About 64% of Caregivers and Parents Are Aware of 'Risk of Infectious Diseases and Food Poisoning'; Around 92% Feel Stool Testing Is Necessary

Survey on Hygiene Management and Health Check Awareness in Elderly and Child Care

Daily life with young children or elderly family members involves meticulous care, such as cooking, diaper changes, and transportation.

Among these routines, one major concern is the risk of "infectious diseases" or "food poisoning."

For children with underdeveloped immune systems and elderly individuals with declining physical strength, infections can lead to serious health complications.

So, to what extent are people involved in caregiving or parenting aware of these risks in their daily lives?

In collaboration with Moriyama Environmental Science Laboratory, we conducted a survey targeting 200 men and women nationwide who have experience caring for family members (including the elderly, children, or themselves), focusing on their awareness of hygiene management and health checks.

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・Clearly state the source as "a survey conducted by NEXER Group Inc. and Moriyama Environmental Science Laboratory, Ltd."

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Survey Overview: "Awareness of Hygiene Management and Health Checks in Elderly and Child Care"

Survey Method: Online questionnaire

Survey Period: July 7 – July 13, 2026

Respondents: Men and women nationwide who, in a preliminary survey, answered "yes" to having experience in caregiving or parenting for family members (including elderly, children, or themselves)

Valid Responses: 200 samples

Survey Questions:

Question 1: Have you been aware of the risks of infectious diseases or food poisoning while caring for others?

Question 2: In what specific situations have you been aware of these risks?

Question 3: Are you aware that staff and users at nursing homes, daycare centers, and schools undergo regular stool testing?

Question 4: What are your thoughts on the necessity of stool testing?

Question 5: How important is hygiene management (including stool testing) to you when you or your family use elderly care or childcare facilities?

Question 6: Please explain your reasons.

※Percentages are rounded to the nearest hundredth, so totals may not add up to exactly 100%.

64.0% of Respondents Reported Being Aware of Risks of Infectious Diseases or Food Poisoning During Caregiving

First, we asked respondents who had caregiving or parenting experience whether they were aware of the risks of infectious diseases or food poisoning during such activities.

The results showed that 26.5% answered "often aware," and 37.5% answered "sometimes aware," totaling 64.0% who were aware of these risks.

On the other hand, 29.5% answered "rarely aware," and 6.5% answered "not aware at all."

We also asked about specific situations in which they were aware of these risks. Some responses include:

In what specific situations have you been aware of these risks?

・When preparing weaning food for my child. (Female, 20s)

・When infections spread at daycare. (Female, 20s)

・When my child vomited. (Female, 30s)

・During cold and flu season, I was conscious of handwashing and disinfection. (Male, 30s)

・I always pay attention to handwashing, gargling, and wearing masks to avoid spreading or catching infections from my child. (Male, 40s)

・I felt the risk of infection when handling feces. (Male, 50s)

It is clear that over 60% of respondents are aware of the risks of infectious diseases and food poisoning.

Specifically, risks are recognized in daily situations such as preparing meals for children, responding to illness, and preventing infections within families.

In open-ended responses, concerns about infections were expressed in various caregiving and parenting scenarios, including preparing weaning food, infections at daycare, and handling vomit.

In caring for children and the elderly, many situations require hygiene management, such as assisting with meals and toileting. It is evident that many people are vigilant about infectious diseases and food poisoning in their daily lives.

42.5% Were Unaware of Regular Stool Testing in Facilities

Next, we asked respondents with caregiving or parenting experience whether they knew that staff and users at nursing homes, daycare centers, and schools undergo regular stool testing.

The results showed that 44.5% answered "vaguely aware," and 13.0% answered "fully aware," totaling 57.5% who had some knowledge of stool testing.

On the other hand, 42.5% answered "not aware."

While over half are aware of the existence of stool testing, only a portion fully understand its purpose and implementation.

Although hygiene management is emphasized in facilities serving children and the elderly, it appears that the purpose and significance of stool testing are not yet widely understood.

91.5% Believe Stool Testing Is "Necessary"

Next, we asked respondents about their views on the necessity of stool testing.

The results showed that 53.0% answered "strongly necessary," and 38.5% answered "somewhat necessary," totaling 91.5% who believe it is necessary.

On the other hand, 7.0% answered "not very necessary," and 1.5% answered "not necessary at all."

Although over 40% were unaware of the implementation of stool testing, over 90% view it positively in terms of necessity.

Even though opportunities to learn about the details of stool testing are limited, many people perceive it as an important preventive measure against infectious diseases and food poisoning.

There is strong interest and expectation in stool testing as a method to detect invisible bacteria and viruses.

91.0% Emphasize Facility Hygiene Management

Finally, we asked respondents how important hygiene management (including stool testing) is when they or their family members use elderly care or childcare facilities.

The results showed that 50.0% answered "strongly emphasize," and 41.0% answered "somewhat emphasize," totaling 91.0% who place importance on hygiene management.

On the other hand, 8.0% answered "not very important," and 1.0% answered "not important at all."

We also asked for reasons from those who emphasized hygiene management. Some responses include:

Respondents who answered "emphasize"

・I don’t want anything bad to happen to my child. (Female, 20s)

・It’s a place where I entrust my precious family, so I want to minimize risks as much as possible. (Female, 30s)

・It’s an environment where infections easily spread. (Male, 40s)

・It gives me peace of mind. (Female, 20s)

・Infections can be life-threatening, so it’s too late once someone gets infected. (Female, 30s)

・I don’t want to get food poisoning or