Abstract
This research investigated the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices among students at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) to address a crucial gap in understanding current hand hygiene habits and their impact on infection rates within the university community. Utilising a quantitative approach through self-administered questionnaires, the study aimed to evaluate hand hygiene practices, frequency of handwashing, hand sanitizer usage, and adherence to proper techniques among university students. Additionally, the research sought to determine the association between hand hygiene practices and infection occurrence on campus.
Existing literature emphasises the significance of hand hygiene in preventing infectious diseases, including respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, with particular relevance highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this knowledge, hand hygiene practices among students often fall short, leading to increased risks of infections and related absenteeism.
Methodology:
The research design involved a cross-sectional study, targeting undergraduate and postgraduate students across the NMU campuses. A sample size of 106 students was randomly selected, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis will encompass descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and multivariate analysis to explore relationships between hand hygiene practices and infection occurrence.
Results and discussion:
The majority of respondents (69.8%) were female, and 85% fell within the 18–24 year age group. Most participants (96%) were undergraduate students, with third-year students (36.8%) forming the largest subgroup. Despite the recognised importance of hand hygiene, 58% of students reported never receiving formal hand-washing training from the university. Key findings indicate that while 92.5% of students reported washing their hands after toilet use, only 78.3% did so before eating. The frequency of handwashing varied, with 52.8% washing hands 2–3 times a day, and 39.6% doing so four or more times daily. Time spent on handwashing also varied, with 35.8% washing for 10–20 seconds and 19.8% for less than 20 seconds, while 21.7% did not track their washing duration.
Regarding infection prevalence, the common cold was the most reported illness (59.4%), followed by influenza (48.1%). Less frequent illnesses included throat infections (17.9%) and gastrointestinal infections (8.5%). Notably, 67.1% of students sought medical attention when
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ill, while 31.7% did not. The study found no statistically significant association between washing hands before eating and the occurrence of infections, including the common cold, flu, gastrointestinal infections, and throat infections. Similarly, washing hands with soap did not show a significant impact on infection reduction, suggesting that other factors may play a larger role in infection transmission. However, the use of hand sanitizers was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of gastrointestinal infections, with no students who regularly used hand sanitizers reporting such infections. This finding highlights the potential effectiveness of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in preventing gastrointestinal illnesses.
Recommendations and conclusions:
Enhancing awareness and understanding of hand hygiene in university settings is crucial for fostering behavioural change. Awareness campaigns can play a key role in promoting effective hand hygiene practices by implementing strategic interventions. Young adults need to recognize the life-saving importance of proper hand hygiene.