Hand-washing practices amongst mothers of under-5 children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

• Published in: Paediatrics and international child health Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 52 - 55
• Main Authors: Opara, Peace, Alex-Hart, Balafama, Okari, Tamunoiyowuna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01-02-2017
• Subjects: Adult; Child, Preschool; Children under 5; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hand Disinfection; Hand-washing practices; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infection Control - methods; Male; Mothers; Nigeria; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Children under 5; Mothers; Hand-washing practices
• ISSN: 2046-9047; 2046-9055
• DOI: 10.1179/2046905515Y.0000000061

Background: Hand-washing with soap and water (HWWS) can prevent a significant proportion of childhood diarrhoea and respiratory infections, the two main global causes of child mortality. However, good hand-washing practices are rare, especially in low-income countries, and findings suggest that hand-washing at critical times such as after defaecation or cleaning an infant's perineum are not common practice. The study explored hand-washing practices among mothers of children under-5 in Port Harcourt.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study of self-reported hand-washing practices among mothers of children under-5 presenting to the paediatric clinics of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Using a simple structured questionnaire, the data collected included biodata, perceptions, and self-reported behaviour concerning hand-washing at critical times.
Results: 154 mothers participated in the study. Sixty-four (41.6%) mothers usually washed their hands with soapy water in a container, 30 (19.5%) used soap and running water, and 60 (38.9%) used only water, either running or in a container. After cleaning an infant's perineal area, 60 (40.3%) and 39 (25.3%) used soap and running water and soapy water in a container, respectively, to wash their hands while 48 (31.2%) used plain water. Before feeding infants, 47 (30.5%) washed their hands with soap and running water. HWWS at critical times was significantly associated with mothers' level of education (P < 0.001) and occurred more commonly in relation to faeces than to food.
Conclusion: Hand-washing practices by mothers in Port Harcourt are poor. Extensive education of the public is required to reduce the risks of childhood infections associated with lack of hand-washing.