A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAM ON PERSONAL HYGIENE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
Robin1, Rashmi2
1
Assistant Professor), Amity College of Nursing, Amity University, Gurgaon
2
Assistant Professor), Amity College of Nursing, Amity University, Gurgaon
Abstract:
A pre experimental study was conducted “ To assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme
on personal hygiene among school children in selected primary schools in Jalandhar with the objectives; To
assess the pretest knowledge regarding personal hygiene among school children; Assess the effectiveness
of structured teaching program; Find the association between pre test knowledge score and selected
demographic variables. An evaluative approach with pre experimental one group pre test post test design
was used for the study. The sample consisted of 70 primary school children. The sample was selected using
purposive sampling technique. The data was collected by administering structured knowledge
questionnaire regarding personal hygiene prior to the structured teaching programme. A post test was
conducted on the seventh day using the same structured knowledge questionnaire. The result showed that
mean posttest knowledge score (17.7) of school children regarding personal hygiene were higher than the
pretest knowledge score (14.15). The ‘t’ test( 1.18) showed that the structured teaching programme was
effective to improve the knowledge of school children regarding personal hygiene. Chi square test was
used to test the association between pretest knowledge score and demographic variable of school children.
The result showed that there was association found between pretest knowledge score and demographic
variables. The findings of this study identified the need for teaching programme on personal hygiene to
improve the knowledge of school children. The result of the study showed that the structured teaching
programme was effective in terms of increasing the level of knowledge regarding personal hygiene among
school children.
Keywords: Knowledge, effectiveness, structured teaching programme, school children.
INTRODUCTION:
“A healthy body is the guest-chamber of the soul; a sick, its prison.”
Common childhood infections like childhood diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and bacterial skin infections can be averted by simple hand washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet. In India, a survey carried out by UNICEF among school children revealed that about half the ailments found were related to unsanitary conditions and lack of personal hygiene. It is important for grade-schoolers to practice good hygiene particularly hand washing because they spend so much of their time in close contact with each other in the classroom, sharing everything from desks and chairs to germs.
NEED OF THE STUDY:
Personal hygiene refers to the cleaning and grooming of the body. In addition to improving appearance, personal hygiene is an important form of protection against disease and infections of all kinds. The purpose of personal hygiene is to prevent illness and improve appearance, but hygiene also plays an important role in social acceptance and can either improve or hinder a person's reputation in social situations. Bad breath, body odour and an unkempt appearance, for example, are often considered undesirable and can give a bad first impression to peers, acquaintances and potential mates.
According to UNICEF at the end of 2007 More than 1000 children die every day in India from diarrhea. According to the WHO-UNICEF joint monitoring programme, at the end of 2002, about 2.6 billion (40%) of the world’s population did not have access to a sanitation and poor hygiene. According to UNICEF at the end of 2008, about 35% of Indian schools do not have toilets, the school toilets that exist; many are not functional or usable.
A study was done to estimate the prevalence of skin disease among school children aged 6-14 years in Chandigarh, India. About 12,586 children were examined. The most common skin conditions were skin infections (11.4%), pityriasis alba (8.4%), eczemas (5.2%), infestations (5%), pigmentation (2.6%), keratinization (1.3%), nevi (1.1%). This study shows that malnutrition, over crowing, poor standards of hygiene, and low socio-economic status are important factors for prevalence.
So investigator felt that there is urgent consensual need for action to avoid ill effects of poor hygiene being as part of health care delivery system, hence with the above mentioned literature investigator have chosen a study to evaluate the effectiveness of puppet show on personal hygiene among primary school children.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
1. to assess the pretest knowledge regarding personal hygiene among school children 2. assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program
3. find the association between pre test knowledge score and selected demographic variables
VARIABLES OF THE STUDY
Independent Variable: structured teaching programme on personal hygiene. Dependent Variable: Knowledge of primary school children on personal hygiene.
ASSUMPTIONS:
Primary school children are more prone to get physical health problems due to poor personal hygiene.
Improving knowledge of primary school children on personal hygiene may help them to prevent complication of poor personal hygiene
DELIMITATIONS:
1. The study is delimited to the primary school children who are studying in selected primary schools in jalandhar.
2. The duration of the study period is limited to 4 weeks
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:
The conceptual framework adopted for the study was based on general systems theory with the concept of input, through put, output and feedback,first introduced by Von Bertlanffyin 1968.
METHODS AND MATERIAL
RESEARCH APPROACH: Evaluative research approach was considered most appropriate for the study. RESEARCH DESIGN: Pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design was adopted in this study
Group Pre-test Treatment Post –test
School children
O1 X O2
O1: Administration of structured knowledge questionnaire for assessing knowledge of the school children regarding personal hygiene.
