EC Nursing and Healthcare

Background: A significant proportion of diseases are communicable globally, with over 60% being linked to poor hygiene knowledge. The global problem of improved hygiene access has been exacerbated by a knowledge gap. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess knowledge and associated factors of house and environment hygiene among mothers in Maksegnit District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 634 mothers. Systematically selected mothers in the Maksegnit District from 1 May, to 15 June 2022. Data were collected by trained data collectors via interview using a validated structured questionnaire and through observation of housing conditions. Data entry were done using Epi-Data version 4.6 and was exported to SPSS version 23 for further analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were done. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to identify factors associated with level of good knowledge hygiene.

Results: Among 634 participants, 100% response rate. Of the total study participants, 459 (72.39%) mothers had good hygiene knowledge. In this study, urban dwellers' access to media (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI [1.04, 2.49]), the absence of flies in the house (AOR: 1.77; 95% CI: [1.08, 2.91]), food preparation in a separate room (AOR: 1.89; 95% CI: [1.13, 3.18]), food preparation outside in an open space to the main house (AOR: 4.72; 95% CI: [1.66, 13.56]) and participants who had a favorable level of attitude (AOR: 2.69; 95% CI: [1.33 - 2.82]) were significantly associated with knowledge of house and environment hygiene among household mothers.

Conclusion: In this study, the level of good hygiene knowledge is relatively low. As a result, interventions that would address the above-mentioned factors need to be implemented.

Keywords: Knowledge; Hygiene; Predictors; Mothers; Ethiopia

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