Assessment of Personal Hygiene Practices among Primary School Pupils in Umbada locality, Khartoum state, Sudan (2018-2020)

Abstract

Background: Personal hygiene is the behaviors that must be practiced in daily life, starting from morning to sleep time to protect our health.
 Objectives: The current study aimed to assess personal hygiene practices among Primary School Pupils in Umbada Locality, Khartoum state, Sudan (2018-2020).
 Materials and methods: An observational interventional study was conducted where a pre- and post-assessment was done. Pre-test and post-test intervention was used to determine the practices of hygiene among primary school Pupils in some selected schools of Umbada locality al emir unit. The targeted population was primary school Pupils in Government schools only. The study populations were the pupils in the Primary public schools by a total number of 37850 Pupils (grade 5, grade 6 and grade7) distributed among 180 public primary schools in the locality. The sample size were consist of (800) pupils during the period of the study. A pre- and post- questionnaire was carefully prepared, tested and directed to the pupils. It covers pupil’s age, sex, and the classroom; source of water supply and latrine in the house there, and to obtain data regarding knowledge, attitude, and practices (as regards personal hygiene in both pre and post intervention phases. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS Computer Program Version (19.0). 
 Results: The study revealed that the overall practice of pupils, about personal hygiene was increased from 39% to 61% after intervention of health education sessions. 
 Conclusion: Health education has significant role in promoting the practice of school pupils regarding personal hygiene. Moreover, motivational approaches and programs to encourage children about their primacy personal hygiene should be adopted and implemented.