Magnitude and Factors Associated with Hygiene Practice Among Primary School Children in Mareko District, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Poor school hygiene practice is a major health problem in developing countries, including Ethiopia, and is a leading factor for children’s school absenteeism due to hygiene-related illnesses. To our knowledge, little is known about hygiene practice conducted in southern Ethiopia including our study area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess magnitude and associated factors of hygiene practice among primary school children in Mareko District. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study design with multi-stage sampling was conducted from January 15–30, 2018 in Mareko district. Out of 25 second cycle primary schools in the district, eight schools (30%) were recruited with a simple random method. Then, a sample size of 829 students was selected by a simple random method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered into Epi Info V. 7 and then analyzed in SPSS V. 20. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors of hygiene practice. RESULTS: The magnitude of overall good hygiene practice was 252 (30.4%) with 95% CI (27.3–33.5%). Practices of hand washing, latrine utilization, and water handling were found to be 191 (23%), 387 (46.7%), and 238 (28.7%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with hygiene practice were found to be knowledge on hand washing (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI 2.86–9.1) and latrine use (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.06– 3.75); ever visited model school (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI 1.28–4.64); being 14–18 years old (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI 1.3–1.88); and cleanliness of toilets (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI 1.77–6.55). CONCLUSION: Overall, good hygiene practice among primary school children in Mareko District was low. Therefore, there should be continuous awareness of good hygiene practice and its impact on health through health education, strengthening and motivation of water, sanitation, and hygiene clubs, and also visits to model primary schools in the district.