Effect of Health Education on Personal Hygiene Practices Among Primary School Pupils in Kano State

Personal hygiene practices in childhood are foundational determinants of health outcomes and communicable disease prevention. This study examines the effect of a structured health education intervention on personal hygiene practices among primary school pupils in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design was employed, with 240 pupils from four primary schools in two local government areas assigned to experimental and control groups. The intervention comprised six weeks of structured health education sessions covering handwashing, oral hygiene, hair care, body hygiene, and food safety, delivered by trained health education teachers using participatory methods including demonstrations, posters, and role plays. Data were collected using an observational hygiene checklist and a self-report knowledge questionnaire administered before and after the intervention. Analysis using paired t-tests and analysis of covariance reveals statistically significant improvements in both hygiene knowledge scores and observed practice ratings among the experimental group, with no significant changes in the control group. Improvements are most pronounced in handwashing frequency and oral hygiene habits. The study identifies low parental health literacy and inadequate school water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure as barriers to sustained practice change. Recommendations include integration of health education into the lower primary curriculum, teacher training in participatory health education methods, and investment in school water and sanitation facilities. Findings have implications for school health policy in Northern Nigeria. Keywords: health education, personal hygiene, primary school pupils, Kano State, intervention