Unicef says using soap to wash hands, particularly after contact with excreta, can reduce diarrhoeal diseases by over 40% and respiratory infections by 30%.
Diarrhoea and respiratory infections are the main cause for child deaths in India.
Nearly half the population of South Asia has no access to toilets, whilst in sub-Saharan Africa this figure is as low as 28%.
With such poor sanitation standards, it is little surprise that children in the region are susceptible to diarrhoea, hepatitis and pneumonia - often leading to their deaths, the UN says.
The UN is celebrating 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation.
Have you washed your hands? Link -via Simply Left Behind, where you'll find more links on the subject.
"Nearly half the population of South Asia has no access to toilets, whilst in sub-Saharan Africa this figure is as low as 28%."
Does this mean that 28% of sub-Saharan Africa DOES or DOES NOT have access to toilets?
In context it's just as confusing. And now I've lost interest.
Yes, once... back in '73... it was a glorious experience.
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28% of sub-Saharan people have access to sanitation. [deleted]
[deleted - please save the vulgarity for another blog - Alex]
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Just because a Government or organization does something doesn't mean it will automatically be horrendously expensive...
Learning about sanitation is vitally important concept especially in countries with poor health coverage.