Personal Hygiene and Occurrence of Diseases Among Primary School Children in Makindye Municipality, Kampala, Uganda

ABSTRACT The study revealed into the relationship between personal hygiene and the occurrence of diseases primary school children in Makindye municipality where the following aspects were investigated: (1). personal hygiene practices among primary school children, (2). occurrence of disease among primary school, (3). relationship between hygiene practices and occurrence of diseases, (4). difference between personal hygiene practices and occurrence of diseases between private and public primary schools. The study employed descriptive comparative and correlation design. Twelve teachers were chosen purposively in six primary schools and three hundred sixty eight pupils were selected from both public and private primary schools. Questionnaires were used to gather data. Frequency, percentage, means, Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the variables and t-test was used to determine the difference between variables. Findings showed that the personal hygiene practices among primary school children was rated good with a mean of 2.07. The occurrence of diseases was high with a mean 1.71. As to personal hygiene practices between private and public primary school children , private school primary school has very good personal hygiene practices compared to public school children with a mean of 2.19. While occurrence of diseases both public and private school primary children have high occurrence of diseases with a mean of 2.17. Null hypothesis of no relationship between personal hygiene practices and occurrence of diseases was rejected. There is no difference between the personal hygiene practices and occurrence of disease between public and orivate primary school children. Based on the findings of the study the following conclusions were made Personal hygiene practices among primary school children was rated good which means that Primary school children are aware of the importance of practicing proper personal hygiene. The occurrence of diseases among primary school children was high despite practicing personal hygiene children are affected by diseases like bacterial diseases, waterborne diseases and fungal or infectious diseases. This means that the diseases affecting school children are not only due to personal hygiene but other factors like dirty surroundings and malnutrition. There is a relationship between personal hygiene practices and occurrence of disease. The occurrence of disease like bacterial infection, water borne diseases and other infections among primary school children is caused by [poor personal hygiene practices. There is no difference in the personal hygiene practices and occurrence of diseases among private and public primary school children. It can be concluded that both public and private primary school children practice good personal hygiene. The following were the recommendations; educational authorities can develop and adopt policies and guidelines that will make way to adequate access to resources, items and opportunities to maintain personal hygiene at school and home. Schools should provide hygiene education to kindergarten and early grade school children to supplement the training provided by parents and guardians to ensure that all children at an appropriate age learn how to protect themselves and others from preventable exposure to illness and other hygienic hazards. School based health children education program may be useful effort. The role of parent-teacher association should be emphasized where teachers and parents play a pivotal role in personal hygiene of the children.