Assessment of Handwashing Practice and Assoiciated Factors among Primary School Children in Sebeta Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Proper handwashing is one of the simplest, most affordable and effective means ofpreventing the spread of infection. Studies have recommended handwashing as the best means ofdiarrheal disease and respiratory tract infections prevention. Handwashing among school childrenis influenced by different factors like socio-demographic, predisposing, reinforcing and enablingfactors. However, these factors may have not been studied well among school children ascompared to other classes of population.
Objectives: To assess handwashing practice and associated factors among primary school childrenin Sebeta town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.
Methodology: Institutional based analytic cross sectional study design was employed on primaryschool children in Sebeta town. Data on handwashing practice and associated factors werecollected from 426 sixth- through eighth-grade students in 6 schools via self-administeredquestionnaires. School hand washing facilities inspection were also done using observationchecklist.
Result: Only one-third (32%) of participants fulfilled the criteria of proper hand washing practicei.e. washing hand with soap always or very often before meal and after visiting toilet. Studentswith positive attitude were more likely to practice proper handwashing (AOR=2.29;95%CI=1.43, 3.66).Likewise, those who felt pressure from their important referent were twotimes more likely to wash their hand (AOR=1.86; 95%CI=1.02, 3.16). Availability andaccessibility of soap for hand washing was also strongly associated with handwashing practice(AOR=3.0695%CI=1.32, 7.05). On the other hand students from rural areas were less likely topractice proper hand washing than their urban counter part (AOR=0.53; 95%CI=0.30, 0.94).
Conclusion and recommendation: In general this study revealed that only small proportion ofstudy participant practiced proper hand washing behavior and absence of adequate hygienefacility in visited school. Place of residency, attitude, and pressure from important referents andregular access to soap were significantly associated with hand washing. Provision of adequatehygiene facility, further modification of attitude towards handwashing with soap and role modeling is recommended
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Handwashing Primary School