Full metadata record
DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributorFaculty of Health and Social Sciencesen_US
dc.contributor.advisorO'Donoghue, Margaret (SN)en_US
dc.contributor.advisorSuen, Lorna (SN)en_US
dc.creatorLeung, Man Wai-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/13553-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic Universityen_US
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleParental knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards personal and household hygiene for prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in childrenen_US
dcterms.abstractBackgrounden_US
dcterms.abstractUpper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are one of the most important causes of childhood morbidity and exert a major cost on individuals and society alike. Personal and household hygiene measures are effective in preventing URTIs. Parents can perform and promote good hygiene habits in their households, safeguarding their children from infectious diseases including URTIs. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) studies on respiratory infectious disease prevention were widely conducted but only a few targeted parents. Little is known about basic hygiene issues including hand hygiene, household environmental disinfection and indoor ventilation.en_US
dcterms.abstractAimsen_US
dcterms.abstractThe aims of this study were to understand personal and household hygiene KAP of parents for the prevention of URTI in their children. Factors such as parental demographic characteristics were explored to determine if they influenced KAP.en_US
dcterms.abstractMethodsen_US
dcterms.abstractA cross-sectional survey was conducted. A questionnaire was developed to collect information about parental KAP towards hand hygiene, household environmental disinfection, and indoor ventilation. Demographic details were also collected. Parents having children aged 16 years or below, residing with their children in the same residential building in Hong Kong and being responsible for maintaining household hygiene were eligible to participate in this study.en_US
dcterms.abstractResultsen_US
dcterms.abstractFour hundred and fourteen parents in Hong Kong participated in the online survey. The average knowledge score was high (10.2/12.0) but some misconceptions were identified. Only 56.8% of parents always performed hand hygiene before touching their mouth, nose or eyes. Some household items were frequently disinfected (69.8%: door handles, 60.4%: toilet seats, 42.8%: floor, 24.1%: dining room chairs, 20.5%: dining tables).en_US
dcterms.abstractMultiple regression analysis revealed that parents who were healthcare professionals, and with higher household income, had better parental knowledge of hygiene measures. Hygiene attitude was associated with housing type. Parents living in subsidised sale flats showed poorer hygiene attitudes compared with parents living in other housing types. Overall hygiene practices varied significantly with hygiene attitudes, age of the children, and housing type. Parents with young children (aged five years or below) or living in subsidised sale flats performed fewer hygiene practices.en_US
dcterms.abstractConclusionen_US
dcterms.abstractThe results of this study provide the current status of parental hygiene KAP and identify multiple factors influencing parental KAP for URTI prevention amongst children. This information and data analysis can provide parents, governments, researchers and healthcare professionals with a better understanding of parental KAP in preventing development of URTIs in children. Parental hygiene KAP were generally good but misconceptions and improper hygiene practices were identified.en_US
dcterms.extentxiii, 264 pages : color illustrationsen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2024en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelDHScen_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Doctorateen_US
dcterms.LCSHParents -- Health and hygieneen_US
dcterms.LCSHSanitation, Householden_US
dcterms.LCSHRespiratory infections -- Preventionen_US
dcterms.LCSHHealth behavioren_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.accessRightsrestricted accessen_US

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
8003.pdfFor All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only)4.64 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Copyright Undertaking

As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:

  1. I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
  2. I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
  3. I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.

By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.

Show simple item record

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/13553