Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Hand Hygiene among On-Campus Undergraduate Students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria

BackgroundHand hygiene is a cost-effective and critical measure for preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. However, compliance remains a significant challenge, particularly in high-density settings like university hostels. While studies have focused on healthcare workers, data on the hand hygiene (HH) practices of university students in Nigeria are limited. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 218 on-campus undergraduate students at the University of Calabar, selected via a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scores were calculated and categorized. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and chi-square tests using SPSS version 20.0, with a significance level of p < 0.05. ResultsThe mean age of respondents was 21.72 {+/-} 2.97 years. Although nearly all respondents (99.1%) were aware of hand hygiene, only 22.5% demonstrated good knowledge. In contrast, the majority exhibited a positive attitude (93.1%) and adequate self-reported practice (94.9%). The most common reason for non-compliance was forgetfulness (74.3%). A significant association was found between the hall of residence and both knowledge (p=0.021) and attitude (p<0.001). ConclusionThis study reveals a significant gap between awareness and comprehensive knowledge of hand hygiene among students. Despite positive attitudes and self-reported practices, the knowledge deficit and cited barriers like forgetfulness and inadequate facilities highlight the need for targeted interventions. We recommend infrastructural improvements, sustained health education, and the promotion of hand hygiene role models to bridge the knowledge-practice gap.