Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hand hygiene among students in a public primary school in Cotonou, southern Benin
Paper Details
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hand hygiene among students in a public primary school in Cotonou, southern Benin
Abstract
Promotion of improved hand hygiene has been recognised as an important public health measure. The objective of this study was to assess the handwashing knowledge and practices among school students, with a specific focus on identifying their primary sources of knowledge regarding hand hygiene. A survey was conducted to assess the level of handwashing knowledge of students in a selected public primary school in Cotonou. The main variables studied were the age and sex of the respondents, their level of education, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding handwashing, as well as the materials available in the school for handwashing. Students’ hands were swabbed before hand washing and after hand washing to assess hand contamination. The samples Chapman and EMB were used for bacterial isolation and strain identification was done based on biochemical tests. Results showed that most (67.57%) participants had a good level of knowledge on hand hygiene but highlight a need of training in handwashing practicing. The assessment of hand contamination before and after handwashing showed significant reduction in hand contamination with Gram-negative bacilli. The presence of bacteria, including SCN (38%), Staphylococcus aureus (32%), Escherichia coli (10%), Enterobacter cloacae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (6%), poses a significant risk of infections that can be challenging to treat among students. In conclusion, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable health education within schools to provide children with the necessary knowledge and foster positive attitudes towards hand hygiene.
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