A Department of Health survey shows Hong Kong people have good knowledge of personal, food and environmental hygiene practices and are cleaning up their acts.

The survey found the proportion of people using serving chopsticks or spoons when having meals with others increased, from 46% in 2003 to 65% in 2005.

The survey also showed that more than 90% of the interviewees have good personal hygiene practices such as washing their hands after going to the toilet (100%), before eating or handling food (98%), after handling rubbish (94%). What's more, 94% used liquid soap for hand washing.

More than 90% of respondents have good food hygiene practices such as cooking meat thoroughly (92%), storing raw food and cooked food separately (91%) and washing meat, seafood and vegetables thoroughly before cooking (91%).

About 74% of respondents had good knowledge of personal, food and environmental hygiene. Almost all respondents (98%) said maintaining a hygienic environment should be the responsibility of every citizen.

More than 90% claimed they kept windows in their home open to maintain good ventilation (98%) and when cleaning (94%).

Releasing the survey findings today, Assistant Director of Health Dr Regina Ching said it is encouraging to see that people are well informed and accept personal responsibility in maintaining a hygienic environment.

Communicable diseases are still a threat to Hong Kong and could strike if alertness and preparedness are low, she added.

Dr Ching pointed out that many respondents still did not practise certain basic hygiene measures.

About one third did not handle raw food and cooked food using separate sets of knives and chopping boards. Another 30% of the interviewees did not wash their hands after touching public installations or equipment and 10% did not wash their hands after coughing or sneezing.

Among those respondents who noticed rubbish black spots or stagnant water at construction sites, 91% did not report the problem to the relevant authority.