Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Personal hygiene among college students in Kuwait: A Health promotion perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Jenan M. Al‑Rifaai
. Aneesa M. Al Haddad
. Jafar A. Qasem

Department of Applied Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Adailiyah, Kuwait

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most infectious diseases result from a lack of knowledge and poor personal
hygiene. Hand hygiene, in particular, is one of the most common means by which pathogens are
transmitted. The aim of this study was to determine college student’s knowledge and awareness of
personal hygiene in Kuwait.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi‑dimensional health assessment approach was followed
using a self‑administered questionnaire that was distributed among students of two colleges
(the College of Nursing and the College of Health Sciences). Item analysis was conducted on 33 items
of the questionnaire and measure five types of hygiene practices: hand hygiene, body hygiene, special
hair application, oral care, and clothes hygiene. The data collected in the questionnaires and results
were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 23. Statistical analysis was performed using
ANOVA and Student’s t‑test. Internal consistency, reliability was good, with an overall Cronbach’s
Alpha value of 0.749.
RESULTS: Most respondents were female with 64%, while 80% of the college students were in the
age of <20‑year‑old. Twelve items were underhand hygiene practices, and four items under body
hygiene. Nine items were under oral care; three, items were under hair application. Three were
under clothes hygiene.
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that female students had a better knowledge and were more
hygienic in hand hygiene, hair application, and body hygiene whereas, male students showed a
better oral hygiene practice. Nevertheless, this study shows that the hygiene questionnaire is an
acceptable and reliable measure of awareness and practice among college students.

Keywords

College student
hand washing
Kuwait
personal hygiene
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 8, Issue 7
July 2018
Pages 1-9

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