School hygiene and sanitation are essential for creating a supportive learning atmosphere for students.
Implementing effective hygiene measures in schools not only supports good health but also improves
attendance, motivation, and overall student well-being.
Boosting Attendance Rates
Good hygiene in schools leads to better attendance. Students are more likely to come to school regularly
when they feel the environment is clean and suitable for learning. By lowering the chances of infections
and sickness, schools help students attend classes consistently and make the most of their education.
Encouraging Learning Motivation
Hygiene routines in schools directly influence students’ drive to learn. A tidy, well-kept environment
fosters pride and responsibility among students. When students see that their school values their health
and offers a clean learning space, their academic motivation rises.
Building a Positive School Environment
Proper sanitation is key to ensuring a safe and healthy setting for both students and teachers. Regular
cleaning of classrooms and shared spaces limits the spread of germs and illness. This helps create a
positive environment that supports effective teaching and learning.
The Importance of Hydration in School Hygiene
Providing access to safe, clean drinking water is a vital part of school hygiene. Staying hydrated helps
students maintain focus and supports cognitive abilities. Schools should ensure students have clean
water available all day to promote their health and well-being.
Keeping Classrooms Clean
Maintaining classroom cleanliness is a major part of school hygiene. Clean, organized classrooms help
create a positive learning environment. Routine cleaning, proper waste disposal, and clutter-free spaces
make classrooms welcoming and help students stay engaged.
Professional Sanitation Services in Schools
Expert sanitation services play a significant role in upholding school hygiene. Regular cleaning, waste
management, and disinfection by professionals help schools achieve high cleanliness standards,
protecting both students and staff.
Conclusion
School hygiene is about more than just cleanliness; it’s about building an environment that supports
students’ physical health, emotional well-being, and academic achievement. By making hygiene and
sanitation a priority, schools can offer a safe and caring space for students to thrive.
Would you like help with another section of your project?
Here’s a literature review, with the paragraphs arranged from most to least relevant to school hygiene
and sanitation in Nigeria, and each paragraph framed as a review of previous studies:
*Review of Previous Work*
1. The study by Otto et al. (2022) examined Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) practices among
secondary school students in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite 78.9%
of students having good WaSH knowledge, only 45.6% practiced it effectively, highlighting a persistent
knowledge–practice gap. The authors stressed that improving WaSH outcomes requires not just
education, but also reliable facilities and routines that reinforce good hygiene behavior, especially
during public health emergencies.
2. Omojuwa et al. (2024) assessed hand hygiene knowledge and practices among in-school adolescents
in Ibadan, Nigeria, comparing public and private schools. While 58.4% had good knowledge and 73.1%
practiced proper hand hygiene, private school students outperformed their public counterparts. The
study concluded that both educational interventions and improved infrastructure are essential to
sustain good hygiene practices, particularly in public schools.
3. Adejumo Mumuni et al. (2017) evaluated water supply and sanitary conditions at the Faculty of Public
Health, University of Ibadan. Although basic infrastructure existed, only 22.2% reported consistent
water supply, and soap was absent in all facilities. The study recommended better water provision, soap
availability, and visible hygiene cues to enhance sanitation practices.
4. Nwakile, Toochukwu C et al. (2017) investigated sanitation practices at the Faculty of Vocational and
Technical Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Key issues included inadequate facilities and poor
enforcement, which negatively affected student health. The authors recommended coordinated
sanitation strategies, active monitoring, and increased funding to improve campus hygiene.
5. The University of Benin study explored sanitation among undergraduates in campus halls, revealing
generally poor practices influenced by age and gender. Contributing factors included water shortages,
inadequate facilities, and poor waste disposal. The research suggested that orientation programs and
shared responsibility between students and administration are vital for improvement, but noted a lack
of qualitative insights into underlying behaviors.
6. Vivas et al. reviewed hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices among rural school children in
Ethiopia. Although over half had reasonable hygiene knowledge, this did not always translate to
practice, with low rates of soap use and handwashing after defecation. The study highlighted the need
for practical interventions to bridge the gap between knowledge and behavior.
7. Gaube et al. (2021) focused on hand hygiene among hospital patients and visitors, identifying self-
regulation and social influences as key behavioral predictors. The study suggested that intervention
strategies effective for healthcare professionals could also work for patients and visitors, emphasizing
the importance of including these groups in hospital hygiene programs.
Let me know if you want this tailored further or need references added! 😊
Which section of your work are you planning to write next?
