Sanitation and hygiene status among school students: A micro study on some selective schools of North Dumdum municipality area, West Bengal

Abstract

Poor school sanitation and hygiene is a major problem in developing countries. It ruins the health condition of the child. This high risk phenomenon is very common among primary schools. The aim of this study is to assess the factors influencing hygiene performance among school children in primary level and also analyse the teachers’ condition regarding in this issue. A cross-sectional study with multi-stage purposive sampling process was employed for selection of the primary schools in North Dumdum area for the survey. 15 primary schools in North Dumdum municipality area and total 90 students among these schools were selected for the study. The research was carried out from June –October (2018). Results showed that the numbers of toilets in the selected primary schools are inadequate and no separate toilets for students and teachers are there. In addition, the girls and boys shared the same toilets. Lack of knowledge and awareness of water handling and hand wash habit were maintained which leads towards poor hygiene behaviour. Lacks of required number of toilets in schools create the situation more complex.

Keywords: Awareness, hygiene, sanitation, school children.