Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Hand Washing and Associated Factors Among Public Primary School Children in Hosanna Town, Snnpr, Ethiopia 2016
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Date
2016-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Back ground: - The burden of communicable diseases within developing countries is mainly
influenced by poor personal hygiene practices and inadequate sanitary conditions that affect
health of school children. Hand washing with soap (HWWS) is simple and cost effective
measure to prevent transmission of many communicable diseases in school-age children.
Despite substantial evidence about the effectiveness of hand washing, especially using soap
at all critical time, the practice is poor in developing countries including Ethiopia. The
problem is not researched well on children who are major risk groups for diarrheal diseases,
ARI and other hygiene related problems. This school based cross sectional study focused on
describing KAP of school children provides base line information on the area.
Objective: - To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of hand washing and associated
factors among primary school children in Hosanna town, SNNPR, Ethiopia.
Methods: - Institution based cross sectional study was conducted in sample size of 246
students in Girma Bekele primary school in Hosanna town from April 15 -30/2016.Data was
collected using interviewer administered pre tasted structured questionnaires by trained data
collectors.
Result: - From students participated in this study over all 167(69.9%) students have good and
72 (30.1%) have poor knowledge. Knowledge of students in this primary school is affected
by grade of student and area of residence with (AOR, 95% CI 9.099(.587-.850) and
(AOR.384; 95% CI (.114-.299)) respectively. Regarding the attitude of students 142(59.4%)
and 97(40.6%) have good and poor attitude respectively. Overall 172(71.97%) of students
have good practice and 67 (28.03%) have poor practice toward hand washing.
Conclusion:-Majority of the study subjects has adequate knowledge and about more than
half of them have positive attitude. Overall practice of HW is good but utilization of soap and
HW after toilet visit is low. Maternal educational status, area of residence, age, sex and grade
of student are factors that affect KAP of school children toward hand washing with soap.
Recommendations:-The area should have to be further researched to identify where the gap
is like food handlers condition at home, interpersonal contacts, school environment and
playing area and materials and any launches conditions near the school; because irrespective
of good knowledge level of student the prevalence of diarrhea is still high and hand washing
after toilet visit and soap utilization of students is still low.
Key words: primary school children, hand washing, knowledge, attitude and practice.
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Keywords
primary school children, Hand washing, Knowledge, Attitude and practice