Knowledge and Practice of Hand Hygiene Among Pupils in Public Primary Schools in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective interventions for preventing infectious disease transmission among school-age children. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of hand hygiene among pupils in public primary schools in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. A multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used to select 420 pupils from twelve primary schools for participation in structured interviews and direct behavioral observations. Handwashing facility assessments were simultaneously conducted at each school. Results showed that ninety-one percent of pupils had heard of handwashing as a disease prevention measure, yet only thirty-eight percent could correctly identify the five critical handwashing times recommended by global health guidelines. Observational assessments recorded that only twenty-seven percent of pupils washed hands with soap after using the toilet, compared to eighty-three percent who rinsed hands with water only. Availability of soap and water at handwashing points was found in only thirty-five percent of schools. Pupils in schools with functional handwashing stations and soap demonstrated significantly better practice scores. Focus group discussions revealed that social modeling by teachers and peer pressure were influential determinants of handwashing behavior. The study recommends investment in functional handwashing infrastructure, teacher-led hygiene promotion, and inclusion of hand hygiene education in the school curriculum across Plateau State. Keywords: hand hygiene, handwashing, primary schools, Plateau State, disease prevention.