Personal Well-being
– Key to Public Progress

The Hygiene and Health Report 2018-2019

Presented in partnership with

Essity foreword

Time to put insights into actions

As a leading global hygiene and health company we, at Essity, have gathered knowledge and insights to drive a global dialogue about the strong connection between hygiene, health and well-being.

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WSSCC foreword

Putting people at the centre

We cannot talk about changing policies and practices without keeping people in mind, without consulting them, without understanding their needs and without understanding prevailing beliefs and practices.

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About the report and the collaboration

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Personal Well-being – Key to Public Progress

The Hygiene and Health Report 2018-2019

What do you think people answered?

This report builds on a combination of our own experiences, third party knowledge and survey data on public opinion from all over the globe. This global survey for the report was conducted at the end of 2017.

Customize detailed answers
from 15 different countries
by your own interests in the
digital Survey Results 2018!

Early adopters

Ensuring a good foundation for the next generation

One of the earliest signs of independence in childhood is learning to care for your personal hygiene and health. When children are born, every physical need is tended to by their caregivers.
Poor hygiene conditions are the main barriers for using school toilets

"... the greatest reward is the collaboration with the parents."

Josefine, Preschool Teacher, Sweden
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More from this chapter

Investing in hygiene for life

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Menstruation needs to be put higher on the health agendas

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Menstrual hygiene management education

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Women on the rise

Empowering women by making their needs count

The global movement towards gender equality has seemed like a steady, albeit slow moving train. However, last year we witnessed not only a halt, but a step backwards.

Periods perceived as a woman’s business

73%

of mothers

40%

of fathers

have talked to their daughter(s) about menstruation

32%

of mothers

30%

of fathers

have talked to their son(s) about menstruation

"Menstruation is inherently neither controversial nor political. It is a normal and healthy part of girls’ and women’s biology, and should never be used as a basis for discrimination, inequality or harm."

Michelle Milford Morse, United Nations Foundation
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Championing policy change in West and Central Africa

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Raising awareness of the menstrual cycle’s role for women’s health

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Menstrual health literacy for increased knowledge and earlier diagnosis

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Changing bodies, changing needs

Ensuring health through transitional stages of life

Throughout life, being able to respond to and manage one’s physical needs is deeply intertwined with a sense of dignity and empowerment. Yet, full control is a state that is not attainable for every adult during all stages in their lives.

71%

worry about not being able to go to the toilet on their own as they get older or ill

67%

worry about not being able to care for their personal hygiene

"Today my urine incontinence is mostly under control, but there are still days when I cannot leave the house due to faecal incontinence."

Mario, Flemish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Belgium.
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More from this chapter

Fighting healthcare-associated infections

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Informing policy through local voices

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The benefits of having person-centered continence care

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