Abstract
Hand washing has been a lifelong practice because of its many health benefits, social and moral obligations. It is perceived to be one of the most important and cost-effective methods of preventing infectious and diarrhoeal diseases like the Coronavirus disease 2019, (COVID-19). (Ghana Health Survey, 2020). Promoting hand washing as an intervention for hand hygiene and behaviour change activity for continuous practice have been rolled out among young people so that they learn proper hand washing and maintain personal hygiene. This study assesses the impact of hand washing initiative among young people in the Eastern Region of Ghana.This is an exploratory and qualitative study that combines a Focus Group Discussions (FGD) of young people and In-Depth Interviews of key stakeholders such as parents, teachers, community leaders, health workers and NGO’s in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The data derived from the study was analyse using a qualitative technique such as thematic analysis to extract the key findings. During the study, ethical considerations were observed to protect respondents.Key findings from the study indicates that there is a general awareness of hand washing and its importance among young people. However, they find it difficult to adhere to the practice because of non-availability of basic items such as soap, water and knowledge of proper hand washing techniques. The study also revealed that key stakeholders contribute to promote hand washing initiative in diverse ways at home, in schools, health facilities and in the community. However, some stakeholders are predisposed to resources that enable them to achieve hand washing initiative. The least of those not predisposed to basic resources to support the practice are teachers, schools and community leaders because of shortage basic resources such as soap and water to support the practice of hand washing. This study concludes that despite all the efforts by young people to adhere to practice and key stakeholders’ effort to promote hand washing, they are confronted with basic challenges. Hence, the need to have basic resources such as water and soap in schools and communal areas, to advocate for young people to engage in global hand washing day and using young people as ambassadors to advocate for proper hand washing practices especially among their peers. Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Hand Washing Initiative, Non-Governmental organizations, Focus Group Discussion, Thematic Analysis, Behavioural Changes DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-4-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2021
Highlights
Hand washing is the single most important method of preventing infectious disease such as diarrhoea among children and young people
This underscores the fact that hand washing will promote hand hygiene, it will prevent several other infectious diseases and acute respiratory infections
Key themes that emerged and guided the findings are: awareness of hand washing practices, sources of awareness, knowledge and awareness of the global hand washing day (GHWD), perception of proper hand washing practices, perceptions on when to practice hand washing, availability of hand washing facilities and their impact on the practice, promoting hand washing and the role of stakeholder, benefits of hand washing practices, challenges associated with hand washing practices
Summary
Hand washing is the single most important method of preventing infectious disease such as diarrhoea among children and young people. When that person touches another’s hands and that person touches his or her month, eyes, ears and nose without washing their hands, the person can be infected with respiratory infections such as influenza, common cold or other related infectious diseases (Rabie et al, 2006) such as the Nova Corona Virus that is currently circulating. This underscores the fact that hand washing will promote hand hygiene, it will prevent several other infectious diseases and acute respiratory infections
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