From Knowledge to Action: Determinants of University Students’ Hygiene Behavior in Aceh Besar Determinants of University Students’ Hygiene Behavior in Aceh Besar

IntroductionImproved hygiene and sanitation practices in educational settings are effective for the prevention of infections, controlling the transmission of pathogens, and promoting good health. Bangladesh has made remarkable advances in improving higher education in recent decades. Over a hundred universities were established to expand higher education facilities across the country. Hundreds of thousands of graduate students spend time in university settings during their studies. However, little is known about the sanitation and hygiene practice of the university-going population. This study aims to understand and uncover which factors influence students’ sanitation and hygiene behavior in university settings.MethodsThis study was conducted in a public university named Shahjalal University of Science and Technology located in a divisional city of Bangladesh. Based on the Integrated Behavioral Model for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (IBM-WASH), we adopted an exploratory qualitative study design. We developed semi-structured interview guides entailing sanitation and hygiene behavior, access, and practice-related questions and tested their efficacy and clarity before use. We conducted seventeen in-depth interviews (IDIs), and four focus group discussions (FGDs, [6–8 participants per FGD]) with students, and seven key informant interviews (KIIs) with university staff. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Triangulation of methods and participants was performed to achieve data validity.ResultsDespite having reasonable awareness and knowledge, the sanitation and hygiene practices of the students were remarkably low. A broad array of interconnected factors influenced sanitation and hygiene behavior, as well as each other. Individual factors (gender, awareness, perception, and sense of health benefits), contextual factors (lack of cleanliness and maintenance, and the supply of sanitary products), socio-behavioural factors (norms, peer influence), and factors related to university infrastructure (shortage of female toilets, lack of monitoring and supervision of cleaning activities) emerged as the underpinning factors that determined the sanitation and hygiene behavior of the university going-population.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that despite the rapid expansion of on-campus university education, hygiene practices in public universities are remarkably poor due to a variety of dynamic and interconnected factors situated in different (individual, contextual, socio-phycological) levels. Therefore, multi-level interventions including regular supply of WASH-related materials and agents, promoting low-cost WASH interventions, improving quality cleaning services, close monitoring of cleaning activities, promoting good hygiene behavior at the individual level, and introducing gender-sensitive WASH infrastructure and construction may be beneficial to advance improved sanitation and hygiene practices among university students.

BackgroundHygiene behaviors in public toilets are important to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, especially during the pandemic. All through the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, governments in many countries published guidance on personal hygiene for the general population to prevent disease transmission. This study aimed to investigate improvements in residents’ hygiene awareness and behaviors in public toilets before and during the pandemic.MethodsWe recruited 316 residents between November and December 2018 before the pandemic, and 314 residents between December 2020 and January 2021 during the pandemic in the same study sites in Hangzhou, a well-developed city in China. Residents’ hygiene behaviors in public toilets, hygiene awareness, risk perception, and sociodemographic factors were collected. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regressions were used to test the differences between the two rounds. We conducted an observational study to record the provision of hygiene amenities at toilets during the pandemic.ResultsAfter controlling for sociodemographic factors (gender, marital status, age, education level, and monthly household income), compared with respondents recruited before the pandemic, respondents recruited during the pandemic were more likely to perceive the risks of infection when using public toilets (aOR = 1.77, 95%CI [1.20, 2.60]), and were more likely to be aware of the risks of touching contaminated toilet facilities (aOR = 1.72, 95%CI [1.17, 2.54]) and the risks of not using soap to wash one’s hands after using the toilet (aOR = 1.93, 95%CI [1.38, 2.72]). They were more likely to always clean their toilet seat with alcohol (aOR = 1.88, 95%CI [1.01, 3.51]), wash hands with soap (aOR = 1.52, 95%CI [1.09, 2.10]) and dry their hands with a dryer (aOR = 1.78, 95%CI [1.16, 2.71]), but they were less likely to always wash their hands after using the toilets (aOR = 0.57, 95%CI [0.32, 1.00]). Among 70 public toilets observed, 9 provided alcohol for toilet seat disinfection, 52 provided soap, 33 provided paper towels, and 41 had working hand dryers.ConclusionsDespite the overall improvement, residents’ hygiene behaviors in public toilets and the supply of hygiene amenities were still suboptimal during the pandemic. Further hygiene education and an adequate supply of hygiene amenities in public toilets are needed to promote residents’ hygiene behaviors.

