‘ Glo boxes ’ made by prisoners help public health service educate on hand hygiene
Lucy ( left ) peers into the Glo box to look at Elizabeth ’ s hands .
By Health Protection Officer , Toi Te Ora , Annaka Davis .
Prisoners at Tongariro Prison have made 25 Glo boxes to help Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service deliver hand hygiene education at schools , health expos and other hand hygiene awareness events .
The Glo boxes provide a visual , interactive way to help children learn the importance of hand hygiene . The viewing goggles on the sides of the box let people look through and see the parts missed during hand washing . If any part of the hand glows under the UV lights in the box , then it is still dirty .
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Four prisoners working in the prison ’ s carpentry workshop were involved in making the boxes as part of their NZQA unit standard qualifications .
“ Feedback from the guys involved in the design and the building of these boxes has been very positive ,” says Scott Walker , Assistant Prison Director . “ This has been great for the men involved to give something back to the community that will help improve the health of children and their whanau .”
“ The Glo boxes are very sturdy and are designed well ,” says Janis Graham , Health Improvement Advisor who recently delivered and demonstrated a Glo box to a primary school in the Eastern Bay . “ It was just amazing how the children understood the importance of good hand washing when they used them . The looking masks around three sides of the box enabled several children to look at the same time .”
Hands glowing under the UV lights in the Glo box .
Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service has a five year goal to reduce childhood admissions to hospital from acute rheumatic fever , respiratory infections and skin infections by two thirds . Hand hygiene is one of the most effective actions people can take to help prevent these illnesses and these boxes will contribute to achieving this goal .
If you would like to borrow a Glo box to deliver hand hygiene education please phone 0800 221 555 for further information .