X: Conducting planned teaching programme to the school children regarding personal hygiene.
O2: Administration of structured knowledge questionnaire to the school children after the planned teaching programme regarding personal hygiene
SETTING OF THE STUDY: Setting is the physical location and conditions in which data collection takes place in a study. The setting for study are the primary schools in jalandhar
POPULATION: In this study, population consists of all primary school children in primary schools of district Jalandhar.
SAMPLE A subset of a population, selected to participate in a study.In this study, sample consisted of 70
school children from primary schools in district jalandhar,Punjab.
SAMPLE SIZE: The sample size consist of 70 school children.
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE: Purposive sampling technique was used for the study. Inclusion criteria: The study includes primary school children.
Exclusion criteria
Who are sensitized to the same study
Those who are not willing to participate
DATA COLLECTION TOOLS:
Demographic proforma with 6 items and structured knowledge questionnaire with 25 questions designed to assess the knowledge level of school children were used for the data collection. A structured teaching programme to teach the samples regarding personal hygiene by the investigators after reviewing literature, seeking opinion of the experts and from personal experiences. This was developed to teach the students regarding personal hygiene. The planned teaching programme was of 30 minutes duration and covered the following areas; Meaning and definition of personal hygiene; Importance of personal hygiene; Benefits of personal hygiene; Areas of personal hygiene
CONTENT VALIDITY: Validity is the most critical criterion and indicates the degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.
RELIABILITY OF THE TOOL:
PROCEDURE OF DATA COLLECTION: The investigators met the students in the school and introduced
herself to them. The purpose of the study was explained and an written consent was obtained.
Confidentiality was assured to all the children.
The pre-test was conducted on personal hygiene by using a structured knowledge questionnaire regarding personal hygiene among school children. Planned teaching progamme was given to the same children on the day of the pre-test. The post- test was conducted on the 7th day after the administration of planned teaching programme by using the same questionnaire. The time taken for the administration of the questionnaire was 30 minutes. The data collection was terminated by thanking the children for their participation and co-operation.
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:
Section1: Description of demographic characteristics of school children.
Majority (57.1%) of the students were from age group of 7-8 years. Majority (52.8%) of the students were
females.
Section2: Effectiveness of planned teaching program on personal hygiene among children.
The mean post-test knowledge scores in the areas of meaning, methods, policy and procedure were higher than the mean pre-test knowledge score calculated ‘t’ value(1.18)was lower than the table value(2.02) which showed that the planned teaching program was effective in increasing the knowledge of primary school children.
Section3: Association between pretest knowledge score and selected demographic variables.
LIMITATIONS: The study results could not be generalised because of the following reasons:
The sample size was small
Purposive sampling restrict the generalizability of the study findings
The study didn’t use a control group hence cannot identify the influence of the external factor.
CONCLUSION: Personal hygiene involves properly caring for your body by keeping it clean and healthy while allowing you to look and feel your best. According to the Pennsylvania department of public welfare, it is also a highly effective way for you to protect yourself from illness and infection. The following conclusions were drawn on the basis of the finding of the study; After the pre test it was found that the majority (94%) of the school children gain knowledge regarding personal hygiene was average; In the post test it revealed that the majority (67%) of the children acquired good knowledge regarding personal hygiene; In this study it was found that structured teaching programme was effective in improving the knowledge level of school children; The mean post test knowledge score (17.7) is higher than the mean(14.15) pre test knowledge score, the calculated ‘t value(1.18) is lower than the table value (2.02), which shows that the study was effective; There was no significant association between the pre test knowledge score and the demographic variables.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on the findings of the present study a few recommendations are offered for the further study
1. More studies are required to determine the knowledge of school children. 2. A similar study can be conducted with a larger sample.
3. A survey research can be done on school children to know about their knowledge and attitude towards personal hygiene.
4. A survey research can be conducted to assess the current statistics of personal hygiene. 5. A similar study can be conducted with more practice oriented teaching methods
REFERENCES:
1. Rama B, Varu . School Health Services in India: The social and economic context Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd; 2008.;1–2.
2. School water supply, Sanitation and hygiene education: India Technical Note Series, Ministry of Human Resource Development: Government of India. 2004.
3. Kostanski, M, & Gullone .The Impact of Teasing on Children's Body Image. Journal of Child & Family Studies.2007.
4. Esrey, S.A., Potash, J.B., Roberts, L., Shiff, C., Effects of improved water supply and sanitation on ascariasis, diarrhea, dracunculiasis, hookworm infection, schistosomiasis and trachoma. Bull. World Health Org. 1991. (63)757–772.
