ASSESSMENT ON PERSONAL HYGIENE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG MEDICAL STUDENT IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITY OSUN STATE

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Globally, hygiene has long been established as a critical determinant of public health The World Health Organization (2021) affirms that maintaining personal hygiene is among the simplest yet most effective strategies to prevent communicable diseases. In low- and middle-income countries, Ejemot-Nwadiaro et al., (2021) is of the view that poor hygiene is directly linked to increased morbidity and mortality from diseases such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and skin disorders. Global campaigns like the World Health Organization’s “Clean Care is Safer Care” initiative stress the importance of hygiene not only in healthcare settings but also within community and educational environments (WHO, 2023). Among the many hygiene practices, (Curtis et al., 2022) emphasized that personal hygiene practices, ranging from handwashing to oral care and proper grooming, has emerged as focal points in public health interventions, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which re-emphasized the vital role of hygiene in disease control (Ndibuagu, et al. 2022). As relevance to individual and public health, scholars through various yet intersecting lenses has pointed out that hygiene is not merely a health measure, but as an essential component of psychological and sociocultural functioning. Aboluwodi and Olatunji (2020) characterize it as a deliberate and sustained set of actions aimed at maintaining bodily cleanliness and preventing illness. In a similar vein, Abiola and Okonkwo (2023) frame it as a multidimensional behavioral practice that includes the cleanliness of the body, clothing, and surroundings—ultimately fostering both personal and communal well-being. These perspectives collectively highlight that hygiene extends beyond mere physical routines; it is intimately connected to emotional stability, self-concept, and social acceptance. Adegbite et al. (2022), for example, observe that consistent personal hygiene can enhance self-esteem and facilitate smoother social interactions, especially within structured environments like universities. In Nigeria, the university system serves as a critical arena for instilling and practicing personal hygiene. The Nigerian university environment, especially among undergraduates, often serves as a microcosm of broader societal hygiene behaviours. However, the maintenance of hygiene practices in these settings is inconsistent, frequently influenced by infrastructural constraints, behavioural attitudes, and the varying levels of awareness among students (Obasi et al., 2021). Medical universities, by virtue of their curricula and professional orientation, are expected to instill superior hygiene knowledge and behaviours in their students. Yet, the assumption that medical students automatically adopt good hygiene practices due to their academic exposure is not always substantiated by empirical evidence (Iheanacho & Musa, 2022). A study by Olanrewaju and Madueke (2021) showed that while medical students often possess higher awareness of hygiene standards compared to non-medical students, there exists a gap between their knowledge and practical behaviours. This dichotomy raises important questions about curriculum effectiveness, behavioural reinforcement, and environmental support within medical universities. Given their future roles in health promotion, the need to ensure that medical students practice what they are taught becomes both a professional and public health imperative. Their ability to model appropriate hygiene behaviours begins with internalizing and routinely practicing basic self-care habits. This underscores the relevance of exploring their hygiene knowledge and behaviors within the educational context. Mercy Medical University, as a private institution, offers a unique case study for such exploration. It provides the opportunity to assess not only the adequacy of hygiene-related content in its medical curriculum but also the extent to which institutional factors facilitate or hinder students’ adherence to personal hygiene norms. Thus, this study is situated against the backdrop of this emerging concern about hygiene practices among future health professionals. 1.2 Statement of the Problem In recent times, personal hygiene among university students in Nigeria has become a growing concern in public health and education. Numerous studies have reported that undergraduate students in many Nigerian universities demonstrate poor hygiene habits, ranging from inadequate handwashing and irregular bathing to the misuse of personal items like towels and grooming tools (Ezeokoli et al., 2021; Yusuf & Salami, 2023). These habits have contributed to recurrent outbreaks of preventable infections such as scabies, gastroenteritis, and urinary tract infections. In medical institutions, where students are expected to internalize high standards of hygiene, the continued existence of poor hygiene practices poses a significant contradiction (Sinurat, et al. 2023). One critical issue identified is the apparent disconnection between students’ knowledge of hygiene and their actual practices. Several Nigerian studies (e.g., Oladipo et al., 2022; Amadi & Chukwuma, 2023) have highlighted