Hand Washing Behaviour and Awareness among Traders in Markets in Owerri Capital Territory, Imo State, Nigeria

Hand hygiene is a simple yet highly effective measure to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The study aimed to assess handwashing behaviour and awareness among traders in selected markets of Owerri Capital Territory (Imo State, Nigeria). It evaluated traders’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hand hygiene and identified the factors influencing them. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four major markets (Ekeukwu, Tetlow, Alaba, Relief) of Owerri Capital Territory. A total sample size of 385 traders was selected by random sampling, but 340 respondents participated. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Descriptive statistics characterized demographics and hygiene scores, and chi-square tests (χ²) were used to test differences in practices across markets (significance p<0.05). The majority were aged 20–49 years. Traders reported high awareness of hand hygiene: about 84% rated their knowledge as “good” or “very good”, and nearly all recognized key handwashing moments. Only 45.0% reported washing with water alone and just 40.6% with both water and soap. As a result, only 13.8% of traders achieved an “excellent” overall handwashing score (13.5% “very good”), while most were at fair (36.8%) or poorer levels. The barriers included inconsistent soap availability (only ~40% had soap on hand) and behavioural factors (each cited by ~38%: being rushed/short on time, believing gloves suffice, or simple forgetfulness). The overall compliance differed significantly across markets (χ² = 62.84, p < 0.001): traders at the Tetlow market showed the highest adherence to recommended practices. This study highlights a substantial knowledge–practice gap: traders generally understand the importance of hand hygiene, but many do not consistently follow proper techniques.