Essentials Initiative Survey
2020-2021

Results

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How do you think people answered?

What is the average amount of times people wash their hands in a normal day during the pandemic?

On average people wash their hands 10 times in a normal day during the pandemic.

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20 times 10 times

How many people think that the virus would spread less quickly if people where better at washing their hands?

77% of respondents believe that improved hand washing would slow down the spread of the virus.

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63% 77%

How many percent has changed the way they wash their hands due to the pandemic?

68% has changed the way they wash their hands.

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81% 68%

What percentage of people wash their hands mainly to protect themselves?

The majority of people (77%) wash their hands mainly to protect themselves.

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59% 77%

Which country has seen the largest increase in handwashing since the COVID-19 pandemic?

Mexico has seen the largesst increase in handwashing (34%) since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Brazil (29%) Mexico (34%)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, how many people wash their hands after arriving at work or school?

More than half of the respondents (59%) wash their hands after arriving at work or school.

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75% 59%

In what country are people most likely to wash their hands to protect others during the COVID-19 pandemic?

In Mexico people are most likely to wash their hands to protect others.

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Italy Mexico

How many people apply sanitizer after washing their hands today?

A quarter of respondents (25%) sanitize their hands after washing them.

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33% 25%

What percentage of men thinks that sanitizers are more effective than handwashing?

37% of men (29% of women) think that sanitizers are more effective than handwashing.

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53% (Women 48%) 37% (Women 29%)

What is currently preventing people from washing their hands more often during the pandemic?

Lack of hygiene products is the main reason preventing people from washing their hands.

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Limited access to clean water Lack of hygiene products

About 39% of the respondents think that knowing the products will actually be recycled would help them to recycle hygiene products more. In which country is this the highest?

In Russia 48% of all respondents believe that knowing the products will actually be recycled would help them to recycle hygiene products more.

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Mexico Russia

Having their period can make feel women uncomfortable. How many women have refrained from going to work or school last year because of matters connected to menstruation?

42% have refrained from going to school/work because of matters connected to menstruation.

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35% 42%

On average, 2 out of 5 women have refrained from going to school or work the last year due to menstruation. In which of the following countries is this number even higher with 77%?

77% of Indian women refrained from going to school or work the last year due to menstruation.

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South Africa India

The global average of women that share they have had or are currently having urine leakage is 34%. What is the global average of men who are willing to share this information?

The global average of men who are willing to share they have had or are currently having urine leakage is 11%

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27% 11%

What is thought to be the most common reason for not seeking help and support for incontinence?

54% of people suffering from incontinence do not seek help and support because they believe it is embarrassing.

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People are afraid to be seen as unhygienic It is embarrassing

Around 87% of respondents have refrained from using a public toilet. What is the leading cause?

67% of the repondents have refrained from using a public toilet because it was unclean.

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Lack of privacy Toilet being unclean

Unclean toilets and lack of paper or soap are the leading causes for not using a public toilet. How many people have refrained from using a public toilet because it was unclean?

67% of the respondents have refrained from using a public toilet becacuse it was unclean.

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57% 67%

21% of female respondents find it difficult to discuss menstruation with other people. What is the respective percentage for male respondents?

13% of male respondents find it difficult to discuss menstruation with other people.

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39% 13%

Some topics related to personal hygiene and health might be difficult to discuss with other people. 33% of the respondents agree that one topic is the most uncomfortable. Which one?

It is most difficult for respondents to discuss urin leakage (incontinence) with others.

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Menopause Urin leakage (incontinence)

Globally, fewer parents talk to their daughters about menstruation than in 2018. What is percentage number of fathers who have talked to their daughter(s) about menstruation in the last year?

35% of fathers have talked to their daughter(s) about menstruation in the last year.

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16% 35%

More than half worry that the lack of proper hygiene habits at hospitals might expose them to antimicrobial resistant germs. How many of the respondents completely agree that antimicrobial resistance is a threat to public health?

41% of the respondents completely agree that antimicrobial resistance is a threat to public health.

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28% 41%

3 in 10 of those who have refrained from going to school or work lack access to clean or safe toilets. What was the most common reason for refraining from going to school/work last year?

For 68% of the respondents, physical pain during menstruation was the most common reason for refraining from going to school/work last year

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Physical pain during menstruation Lack of access to clean or safe toilets and washrooms

Essentials Initiative Survey2020-2021

Results

Essentials Initiative Survey
2020-2021