
2. Promotes Overall Health
Improves quality of life by reducing illness and medical expenses.
Helps maintain a stronger immune system.
3. Enhances Social Well-Being
Encourages a clean, pleasant living and working environment.
Boosts self-esteem and confidence.
4. Economic Benefits
Healthy populations mean fewer work absences and higher productivity.
Reduces healthcare costs by cutting down on preventable diseases.
Personal Hygiene Practises
Hand Hygiene
Wash hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals, after using the restroom, and after handling waste.
Keep a hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) handy when soap and water aren’t available.
Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth twice a day to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between teeth.
Consider using a mouthwash to reduce bacteria that cause bad breath.
Body Cleanliness
Bathe or shower daily using clean water and mild soap.
Pay extra attention to skin folds and areas prone to sweat to prevent bacterial or fungal infections.
Keep your hair and scalp clean to avoid dandruff and scalp infections.
Nail and Foot Care
Keep nails trimmed and clean to prevent dirt buildup and infections.
Wash and dry feet thoroughly, especially between toes to prevent athlete’s foot and odor.
Menstrual Hygiene
Use clean and safe menstrual products (pads, tampons, or menstrual cups).
Dispose of or wash these products properly to prevent bacterial growth and contamination.
Environmental and Public Sanitation
Waste Management
Separate waste into biodegradable (food scraps, yard waste) and non-biodegradable (plastic, metal).
Properly dispose of hazardous materials like batteries, electronics, or chemicals in designated facilities.
Water Sanitation
Always ensure drinking water is clean—filter, boil, or treat if necessary.
Protect water sources (rivers, lakes, wells) by preventing dumping of waste or chemicals.
Sewage and Drainage
Support community-level sewage treatment systems.
Keep drains and pipelines unclogged to avoid stagnant water, which can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Public Facilities
Public toilets, bus stations, and markets should have adequate handwashing stations and regular cleaning schedules.
Promote the use of eco-friendly toilets in areas lacking proper sewage systems.
Diseases Linked to Poor Hygiene and Sanitation
1. Cholera – Spread primarily through contaminated water.
2. Diarrhea – Common in areas with inadequate sanitation; a leading cause of death in children under five.
3. Dysentery – Often results from poor handwashing habits and contaminated food.
4. Typhoid Fever – Caused by Salmonella Typhi through contaminated food and water.
5. Hepatitis A and E – Transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often from unclean water sources.
6. Worm Infestations – Occur when parasite eggs/larvae enter the body through soil, water, or food contaminated with feces.
Global Efforts and Initiatives
Various international organisations and government bodies are actively working to improve hygiene and sanitation worldwide-
1. World Health Organisation (WHO) – Provides guidelines and sets global standards for water quality, hygiene, and sanitation.
2. UNICEF – Implements Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs, especially in low-income countries.
3. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – Aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Local governments and NGOs also conduct awareness campaigns, provide infrastructure for clean drinking water, and educational programs to foster better hygiene practises.
Easy Ways to Promote Hygiene in Your Community
1. Awareness Campaigns
Organise workshops or use social media to teach basic hygiene practises, such as correct handwashing and waste segregation.
2. School Programs
Include hygiene and sanitation in curriculums.
Encourage students to practise what they learn at home and in their communities.
3. Community Clean-Up Drives
Regularly clean public places, remove litter, and educate people about proper waste disposal.
4. Install Handwashing Stations
Place them near toilets, cafeterias, and other high-traffic areas to encourage regular handwashing.
5. Collaborate with Local Leaders
Work with local governments, NGOs, and healthcare providers to implement sanitation projects.
Essential Study Materials for NEET UG Success
FAQs on Hygiene and Sanitation- The Cornerstones of Public Health
1. How can diseases be prevented?
People shouldn't excrete in open spaces to prevent waterborne illnesses (or near bodies of water). Everyone should be conscious of their duty to avoid contaminating the "water source" to keep it pure. Water consumption is a fundamental human necessity. Sadly, not everyone has access to clean water. Over a billion people are thought to lack access to clean drinking water globally. Many water-related ailments and even deaths occur worldwide as a result of human-caused water contamination. This ailment can be prevented through proper sanitation made by the efforts of everybody.
2. Are hygiene and sanitation the same thing?
No. Hygiene is about personal cleanliness; sanitation involves broader public systems (waste management, water treatment).
3. Which diseases are commonly linked to poor hygiene and sanitation?
Cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, hepatitis A/E, and worm infestations.
4. Are hand sanitizers as effective as washing hands?
They help but cannot replace soap and water when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
5. Why treat water before drinking it?
It removes harmful germs and contaminants that cause waterborne diseases.
6. How does open defecation harm public health?
It contaminates water and soil, spreading illnesses like cholera and dysentery.
7. Is personal hygiene alone enough to stop disease outbreaks?
Personal hygiene is crucial but must be backed by proper sanitation (waste disposal, clean water).
8. Which global organisations focus on sanitation?
WHO, UNICEF, and SDGs lead major global hygiene and sanitation efforts.
9. Why is this topic important for NEET aspirants?
Hygiene and sanitation often appear in exam questions related to public health and disease prevention.
10. What does SDG 6 emphasise?
It promotes clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
