Abstract:
Background: Schoolchildren are seen agents as of change and major risk groups for
diarrheal diseases and intestinal parasites. The occurrence and severity of water, sanitation
and hygiene related outbreaks are greatly enhanced by human behavior with regards the
practice of healthy hygiene. The level of water availiability, sanitation and hygiene practice
as well as factors affecting hygiene practice among school students is unknown in the study
area.
Objective: To assess the practice of water availability, sanitation and hygiene and factors
affecting of hygienic practice among students attending second cycle (5-8 grade) primary
school in Harari region; Eastern Ethiopia, March 2018.
Methods: A school based cross sectional study design was employed on a total of 461 primary
school students were involved in this study. Data were collected using interview questionnaire
and simple observational checklist. Health extension workers collected the data. SPSS version
20 software was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data.
Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association between each independent
variable and dependent variable. Odd Ratios along with 95% Confidence intervals were
estimated to identify factors associated with the outcome variable using multivariate logistic
regression and then the level of statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05.
Results: Students practice of water availability; sanitation and hygiene were at 95% CI,
27.2%, 75.9% and 32.5% respectively. From all predictors that affect hygiene practice,
educational status of mother [AOR= 9.29, 95% CI: (4.18-20.65)], student‟s sex [AOR= 3.55,
95% CI: (2.00-6.28)], residence area [AOR= 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.11)], knowledge of water
availability [AOR= 0.33, 95% CI: (0.20-0.70)] and practice of water availability [AOR= 0.55,
95% CI: (0.32-0.95)] were significantly associated.
Conclusion: The findings of this study show a low level of hygiene practice among school
students, the study also showed the importance of knowledge of water availability, educational
status and residence area that affect hygiene practice of students.
Recommendations: The study area needs to be further researched to identify what are the
factors for low hygiene practice, like practice at home, school environment, provision of water
and sanitation enabling environment and playing area and materials. An intervention needs on
improving student‟s awareness through practical activities.
