Al-Hikmah University Journal

Personal hygiene and hand washing practices are crucial for preventing infectious diseases among adolescents. This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed personal hygiene knowledge and hand washing practices among 300 senior secondary school students in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire captured students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices, while an observation checklist evaluated the hygiene facilities available in the schools. The results revealed that 93.3% of students washed their hands after using the restroom, 83.3% before meals, and only 45.6% after handling money. The observation checklist showed that 95% of students wore clean uniforms, 94% had clean teeth, and 65% had neatly cut hair. Significant associations were found between students’ hygiene practices and factors such as sex, age, and parental occupation (p < 0.05). The study highlights the need for improved hygiene education and facilities to promote better hand washing and personal hygiene practices among students. These findings have important implications for school health policies and public health interventions aimed at reducing the spread of infectious diseases in schools.