Intervention to Improve Children's Hygiene in Urban Squatter Settlement Schools in Pakistan: An Implementation Research.

BACKGROUND

School-based interventions are crucial for promoting healthy behaviors in children and preventing the spread of diseases. This study aimed to enhance hygiene knowledge and practices (K&P) among school children through a school-based intervention.

OBJECTIVE

To improve personal and environmental hygiene K&P amongst primary and middle-grade students in urban squatter settlement schools in Karachi, Pakistan using school-based intervention.

DESIGN

Quasi-experimental study conducted in three schools over 2 years.

SETTING

Urban squatter settlement schools in Karachi, Pakistan, serving primary, and middle-grade students.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 156 students participated in the study, with a majority of 55.77% being girls (n = 87). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted to evaluate the impact of the intervention.

INTERVENTION

Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) strategies aimed at improving school children's hygiene K&P.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measures included changes in hygiene K&P pre- and post-intervention, specifically focusing on personal hygiene and environmental hygiene.

RESULTS

Significant improvements observed post-intervention. Mean knowledge score differences were 20.33 (SD = 5.85) for personal hygiene and 10.08 (SD = 7.72) for environmental hygiene. Practice scores also increased, with mean differences of 2.52 (SD = 1.98) and 2.47 (SD = 2.08) for personal and environmental hygiene, respectively. Statistically significant improvements (P < .05) were noted across most of the hygiene domains.

CONCLUSIONS

The school-based intervention effectively improved personal and environmental hygiene K&P among primary and middle-grade children in urban squatter settlement schools. Key recommendations include integrating hygiene education into the curriculum, providing enabling environment to children and capacity building of school teachers to teach hygiene education.