BackgroundPoor personal hygiene and inadequate sanitation practices among young children leads to communicable diseases. There remains a gap in the holistic assessment of school children’s hygiene literacy, practices and effectiveness of school-based hygiene interventions in Pakistan. Therefore, a school-based intervention protocol has been designed to promote personal and environmental hygiene practices for primary school children. Towards improving children’s hygiene behaviors, the study will also focus on enhancing mothers' hygiene knowledge and practices.MethodsUsing quasi-experimental design with mixed methods data collection approaches, this study will be conducted in schools located in an urban squatter settlements in Pakistan. To assess primary grade children and their mothers‘ hygiene status, a survey will be held in the pre-intervention phase. This phase also includes qualitative exploration of key stakeholders (mothers, teachers, health & education authorities representatives’) perceptions about the factors facilitating and impeding the adaption of hygiene behaviors among school children. In-depth guides and focus group discussion tools will be used for this purpose. This will be followed by multi-component intervention phase with behavior change strategies to improve children‘s and mothers’ hygiene literacy and behaviors. The post-intervention phase will assess the intervention effectiveness in terms of enhancing hygiene knowledge and practices among school children and mothers, alongside exploration of mothers and teachers’ insights into whether or not the intervention has been effective in improving hygiene practices among children. Paired t-test will be applied pre and post-intervention to measure the differences between the mothers and children's hygiene literacy and knowledge scores. Similar test will be performed to assess the differences in children’s hygiene knowledge and practice scores, pre and post-intervention (< 50 = poor, 50–75 = good and > 75 = excellent). Thematic analysis will be carried out for qualitative data.DiscussionMulti-component intervention aimed at improving personal and environmental hygiene among primary school children offers an opportunity to design and test various behavioral change strategies at school and in home settings. The study findings will be significant in assessing the intervention’s effectiveness in improving children‘s overall hygiene.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03942523) on 5th May 2019.

