A Comparative Analysis of Knowledge, Sources of Information and Hand Hygiene Practice among Students in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

 Early childhood and teenage years of a human existence represent the most opportune period to inculcate most enduring life skills, including hand washing skills. For most individuals in this age, the school represents the dominant social system where beneficiaries spend a huge proportion of their time in school. This study therefore investigated how hand washing facilities available in schools and knowledge of this facilities influence actual practices of hand hygiene (HH) among secondary school students in Lagos State, Nigeria. Researchers were interested in drawing responses that would lead to providing answers to four key objectives of the study: availability of WASH facilities in schools, knowledge of participants, participants' sources of information, and actual practices of hand washing. The qualitative research design was adopted with a total of 10 participants each drawn from one government and one privately owned secondary school in Lagos State cutting across junior and senior classes for focus group sessions. The Protection motivation theory was adopted to understand the role of exposure to message as well as knowledge in imbibing this healthful practice. Findings show that most students generally feel that inadequacy of facilities makes it almost impossible for them to practice hand hygiene. They however admitted that the limited facilities provided are damaged or put to disuse by pupils. In spite of the fact most of the participants during the focus group discussion (FGD) sessions demonstrated a good knowledge of hand hygiene; they admitted that they do not practice it properly. Researchers therefore recommend that media campaign should be stepped up especially with emphasis on the value of hand hygiene over the cost.