PRACTICE OF WATER AVAILABLTY, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE AND FACTORS AFFECTING HYGIENIC PRACTICE AMONG STUDENTS ATTENDING SECOND CYCLE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN HARARI REGION: EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Schoolchildren are seen agents as of change and major risk groups for diarrheal diseases and intestinal parasites. The occurrence and severity of water, sanitation and hygiene related outbreaks are greatly enhanced by human behavior with regards the practice of healthy hygiene. The level of water availiability, sanitation and hygiene practice as well as factors affecting hygiene practice among school students is unknown in the study area. Objective: To assess the practice of water availability, sanitation and hygiene and factors affecting of hygienic practice among students attending second cycle (5-8 grade) primary school in Harari region; Eastern Ethiopia, March 2018. Methods: A school based cross sectional study design was employed on a total of 461 primary school students were involved in this study. Data were collected using interview questionnaire and simple observational checklist. Health extension workers collected the data. SPSS version 20 software was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association between each independent variable and dependent variable. Odd Ratios along with 95% Confidence intervals were estimated to identify factors associated with the outcome variable using multivariate logistic regression and then the level of statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05. Results: Students practice of water availability; sanitation and hygiene were at 95% CI, 27.2%, 75.9% and 32.5% respectively. From all predictors that affect hygiene practice, educational status of mother [AOR= 9.29, 95% CI: (4.18-20.65)], student‟s sex [AOR= 3.55, 95% CI: (2.00-6.28)], residence area [AOR= 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.11)], knowledge of water availability [AOR= 0.33, 95% CI: (0.20-0.70)] and practice of water availability [AOR= 0.55, 95% CI: (0.32-0.95)] were significantly associated. Conclusion: The findings of this study show a low level of hygiene practice among school students, the study also showed the importance of knowledge of water availability, educational status and residence area that affect hygiene practice of students. Recommendations: The study area needs to be further researched to identify what are the factors for low hygiene practice, like practice at home, school environment, provision of water and sanitation enabling environment and playing area and materials. An intervention needs on improving student‟s awareness through practical activities.