Infectious diseases are diseases that causing by organisms, bacterias virus fungi or parasites. These organisms can spread from person to person either direct or indirect. Once organisms live in our bodies then destroyed the normal processes causing signs and symptoms that depend on the type of organisms. Good hygiene behavior is one of the important means to reducing transmitted diseases. To promote knowledge, attitude, hygiene practices among high school students, especially hand hygiene are significantly prevent the spread of infectious disease not only oneself but also classmates. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and hygienic behavior and to study factors associated with hygienic behavior. Study Methods: A cross sectional survey research that studied a group of high school students. An online survey was developed in a google form and distributed to grade 10-12 students of a private high school in Chiangmai, Thailand, during April-May 2022. Descriptive statistics frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, were used to analyze participants characteristics. Persons correlation coefficient was used to study association among variables. Results: A total of 381 students participate in this study. Most participants were female (n=199, 62.6%). Most of them studied in grade 11 (n=187, 58.8%). Majority of participants parents worked in the health science field (n=79,24.8%). Most participants reported a good level of hygiene-related knowledge (M=9.15, SD=1.70), Attitude toward hygiene(M=49.52, SD=1.57), and hygiene practice (M=49.00, SD=2.72). Male participants had attitudes toward hygiene and hygiene practice higher than females but had scores of hygiene knowledge less than females. Grade 10 students showed the highest scores of knowledge about hygiene(M=8.46, SD=2.57), attitudes toward hygiene(M=49.77, SD=1.02), and hygiene practice(M=49.51, SD=1.57). Participants whose parents worked as a teacher earned the highest scores in both hygiene knowledge (M=9.55, SD=0.60) and hygiene practice (M=49.68, SD=1.04). Conclusion: This study showed that almost all volunteers have a high excellence knowledge about hygiene. Good attitude toward hygiene. Excellent hygiene practices . Factors that affect students hygiene are attitude toward hygiene and hygiene practices. To encourage education about hygiene, attitude toward hygiene, and hygiene practices through social media, online, and website. Keyword: hygiene behavior, adolescent, knowledge Introduction Infectious diseases are illnesses that are caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites1. They can spread from one person to another either directly (via skin contact with bodys fluid, bodys secretion, or droplets in the air though coughing and sneezing) or indirectly ( via contaminated food or water), including insects, animals, or the environment (table top, door knob, or faucet handle) to person2. Organisms that cause disease are called pathogens3.When pathogens enter our bodies then destroy the normal process of our bodies and/ or stimulate immune systems, reaction of tissue4. The defense responses depend on the organisms, often including fever, fatigue,inflammation, and other systemic or local symptoms5. Hygiene is the series of practices performed to preserve health. Hygiene behavior is the process to control transmission of infectious disease to the public, including individual communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “ Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases”.personal hygiene refers to maintaining cleanliness of ones body and clothing to preserve health and well-being6. To promote personal hygiene might be the single cost- effective way to reduce the global burden of infectious diseases like that for COVID-19, Avian influenza, ( aerosol route) Cholera (oral route), etc. Stimulation for personal hygienic practice reduces personal infection, healing process, recovery time, good health,and wellbeing. Good personal hygiene practices are the most effective way to protect contaminated pathogens7. Hand hygiene,hand washing with soap, water, or hand sanitizer especially before eating, feeding, after toilet are the cessation of fecal- oral route transmitted diseases, example diarrhea, food poisoning8. Hand washing after coughing and sneezing reduces pathogens in aerosol droplets before catching surroundings things to quit the air - borne respiratory infection,for example cold , flu, moreover regularly hand washing when contact outside body is important for health hygiene practices. So hand hygiene is the major key in preventing the spreading of infectious disease in daily life. Body hygiene,showering or bathing regularly usually twice a day , but during an outbreak of infectious disease showering and changing clean clothes after going outside to reduce pathogens that contaminated clothes are necessary9. High school students, teenagers, or teens 15-19 years old. Inadequate knowledge, lack of attitude toward hygiene, without routine hygiene practices leading to transmitted disease not only oneself but also classmates. Motivation for good personal hygiene practices are important to prevention of transmitted disease10. Teens might learn how to care for their body health and avoid high risk behaviors in contact with pathogens. Many high schools have high personnel density and close contact so easily causing outbreak of transmitted diseases especially respiratory disease and gastrointestinal diseases .Social distancing, reducing gatherings places, strict hand sanitizer, cover mask, well cooked food, and healthy food. These are important factors to get healthy and prevent transmitted disease11. The clever new technology, the change of teens health behavior . Furthermore some teens live in a dormitory far from family combined with imitative behavior getting from social media surrounding persons. the urgent health problem in teens are sexual transmitted diseases including unwanted pregnancy12. Unhealthy, or contaminated food that brought from street causing diarrhea. Objective of the study To assess knowledge, attitude, and hygienic behavior To study factors associated with hygienic behavior Methods Participants and procedure This was a