Analysis of correct handwashing behaviors and related family factors among Chinese urban migrant primary school students

Objective To investigate the current status of handwashing behaviors among Chinese urban migrant elementary school students,and to explore related family factors and to provide scientific basis for drawing up a control stategies.Methods A total of 4 089 grade 4 pupils and their parents were selected by multi-stage cluster random method from 34 urban migrant elementary schools in Shanghai,Guangzhou and Beijing.Handwashing behaviors during the past week (frequencies and methods) of the pupils,beliefs and awareness on handwashing,family socio-economic status were obtained by self-administered questionnaires.Results The prevalence of correct hand washing behavior of the migrant students was only 28.2%.Although the awareness of hand hygiene among parents (75%) was significantly higher than that in their kids (41.6%),the awareness of proper handwashing methods was only 9.4%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that correct handwashing behavior among urban migrant primary students was positively associated with low family economic conditions(OR=2.09,95%CI=1.44-3.05),and was negatively associated with low maternal educational level(OR=0.57,95%CI=0.33-0.98),low parents' expectations on education(OR=0.53,95% CI=0.33-0.86),parent improper handwashing (OR =0.53,95%CI=0.33-0.86) and students improper handwashing(OR =0.24,95%CI=0.20-0.28).Conclusion Handwashing behavior is far from optimistic among urban migrant primary students.Family social economic factors are not average.It is necessary to strengthen handwashing education for the target population,especially for boys,those from low household economic status and those with low maternal education.