Assessment of Sanitation Practices among the Students in Selected Public Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Poor sanitation in the learning environments puts children of school age under threat of contracting infectious diseases as well impact on their overall development. This problem threatens the right to education for children in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed at assessing sanitation practices among selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used in this study. Students from government-owned schools were randomly selected for this exercise. The study showed that many of the students were knowledgeable about hand washing and practiced hand hygiene, particularly after visiting the toilet. The majority of the schools had storage containers for waste, toilets, potable water supply, and soap for hand washing, but no hand towel or tissue for cleaning hands after washing. The students were also knowledgeable about waste management, which was taught to them by their schools. The solid waste management practice of the school was generally satisfactory as wastebaskets were available and placed close to the classrooms, and disposed of daily. It is strongly recommended that water used in schools should be compulsorily treated periodically to eradicate waterborne diseases.