A STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF WASH AND SANITARY HYGIENE AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHERS IN AN URBAN AREA

Shrikant S Birajdar; Jayalekshmi CS; BS Jadhav; AS Nagaonkar

Shrikant S Birajdar Department of Community Medicine, Vilasrao Deshmukh Government Medical College, Latur, Maharashtra
Jayalekshmi CS Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College, Thane, Maharashtra.
BS Jadhav Ex-Dean, Ex-Professor and Head of Department, Department of Community Medicine, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College, Thane, Maharashtra
AS Nagaonkar Head of Department, Department of Community Medicine, Vilasrao Deshmukh Government Medical College, Latur, Maharashtra.

Keywords: Water and Sanitary Hygiene, Pre-School Children, Urban Slum

Abstract

BACKGROUND – Public health continues to be greatly impacted by WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene). The potential risk of spreading infectious diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, and numerous other water-related illnesses has been associated with inadequate hygiene practices, poor sanitation, and lack of access to safe water. Unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practises can have4 fatal effects on children. Due to lack of adequate WASH services, almost 700 children under the age of five pass away from diarrheal illnesses every day globally.

METHODOLOGY – The present cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the localities under the catchment area of the urban health training center of a medical college in Maharashtra. All the children in the age group of 3-6 years in the locality were included with complete enumeration. The sociodemographic details, household details and knowledge and practices of mothers and children on hygiene were recorded using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data was analysed using MS-EXCEL spreadsheet and suitable statistical methods.

RESULTS – There were 385 study participants in total. 96% were having household tap as source of drinking water. 42 % were practicing boiling & 52% filtering for water purification before consumption.6% did not follow any purification methods.81.3% had in house latrine facility and 18.7 % were relying on public toilets. A very good percentage (>80%) of mothers check the hygiene practices of children before and after eating and after toilet.

CONCLUSION – The knowledge of mothers on water and sanitary hygiene was good and their practices of hygiene were fair.

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