cross-sectional observational study. An online questionnaire was purposely developed and made available through Google From between 13 April 2022 and 14 May 2022. All students who were eligible were invited to participate in the study. The invitation was sent to social media groups of all classes. The students have access to their classes social media groups, so they all receive an invitation. In this invitation, information about the objectives of the study as well as the ethical guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity in the data collected as stated in the informed consent were explained. Participation was completely free and voluntary, and no personal data were collected from any participant. Of the 318 students, a total of 1,342 students participated in the study (response rate: 24%). Instrument The questionnaire was developed based on a literature review including Hygiene knowledge ,infection prevention and control knowledge which reviewed from Ministry of Public Health related studies on hygiene practice among high school students. A preliminary version of the instrument was reviewed by students to validate its content. A pretest was then performed with a small sample of students to test for comprehension and difficulty. All the questions remained without modifications. The psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire were tested, as described in the statistical analysis subsection. The final version of the questionnaire contained 33 questions 3 about sociodemographic date ( gender, education level and parents occupation) and 30 items divided into 3 sections First Independent Variable is knowledge about hygiene. This scale consisted of 10 statements related to hygiene. The participants were asked to choose the correct answer from multiple choices of 3. One point was assigned to each correct answer, while providing an incorrect answer received zero points. The sum of all items was made hence higher scores corresponded to a higher level of knowledge. Second Independent variable is attitude toward hygiene. This scale was composed of items, and response categories consisted of a five-point likert scale (from 1-strongly disagree, to 5 agree) with the highest score corresponding to more positive attitudes toward preventive behaviors.Some items on the scale were inverted for the analysis. A sum of all the items was made to obtain a score. The “Attitude toward hygiene” factor consisted of 10 items and varied from 1 to 5 and the higher values corresponded to a more positive attitude toward hygiene. Dependent variable is hygiene behavior. This scale referred to the number of preventive behaviors adoption and included 10 items. The data analysis reports 5 items. Each item was answered using a five-point scale (From 1-Never to 5-Always), with one point assigned to each behavior that was always practiced. The number of behaviors practiced was added up. A high score on this scale indicated good preventive behaviors, ranging from 12 to 60. Statistical analysis The analysis was performed using SPSS for windows, version 26. To analyze psychometric characteristics of the scales, an exploratory factor analysis, using principal component analysis with varimax rotation, was carried out. Reliability was analyzed through the calculation of item-total correlation coefficients and Cronbachs alpha (α ) for the scales of the questionnaire. The descriptive analysis were presented in absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies, mean (M) and standard deviations (SD). To assess the differences between the outcome variables (Knowledge, attitudes and hygiene practice) and the sociodemographic characteristics, considering the sample size, independent t-test and the ANOVA were used as appropriate. The correlations between the outcomes of the study were calculated by Pearsons correlation. Lastly, a generalized linear model was calculated to determine the predictive variables of the preventive behaviors. Exp (β) and the respective 95% confidence intervals (95% IC) were presented. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Ethical Approval. Ethical approval was obtained from the study sites prior to data collection, and consent was assumed as completing the survey questions. Participants were informed that their participation was voluntary and that they could withdraw from the study at any point or choose not to answer any question. Participants confidentiality was maintained as no identifying information was collected and findings will be disseminated only in aggregate. Ethical Considerations This research uses an anonymous data collection method to collect data from grade 10-12 Students of private school in Chiang Mai, Thailand, by using Google form. The invitation was sent to the classroom social media group In these invitations, information about the studys objectives and the ethical guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity in the data collected as stated in the informed consent was explained. Participation was completely free and voluntary, and no personal data were collected from any participant. Result This study comprised a total of 318 students. The sociodemographic characteristics of the sample are presented in Table 1. Most students were female (n=199, 62.6%), 187 (58.8%) of the students studied in grade 11. 