INCULCATING HAND HYGIENE HABITS AMONG CHILDREN: REFLECTIONS FROM THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY HANDWASHING AWARENESS PROGRAMINCULCATING HAND HYGIENE HABITS AMONG KIDS

Authors

  • Siti Nadirah Ab Rahim Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1878-0813
  • Nik Noorul Shakira Mohamed Shakrin Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Centre for Tropicalization, Defence Research Institute, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6243-3678
  • Shazreen Shaharuddin Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7123-7895
  • Nur Aishah Che Roos Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiaasional Malaysia, Kem Sungai Besi, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6497-5515
  • Nursiati Mohamad Taridi Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1412-0022
  • Nur Adnin Ahmad Zaidi Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0151-3164
  • Ummu Salamah Faisal Department of Pre-Clinical, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sg. Besi Camp, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4383-6986

Keywords:

Hand Hygiene, Infectious Disease, Handwashing, Awareness, Public Health

Abstract

During the school holiday in  September 2024, lecturers from the faculty of medicine and defence health, National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM), in collaboration with the management of Kidikobucare Centre Seri Kembangan, organised a "Handwashing Awareness" activity for children. This program aimed to raise understanding about the significance of handwashing as a preventive measure to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Proper hand hygiene is especially crucial in kindergarten settings, where children are in close contact with one another. Through this program, we provided training based on a pre-planned COM-B model framework of behavioural change. We emphasized various aspects of handwashing, including the “why”, “how”, “when”, and “where”. A total of 26 children, aged 3 to 12 years, participated in this activity. Based on the feedback from teachers involved in the program, they found the activity to be highly useful in cultivating the habit of handwashing among children. It is hoped that this programme will continue to be an effective effort in increasing awareness about the importance of handwashing among children from a very young age.

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Published

30-05-2025

How to Cite

Ab Rahim, S. N. ., Mohamed Shakrin, N. N. S., Shaharuddin, S. ., Che Roos, N. A., Mohamad Taridi, N. ., Ahmad Zaidi, N. A. ., & Faisal, U. S. (2025). INCULCATING HAND HYGIENE HABITS AMONG CHILDREN: REFLECTIONS FROM THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY HANDWASHING AWARENESS PROGRAMINCULCATING HAND HYGIENE HABITS AMONG KIDS. Zulfaqar Journal of Defence Science, Engineering & Technology, 8(1). Retrieved from https://zulfaqarjdset.upnm.edu.my/index.php/zjdset/article/view/166

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