Study of knowledge and practices related to handwashing in school going children of a rural community

Abstract

Background: A questionnaire-based study was conducted in rural schools of Maval taluka of Pune district to assess the knowledge about hand washing practices and behavior in school going children. It is well known that hand contamination plays a major role in faeco-oral transmission of diseases. Hand washing is well recognized preventable tool in disease prevention.Methods: A questionnaire-based study on hand washing practices and behavior in school going children in Maval taluka was carried out on 340 volunteers (students) from grade 6 to 8 of rural area of Maval taluka, Pune District. Maharashtra. Statistical analysis was done by using percentages and proportions.Results: A total of 340 students from grade 6 to 8 participated in the study. Majority were from age 11-13 years (n= 147). Almost all (n=320, 93%) were knowing the practice of handwashing. Majority (n=209,61%) were using soap in some form for cleaning of hands. Many (n=250,73%) were having practice of washing hands before meals. Almost all (n=309, 91%) were knowing the reason for washing of hands. The benefits and prevention of diseases were known to majority of students (n= 295,87%) Nail trimming was done once a week in almost all students.(n=250,73%) Reason for trimming of nails was known to many (n=326, 96% ) as it prevents the spread of the disease, only (n=14,4% ) were not aware of the reason for trimming of the nails. About (n=201, 59 %) of mothers had formal education upto tenth std.Conclusions: Majority of the students used water and soap for hand washing and knew the importance of hand cleaning to prevent many diseases.

Assessment of the nail contamination with soil-transmitted helminths in schoolchildren in Jimma Town, Ethiopia

“…The children interviewed in the present study mainly trimmed their nails when they were long enough (54.2%). This finding is considerably less than a previous study in India where schoolchildren trimmed their nails once a week (73%) [ 40 ]. This difference in frequency is might be due to a difference in the age of the study population, and hence reflecting differences in personal hygiene [ 41 ].…”

Knowledge of Hand Hygiene and Oral Health Students at Methodist 3 Private Primary School Medan

“…Majority of students (91.4%) agree when there is no water, applying hand sanitizer (Dettol, Antis) to hands and fingers is the same as washing them. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be consider as an alternative to soap and requires less time but the risk of poisoning and intoxication and the high cost must be carefully, especially in developing country (Pratinidhi SA, et al 2020). Almost all students (98.1%) believed that hand washing is important before meals, they need to wash their hands with soap, not only with water.…”

“…Soap has beenshown to be effective in promoting hygiene habits and preventing and controlling the spread of disease. Hand washing with a generous amount of clean water is effective at reducing the presence of some viruses, but the use of soap (or alternative rubbing agents) is vital to remove contamination from bacteria, parasites, and fungi (Pratinidhi SA, et al 2020).…”

Tingkat Pengetahuan Dan Upaya Preventif Ibu PKK Dalam Pencegahan Covid-19 Di Masa Pandemi Di Wilayah Rw 11, Kelurahan Meteseh, Semarang.

“…(12) Sedangkan pada penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Pratidhini di tahun 2020, menjelaskan di mana responden menunjukkan perilaku mencuci tangan yang baik namun memiliki pengetahuan terkait manfaat dan kegunaan mencuci tangan yang rendah, hal ini dikarenakan kebiasaan yang sudah dilakukan sejak kecil. (13) Didukung oleh penelitian yang telah dilakukan oleh Natsir pada Tahun 2020 dikatakan bahwa akan ditemukan hasil yang efektif apabila dilakukan penyuluhan secara berulang di masyakat dalam tujuan pembinaan dan peningkatan pengetahuan sehingga hal ini nantinya dapat mempengaruhi kebiasaan rutin yang lebih baik dan dapat ditujukan kepada responden maupun masyarakat yang belum menerapkan kebiasaan mencuci tangan pakai sabun. (14) KESIMPULAN Ada hubungan dari variabel nilai pengetahuan Ibu PKK terkait COVID-19 dengan perilaku preventif, bahwa pertanyaan terkait pengetahuan langkah-langkah pencegahan COVID-19 yang rendah memberikan hasil yang signifikan pada perilaku buruk terhadap perilaku preventif COVID-19 pula.…”