70 (22%) of the students studied in grade12. The rest studied in grade10 and above (n=61, 19.2%). Most students parents occupation were Medical / Nurse / Pharmacy / Dentist / Veterinary / Medical Technician (n=79, 24.8%) followed by Business / Trading of parents occupations group (n=74, 23.3%) and Executives / Company employees / Civil servants / State enterprises parents occupations group (n=71, 22.3% ) respectively. Regarding knowledge about hygiene, students revealed good knowledge about hygiene, correctly answering mean of 9.15 (SD=1.70) questions in a total of 10. Female students showed higher knowledge scores (M=9.40, SD=1.03) than male students (M=8.74, SD=2.04). Education level group of grade11 showed the highest hygiene related knowledge score of 9.41 (SD=1.29). Students whose parents occupation was teacher showed the highest hygiene related knowledge score of 9.55 (SD=0.60). Students showed a good level of attitude toward hygiene with an average score of 49.52 from 50 full scores. Male students showed a higher attitude toward hygiene score (M=49.77, SD=0.98) than female students (M=49.37, SD=1.82). Education level group of grade10 showed the highest attitude toward hygiene score of 49.77(SD=1.02). Students who parents occupation were Medical / Nurse / Pharmacy / Dentist / Veterinary / Medical Technician showed the highest attitude toward hygiene score of 49.76 (SD=1.17) Students showed a good level of hygiene practice with the average score of 49.00 from 50 full scores. Male students showed higher hygiene practice scores (M=49.71, SD=1.40) than female students (M=48.58, SD=1.39). Education level group of grade10 showed the highest hygiene practice score of 49.51(SD=1.57). Students whose parents occupation was teacher showed the highest hygiene practice score of 49.68 (SD=1.04). Table 1. Differences in outcomes according to the sociodemographic characteristics of participants (N = 318) Sociodemographic characteristics N (%) Knowledge about hygiene (Range 0-10) M (SD) Attitude toward hygiene (Range 10-50) M (SD) Hygiene practice (Range 12-60) M (SD) Gender Male 119 (37.4) 8.74 (2.40) 49.77 (0.98) 49.71 (1.40) Female 199 (62.6) 9.40 (1.03) 49.37 (1.82) 48.58 (3.19) Education Level Grade 10 61 (19.2) 8.46 (2.57) 49.77 (1.02) 49.51 (1.57) Grade 11 187 (58.8) 9.41 (1.29) 49.62 (1.62) 49.25 (2.65) Grade 12 70 (22) 9.07 (1.58) 49.04 (1.73) 47.90 (3.35) Parents Occupation Medical / Nurse / Pharmacy / Dentist / Veterinary / Medical Technician 79 (24.8) 8.32 (2.75) 49.76 (1.17) 49.34 (2.27) Teacher 22 (6.9) 9.55 (0.60) 49.73 (0.88) 49.68 (1.04) Business / Trading 74 (23.3) 9.46 (0.89) 49.49 (2.03) 49.23 (2.47) Executives / Company employees / Civil servants / State enterprises 71 (22.3) 9.30 (1.43) 49.59 (1.04) 48.82 (2.67) Freelance 37 (11.6) 9.46 (0.90) 48.65 (2.47) 47.70 (4.50) others 35 (11) 9.54 (0.74) 49.71 (0.86) 49.06 (2.14) Total 318 (100) 9.15 (1.70) 49.52 (1.57) 49.00 (2.72) The analysis of the correlations between the outcomes of the study - knowledge, attitudes and hygiene practice- revealed the existence of positive and statistically significant correlations between attitude toward hygiene practice (r=.663, p<0.01). Table 2. Pearsons correlation coefficient between the study outcomes Variables Knowledge about hygiene Attitude toward hygiene Hygiene practice Knowledge about hygiene 1 Attitude toward hygiene .017 1 Hygiene practice .018 .663** 1 **Correlation is Significant at the 0.01 *Correlation is Significant at the 0.05 Discussion This study focused on assessing hygiene knowledge, attitude toward hygiene, and hygiene practice among high school students. A total of 381 students participate in this study. Most participants were female (n=199, 62.6%). Most of them studied in grade 11 (n=187, 58.8%). Majority of participants parents worked in the health science field (n=79,24.8%). Most participants reported a good level of hygiene-related knowledge (M=9.15, SD=1.70), Attitude toward hygiene(M=49.52, SD=1.57), and hygiene practice (M=49.00, SD=2.72). Male participants had attitudes toward hygiene and hygiene practice higher than females but had scores of hygiene knowledge less than females. Grade 10 students showed the highest scores of knowledge about hygiene(M=8.46, SD=2.57), attitudes toward hygiene(M=49.77, SD=1.02), and hygiene practice(M=49.51, SD=1.57). Participants whose parents worked as a teacher earned the highest scores in both hygiene knowledge (M=9.55, SD=0.60) and hygiene practice (M=49.68, SD=1.04). Female participants showed a higher level of hygiene knowledge than male participants while male participants had a higher score of attitude toward hygiene and hygiene practice than females. This may be because male participants have started following both hygiene and beauty trends. This may be because male participants have started following both hygiene and beauty trends. This may be because over the last decade, male participants have started following both hygiene and beauty trends13.This study was consistent with the study of SAUDI nursing students showed that male participants had higher score of hygiene practices than female participants, but lest attitude toward hygiene14.Grade 10 students reported the highest score of hygiene knowledge, hygiene attitude and hygiene practice among participants from other classes. This may be because of grade 10 students, the younger participants had more docile than grade 11 and grade 12, . It was not consistent with the study among Koreas general populations showed that the older age groups showed better than the younger age groups.15. Our results contrasted to Mohammed ALBashtawys study that the higher class level students had the higher hygiene scores16. Participants whose parents worked as a teacher reported the highest score of hygiene knowledge, hygiene attitude and hygiene practice amongst participants whose parents were from other occupation fields. There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between Hygiene Attitude and Hygiene practice. Therefore improving hygiene practice among high school students could be done by strengthening attitudes toward hygiene through various means of effective communication that are suitable for this group17.These study results were different from Stephen T Odonkor and et al.s study that participants whose parents worked in the science field showed the highest level of hygiene knowledge among others parents occupations18. Limitation This studys questions are about general knowledge not specific to high school students. Even when answering the online questionnaire some students may search from the internet. Moreover the data collected during COVID-19 pandemic, all participants working from home, study online may not be aware of the risk of infection. Conclusions This study showed that almost all volunteers have a high excellence knowledge about hygiene. Good attitude toward hygiene. Excellent hygiene practices . Factors that affect students hygiene are attitude toward hygiene and hygiene practices. To encourage education about hygiene, attitude toward hygiene, and hygiene practices through social media, online, and website.

