An Assessment of Personal and Environmental Hygiene in the Transmission of Communicable Diseases
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is to examine personal and environmental hygiene in the transmission of communicable diseases. Specifically, this study seeks to:
- Determine the prevalence of communicable diseases in Kabba.
- Determine whether poor sanitation practices contribute to the prevalence of communicable diseases in Kabba.
- Identify the ways through which communicable diseases are transmitted in Kabba.
- Determine whether effective personal and environmental hygiene practices mitigate the transmission of communicable diseases in Kabba.
- Identify factors affecting effective personal and environmental hygiene practices in Kabba.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene is a fundamental aspect of health promotion and disease prevention. It refers to the practices and behaviors adopted by individuals to maintain cleanliness, protect health, and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), personal hygiene encompasses a wide range of activities including regular bathing, oral care, handwashing, wearing clean clothes, and proper grooming. These practices not only preserve personal well-being but also reduce the risk of transmitting communicable diseases within households and communities.
Hand hygiene, in particular, has been identified as one of the most effective measures for preventing infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2021) emphasizes that proper handwashing with soap and clean water significantly reduces the incidence of diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections, which are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Similarly, Aiello et al. (2019) highlight that promoting personal hygiene habits, such as handwashing before meals and after using the toilet, is directly linked to improved health outcomes in both developed and developing countries.
Moreover, personal hygiene extends beyond disease prevention to psychological and social well-being. Maintaining body cleanliness and grooming contributes to self-esteem, confidence, and social acceptance (Park, 2019). Poor hygiene practices, on the other hand, can lead to stigmatization and exclusion, further exacerbating health and social problems.
In the context of public health, personal hygiene is considered a cost-effective intervention for controlling communicable diseases. UNICEF (2021) notes that promoting hygiene education in schools and communities is a sustainable way to instill lifelong healthy habits. This aligns with the principles of primary health care, where prevention is prioritized over cure.
The concept of personal hygiene is multidimensional, involving practices that safeguard physical health, enhance psychological well-being, and foster social integration. Its role in controlling the transmission of communicable diseases underscores its importance in individual and community health.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
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This chapter presents the methodology that was employed in conducting the study. It describes the research design, area of the study, population, sample size and sampling techniques, instrumentation, validation and reliability of the instrument, method of data collection, and method of data analysis.
Research Design
The research design adopted for this study was the descriptive survey design. This design was considered appropriate because the study sought to obtain detailed information from respondents regarding their personal and environmental hygiene practices and how these practices influence the transmission of communicable diseases. According to Creswell (2014), survey design is suitable for studies that aim to assess opinions, behaviors, or practices of a population sample.
AREA OF STUDY
The study area Kabba in Kogi State, chosen because of its high population density, mix of urban and semi-urban settlements, and reported cases of communicable diseases.
THE POPULATION
The population of the study comprised all residents of the Kabba in Kogi State , with particular focus on households, students, and workers who are most likely to be affected by hygiene practices and the risks of communicable diseases. For manageability, the target population included individuals across selected communities.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
This chapter presents the data collected in line with the research questions. The results are displayed in tables using frequency counts and percentages for ease of interpretation.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the summary of the study, conclusions drawn from the findings, and recommendations for improving personal and environmental hygiene in order to reduce the prevalence of communicable diseases in Kabba.
Summary of the Study
The study assessed the role of personal and environmental hygiene in the transmission of communicable diseases in Kabba. It was guided by two research questions:
- Are communicable diseases prevalent in Kabba?
- Does poor sanitation practice contribute to the prevalence of communicable diseases in Kabba?
A descriptive survey design was adopted, and 200 respondents were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analyzed using frequency counts and percentages.
Findings showed that communicable diseases such as malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, and cholera are highly prevalent in Kabba, with 81% of respondents acknowledging that they or their households had experienced such illnesses. The study also revealed that poor sanitation practices significantly contribute to disease prevalence, as 72.5% of respondents identified open defecation, poor waste disposal, and contaminated water sources as major factors influencing the spread of communicable diseases in the area.
The results corroborate previous studies (Prüss-Ustün et al., 2019; Ezeh & Adewale, 2020; UNICEF, 2021) which emphasized that poor hygiene and sanitation are among the leading determinants of communicable disease outbreaks in developing regions, particularly in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Based on the findings, the study concludes that communicable diseases are indeed prevalent in Kabba and that poor sanitation practices play a critical role in their transmission. The persistence of malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, and cholera underscores the urgent need for improved hygiene awareness, better waste management systems, and access to clean water. The study highlights that effective personal hygiene (such as regular handwashing, bathing, and food hygiene) combined with proper environmental hygiene (including safe water use, drainage maintenance, and waste management) are vital to mitigating the burden of communicable diseases. Unless these practices are improved, Kabba will continue to face high rates of preventable diseases that strain public health systems and reduce community well-being.
Recommendations
Based on the findings, the following recommendations are made:
- Government agencies and health workers should intensify public health campaigns to sensitize residents on the importance of personal and environmental hygiene in disease prevention.
- Local authorities should ensure the provision of functional toilets, public waste bins, and drainage systems to discourage open defecation and indiscriminate waste disposal.
- Sustainable water supply systems should be established to reduce dependence on contaminated streams, wells, and ponds that are often sources of waterborne diseases.
- Environmental health officers should enforce existing sanitation laws and regulations to ensure compliance with proper hygiene practices at household and community levels.
- Schools in Kabba should integrate hygiene education into their curriculum and provide facilities such as handwashing stations to instill healthy habits in children from an early age.
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