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Abstract

Introduction: Childhood plays a crucial role in moulding an individual personality and also helps in preventing various communicable and non-communicable diseases. Poor health among school children mainly results from lack of knowledge and adoption of unhealthy practices. Therefore they should be taught regarding importance of personal hygiene in order to maintain good health. The present study was designed to assess the knowledge and practices regarding personal hygiene among primary school children in selected schools of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 150 primary school children in selected schools of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. Students were selected using disproportionate stratified random sampling technique over a period of two and a half months. The assent and consent was taken from the children and their mothers. A self-structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practices regarding personal hygiene among primary school children. The questionnaire focussed on ten different aspects of personal hygiene like brushing of teeth, bathing, hair wash, nail cutting, hand washing, clean clothes, wearing foot wear, and ear, food and water hygiene. Results: The mean age group for children was 10.04 ± 0.904 years. The results showed that girls were more knowledgeable regarding personal hygiene and also practiced better personal hygiene practices as compared to boys. The educational status of mother played a positive factor in improving knowledge and practices regarding personal hygiene. Conclusion: Periodic screening of health problems along with health education should be given to primary school children in order to improve their personal hygiene and thereby leading to a healthy life.

Keywords: Knowledge; Practices; Personal hygiene; Primary school children