Childhood diarrhoea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nicaragua. Amongst the risk factors for its transmission are 'poor' hygiene practices. We investigated the effect of a large number of hygiene practices on diarrhoeal disease in children aged <2 years and validated the technique of direct observation of hygiene behaviour. A prospective follow-up study was carried out in a rural zone of Nicaragua. From the database of a previously conducted case-control study on water and sanitation 172 families were recruited, half of which had experienced a higher than expected rate of diarrhoea in their children and the other half a lower rate. Hygiene behaviour was observed over two mornings and diarrhoea incidence was recorded with a calendar, filled out by the mother, and collected every week for 5 months. Of 46 'good' practices studied, 39 were associated with a lower risk of diarrhoea, five were unrelated and only for two a higher risk was observed. Washing of hands, domestic cleanliness (kitchen, living room, yard) and the use of a diaper/underclothes by the child had the strongest protective effect. Schooling (>3 years of primary school) and better economic position (possession of a radio) had a positive influence on general hygiene behaviour, education having a slightly stronger effect when a radio was present. Individual hygiene behaviour appeared to be highly variable in contrast with the consistent behaviour of the community as a whole. Feasible and appropriate indicators of hygiene behaviour were found to be domestic cleanliness and the use of a diaper or underclothes by the child. A consistent relationship between almost all hygiene practices and diarrhoea was detected, more schooling producing better hygiene behaviour. The high variability of hygiene behaviour at the individual level requires repeated observations (at least two) before and after the hygiene education in the event one wants to measure the impact of the campaign on the individual.

