Calidad de lavado de manos en estudiantes de primaria de Paraíso, Tabasco, México

Josué Arturo Medina-Fernández; Vanessa  Martín-Morales; Ignacio  Hernández-Macías; Jorge Alberto  Fuentes-Torres; María Isabel  Méndez-Domínguez; Edwin Guillermo Montero-Canul

doi:10.32776/kry20n43

Authors

Josué Arturo Medina-Fernández Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Quintana Roo, México https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0588-9382
Vanessa Martín-Morales Universidad Vasconcelos de Tabasco, México https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6929-9901
Ignacio Hernández-Macías Universidad Vasconcelos de Tabasco, México https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9743-2703
Jorge Alberto Fuentes-Torres Universidad Vasconcelos de Tabasco, México https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9942-8230
María Isabel Méndez-Domínguez Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Quintana Roo, México https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2533-4683
Edwin Guillermo Montero-Canul Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Quintana Roo, México https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8173-4503

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32776/kry20n43

Keywords:

Hand hygiene, Students, Schools primary, Hygiene, Disease prevention, School health promotion

Abstract

Introduction: Handwashing is one of the most effective measures for preventing infectious diseases, especially among school-aged children, where constant interaction and developing self-care habits increase the risk of pathogen transmission. Despite its importance, several studies have reported deficiencies in both the quality and duration of this practice among primary school students. Objective: To evaluate the quality of handwashing among 5th and 6th grade primary school students from a public school in Paraíso, Tabasco, Mexico. Materials and method: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 140 students selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected using a checklist based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, assessing 11 handwashing steps as well as the duration of the procedure. Descriptive statistics were applied for data analysis. Results: High compliance was observed in the initial and final steps of handwashing; however, intermediate technical movements showed lower adherence. Only 32.9% of participants met the recommended minimum duration. Overall, 50% of students demonstrated medium-quality handwashing, 39.3% high quality, and 10.7% low quality. Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen practical and continuous educational strategies that improve both the technique and duration of handwashing in order to enhance the prevention of infectious diseases among primary school students.

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