Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Sanitation Among Primary School Learners in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sanitation knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among primary school learners can aid in disease prevention through sanitation as well as in improving learner academic achievement. Despite this, evidence regarding sanitation KAP among rural South African primary school learners is inadequate. In this study, sanitation KAP among grade 6 learners in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, were investigated. The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design among 249 learners chosen randomly from nine primary schools. Data were collected utilizing a structured questionnaire which was pre-tested prior to the study. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 29 with the help of the Pearson chi-square test at a significance level of 5%. Of the total sample size, 59.0% exhibited adequate knowledge about sanitation (≥80% correct answers). Nonetheless, 41% held erroneous views regarding hand washing that it was enough for hands to look clean even without the use of soap, while only 41.0% used soap always after defecating. Open defecation was noted by 12.4% of the learners, where non-functional toilets accounted for 73% of these cases. Over half (45.8%) of the respondents were embarrassed about using school toilets. Knowledge about ill effects of poor hygiene on one's health correlated significantly with the age of learners.