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Abstract

Hygiene and sanitation problems still pose a threat to communicable diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid in several third-world countries like Uganda. Nurse trainees are vital in community health education in terms of sensitising households on better hygiene and sanitation practices. This study examined the impact of placement of nurses on household hygiene and sanitation practices in Masaka District, Uganda. The study adopted a mixed-method research design on a purposively selected sample: 44 nurse trainees, 92 households, and 6 key informants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, an observation checklist and key informant interviews. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and and thematic analysis. The findings showed that there were improvements in household hygiene and sanitation after the placement of nursing students in the households. Access to sites where hand washing could be done was increased from 38.0% to 72.8%, whereas the frequency of hand washing was increased from 28.3% to 65.2%. Access to latrines was increased from 54.3% to 82.6%, and the percentage of open defecation was reduced from 52.2% to 85.9%. The nursing students went to houses, demonstrated hand washing, advocated for safe handling of water, recommended latrine use, and worked with community groups. In conclusion, household hygiene and sanitation in the Masaka district improved due to the placement of nursing students. Community placement of nursing students is a useful strategy for preventing health care. This study recommends that training institutions and policy makers should adopt nurse trainee placements as a way of improving community hygiene and sanitation.

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Nursing trainees hygiene sanitation community health behaviour change Uganda

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Achoda, D., Timighe, G., Harriet, N., & Inyongat, E. (2026). Influence of Placement of Nurse Trainees on Community Hygiene and Sanitation Practices in Masaka District, Uganda. Journal of Public Health and Toxicological Research, 3(3), 300–307. https://doi.org/10.71637/jphtr.vol3no3.64
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