Handwashing with Soap Practice among Primary School Pupils at Abokobi Presbyterian Primary School, Abokobi-Accra

Abstract

Background: The health implications of infectious diseases affecting children of school going age as a result of low practice of personal hygiene practices and insufficient sanitary facilities in public primary schools is still a concern for worry in most poor and middle income countries. Objective: The objective of the study was to estimate the association between the socio-demographic characteristics and prevalence of hand washing with soap under running water practice among school pupils in Abokobi Presbyterian primary school. Methods: The study employed descriptive cross sectional research design and quantitative research approach to seek the views of pupils in Abokobi Presbyterian primary school on the effective practice of washing hands with soap under running water. A sample of 264 pupils was selected using simple random sampling technique and data collected using closed-ended questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed using statistical test such as chi square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of all the pupils background characteristics investigated, hand washing with soap practice was significantly associated with age, sex, class, religion of pupils and the availability of handwashing resources. Conclusion: The prevalence of hand washing with soap under running water practices among pupils in Abokobi Presbyterian primary school is 40.7 %.Adequate and accurate knowledge by the pupils on the health benefits of good hand washing with soap under running water practices, accompanied by having easy access to hand washing facilities and supplies such as soap, regular water supply, paper towels is still a big challenge hindering hand washing with soap promotion and practice in Abokobi Presbyterian primary school.