Atle Wehn Hegnes, Nina Heidenstrøm, Kirsi Laitala

Hygiene practices in everyday Life

Introduction

Hygiene practices in everyday life. This study examines Norwegian consumers' daily use of disposable gloves post-COVID, highlighting hygiene benefits, environmental waste, and challenging perceptions of sustainable alternatives.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased use of disposable products, notably face masks and disposable gloves. While these items serve as a protective barriers against health hazards, they also pose significant environmental risks due to their resource-intensive production and waste generation. This study explores the adoption of disposable gloves beyond healthcare, probing their use and significance in the daily lives of Norwegian consumers. Employing social practice theory, the research investigates the underlying reasons and ways Norwegian consumers incorporate disposable gloves into various practices, and how more sustainable alternatives could be promoted. The methods encompass mobile ethnography and focus groups with Norwegian consumers. The findings demonstrate that disposable gloves are used to reduce health risk and enhance hygiene in daily life conveniently, consequently increasing waste. Alternative methods for increasing hygiene, such as reusable and longer lasting products or hand washing, are perceived as less hygienic and less convenient. Conclusively, the study sheds light on the complexities of changing material-practice entanglements and offers insights for developing more sustainable hand hygiene practices.

Review

This timely study adeptly addresses a critical public health and environmental challenge emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic: the proliferation of disposable products, specifically gloves, in everyday hygiene practices beyond clinical settings. Focusing on Norwegian consumers, the research sets out to explore the motivations behind the adoption of disposable gloves in daily life, the ways they are integrated into various routines, and the perceived barriers to more sustainable alternatives. By employing social practice theory, mobile ethnography, and focus groups, the study offers a robust methodological approach to uncover the complex interplay between materials, practices, and consumer perceptions of hygiene and convenience. The findings reveal a compelling paradox: while disposable gloves are embraced for their convenience, perceived hygiene benefits, and ability to reduce health risks, they simultaneously contribute to significant waste generation. Crucially, the study uncovers that more environmentally friendly options, such as reusable products or simple hand washing, are often perceived by consumers as less hygienic and less convenient. This insight is particularly valuable as it highlights the deep-seated "material-practice entanglements" that govern consumer choices and underscores the profound challenges in shifting established behaviors, even when faced with clear environmental imperatives. The research effectively illuminates the gap between intended sustainable behavior and actual practice, driven by deeply ingrained perceptions of effectiveness and ease. Overall, this is a well-conceived and executed study that makes a significant contribution to understanding post-pandemic hygiene practices and their environmental implications. Its strengths lie in its timely relevance, the insightful application of social practice theory, and the qualitative methodologies which provide rich, nuanced data on consumer motivations. While specifically focusing on Norway, the findings have broader implications for public health campaigns, product innovation, and policy interventions aimed at fostering more sustainable hygiene behaviors globally. The study offers valuable insights for designing interventions that address not just the environmental impact but also the psychological and practical dimensions of consumer perception regarding hygiene, convenience, and risk reduction.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.