Impact of Training on Improving Proper Handwashing Practices among Elementary School Students
Abstract: Hand washing is
among the most effective ways to prevent diseases. In Indonesia, only a quarter
of the entire population practice proper handwashing techniques. Of these,
children are the most vulnerable group for contracting diseases. Nevertheless,
they also are crucial agent for behavior transformation as they are keen and
open to new ideas. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine if training
would have an improvement on a proper hand washing practices among elementary
school students.
Methods:An observational descriptive study design using random sampling
was conducted from September to November 2013 in Jatinangor Subdistrict, West
Java, Indonesia using primary data of one hundred elementary school students
from four elementary schools. Questionnaires were given after informed consent.
A demonstration on hand washing techniques and education on proper hand washing
practices was then given. Two weeks later, the same questionnaire was given to
measure the influence of the training. The collected data were presented using
frequency tabulation.
Results: Before the training on proper hand washing practices was
conducted, only 86.9% students were practicing it properly. After the training was
given, 90.7% of the students were doing it properly. For the hand washing
technique, only 66.8% of students knew the correct steps before the
intervention was given and 78.7% students did them correctly after the
intervention.
Conclusions:The training shows an overall improvement on the students’
hand washing practices.
Keywords: Elementary school
students, hand washing, Jatinangor, technique, training
Author: Theruna Huthamaputiran,
Sunarjati Sudigdoadi, Andriana Purnama
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170112
