Fewer than half of restroom users wash their hands with soap, according to a recent survey. The average handwashing time was just 13.9 seconds, falling short of the 30 seconds recommended by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
On October 15, KCDC released the results of its "2026 First Half Infectious Disease Prevention Behavior Survey" on Global Handwashing Day. The survey found that only 46.7% of public restroom users washed their hands with soap, a slight increase from 45.0% last year, but still below half.
The survey was conducted in collaboration with the National Medical Center from May 28 to June 30, observing the handwashing behaviors of 4,560 adults in 120 public restrooms across 60 crowded facilities, including train stations, airports, and terminals.
Among restroom users, 14.0% did not wash their hands at all. Of those who did wash their hands, nearly half (45.7%) used only water without soap.
The average handwashing time was short, with those who used soap averaging just 5.8 seconds of scrubbing. The rate of "proper handwashing"—defined as washing hands with soap and water for over 30 seconds—was only 11.4%, an improvement from last year's 10.3%, but still only one in ten.
A discrepancy was noted between perception and actual behavior. In an exit survey of 1,800 restroom users, 51.2% claimed they practiced proper handwashing, while the observational study confirmed a much lower rate of 11.4%. KCDC explained that awareness of the importance of handwashing does not translate into actual behavior.
Gender and age differences were also observed. The percentage of users washing their hands with soap was higher among women (52.9%) compared to men (40.5%). By age group, those in their 20s had the highest rate at 52.2%, while those over 70 had the lowest at 33.7%. Among the elderly, 21.7% did not wash their hands at all.
KCDC recommends washing hands with soap and running water for at least 30 seconds to prevent infectious diseases. Proper handwashing involves six steps: rubbing palms together, cleaning the back of the hands, interlacing fingers and washing between them, rubbing fingers together, cleaning the thumbs, and scrubbing under the nails. Afterward, hands should be rinsed thoroughly under running water and dried.
"Handwashing is a basic and cost-free method of preventing infectious diseases that everyone can easily practice in their daily lives," said KCDC Director Lim Seung-kwan. He urged the public to adhere to personal hygiene practices, including handwashing and proper cough etiquette, in preparation for the winter respiratory infection season.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.