School hygiene and sanitation are essential for creating a supportive learning atmosphere for students,
as effective hygiene measures not only promote good health but also improve attendance, motivation,
and overall well-being. Good hygiene in schools leads to better attendance, with students more likely to
come regularly when the environment is clean and safe, thereby reducing infections and supporting
consistent education. Hygiene routines directly influence students’ motivation to learn, as a tidy, well-
maintained environment fosters pride and responsibility, boosting academic drive. Proper sanitation is
crucial for a safe setting for both students and teachers, with regular cleaning of classrooms and shared
spaces limiting the spread of germs and supporting effective teaching. Access to safe, clean drinking
water is also vital, as hydration helps students stay focused and supports cognitive abilities, making it
important for schools to provide clean water throughout the day. Classroom cleanliness is a major
aspect, with organized, clutter-free spaces enhancing engagement and learning, while routine cleaning
and proper waste disposal create a welcoming atmosphere. Professional sanitation services further
uphold school hygiene by ensuring regular cleaning, waste management, and disinfection, thus
protecting both students and staff. Ultimately, school hygiene is about more than cleanliness—it’s about
nurturing an environment that supports students’ physical health, emotional well-being, and academic
success, making hygiene and sanitation a top priority for schools to provide a safe and caring space for
students to thrive.(Saini,2023)
Types of Hygiene
1. *Personal Hygiene*:
Personal hygiene refers to keeping the body and clothing clean through habits like bathing,
handwashing, brushing teeth, and proper grooming. These practices help prevent the growth of germs
and reduce the risk of infections, supporting both physical and mental health.
2. *Environmental Hygiene*:
Environmental hygiene aims to maintain clean surroundings to prevent disease. It involves activities
such as disinfection, waste management, rodent control, and proper disposal of pollutants, ensuring the
environment is safe for everyone.
3. *Domestic Hygiene*:
Domestic hygiene involves keeping the home clean and healthy by washing clothes and bedding,
cleaning toilets and floors, washing dishes, ensuring proper ventilation, and managing waste. These
practices help prevent the buildup of germs and pests that can cause illness.
4. *Food Hygiene*:
Food hygiene focuses on safe food handling, preparation, and storage to prevent contamination and
foodborne illnesses. It includes using clean utensils, washing hands before handling food, and following
proper storage guidelines to ensure food safety.
Would you like this summarized even further or need references for your research? 😊
Here’s a paraphrased theoretical framework section for your study, using the TPB, HAPA, and TDF
theories and focusing on student attitudes toward hygiene at the University of Maiduguri:
*Theoretical Framework*
This study draws on three key behavioral theories to understand students’ attitudes and practices
toward hygiene. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) suggests that a student’s intention to practice
good hygiene is influenced by their attitudes (beliefs about outcomes), perceived social expectations
(subjective norms), and their sense of control over the behavior. While a positive attitude, strong social
support, and high confidence should boost intentions, research shows that intention alone does not
always lead to action—a gap often seen in hygiene behavior.
To address this gap, the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) divides behavior change into two
phases: forming an intention (motivational phase) and turning intention into action (volitional phase). In
the first phase, risk perception, expected outcomes, and self-efficacy shape intention. In the second
phase, planning (when, where, and how to act), coping with barriers, and maintaining self-confidence
are crucial for translating intention into actual hygiene practices.
The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) offers a broader approach by combining elements from
multiple behavior change theories. It considers factors such as knowledge, skills, social roles, self-
efficacy, expected outcomes, motivation, memory, environmental resources, social influences,
emotions, and behavioral regulation. The TDF helps identify which domains are most relevant for
influencing students’ hygiene behaviors, recognizing that not all factors are equally important in every
context.
Together, these theories provide a comprehensive framework for assessing the attitudes and behaviors
of University of Maiduguri students toward hygiene, highlighting the importance of intentions, planning,
social factors, and environmental supports in promoting healthy practices.
Would you like this linked to specific research objectives or questions? 😊
Here’s your updated theoretical framework, now including the Health Belief Model (HBM), paraphrased
and merged with the previous theories:
*Theoretical Framework*
This study uses several behavioral theories to understand students’ attitudes and practices towards
hygiene at the University of Maiduguri. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) explains that students’
intentions to practice good hygiene are shaped by their attitudes, perceived social expectations, and
sense of control. However, intention doesn’t always lead to action—a gap addressed by the Health
Action Process Approach (HAPA), which highlights the importance of planning, coping with barriers, and
maintaining self-confidence to turn intention into behavior.
The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) expands on this by considering a wide range of factors,
including knowledge, skills, social roles, motivation, environmental resources, and social influences, to
identify what most affects students’ hygiene habits.(Gaube et al, 2021).
Additionally, the Health Belief Model (HBM) suggests that students’ likelihood of engaging in hygiene
practices depends on how vulnerable they feel to health risks, how serious they think the consequences
are, whether they believe the behavior will be effective, and if the benefits outweigh the costs or
barriers. Self-efficacy, cues to action (like reminders or peer influence), and personal factors such as
education and personality also play a role in shaping these perceptions and actions.(Kamal et. al 2017).
Together, these theories provide a comprehensive framework for assessing and understanding the
factors that influence hygiene attitudes and behaviors among university students, emphasizing the roles
of intention, planning, perceived risk, social context, and environmental support.
The Health Belief Model (HBM) is rooted in psychological and behavioral theories, suggesting that
people take health actions both to avoid or treat illness and because they believe these actions will be
effective. The core idea is that health behaviors are influenced by personal beliefs or perceptions about
diseases and the available ways to prevent them (Hochbaum, 1958).
Want me to help paraphrase anything else? 😊