HAND WASHING PRACTICES AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENT BOYS BEFORE AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN

Abstract

Purpose –– This study assessed the hand hygiene behaviour among adolescent boys before and after the pandemic lockdown
and the availability of hand washing facilities at schools in the Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo districts of Ghana.
Methods –– This study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design conducted among 228 adolescent boys from private and
public Junior High Schools. Descriptive and comparative analysis were performed using SPSS version 22.
Findings –– The study found that there was a statistically significant improvement in the hand washing practice using water and soap after the pandemic lockdown (p<0.05) in all the variables assessed compared to the pre-pandemic lockdown. It
was also found that though water sources are available in schools, the facilities are not adequate as schoolchildren face
challenges with the availability of water and soap all the time at the various hand washing points.
Conclusion & Recommendation –– The study concludes that continuous education on hand washing practices and monitoring
of hand washing by school children and the presence of adequate facilities are needed to fight the spread of COVID-19.
Keywords –– Adolescents; Hand hygiene; Before and after COVID-19 Pandemic; WASH