Factors influencing Sanitation Practices among Primary School Pupils in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/07/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 2 (2026)

Article No.

011

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

Received

23 Jun 2026

Views

4

Downloads

3

Abstract

School sanitation Access to adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools remains a major public health challenge in many developing countries, with significant implications for child health, educational attainment, and sustainable development. This study assessed sanitation facilities and examined factors influencing hygienic practices among primary school pupils in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. A comparative cross-sectional design was adopted involving 220 pupils selected from public and private primary schools. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and observational checklists. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square analysis, Cramer's V, the Sanitation Infrastructure Index (SII), and log-linear models were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed substantial disparities in sanitation infrastructure between school types. Private schools recorded a Sanitation Infrastructure Index of 79.2%, classified as good, whereas public schools recorded 45.8%, indicating only fair sanitation conditions. Knowledge (, , ) and attitude (, , ) emerged as significant determinants of hygienic practices, while age and gender demonstrated negligible associations. Log-linear analysis further confirmed the significant influence of knowledge and attitude on pupils’ hygiene behaviour. The study concludes that effective school sanitation requires both adequate infrastructure and behavioural interventions. Strengthening school WASH facilities, promoting hygiene education, and adopting inclusive sanitation policies are essential for improving child health outcomes and accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 6.

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This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.