PERSONAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS IN NWANGELE LGA, IMO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study investigates personal hygiene practices among mothers in Nwangele LGA, Imo State, Nigeria, aiming to understand the factors influencing these practices and their health implications. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected through structured questionnaires and interviews. Findings reveal that while mothers generally report adherence to recommended hygiene practices such as handwashing and oral hygiene, there are gaps in behavior implementation, particularly regarding child handwashing and waste disposal. Cultural beliefs were found to influence hygiene practices to some extent, while economic constraints had a lesser impact. Perceived health implications of poor hygiene practices were acknowledged, with a notable proportion of mothers reporting experiencing health issues due to inadequate hygiene. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to improve hygiene behaviors among mothers in Nwangele LGA, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for themselves and their families.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 General Objective

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Definition of Terms

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Concept of Personal Hygiene

2.2 Importance of Personal Hygiene for Mothers

2.3 Factors Influencing Personal Hygiene Practices

2.4 Cultural and Socio-economic Determinants

2.5 Health Implications of Poor Personal Hygiene

2.6 Review of Related Studies

2.7 Theoretical Framework

2.8 Summary of Literature Review

Chapter 3: Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Study Area

3.3 Population of the Study

3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique

3.5 Data Collection Instruments

3.5.1 Questionnaire

3.5.2 Observation

3.6 Validity and Reliability of Instruments

3.7 Data Collection Procedure

3.8 Method of Data Analysis

3.9 Ethical Considerations

Chapter 4: Results and Discussion

4.1 Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents

4.2 Personal Hygiene Practices among Mothers

4.2.1 Handwashing

4.2.2 Oral Hygiene

4.2.3 Bathing Practices

4.2.4 Sanitary Practices

4.3 Factors Influencing Personal Hygiene Practices

4.3.1 Education Level

4.3.2 Income Level

4.3.3 Cultural Beliefs

4.4 Health Implications Observed

4.5 Comparison with Existing Literature

4.6 Discussion of Key Findings

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Summary of Findings

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendations

5.4 Limitations of the Study

5.5 Areas for future research