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<p>Hand washing with soap under running water is an important public health measure in controlling the transmission of infections. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards hand hygiene, and access to hand hygiene facilities among primary school children in Freetown M.A. Basic School in the Ho Municipality. The study also determined potential pathogenic bacteria on the hands of the school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 154 primary school children between May and June 2024. Questionnaires were administered. Hand swabs were collected for bacterial culture. Growths were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26.0. P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of the 154 participants, most of them displayed strong knowledge on hand hygiene, with an average score exceeding 90% across all quizzed items. A high percentage of respondents used water and soap for handwashing, both at school 137 (88.96%) and at home 148 (96.10%). The culture of the swabs identified 48 bacterial isolates from 48 samples, indicating a contamination rate of 31.17%, with <i>Klebsiella species</i> being the most prevalent at 12.34% (19/154). This study revealed promising results regarding hand hygiene knowledge and practices among school children. Despite these knowledge and practices, a concerning contamination rate of 31.17% was found, with <i>Klebsiella</i> species being the most prevalent bacteria. These findings highlight the need for continued emphasis on proper hand hygiene practices and regular monitoring to prevent the spread of infections.</p>

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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of hand hygiene and the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria on the hands of primary school children in Ho Municipality

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Nathaniel Nkuah,
  • Evelyn Mawulawoe Adzrakor,
  • Enoch Aninagyei,
  • Prosper Mensah,
  • Elizabeth Mawufane,
  • Rita Sewornu,
  • Israel Bedzina,
  • Silas Kinanyok,
  • John Gameli Deku

摘要

Hand washing with soap under running water is an important public health measure in controlling the transmission of infections. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards hand hygiene, and access to hand hygiene facilities among primary school children in Freetown M.A. Basic School in the Ho Municipality. The study also determined potential pathogenic bacteria on the hands of the school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 154 primary school children between May and June 2024. Questionnaires were administered. Hand swabs were collected for bacterial culture. Growths were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 26.0. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of the 154 participants, most of them displayed strong knowledge on hand hygiene, with an average score exceeding 90% across all quizzed items. A high percentage of respondents used water and soap for handwashing, both at school 137 (88.96%) and at home 148 (96.10%). The culture of the swabs identified 48 bacterial isolates from 48 samples, indicating a contamination rate of 31.17%, with Klebsiella species being the most prevalent at 12.34% (19/154). This study revealed promising results regarding hand hygiene knowledge and practices among school children. Despite these knowledge and practices, a concerning contamination rate of 31.17% was found, with Klebsiella species being the most prevalent bacteria. These findings highlight the need for continued emphasis on proper hand hygiene practices and regular monitoring to prevent the spread of infections.