ATTITUDE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION

Environmental sanitation and personal hygiene are fundamental pillars of public health, influencing the well-being and productivity of individuals, especially in academic settingslike universities. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of female students at theUniversity of Benin towards these crucial aspects of health, with the aimof understandingtheir knowledge, attitude and factors regarding hygiene practices and sanitation. Atotal of 264 female students participated in this research, which utilized a structured questionnaireto gather data on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The results revealed that while(53%) students generally possessed fair knowledge about sanitation and hygiene, therewere notable gaps in specific areas, such as menstrual hygiene and waste disposal practicesby (28.7%). Furthermore, despite recognizing the importance of personal hygiene, (27%)students' practices were often influenced by various socio-cultural and environmental factors, creating a gap between awareness and actual behavior. The researcher suggests theneed for targeted health education programs, better sanitation facilities, and aholisticapproach to improving hygiene practices on campus. The findings provide valuable insightsfor healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to develop interventions aimedat enhancing students' health literacy and improving their overall hygiene practices, thuscontributing to a cleaner and healthier campus environment.