Knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of children under five years on hand washing in Nombe Sub-County Ntoroko District

Abstract

Background Hand washing is the most cost effective intervention for reducing global infections like diarrhea, acute respiratory tract infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 3.8 million children aged less than five die each year from diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI). Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps one can take to prevent the spread of pathogens to others. Poor hygiene practices and inadequate sanitary conditions play a major role in the increased burden of communicable disease in developing countries. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of under five children on hand washing in Nombe Sub-County Ntoroko District so as to identify gaps and suggest measures to improve hand washing coverage in Uganda. Methods The study area was Nombe Sub County, Ntoroko District in Western Uganda. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The study populations were households. Quantitative data was entered in Epidata software, analyzed using Stata software and then presented in tables, figures and texts. Qualitative data was analyzed manually and presented in texts. Results The study engaged 173 respondents. Majority 117 (74.5%) knew that bacteria can spread from hands to mouth, 116 (73.9%) knew that proper hand washing can prevent infectious diseases and 154 (98.1%) knew that washing hands prevents spread of germs. Only 31 (19.8%) knew that unwashed hands cause diarrhea and any related diseases. About nine in tens 141 (89.8%) agreed on the importance of hand washing before and after meals. More than half 82 (52.2%) disagreed on sharing of hand towels as 118 (75.2%) agreed that there is need to teach children on how to wash hands properly. As 130 (82.8%) wash hands with soap, less than half 61 (38.9%) had hand washing facilities and majority 130 (82.8%) wash hands of children under 5years. The majority 148 (94.3%) wash their hands after visiting latrines with motivation from majorly 75 (50.7%) health workers followed by 57 (38.5%) friends. Conclusion and recommendations Majority of the mothers of children under five years were aware of the necessity of hand washing with need to streamline their knowledge. There therefore need for mothers of children to improve hand washing practices through setting up cheap and locally made hand washing facilities and to always provide them with enough water and soap.