EVALUATION OF HYGIENISTS’ PRACTICES AMONG WATER VENDORS IN PREVENTING AND MANAGING WATERBORNE DISEASES IN GADAU TOWN, ITAS/GADAU LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BAUCHI STATE
Abstract
Background: This research work aimed at finding out the importance of hygienists’ practices in the prevention and managing of water borne infection in Gadau Town, Itas/Gadau Local Government Bauchi State. Which was achieved through the formulated objectives: identify hygiene practices needed by good vendors to operate in Gadau Town of itas/gadau Local Government, Bauchi State, identify personal hygiene practices needed by water vendors in Gadau Town of itas/gadau Local Government, Bauchi State, identify environmental hygiene practices needed by water vendors to operate in Gadau Town of itas/gadau Local Government, Bauchi State, strategies that should be adopted in enhancing the hygiene practices needed by water vendors in Gadau Town of itas/gadau Local Government. Methodology: To this end the descriptive survey method was used with data collected through the administration of questionnaire to respondents which forms the population of the study. Result:The result of the study revealed that; High frequency of fingernail hygiene (39.8% strongly agreed, 34.6% agreed), Infrequent face/nose/mouth touching while handling water containers (59.6% strongly disagreed), Regular covering of water containers to prevent contamination (40.3% strongly agreed, 25% agreed), Recognition of the need for refresher training on hygiene practices (83.3% strongly agreed), Inconsistent handwashing practices (20.1% disagreed, 5.8% strongly disagreed), Infrequent cleaning/disinfecting of water containers (26.9% disagreed, 26.9% strongly disagreed), Lack of proper attire (27.8% strongly disagreed), Inadequate protection of water sources from contaminants (42.3% strongly disagreed), Limited cleaning of water containers to remove spirogyra (26.9% disagreed, 26.9% strongly disagreed),Overwhelming support for recognition of vendors maintaining high hygiene standards (79.8% strongly agreed), Strong support for forming an association for water vendors (70.1% strongly agreed), Need for regular inspection and monitoring by local government/community leaders (48% strongly agreed), Support for licensing requirements for water vending services (67.3% strongly agreed)
Conclusion: From the finding of the research it is recommended that the government should provide compulsory policies of environmental sanitation each and every two week in the community and also Government and community leaders should provide awareness campaign about the effect of unhygienic water and their effect in the body.
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