On February 6, 2023, seismic activity struck Kahramanmaraş, with earthquakes of magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6. The study aimed to determine the effect of the presence of PTSD and its scores on hygiene behaviors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Adıyaman, Türkiye, between September and October 2023. The study population comprised individuals aged 18 and above who had experienced the earthquake. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C) scale was used to evaluate PTSD, and the Hygiene Inventory was used to evaluate the participants' hygiene behaviors. Females, those with lower levels of education, the unemployed, singles, those living in tents, individuals who lost a loved one in the earthquake, and those with PTSD had worse hygiene behaviors compared to other groups. In the multivariate model of linear regression analysis of hygiene total score, only the PTSD score retained its predictive significance for hygiene behavior. More than 50% of the participants had scores meeting PTSD. The total PTSD score and the prevalence of PTSD among women was notably greater. Mental health plays a pivotal role in shaping individuals' hygiene practices and behavior patterns post-disaster. Swift implementation of mental health interventions is crucial for the prevention of behavioral pathologies.

Impact of rural water projects on hygienic behaviour in Swaziland

.Formative research findings from the fast-growing Babati town were used to assess the prevalence of sanitation and hygiene practices among individuals and institutions and associated factors. A cross-sectional study involving household surveys, spot-checks, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and structured observations of behaviors showed that 90% of households have sanitation facilities, but 68% have safely managed sanitation services. The most common types of household sanitation facilities were pit latrines with slab (42%) followed by flush/pour flush toilets (32%). Therefore, the management of wastewater depends entirely on onsite sanitation systems. The majority of households (70%) do not practice proper hygiene behaviors. Thirteen percent of the households had handwashing stations with soap and water, handwashing practice being more common to women (38%) than men (18%). The reported handwashing practices during the four critical moments (handwashing with soap before eating and feeding, after defecation, after cleaning child’s bottom, and after touching any dirt/dust) differed from the actual/observed practices. Households connected to the town’s piped water supply were more likely to practice handwashing than those not directly connected. Sanitation and hygiene behaviors of the people in the study area were seen to be influenced by sociodemographic, cultural, and economic factors. The conditions of sanitation and hygiene facilities in public places were unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need to ensure that the sanitation and hygiene services and behaviors along the value chain (from waste production/source to disposal/end point) are improved both at the household level and in public places through improved sanitation services and the promotion of effective hygiene behavior change programs integrated into ongoing government programs and planning.

Background Dental diseases are associated with chronic health conditions and decreased psychological and sociological wellbeing. Young adulthood presents a pivotal stage as dental hygiene behaviors developed and practiced during this time persist into later life. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a commonly used theoretical framework to examine intention to engage in dental behaviors. Purpose To systematically summarize research studies using TPB questionnaires to assess predictive factors of oral hygiene behaviors among young adult populations. Methods A four-phase article identification process ensured articles met the inclusion criteria. Quality appraisal assessments were used to evaluate questionnaire construction methodology. Results Twelve articles met the study’s inclusion criteria. Each study incorporated supplemental predictive factors such as oral health knowledge and expected social outcomes in addition to the TPB constructs. Discussion Evidence from this systematic review suggests that TPB is a useful theoretical framework for designing questionnaires that assess dental hygiene behaviors of young adults. Translation to Health Education Practice Health education specialists should administer oral hygiene behavior surveys that utilize TPB and TPB-related constructs to better understand factors associated with improved intentions toward dental hygiene behaviors among young adults.

Unhealthy dietary habits and poor personal hygiene remain persistent challenges among primary school students. This study examined health awareness about personal hygiene and dietary habits among 431 students (267 boys, 164 girls) in grades 4–6 at five Qatari public schools. Schools were selected via convenience sampling, with Ministry of Education collaboration, to ensure regional representation. Students completed a validated questionnaire about hygiene behaviors and dietary habits. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multiple regression analysis. Results showed a clear link between hygiene and diet: students with better hygiene habits also had healthier eating patterns. Dietary behaviors differed by gender, but hygiene awareness was similar between boys and girls. We found misconceptions, such as misunderstandings about posture’s impact on spine health and limited awareness of disease prevention. These findings emphasize the need to integrate health and hygiene education into primary science curricula, fostering lifelong well-being.

A systematic scoping review of environmental health conditions and hygiene behaviors in homeless shelters.

