KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ABOUT HANDWASHING IN ADOLESCENT STUDENTS

Yalcin S¹, Yalcin SS², Altın S¹

¹Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, ²Department of Social Pediatrics Institute of Child Health, Hacettepe University, Ankara, TURKEY

Introduction: Handwashing is one of the most important control measures for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Although conventional handwashing with soap and water is an excellent method for providing hand hygiene, there is difficulty in maintaining compliance to basic handwashing practices in school. The aim of the study was to evaluate how and when adolescent students washed their hands, and also to detect the conditions that affect handwashing in school.

Methods: Seven school (2 high school and 5 health trade school) was selected in Konya. A questionnaire assessing self-characteristics of adolescents, knowledge and attitude about handwashing, status of school about hygiene was given to students.

Results: Of 1074, 1022 students filled the poll. According to self reported behaviour and attitudes, soap and water were used in 99.1 % of hand washes, and an alcohol preparation was used in 0.2% of cases and wet paper was used in the remaining 0.6%. The average duration of soap and water washes was 41.8 ± 39.1sec. Girls had a significantly longer handwashing duration than boys. The mean duration of handwashing in adolescents living with family was similar to those living within dormitory. Adolescents living at home had more complaint about hygiene in school toilet more than others (p<0.05). Adolescents in high school had lower handwashing duration than health trade school. The knowledge and attitude about handwashing and infectious diseases in health trade school was better than high school (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Adolescents had some problems with handwashing in their school. To increase compliance, problems should be solved and lessons about handwashing and communicable disease should be given.

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