Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 1

Evaluation of Student's Hand Washing Knowledge, Practices and Skills in a College Setting

1Student at MCODS, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MCODS, Manipal University, Mangalore

2Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MCODS, Manipal University, Mangalore

3Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MCODS, Manipal University, Mangalore

4Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, MCODS, Manipal University, Mangalore

*Corresponding author: Dr Laxmish Mallya Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal University Email: plmallya@gmail.com, Mob: 9945677760

Online published on 4 January, 2017.

Abstract

Hand washing is an effective way to prevent infections and diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the student's social hand washing knowledge, practices, skills and related factors.

All existing 3rd year students in the institute were eligible for the study. Participants filled in a questionnaire. The questionnaire tested the students social hand washing knowledge (questions 7), practices (questions 15), and skills (questions 9) which was prepared using previous studies. Participants received 1 point for each correctly answered question concerning their knowledge, practice and skill in respect of investigated issue.

In all 100 students that have participated in the study majority of the students wash their hand 6to 10 times (45.3%). Students who skipped the hand wash feel that there is no need of hand wash (24.7%). Most of them feel hot water is better for hand washing (76.7%). Around 95 to 99% of the participants wash their hand before and after food. 98% of participants wash their hands after using the rest rooms and 25.3% of them wash their hand even before using rest room. 76.7% of participants wash their hand after reaching home.

The present study stresses on necessity of stressing the hand hygiene protocols in tutorials and clinical settings. It recommends the need for campus based health education programs, development of handhygiene promotion programs for the dental student.

Keywords

Hand washing, Knowledge, Practice, Skills, College setting