ASSESSMENT OF PERCEIVED FACTORS INFLUENCING HAND WASHING COMPLIANCE AMONG NURING STUDENTS IN ACHIEVERS UNIVERSITY, OWO
Abstract
Studies have shown that students’ health can be protected during an epidemic if appropriate hand washing practices are carried out. However, there are limited data on hand washing knowledge and practices among students in school settings in Nigeria.
The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing hand washing compliance among nursing students in Achievers University, Owo.
The study is a descriptive cross-sectional research design. A multistage sampling techniques sampling technique was used to recruit a sample size of 270 nursing students in Achievers University who served as the respondents for the study. A set of a standard questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistic were used in analysing data and the result were presented in frequency tables and charts.
The mean age of the nursing students was 20±4.17 years and majority (47.0%) of them were within the age range of 20-24 years. Overall knowledge of hand washing was good among significant proportion (62.2%) of the nursing students and more than half (58.9%) of them had good level of compliance with hand washing. Major perceived factors influencing the nursing students’ compliance with hand washing include availability of hand washing facilities, irritation and dryness, forgetfulness, lack of knowledge on hand washing guidelines, and academic workload. Knowledge of hand washing (p=0.010), academic level of nursing students (p=0.015) were significantly associated with compliance with hand washing. There was also a significant difference in level of compliance with hand washing between male and female nursing students (p= 0000).
Nursing students in Achievers University had good knowledge level of hand washing and majority of them are compliant with proper hand washing practice. Nursing students’ compliance level was influenced by certain personal and organisational factors. University authorities should provide adequate hand washing facilities to improve hand washing compliance among students and staffs.
Keywords: Hand washing, Knowledge, Compliance, Factors, Nursing students
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