Hand Hygiene: Perception and Practices of School Going Children from Rural Government Schools of Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences - Year 2013, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Background:Although hand washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrhoeal diseases and pneumonia, which together are responsible for the majority of child deaths globally each year, it is seldom practiced. Schools have an important role to play in teaching and encouraging hand washing from an early age. Materials and methods: School based cross sectional observational was conducted among school going children (6th, 7th & 8th standard) of two rural Government High school involving all 168 students. Data collected by using GSHS self administered questionnaire and assessment of knowledge was done by using grading system. Results: Out of 168 school children, 58.3% were boys and 41.7% girls. About 80% were washing hands regularly before eating and 87.5% after using the toilet / latrine while in school. About 73% of students were washing their hands under running water. Only 40.0% school children were using soap along with water before eating. Knowledge level observed to be high in the areas of ideal hand washing time (up to 90.0%) and use of soap (87.5%) Conclusion: Though the frequency of hand washing practices among students was found to be high, soap usage was found to be suboptimal. Also there is a wide gap between knowledge and hand washing practices that needs to be addressed.
Authors and Affiliations
Anant Arunrao Takalkar, Abhay Subhashrao Nirgude, K. Nagaraj, Poonam Ramesh Naik, V. G. Prasad, S. S. Reshmi
Keywords
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