HAND WASHING PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG WOMEN WITH UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN MELKA BELO WOREDA, EAST HARERGHE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Hand washing is crucial for women with children under five to prevent germs and contaminants from spreading childhood diseases, especially in low- and middle-income countries where hand hygiene is particularly challenging. In previous research, hand washing practice among women of under-five children has not been yet studied in Melka Belo Woreda. Objective: To asses Hand washing practice and associated factors among mothers with under five children in Melka Belo Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia since April 25 to July 25/2023. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study in Melka Belo Woreda involved 422 women with children under five years old. Data was collected through interviews, observation and questionnaires. The study analyzed data using SPSS version 23, descriptive statistics, bivariate, multiple regression, binary, and multinomial logistic regression, focusing on significantly associated factors of hand washing practice, particularly at critical times. Result: The study found that the overall good hand washing practice of mothers with under five children of age was 57.14%. Mothers who knew the importance of hand washing before eating were 76.9%. The odds of mothers who know the importance of hand washing before eating were 0.14 times lower for hand washing practice than those who did not know the importance of hand washing before eating (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI, 0.07–0.29). The odds of a mother with only water was enough for hand washing were 0.36 times lower for the practice of hand washing than for the mother who said that only water is no enough for hand washing (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.22–0.58). The odds of mothers with the suggestion that human feces contain germs were 1.95 times higher for the practice of washing hands than mothers with the suggestion that human feces not contain germs (AOR=1.95, 95% CI; 1.03-3.71) and the odds of mothers having water and soap facilities at home were 1.26 times higher for hand washing than for mothers who had not water and soap facilities at home (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI, 0.64– 2.48). These were significant factors associated with the hand-washing practices of mothers with children under the age of five. Conclusion: The overall good hand washing practice of mothers with under-five children of age was found to be low. Factors such as human feces contain germs, the availability of water and soap facilities, important of hand washing before eating and the only water is enough for hand washing practices were significant factors of hand washing practice among mothers of under-five children. Increasing health promotion activities will be done in Melka Belo Woreda