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  3. 11. Assessment of Awareness among Mothers Regarding Hand Hygiene and Safe Water in Urban Slum Areas of Southern Punjab
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11. Assessment of Awareness among Mothers Regarding Hand Hygiene and Safe Water in Urban Slum Areas of Southern Punjab

Ayesha Saddique1, Rabiya Masood2 and Rabia Javed2

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess knowledge of mothers regarding safe water, sanitation and hygiene in Basti Ghouz Pura, Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Community Medicine Department, Nishtar Medical University, Multan from October, 2019 to April, 2020.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted after approval of synopsis from IERB & CPSP then total numbers of 227 mothers from Basti Ghouz Pura, Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. Informed consent from each woman was taken. Then all subjects were assessed for knowledge according to questionnaire as mentioned in operational definition.

Results: Mean age of our mothers was 28.11 ± 5.27 years. Of these 227 mothers, 80 (35.2 %) belonged to poor families while 134 (59.0 %) belonged to low middle income families and 13 (5.7%) from upper middle class. Of these 227 mothers, 141 (62.1 %) had up to 2 children while 79 (34.8%) had more than 3 – 4 children. Nuclear family system was noted in 170 (74.9%) and 57 (25.1%) lived in joint family system. House structure was Kacha in 30 (13.2%) and 197 (86.8%) had pakka house structure. Of these 227 mothers, 217 (95.6%) were Muslims and 10 (4.4%) were non – Muslims. Of these 227 mothers, 60 (26.6%) had average level of knowledge and 167 (73.6%) had good level of knowledge.

Conclusion: High frequency of good level of knowledge was noted in our mothers. Level of knowledge was significantly associated with increasing age and socioeconomic status. Healthcare authorities should launch an effective media campaign to ensure sanitation, safe water and hygiene to avoid certain bacterial and viral illnesses which will not only improve quality of life of our general public but will also help local healthcare establishment to reduce their expenditures.

Key Words: Knowledge, Sanitation, Hand washing, Hygiene

Citation of article: Saddique A, Masood R, Javed R. Assessment of Awareness among Mothers Regarding Hand Hygiene and Safe Water in Urban Slum Areas of Southern Punjab. Med Forum 2023;34(2):50-53.