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Prácticas de limpieza anal y contaminación fecal: investigación preliminar del comportamiento y las condiciones en escuelas de la provincia rural de Nyanza, Kenia
Author(s) -
McMahon Shan,
Caruso Bethany A.,
Obure Alfredo,
Okumu Fred,
Rheingans Richard D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02879.x
Subject(s) - harm , medicine , hygiene , environmental health , personal hygiene , focus group , clean water , socioeconomics , psychology , family medicine , sociology , social psychology , pathology , anthropology , engineering , waste management
Summary Objective To learn how children in rural schools in Nyando District, Kenya clean themselves after defecation. Methods Six focus group discussions were held with boys and girls ages 12–15 in three rural schools in mid‐2009. Parents were interviewed in one setting. In early 2010, a survey of head teachers was conducted in 114 schools in Nyanza Province, Kenya, to assess the provision of anal cleansing materials and handwashing water and soap in schools. Results Anal cleansing behaviour is linked with access to materials, age, social pressure, perceived personal risk of illness and emotional factors. Materials used for anal cleansing include schoolbook paper, leaves, grasses, stones, corncobs and one’s own hands. Students have knowledge gaps in terms of personal hygiene. They were forthcoming with information on their anal cleansing practices. Almost no schools budgeted for or provided anal cleansing materials regularly. Conclusion Anal cleansing is a necessary human activity. However, because of social taboos, there are few articles on the topic. School health plans overlook it as well. Researchers need to determine if and how current practices could harm child health to inform policy.