Predictors of Hand-Washing Practices at Critical Times Among Mothers of Under-5 Years Old Children in Rural Setting of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Various communicable and infectious diseases could be contained by proper hand washing leading to a reduction in mortality and morbidity of children. Objective: To assess predictors of hand-washing practices at critical times among mothers of under 5 years old children in rural setting of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 422 women with children under the age of 5 attended the Dilla Zuria health facility and were chosen using a systematic sampling method. Data was gathered using pre-tested interview-administered structured questionnaires. Data was entered into EPI info version 17 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify the association between dependent and independent variables. Finally, for variables with a P < .05 in multivariable analysis, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined and interpreted. Results: The hand washing practice of mothers at critical times was 44.9% [95% CI: 40.1, 49.7%]. The pertinent predictors were favorable attitude [AOR = 7.77, 95% CI: 4.56, 10.37], availability of water source near the household [AOR = 5.31, 95% CI: 3.56, 10.37], and constant availability of soaps at household [AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.33, 6.70]. Conclusion: In our study, hand-washing practices at critical times was low. The pertinent predictors were attitude, the presence of a water source near the household, and the presence of soap. Therefore, it is advised to encourage domestic hygiene education to improve mothers’ attitudes and to increase the availability of water and soap close to the household to promote handwashing with soap and water at critical times.

The nexus between household water insecurity, mother's handwashing practices, and diarrheal diseases among under-five children

“…The findings indicated that only 42.2% of the mothers had good handwashing practices (95% CI: 37.5-46.9%). This is consistent with findings obtained from Northwest Ethiopia (39.1%) (Taddese et al 2020), rural areas of the Gedeo zone (44.9%) (Agaro et al 2022), and Woldia town in northeastern Ethiopia (46.5%) (Getahun & Adane 2021). The result is lower than other findings obtained from Debark town (52.2%) (Dagne et al 2019) and Kolladiba town, Northwest Ethiopia (51.2%) (Wolde et al 2022a(Wolde et al , 2022b.…”

“…Then, a value of 1 was given for correct answers, and a value of 0 for incorrect or do not know responses. Households who scored above the mean knowledge score were considered as having good knowledge (Asekun-Olarinmoye Esther et al 2014;Agaro et al 2022). The attitude was assessed using seven questions on a Likert-type scale (Cronbach's alpha 0.75).…”

Mothers' hand washing practices and associated factors among model and non-model households in the rural community of Bibugn district, north west Ethiopia: The context of the Ethiopian health extension package

“…The proportion of mothers who practice hand washing with water and soap during critical times ranged from 33% before meals and to 12.6% after visiting the toilet. The finding is slightly similar with the study done in Gedeo zone, Ethiopia which shows 32.4% and 28.7% of mothers usually wash their hands before meals and after defecation [ 25 ]. In contrast, the finding is lower than the study conducted in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, which shows 86.3% and 64.9% of the mothers wash their hands before meals and after visiting the toilet, respectively [ 22 ].…”

Prevalence of diarrhea and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) associated factors among children under five years in Lira City Northern Uganda: Community based study

“…Diarrhea, on the other hand, is a highly preventable disease that can be avoided by having adequate water, practicing proper sanitation, and hygiene practices. For example, studies have shown that hand washing with soap at critical moments can save one out of every three diarrhea-related deaths [7][8][9][10]. However, despite of even the COVID-19 pandemic putting a spot light on the importance of WASH, Worldwide, 2.2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water.…”