title: Hand-washing practices amongst mothers of under-5 children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hand-washing with soap and water (HWWS) can prevent a significant proportion of childhood diarrhoea and respiratory infections, the two main global causes of child mortality. However, good hand-washing practices are rare, especially in low-income countries, and findings suggest that hand-washing at critical times such as after defaecation or cleaning an infant's perineum are not common practice. The study explored hand-washing practices among mothers of children under-5 in Port Harcourt.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of self-reported hand-washing practices among mothers of children under-5 presenting to the paediatric clinics of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Using a simple structured questionnaire, the data collected included biodata, perceptions, and self-reported behaviour concerning hand-washing at critical times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  154 mothers participated in the study. Sixty-four (41.6%) mothers usually washed their hands with soapy water in a container, 30 (19.5%) used soap and running water, and 60 (38.9%) used only water, either running or in a container. After cleaning an infant's perineal area, 60 (40.3%) and 39 (25.3%) used soap and running water and soapy water in a container, respectively, to wash their hands while 48 (31.2%) used plain water. Before feeding infants, 47 (30.5%) washed their hands with soap and running water. HWWS at critical times was significantly associated with mothers' level of education (P < 0.001) and occurred more commonly in relation to faeces than to food.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand-washing practices by mothers in Port Harcourt are poor. Extensive education of the public is required to reduce the risks of childhood infections associated with lack of hand-washing.
authors.affiliation: a University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Peace
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Opara
authors.affiliation: a University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Balafama
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alex-Hart
authors.affiliation: b Braithewaite Memorial Specialist Hospital , Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Tamunoiyowuna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009549:Nigeria; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Children under 5; Hand-washing practices; Mothers