Philippine E-Journals

Educational attainment and gender as determinants of knowledge about personal hygiene and oral care among the inmates of a city jail in the Cordillera Administrative Region

Helen D. Alalag | Dyesebel L. Chinayo

 

Abstract:

Observing the proper practices of personal hygiene and oral care lead to a healthy body. This study used the descriptive survey design to determine the perceived level of knowledge and extent of practice on oral care and personal hygiene among inmates of a city jail in the Cordillera Region. There were 216 inmates who voluntarily participated in the study. The inmates reported that they were very much knowledgeable about personal hygiene and oral care but often practice these. There was a significant difference in the inmates’ perceived knowledge on personal hygiene and oral care according to their educational attainment. Their gender and educational attainment made a significant difference in the extent of their practice of personal hygiene and oral care. There were no other practices observed on oral care and personal hygiene except on greater frequency of practice on some indicators like brushing teeth and taking a bath. Other inmates observed brushing of teeth three times a day, or every after a meal and taking a bath daily. It is recommended that the management of the jail should consider providing a hygiene kit to the inmates so that they will practice proper personal hygiene and oral care