Poor hygiene when handling food is a major cause of foodborne illness. To investigate whether hygiene practices visible in television cooking shows influence viewers' kitchen hygiene, a study on the adoption of demonstrated hygiene behavior was conducted under controlled, experimental conditions. In a study ostensibly on cooking by following recipes participants (n = 65) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, in which they watched a cooking video that differed only with regard to the hygiene behavior of the chef. In condition 1, the chef engaged in poor hygiene practices while preparing the dish, in condition 2 the chef's hygiene behavior was exemplary and in condition 3, the chef's hygiene behavior was not visible (control condition). After watching the video, participants were instructed to cook the recipe individually in the fully equipped laboratory kitchen. Cooking sessions were videotaped and experimenters blind to condition coded hygiene lapses committed by participants. The level of kitchen hygiene displayed in the cooking video significantly affected hygiene practices of participants cooking the recipe. Participants who had watched the cooking video with correct hygiene practices committed significantly fewer hygiene lapses than those who had watched the video with poor hygiene practices. From a risk communication perspective, TV cooking shows are well placed to convey knowledge of essential hygiene practices during food preparation to a broad audience. To facilitate behavioral change toward safer food-handling practices among viewers, visibly performing correct hygiene practices in cooking shows is a promising strategy.

To learn how children in rural schools in Nyando District, Kenya clean themselves after defecation. Six focus group discussions were held with boys and girls ages 12-15 in three rural schools in mid-2009. Parents were interviewed in one setting. In early 2010, a survey of head teachers was conducted in 114 schools in Nyanza Province, Kenya, to assess the provision of anal cleansing materials and handwashing water and soap in schools. Anal cleansing behaviour is linked with access to materials, age, social pressure, perceived personal risk of illness and emotional factors. Materials used for anal cleansing include schoolbook paper, leaves, grasses, stones, corncobs and one's own hands. Students have knowledge gaps in terms of personal hygiene. They were forthcoming with information on their anal cleansing practices. Almost no schools budgeted for or provided anal cleansing materials regularly. Anal cleansing is a necessary human activity. However, because of social taboos, there are few articles on the topic. School health plans overlook it as well. Researchers need to determine if and how current practices could harm child health to inform policy.

While the factors contributing to diarrhea in children are well established, more literature on the influence of food hygiene practices on diarrhea in low-socioeconomic urban communities in Indonesia is still needed. This study investigated specific risk factors for toddlers' diarrhea related to mothers' personal hygiene and food safety practices. It utilized a cross-sectional design with consecutive sampling, involving 36 mothers with toddlers in Purwawinangun Village, Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia. Hygiene and food safety practices, as well as diarrhea incidence, were assessed using a questionnaire. In a bivariate analysis using Fisher's Exact Test, personal hygiene practices [prevalence rate (PR) = 3.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.454-33.696] were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with an increased risk of diarrhea. Regarding mothers' food safety practices, children of those with poor food safety were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with an increased risk of diarrhea compared to children of mothers who adhered to food safety guidelines (PR = 4.20; 95% CI = 12.127-89.524). The risk of diarrhea in children can be mitigated by improving mothers' hygiene behaviors and food safety practices. Mothers, especially those living in villages with limited water access, need ongoing education on the importance of food safety. To promote this practice, the local government can implement health initiatives to prevent diarrhea in children.

IntroductionWith the advent of the digital age, the gradually increasing demands of the engineering job market make it inevitable that engineering students face the pressures that arise from academic life with their peers. To address this issue, this study aims to explore the influence of engineering students' peer pressure on learning behavior based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB).MethodsIn addition to attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls inherent in TPB, two new dimensions—gender difference and peer academic ability—were incorporated to construct a framework of the dimensions of peer pressure as affecting engineering students as well as an expanded model of TPB. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 160 college engineering students and a structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.ResultsThe result showed that positive peer pressure can increase engineering students' learning intention and thus promote learning behavior. It was also determined that the TPB model can effectively explain the effect of peer pressure on learning behavior, in addition to expanding and reshaping the relationship between the attitudinal dimension in the TPB model.DiscussionFrom the results, it is clear that positive attitudes toward learning can trigger positive peer pressure. Good group norms can induce peer pressure through rewards and punishments as a way to motivate students' learning intention and learning behaviors. When peer pressure is perceived, students mobilize positive emotions toward learning. Meanwhile, both male and female engineering students are also significantly motivated by high peer achievement, and high-performing female students motivate their male peers, which leads to higher graduation rates.