Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Hand Washing Towards the Prevention of Transmissible Diseases among Hair Dressers in Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of hand washing towards the prevention of transmissible diseases among hair dressers in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the knowledge of transmissible diseases that are associated in hair dressing work, the attitudes of hand washing among hair dressers, the practices of hand washing adopted by hair dressers toward the prevention of transmissible diseases in Uyo Metropolis. Three research questions were raised and two hypotheses were also formulated for testing at .05 alpha level of significance. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted and using sampling techniques. 150 hair dressers were drawn for the study. A multi stage sampling technique was used to pick 7 major roads in Uyo Metropolis, 15 hairdressing salons and 150 hairdressers. A 22 items questionnaire (KAPPTDHQ) was formulated for the study. The questionnaire was pretested and data analyzed using Kuder Richardson 20 formula and a reliability coefficient of .78 was obtained. Frequency and percentage was used to answer the research questions while Chi-square was used to test the null hypotheses at P-value of .05. The findings revealed that knowledge of hairdressers about transmissible diseases were adequate and that knowledge significantly influence practices of hand washing which was also good. It was also noted that attitude of hairdressers towards hand washing do not significantly influence practices of hand washing among hairdressers in Uyo Metropolis. It was recommended that health education to hairdressers should be carried out to create awareness in the need for proper hand washing technique and prescribed standard for hairdressing salons should include adequate hand washing facilities to ensure regular and proper hand washing technique during working hours by hair dressers.