Abstract:
Background: The burden of communicable diseases within developing countries is mainly influenced by poor
personal hygiene practices. Hand washing is considered as most cost effective intervention for reducing health
problems such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to assess hand washing practice
at critical times and identify associated factors among mothers of under five children in Debark town.
Method: A community based cross-sectional study design was carried out from May 1–20, 2018 in Debark town.
After selection of participants using simple random sampling, face to face interview was performed by using semistructured
pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI Info 7 and exported into SPSS 21 for further
analysis. Results were presented by simple frequency, percentage and mean for descriptive variables. Binary logistic
regression analysis was used to test the association of dependent and independent factors. Variables with 95%
confidence interval and p ≤ 0.2 during the univariable binary logistic regression analysis were included in the
multivariate logistic regression analysis. At the final model variables with p ≤ 0.05 were treated as significantly
associated factors of hand washing practice at critical times.
Results: Good hand washing practice at critical times was reported in 52.2% (95% CI: 47.5, 57.2%) of study
participants. Desirable attitude [AOR = 3.37, 95% CI (2.03, 5.58)], presence of water for washing hands [AOR = 4.86,
95% CI (1.26, 18.69)] and a good knowledge [AOR = 2.98, 95% CI (1.92, 4.60)] were significantly associated factors
with hand washing practice at critical times.
Conclusion: The hand washing practice at critical times of study participants was found to be low. A significant
proportion of mothers of under five children have a poor hand washing practice at critical times. It is necessary to
increase the access to water and to improve knowledge and attitude of mothers to improve their hand washing
practice at critical times.
