Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Personal Hygiene Among Primary School Pupils in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria

Personal hygiene practices in childhood are foundational to disease prevention and long-term health behaviour. In North West Nigeria, poor sanitation infrastructure and limited health education in schools compound hygiene deficits among school-age children. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude, and practice of personal hygiene among primary school pupils in Sokoto State. A descriptive cross-sectional design is applied to 320 pupils selected from ten public primary schools across four local government areas using multistage random sampling. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire is used to assess hygiene knowledge, attitudes toward cleanliness, and observed practices in relation to handwashing, dental hygiene, hair care, and waste disposal. SPSS is used for quantitative analysis, with chi-square tests examining associations between knowledge levels and hygiene practices. Findings from the 2023 Nigeria WASH in Schools survey indicate that many pupils in North West states lack access to functioning handwashing facilities, directly limiting hygiene practice regardless of knowledge. The KAP model forms the study's conceptual framework, linking awareness to behavioural change. Expected findings will highlight specific knowledge and practice gaps, offering a basis for school-based hygiene promotion interventions. Recommendations will address teacher training, facility provision, and parent-community engagement. The study supports the Federal Ministry of Education's School Health Programme and contributes to achieving WASH-related SDG targets. Keywords: personal hygiene, primary school pupils, knowledge and practice, Sokoto State, North West Nigeria.