IMMUNIZATION CLINIC IN UNIVERSITY

Background: Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices remain a major public health concern in Nigeria and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age. Nursing mothers play a critical role in preventing infections such as diarrhea and acute respiratory infections through appropriate hygiene behaviours. Despite the importance of immunization clinics as contact points for maternal and child health education, limited data exist on the WASH practices of nursing mothers attending these facilities. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding WASH among nursing mothers attending immunization clinics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was be employed. The study population were nursing mothers with children aged 0–24 months attending the immunization clinic during the study period. A sample size of 229 participants was determined using Cochran’s formula, with adjustment for non￾response. Systematic random sampling was used to select respondents. Data was collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from validated WASH assessment tools. The instrument assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of WASH, attitudes toward hygiene practices, household WASH behaviours, influencing factors, infant feeding practices, and history of diarrhea. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests was used to examine associations between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. The findings provided evidence on existing WASH practices and associated factors among nursing mothers, and informed targeted interventions aimed at reducing hygiene-related infections and improving child health outcomes in the study setting. Results: Mean age of respondents was 27.70 ± 2.72 years. Overall, 48 (20.9%) had good knowledge, while 182 (79.1%) had poor knowledge of WASH. Attitude was positive in 160 (69.6%) and negative in 70 (30.4%). 162 (70.4%) had good WASH practice, while 68 (29.6%) had poor WASH practice. Satisfactory water-related practice was observed in more than three-fifths of respondents, satisfactory sanitation practice in about three-quarters, and satisfactory hygiene practice in three-fifths. Major x factors influencing WASH practice included household support, affordability of hygiene products, cultural practices, and health education from health workers. Logistic regression showed affordability of hygiene products as the only independent predictor of good WASH practice (OR = 0.429; 95% CI = 0.219–0.841; p = 0.014). Conclusion: Good WASH practice was high among nursing mothers attending immunization clinic in UBTH, despite poor knowledge among most respondents. Affordability of hygiene products significantly influenced practice, highlighting the need for continuous health education and economically sensitive WASH interventions. Keywords: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Nursing Mothers; Immunization Clinic; Diarrhea; Child Health