Training intervention to improve hygiene practices in Islamic boarding school in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A mixed-method study

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of a training intervention in overall improvement in students’ (santris) knowledge, behavior, and outcome. METHODS: A mixed-methods exploratory sequential design was applied. First, qualitative data were collected from three focus group discussions with 20 supervisors and one in-depth interview with school principal to explore current hygiene practices. The information was then used to develop training intervention using either video, poster, and leaflet. To measure the effect, a stepped wedge cluster design with pre- and post-test analyses was conducted. A total of 452 junior high school santris in one Islamic boarding school were non-randomly allocated to either three intervention groups. Outcome measures were knowledge, personal behavior, and room hygiene. Codes and categories were produced in the qualitative analysis, while paired t-tests and Wilcoxon rank tests test were used in the quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The qualitative study identified poor practices on personal and room hygiene among the santris and proposed a training intervention. Overall, there was a significant increase in knowledge and personal behavior after the intervention (7.22 ± 1.34 pre-intervention to 7.70 ± 0.74 post-intervention and 9.75 ± 2.98 pre-intervention to 12.16 ± 2.12 post-intervention, respectively, p < 0.001). Room hygiene was significantly improved among boys and those who received leaflets. CONCLUSION: Having developed a specific training materials, school-based hygiene training intervention improved knowledge and personal behavior. Its effect on room hygiene particularly for female santris needs further strengthening of the intervention in this Islamic boarding school setting.