this behavioural gap, attributing it to multiple factors including peer influence, lack of institutional enforcement, and inadequate sanitary facilities. Even when students demonstrate high theoretical understanding of hygiene protocols, real-life application remains inconsistent. This suggests that knowledge alone is insufficient to change behaviours without supportive environmental and psychological frameworks. Moreover, some students underestimate the risks of poor hygiene, considering them trivial or irrelevant in the absence of visible symptoms (Ogundele & Ekanem, 2020). Although several studies has examined hygiene practices among university student there remains paucity of studies focusing specifically on private medical universities in Nigeria, such as Mercy Medical University. Most available data on student hygiene emanate from public institutions, where issues like overcrowding and funding deficits are prominent. However, private universities also face unique challenges, including student complacency, entitlement attitudes, and inconsistent enforcement of hygiene policies (Onyema & Abah, 2022). The absence of rigorous empirical investigation into the hygiene behaviour of medical students in private universities represents a gap in current scholarship. Against this backdrop, the present study seeks to explore the knowledge and practices of personal hygiene among medical students in Mercy Medical University, aiming to bridge this research void and inform targeted interventions. 1.3 Justification for the Study Students in medical programs represent a distinct category of undergraduates who are trained to become healthcare providers. These students, theoretically, should exhibit exemplary hygiene standards, serving as role models in both academic and clinical settings. Nevertheless, studies have revealed mixed results regarding their hygiene knowledge and practices. This study is timely and significant for several reasons. First, it responds to the public health imperative of reducing communicable diseases through behaviour-based interventions targeted at emerging health professionals. By assessing hygiene behaviours in medical students, the research contributes to refining the future health workforce's capacity for health promotion. Second, the research extends the academic discourse on student hygiene by focusing on a private medical university, a segment often overlooked in current literature. This unique institutional lens allows for contextualized understanding and comparisons across the public-private educational spectrum. Additionally, the study provides valuable feedback to university administrators and curriculum planners regarding the practical impact of hygiene education. If discrepancies are found between knowledge and practice, it could prompt a review of teaching methodologies or the introduction of complementary behavioural interventions. Finally, the study holds societal relevance by highlighting how future health practitioners understand and model preventive care through hygiene a behaviour that has broader implications for community health, especially in post-pandemic contexts. 1.4 Research Questions i. What level of knowledge do medical students in Mercy Medical University possess regarding personal hygiene principles and practices? ii. What are the common personal hygiene behaviours practiced by students within the university setting? iii. What factors influence personal hygiene knowledge and practices among students of Mercy Medical University? 1.5 Aim of the Study To explore the level of knowledge and personal hygiene practices among students in Mercy Medical University. 1.6 Objectives of the Study i. To assess the level of knowledge students possess regarding personal hygiene principles and practices. ii. To examine the common personal hygiene behaviours practiced by students within the university setting. iii. To identify factors influencing personal hygiene knowledge and practices among the student population. 1.8 Scope of the Study The scope of th study focused on exploring personal hygiene and practices among studenst in Mercy Medical University. It also considers factors such as behavioural norms, environmental support, academic exposure, and individual attitudes. Geographically, the study is delimited to Mercy Medical University, a private tertiary institution located in Nigeria. It specifically targets students enrolled in medical and health-related programs. The study does not attempt to compare public and private university settings; rather, it aims to provide an in-depth understanding of hygiene behaviour within a private university medical education context. The findings, while institution-specific, may offer transferable insights for similar institutions facing hygiene challenges among undergraduates. 1.9 Definition of Key Terms Personal Hygiene: Refers to practices undertaken by an individual to maintain bodily cleanliness and prevent infections. Hygiene Knowledge: The understanding and awareness an individual possesses about principles, benefits, and techniques of maintaining personal cleanliness. Hygiene Practices: Actual behavioural routines related to cleanliness, such as bathing, handwashing, and grooming. Medical Students: Undergraduate students enrolled in professional healthcare programs (e.g., medicine, nursing, public health) who are being trained to serve in clinical or health policy settings.