Knowledge, attitudes and practices of sanitation among learners at the primary schools of Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Sufficient sanitation knowledge, positive attitude towards sanitation, and good sanitation practices among learners play a significant role in the prevention of sanitation related diseases and maintenance of good health and wellbeing. The study intended to examine and close gaps in the literature of sanitation in schools. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing and describing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of sanitation among learners in the selected primary schools of Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative methodology and a descriptive research design was employed on this study. The study was conducted in primary schools of Sekhukhune District with 661 learners, and grade six learners were targeted. Simple random sampling was applied to select nine (9) primary schools and a sample size of 249 learners. Data was collected using a structured and validated questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 29 was used for data analysis. Pearson Chi-square test set at a 5% level significance was used. Results: The overall results of the study were found to be satisfactory. The highest percentage of learners had adequate knowledge of sanitation, positive attitude towards sanitation, and good sanitation practices. There was a significant difference between the learners’ age, sanitation knowledge, and sanitation practices (P-value<0.05). Learners who did not have adequate knowledge were older learners 14 years of age. Conclusions: knowledge, attitudes and practices of sanitation among learners in the primary schools was satisfactory, but still lacking among other learners. The results underscore the need to strengthen education on sanitation. Learners’ knowledge and attitudes on sanitation determine the actual practice towards it. Much effort should be directed towards improving learner’s understanding. Sanitation knowledge has to be imparted to learners early in life to ensure that learners have understanding which will influence their attitude and practices.