Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Hand Washing with Soap among Mothers and Caregivers of Children under Five years in Ntungamo District, Uganda

Abstract

Abstract
Background: The study of hand washing practices in Ntungamo district is part of a larger strategy
being implemented in different countries to decrease the prevalence of childhood diarrhea, in the
frame work of the global public – private partnership for hand washing with soap.
Purpose: This study of hand washing practices using soap in Ntungamo district aimed at reducing
childhood diarrhea prevalence in the district. It represents a preliminary study designed to collect the
information necessary to design appropriate strategies to reduce diarrhea prevalence in under five
years of age.
Methods: The study used quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data from a representative
sample of several supervision areas of Ntungamo district.
Results: The practice of hand washing after latrine use among the respondents was very low
(52%) compared to washing hands before and after meals (77%). The study also revealed a low use
of soap during hand washing where (52%) who washed their hands after contact with feces, only
14.6% used soap. Whereas whose who washed their hands while handling food were77%, but out of
77% only 28% used soap
There was no diarrhea reported among respondents that had A-level education and only 20% of
those that had post-secondary education reported having diarrhea episodes among the under-five
compared to 64% that reported diarrhea among the under-fives for those that had incomplete primary
level of education, 57% among the households of functional adult learning graduates and 49% for
those that completed primary level of education.
Keywords: Handing washing, Soap, Caregivers, Supervision areas.