KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING PERSONAL HYGIENE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NAOGAON, BANGLADESH: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Personal hygiene is an essential component of child health and well-being, particularly during the primary school years when lifelong health-related behaviours are being established. Although knowledge is a prerequisite for healthy behaviour, it does not always translate into appropriate and consistent hygiene practices. In Bangladesh, differences in socioeconomic conditions, parental education, health education, and access to school-based water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities may influence children's ability to maintain appropriate hygiene. However, district-specific evidence regarding personal hygiene among primary school students in Naogaon remains limited
Objective: This study aimed to assess knowledge and personal hygiene practices among primary school students in Naogaon District, Bangladesh, and to examine selected sociodemographic and school-related factors associated with hygiene-related behaviours.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 250 primary school-going children from Classes III–V in Naogaon District between May and August 2025. Participants were selected using multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-designed, pre-tested, structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of personal hygiene, reported hygiene practices, and access to school health education and hygiene facilities. The questionnaire was developed in English, translated into Bengali, and back-translated to ensure consistency