Bridging the Hygiene Knowledge Gap: Effectiveness of a School-Based Health Package among Rural Primary School Children

Abstract

Background:Inadequate personal hygiene practices among primary school children in rural India contribute significantly to the prevalence of preventable infections and diseases. Despite national initiatives, there remains a gap in structured, school-based hygiene education, especially in underserved rural areas.

Objectives:This study aimed to assess the pre-test knowledge levels of primary school children regarding personal hygiene, evaluate the effectiveness of a structured health package, and determine the association between pre-test knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables.

Methods:A quantitative, pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was conducted among 200 primary school children in selected rural primary schools of Vadodara, Gujarat. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a validated, structured knowledge questionnaire. The health package intervention included an interactive, age- appropriate educational session covering key aspects of personal hygiene, reinforced by pamphlets and visual aids. Paired t-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:

Pre-test findings showed that 52.5% of children had average knowledge, 25% poor, and only 6% excellent. Post-intervention, knowledge levels significantly improved, with 54% scoring good and 30.5% excellent; none remained in the poor category. The mean knowledge score increased from 2.04 ± 0.811 to 3.15 ± 0.663. The calculated t-value (-13.786) was highly significant (p < 0.0001). No significant association was found between pre-test knowledge and socio-demographic variables (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:The structured health package was effective in improving knowledge regarding personal hygiene among rural primary school children. Implementing regular, school-based hygiene education can bridge existing knowledge gaps, promote healthy habits early, and contribute to better community health outcomes