KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PERSONAL HYGIENE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Author Name: *Abhilasha Saha, **Chanak Trikhatri, ***Pinky Gain

Volume: 01 &  Issue:

Country: NEPAL

DOI NO.: 08.2020-75977337, DOI Link: http://doi-ds.org/doilink/08.2020-75977337/

Affiliation:

1. Associate Prof. Pediatric Nursing, National Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal
2. Lecturer Advance Adult Health Nursing, National Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal
3. Registered Nurse, Norvic International Hospital, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal                                                                                       Corresponding E-Mail: mukeshabhilasha@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Proper knowledge and practices of personal hygiene plays critical role in avoiding communicable diseases and benefit primary school children to enjoy healthy and productive school life. The study was conducted with the objective to assess the knowledge level regarding Personal Hygiene among grade 5 students of GyanJyoti Higher Secondary School, Birgunj, Nepal. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was executed among 60 students who were selected by using census method of grade 5 of GyanJyoti Higher Secondary School, Birgunj, Nepal. Structured questionnaire was to collect the data. The obtained data was analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage median) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test). The findings of the study revealed that the highest percentage of the students (96.7%) had knowledge regarding the meaning and definition of Personal Hygiene. Likewise, most of the students (93.3%) were knowledge about the Nail Hygiene. Few students (13.3%) knew about the dental care. The findings of the study revealed that maximum number (73.3%) of children belonged to age group ≤11 years, more than half of the students (55.0%) were male and 45.0% were female. Most of the students (88.3%) belonged to Hindu religion and more than half of the students (73.3%) were from joint family. 30.0% of the student’s father were educated up to higher secondary level and 28.3 % of the student’s mother were educated up to secondary level. The study revealed that 53.3% of students had adequate knowledge regarding Personal Hygiene and 46.7% had inadequate knowledge. The study also revealed that there is a significant association between educational status of mother (p value=0.020) of the students and knowledge regarding Personal Hygiene. Parents and teachers were the most common source of knowledge providers about personal hygiene to the school children. Therefore, it is recommended that school based programmes should be organized regarding Personal Hygiene.

Key words: Knowledge, Personal hygiene, Primary School Children