Level of knowledge on the importance of basic personal hygiene among the Grade 5 pupils of WNU

Personal hygiene has always been a part of a person’s daily activities but what is really the depth of an individual’s understanding of why personal hygiene should be practiced every day? One’s behavior towards practicing personal hygiene greatly aids in the prevention of diseases; thus, an optimal component to the well-being of people.

More studies have also depicted the health benefits of improved hygiene (Fewtrell et al. 2005)Boot and Cairncross (1993) mentions hand washing and nail cleaning; washing of the face; bathing; hygiene post defecation; and washing of towels, beddings, clothes, etc. before use as part of personal hygiene.At an early age, children are educated about personal hygiene practices such as the correct way of washing hands; the essence of daily bathing with the use of products such as shampoo and soap; as well as how to prevent the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms, specifically, covering one’s mouth when coughing, etc.; and household hygiene such as disinfecting surfaces around the home, boiling of drinking water, and the like.The researchers firmly believe that apart from classroom discussions on the knowledge on and importance of personal hygiene, the primary teaching should begin at home.

Children are a reflection of their parent’s views on the matter.Parents are first and foremost responsible for the basic care, protection, support and guidance of their children. It is understandable that the attention given by parents to their children with regards to personal hygiene practices is very essential. Children tend to follow the examples set by the former.

Oral hygiene is another important aspect of personal hygiene. It is common to find poor dental hygiene with high levels of dental plaque, calculus and gingivitis in early age. (Desai & Messer, 2001)Since the researchers are student nurses themselves they take personal hygiene practices among Grade 5 pupils of West Negros University, during Academic Year 2013-2014. With basic personal hygiene, the researchers aim to gather information about proper hand hygiene, bathing, and oral hygiene practices being done by the aforementioned pupils daily and with the result, the pupils will be more aware of the importance to their health maintenance thus preventing occurrence of illnesses.Statement of the ProblemThis study aims to determine the level of knowledge on the importance of basic personal hygiene among the Grade 5 pupils of WNU, Academic Year 2013-2014. Specifically, the study aims to answer the following questions: 1.

What is the profile of the Grade 5 pupils of WNU, A. Y. 2013-2014 according to the following selected variables?a. Ageb.

Average Family Income (monthly and/or yearly)c. Sex2. What is the level of knowledge on the importance of basic personal hygiene practices of Grade 5 pupils of WNU, A. Y. 2013-2014 when they are grouped as a whole and according to the stated variables?3.

Are there significant differences in the level of knowledge on the importance of basic hygiene practices of Grade 5 pupils of WNU, A. Y. 2013-2014 when grouped according to the aforementioned variables?Hypothesis of the StudyThe following is the hypothesis of the study: 1. There are no significant differences in the level of knowledge on the importance of basic hygiene practices of Grade 5 pupils of WNU, A.

Y. 2013-1014 when grouped according to age, average (monthly and/or yearly) family income, and sex.Theoretical FrameworkThis study will base on the following theoretical framework. These will be the guidelines of the researchers through this study. The researchers will create a questionnaire formulated for the Grade 5 pupils of WNU, A. Y.

2013-2014 that they will use to determine the level of knowledge on the importance of basic personal hygiene among the said respondents. These questionnaires will be distributed to a specific number of respondents wherein the respondents will answer and submit back to the researchers. The researchers will group them according to age, average (monthly and/or yearly) family income, and sex. After the grouping, the researchers will take the tally result of each item per group of variable using table showing the tally of each item per variable subdivision.They will then compare the results basing on the three (3) variables stated to know the difference of level of understanding on basic hygiene practices of the respondents and see the significance among the said variables using formulated table to see clear comparison result.

If the result is not coinciding with the stated hypothesis of the study, the researchers will re-distribute the questionnaires to the respondents; will be answered by the respondents, and will be gathered by the researchers for re-tallying and re-comparing. If the result is or is not coinciding with the stated hypothesis, the researchers will then make a summary, conclusion and recommendations basing on the gathered results.Conceptual FrameworkThis study will base on the following conceptual framework. This will be the guideline of the researchers through this study.

The flow of the study depends on this framework.Scopes and Limitation of the StudyThis study is about the level of knowledge on the importance of basic personal hygiene among the Grade 5 pupils of WNU, Academic Year 2013-2014. It includes all aspects and statements regarding personal hygiene practices and the corresponding positive and negative impact or effect on the health of the respondents.This study is only limited to the thirty (30) Grade 5 pupils of WNU, A.

Y. 20-13-1014 and is only about their level of knowledge on the importance of personal hygiene practices according to their age, average family income, and sex as variables of this study.Definition of TermsSignificance of the StudyThis study is significant to the following:1. Respondents of the Study – as knowing the level of knowledge of the importance of personal hygiene practices, the respondents of the study will be more aware of their current hygiene practices and their equivalent impact on their health that is relatively connected to their studies.

Upon knowing their current practices, they will be informed and educated about how to do personal hygiene practices as part of their normal lives and its impact on their well-being.2. West Negros University Community – by doing this research, the institution where the researchers are currently studying can also benefit from the results that can be made by this study. The WNU community will be more aware of the current standing of the level of knowledge on the importance of personal hygiene practices of the respondents that is a projection of a larger scale of improvement of the institution’s students. Any information, result, conclusion, and recommendation of the researchers of this study can be used by the institution to help improve their health consciousness program within their jurisdiction.3.

Parents of the Respondents – as the parents of the respondents they will be informed about the survey or study about their children’s practices on their personal hygiene. Whenever the researchers will have the result of this study on their hands, the researchers will also inform the parents of the respondents about the current level of knowledge of their children on the importance of personal hygiene practices and on how these practices can greatly affect their children’s well-being that is strongly bonded to their health and studies.4. The researchers – since the researchers are student nurses of West Negros University themselves, as related to their profession, they will be aware enough of the practices of the children about personal hygiene and this study gives them ideas on handling any instances of incidents related to their study.