ASSESSMENT OF PUPILS KNOWLEDGE OF  PERSONAL HYGIENE 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

A school is a structure that is intended to provide a learning environment and learning spaces for the student's instructor, under the supervision of the teachers. A school is a facility that not only offers education to students but also creates a learning environment. It serves a critical role in the development of a child after they leave the house. It encompasses the child's cognitive and creative growth (Nardo, 2018).During childhood, the groundwork for enduring responsibility for personal hygiene is established, which is crucial for the development of positive values regarding health and the utilisation of health services, as well as for a healthy adulthood and childhood. The principle of maintaining sanitation and grooming of the external body is referred to as personal hygiene (PH) (Johnson, 2022). All activities, actions, and practices that an individual undertakes to maintain the cleanliness and health of their body are referred to as personal hygiene. Personal hygiene offers numerous advantages, including the prevention of diseases, the rapid recovery from illnesses, social acceptability by others, emotional satisfaction, and a well-maintained personal appearance. The initial step towards good sanitation and good health is personal hygiene, which encompasses all the measures that individuals take to maintain their health (Johnson, 2022). Health issues such as dandruff, athletes foot, body odour, pinworms, excessive ear mucus, and gastro-intestinal diseases can be prevented by a higher standard of hygiene (Web Health Centre, 2018).The absence of awareness regarding the advantages of personal hygiene is the cause of poor health among schoolchildren. Poor personal hygiene is most frequently linked to diarrheal diseases, skin diseases, worm infestations, and dental diseases. Infections are one of the most significant challenges that schoolchildren encounter. Contaminated water, inadequate sanitation, and inadequate hygiene practices are the primary causes of infections. Person-to-person transmission of infection is facilitated by inadequate sanitation and a lack of personal hygiene. The physical development of adolescents is impeded by a vicious circle of infection and malnutrition. The existing poor health of children is frequently exacerbated by repeated infections, which can compromise their attendance and performance at school, and in some cases, result in mortality (Datko, 2014). In a slum community with a compromised living situation and low socio-economic conditions, the situation may be even more dire. The health behaviours of infancy and adolescence are also the source of many of the illnesses of adulthood. Nevertheless, the majority of childhood illnesses can be prevented by promoting hygienic practices among primary school children through appropriate health education provided by their parents and instructors.Even if they are unable to comprehend the correlations between illness and behaviour, primary school-aged children can acquire specific health-promoting behaviours (Cairncross and Vijah, 2018). During this time, it is possible to establish healthy behaviours. Additional research is required in this area. The current knowledge base is insufficient to facilitate the development of more effective strategies for improving the maintenance of personal hygiene, a critical factor in reducing the burden of communicable diseases in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement Of Problem    

The neglect of inadequate personal hygiene among primary school-aged children has been attributed to the high mortality and morbidity rates caused by communicable diseases on a global scale. In order for children to adopt specific behaviours that are conducive to their health and well-being, they must be instructed and supervised by adults. In order to effectively address the issue of communicable diseases among school children, it is imperative that parents, instructors, and other stakeholders establish modalities to encourage children to adopt good personal hygiene and environmental practices (Nutbeam, 2020). 

Nevertheless, it has been noted that there has been little or no effort to promote these practices among primary school students, resulting in an increase in the rate of contact/spread of these communicable diseases and a worsening of mortality rates (Cairncross and Vijah, 2018). Therefore, the minimum level of communicable disease among primary school children can be achieved by implementing appropriate measures. Hence, this study tends to assess the knowledge of primary six pupils regarding personal hygiene

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge of primary six pupils regarding personal hygiene using selected primary schools in Calabar South, cross Rivers State. Specifically, the objectives of the study are as follows:

Assess the knowledge of pupils towards personal hygiene in Primary Schools in Calabar South

Assess the attitude of pupils towards personal hygiene in Primary Schools in Calabar South

Assess the practices of personal hygiene among pupils in Primary Schools in Calabar South

Assess the factors which influences pupils attitude and practice of personal hygiene in Primary Schools in Calabar South 

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions were formulated to guide the study based on the research objectives; 

What is the knowledge of pupils towards personal hygiene in Primary Schools in Calabar South?

What is the attitude of pupils towards personal hygiene in Primary Schools in Calabar South?

What is the practices of personal hygiene among pupils in Primary Schools in Calabar South?

What are the factors which influences pupils attitude and practice of personal hygiene in Primary Schools in Calabar South?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is low level of knowledge of personal hygiene among primary six pupils in Calabar South,Cross River State.

Ha: There is high level of knowledge of personal hygiene among primary six pupils in Calabar South,Cross River State.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

It is expected that this work will prompt the school authorities and the various parents-teachers association to collaborate to identify key areas of health needs among school children and institute appropriate health interventions. It is also expected to improve the knowledge base of classroom teachers on basic hygiene practices and the need for them to ensure adequate practice by the children.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

This study focuses to assess the knowledge of primary six pupils regarding personal hygiene. Hence, the study will be delimited to some selected primary schools in Calabar South,Cross River State.

1.8 Limitation Of The Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Hygiene: Refers to practices associated with ensuring good health and cleanliness.

Personal Hygiene: This is the action, habit or practice of keeping oneself clean, especially as a means of maintaining good health. The practice of personal hygiene can also protect the health of others.