Assessing Handwashing Practices Among Primary and Secondary Students in Relation to Handwashing Critical Moments in Gicumbi District

Abstract: Handwashing with soap is an effective and affordable public health intervention for preventing communicable diseases, including diarrheal and respiratory infections. Practicing handwashing at critical moments is particularly important among school-aged children and adolescents because it helps reduce the transmission of infectious diseases. This study assessed handwashing practices among primary and secondary school students in relation to handwashing critical moments in Gicumbi District, Rwanda. A cross-sectional study design employing a mixed-methods approach was used. The study was conducted in ten selected schools, comprising five primary schools and five secondary schools. A minimum sample size of 384 students was determined using William G. Cochran’s formula for large or unknown populations, and students were selected through simple random sampling. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants, including head teachers, teachers responsible for school health programs, and student representatives. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, observation checklists, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were double-entered in Microsoft Excel and exported to IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize students’ handwashing practices at critical moments. The Pearson chi-square test was used to examine associations between categorical variables and handwashing practices, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to complement the quantitative findings. The study findings provide evidence on students’ handwashing practices at critical moments in the selected schools in Gicumbi District. The results can inform the development and strengthening of school-based hygiene promotion interventions to improve handwashing practices and reduce the risk of communicable diseases among primary and secondary school students. Keywords: Handwashing Practices, Primary and Secondary Students, Critical Moments, Gicumbi District. Title: Assessing Handwashing Practices Among Primary and Secondary Students in Relation to Handwashing Critical Moments in Gicumbi District Author: Nimukuze Hyacinthe, Dr. NISHIMWE Clemence International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 14, Issue 2, October 2026 - March 2027 Page No: 47-56 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 29-October-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23763878 Paper download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/assessing-handwashing-practices-among-primary-and-secondary-students-in-relation-to-handwashing-critical-moments-in-gicumbi-district