As part of its mission to study behavior, Santé publique France conducted a study in 2012 to assess public awareness of and adherence to preventive measures against winter viruses.

The French and Handwashing

In 2012, Santé publique France conducted a study that revealed that only 20% of French people spontaneously cited handwashing as a way to protect themselves from winter respiratory infections.
In terms of actual practice, more than 8 out of 10 people consistently washed their hands after using the restroom (81% vs. 84% in 2010). However, handwashing had not yet become a reflex in certain situations:

• only 67% of French people consistently washed their hands before cooking

• 60% before eating

• 59% of French people took this precaution before caring for a baby

Furthermore, fewer than one in three French people wash their hands after blowing their nose (32%), and only 31% do so after using public transportation.

French behavior regarding other recommendations to limit the risk of infection

The same study revealed that 79% of French respondents reported adopting at least one habit to prevent winter respiratory infections. Among the actions most frequently cited spontaneously were “dressing warmly,” “washing hands,” and “getting vaccinated.” In practice, the behaviors adopted were:

• Avoiding direct contact: when caring for children and feeling sick, the French tend to take greater precautions. 82% never kiss young children, while only 2% continue to do so systematically.

• Avoiding crowded places: only 7% continue to go to very crowded places, compared to 15% in 2010. Similarly, the French eat out less: only 5% continue to do so systematically (vs. 9% in 2010). And they are using public transportation less: 15% still do so (vs. 29% in 2010). Conversely, 48% of French people continue to go to their workplace, a proportion that is trending upward compared to 2010 (42%).

• Covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing: this gesture has become almost second nature for virtually all French people, as 98% cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing. However, the hand remains the primary barrier (48%), followed by a tissue (38%) and, less commonly, the elbow (11%).

• Wearing a mask: only 5% of French people wear a mask consistently or often at home to avoid infecting those around them when they have the flu or a cold. Although parents of young children are more at risk, very few of them wear masks (6%). Yet masks help protect others from viruses that may be present in coughs, saliva, or droplets.

• Get vaccinated against the flu.