The study was conducted in 15 communes of HaTinh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Nam, Ha Tay and Hai Phong provinces from June to July 2011 on the knowledge and practice on handwashing of 390 study subjects aged 16-60 at their house from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Findings show that most of the study subjects had correct knowledge on the effect of handwashing with soap which is to eliminate bacteria and prevent diseases (81.5 percent). The rates of them knowmg about the necessity to wash their hands with soap before eating, after urinating and after defecating were respectively 86.9 percent
47.7 percent and 84.1 percent. Only 9.5 percent of the respondents knew the whole 6 steps of handwashing with soap. The rate of the survey subjects who practiced handwashing with soap was still low: only 6.1 percent, 0.8 percent and 14.6 percent of them washed their hands with soap before eating, after urinating and after defecating respectively.