Study of Awareness of Personal Hygiene amongst Tribal Primary Students in Palghar District, Maharashtra

Abstract

-Introduction:Health education in school children is most effective method of health protection.Many rural school children suffer from many morbidities.The current study was undertaken to understand the awareness of personal hygiene, to determine the prevalence of lice infestation and scabies among the rural primary school children. Materials and Methods: Thiscommunity based cross-sectional, study was conducted among children of age group 6 to 13 years attendingtwo state government run primary schools in rural area. Pre-designed, pre-validated, semi-structured demographic proforma and questionnaire was used. Information regarding demographic characteristics and personal hygiene practices was interviewed.RESULTSOut of 101 participants, Lice infestation was seen in 42.22% of girls, and 12.5% of boys, whereas Scabies infection was present in 2.22% girls and 3.57% boys.Conclusion:The study revealed satisfactory awareness and good condition of personal hygiene. There was no gender-wise difference in hygienic practices followed, but the prevalence of lice infestation was more in females.