Accessibility of Anal Cleansing Materials for Public Primary School Pupils in Kajiado County, Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Umuro, Sabla Abduba
Karama, Mohammed
Akunga, Daniel Nyagetiria
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ajol
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Anal cleansing is the hygienic practice of cleaning the anal area after defecation.
Inaccessibility to anal cleansing materials leads to inappropriate methods resulting in faecal
hand contamination. This study assessed the accessibility of anal cleansing materials for
public primary school pupils in Kajiado County, Kenya.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The researchers used a descriptive cross-sectional study approach, applying a cluster
sampling technique to sample eighteen (18) schools to the study. Three hundred and eightyfour (384) pupils were selected from the schools using simple random sampling. The
Headteacher and a teacher in charge of school health were purposively sampled due to their
knowledge of school resources about hygiene. A total of thirty-six teachers participated in the
key informant interviews.
Data were analysed using SPSS version 21, and Chi-square was used to test the
hypothesis at p<0.05 significance level.
RESULTS
Accessibility to anal cleansing materials was low at 22.9%. Pupils' class (p-value =
0.036) and level of material awareness (p-value <0.001) influenced accessibility. For
Institutional factors, material sensitisation was associated with accessibility (p-value = 0.001).
The following sustainability measures were proposed; sensitisation on anal cleansing
materials, provision through cost sharing, management of the materials by class teachers and
prefects, and continued support by government ministries of health and education.
CONCLUSION
Anal cleansing materials access was low; pupils' predisposing characteristics and
institutional factors influenced access.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that school management and ministries of health and education
improve access to anal cleansing materials in schools and develop sustainability measures
Description
Article
Keywords
Anal cleansing, Accessibility, Pupils, Public Health, Kenya
Citation
Umuro, S. A., Karama, M., & Nyagetiria, A. D. (2022). Accessibility of anal cleansing materials for public primary school pupils in Kajiado County, Kenya. African Journal of Health Sciences, 35(6), 686-696.