Kaberi Mech1, Jutika Ojah2
INTRODUCTION
Hand washing with soap at critical events reduces the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases by about 42% to 47% and respiratory infections by 30% which are important contributors of under-five child morbidity and mortality in India. The awareness and hand washing practices amongst mothers residing in poor environmental settings of slums are important as they are the primary caregivers and have a determining role in the health of their children.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the awareness, practices and factors associated with hand washing amongst mothers of under-five children in slums of Guwahati City, Assam.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was a community based cross-sectional study carried out for a period of three months from August 2015 to October 2015 in two slums under the urban field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, Guwahati. 150 mothers having under-five children were included in the study.
RESULTS
100.00% of the mothers were aware about the role of hand washing in prevention of diseases. 100% mothers practised hand washing with soap after defaecation. 84.30% and 85.71% washed their hands with water alone before feeding a child and cooking respectively. None of the mothers were aware and practised the recommended steps and time for hand washing.
CONCLUSION
The factors identified as barriers to hand washing practices in the study can be overcome by health education with involvement of the community.
