Hand hygiene practices: knowledge and habits of children aged 8–10 years

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene is a simple, low-cost, and effective measure for preventing infection by infectious agents and promoting child health. When introduced early, handwashing can become sustained health-promoting behaviour with long-term benefits. PURPOSE: To characterize the knowledge and hand hygiene practices among a sample of primary school children aged 8-10 years. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study with a qualitative component, was conducted among 92 primary school children. Data were collected in april 2025 using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Findings showed that children frequently wash their hands at critical moments (after using the bathroom, before meals and after playtime). Handwashing practices were generally consistent across home and school contexts, predominantly involving soap and water, and were often performed autonomously. Participants demonstrated good knowledge of the role of hand hygiene in disease prevention and in reducing the transmission of contamination to objects, food, and other individuals. CONCLUSION: This study identified consistently adopted hand hygiene practices, supported by a good level of knowledge within the studied group. Schools represent a key setting for health promotion, while families play a crucial role in consolidating behaviours. COVID-19 may have served as a contextual catalyst for the consolidation of hand hygiene routines into children's daily lives. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should assume a proactive role as health educators, ensuring the reinforcement of hand hygiene education through evidence-based interventions developed in partnership with families and schools. The integration of technical, pedagogical, and behavioural strategies can contribute positively to public health outcomes.