SSESSMENT OF FACTORs INFLUENCING WATER,SANITATION AND HYGIENE(WASH) PRACTICE AMONG SECOND CYCLE PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTR ATION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Back ground Inadequate school WASH facilities and poor WASH practice is a major problem in developing countries and remains high risk behaviour among primary school going children. It plays major roles in the increased burden of communicable diseases and many outbreaks of gastrointestinal infections that have been associated with primary schools.. Objective: To assess factors influencing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practice among second cycle primary schools students in Dire Dawa Administration from April 16 to 26, 2015. Methodology: Across-sectional study was conducted by using quantitative data collection methods to collect data by using questionnaire and observational checklist. Source population was all second cycle primary schools students in Dire Dawa Administration; and study population was all second cycle primary schools students in randomly selected primary school in the study area enrolled in 2014/15. The sample size of second cycle primary schools students was calculated to be 845 and the sample size of second cycle primary school was 12. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was administered to assess pupils‘ knowledge; attitude and hygiene practice towards WASH and observational check list was used to assess the status of WASH. Twelve trained data collectors (HEWs) and two supervisors (Environmental health professionals) were participated in data collection. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software. Frequency table was used. Bivariate method was used to classify frequency distribution of student‘s knowledge and attitudes according to appropriate WASH practice. Odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval was calculated by using logistic regression. Result: Out of twelve primary schools, three (25%) primary schools were classified as having good WASH status. Out of the total study subjects, 695(85.3%), 679(83.3%) and 509(62.5%) classified as having good knowledge, attitude and practice towards WASH, respectively. The study found that the types of the school students learn in(AOR=2.845, 95%CI=(1.408-3.775));knowledge on the importance of using toilet(AOR=3.2771, 95%CI=(1.540-4.976)); and attitude on human feces contain germs(AOR=1.561, 95%CI = (1.095-2.225)), attitude on open defecation causes germs to spread(AOR=1.926, 95%CI=(1.971-2.765)) and attitude on drinking with shared cup can be transmitting diseases(AOR=1.580, 95%CI=(1.082-2.307)) were significantly associated to WASH practice. Conclusion &Recommendation: This study has showed that types of school, knowledge, and attitude were associated with WASH practice. Most of the primary schools WASH status was poor and majority of the students had poor WASH practice. Therefore it`s recommend that to form/encourage/support health club in the school to teach /demonstrate WASH practice by providing well–designed and well-located facilities to improve WASH practice among second cycle primary school students in Dire Dawa administration.