ASSESSMENT OF HAND-WASHING PRACTICE AT CRITICAL TIMES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER-FIVE YEARS CHILDREN IN GEDEO ZONE DILLA ZURIA HEALTH FACILITIES, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Background: Hand hygiene is an important measure to prevent and control infection particularly in developing countries, the identification of several risk factors associated with poor hand hygiene compliance of extreme importance. The burden of communicable diseases in developing countries mainly caused by poor personal hygiene practices. Hence, the identification of several risk factors associated with poor hand hygiene compliance is extreme importance. Objective: to assess the magnitude of hand-washing practice at critical times and associated factors among mothers of under-five children in Gedeo zone health facilities, southern Ethiopia in 2021. Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out from January 1/2021 to February 1/2021. Data was collected from 422 respondents by random sampling. The data collection tool was a pretested semi-structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview. Data were checked for completeness and consistency, then, coded and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and the analysis was by SPSS, v 25. Descriptive statistics to describe the study variables. The association between independent variables with outcome variables were examined by using multivariable logistic regression. Finally, AORs at 95%CI and P-values<0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Results: The magnitude of good hand washing practice at critical times was reported 183 (44.9%), (95% CI: 40.1 - 49.7). Mothers who had Primary [AOR = 3.678, 95% CI (1.808, 7.484) and Secondary and above [AOR = 4.053, 95% CI (1.871, 8.781), The household monthly income above 3342 ETB [AOR = 4.076, 95% CI (2.01, 8.24) and the desirable attitude about hand washing practice at critical times [AOR = 7.77, 95% CI (4.56, 13.27) were significantly higher as compared with their counterparts. Conclusion: hand-washing practice at critical times of the respondents in the study area was found to be low compared with other previous studies conducted by Debark, 52.2%. A significant number of mothers of under-five children have poor hand washing practices at critical times. It is necessary to increase the income access to water and the health officials, institutions and stakeholders need to work on those factors to improve knowledge and attitude of mothers to improve their hand-washing practice at critical times.