This document discusses personal hygiene and sanitation. It begins by defining hygiene and differentiating it from sanitation. It then covers the major components of personal hygiene including skin care, bathing, oral hygiene, hand washing, hair care, foot care, and clothing. The document emphasizes the importance of hygiene for preventing disease and maintaining health. It provides guidelines for proper hygiene practices.

1. PERSONAL HYGIENE
BY
AMINU MUHAMMAD HUSSAIN

2. Objectives
• Define hygiene
• Differentiate between hygiene and sanitation
• Understands factors associated with hygiene
• Know the components of hygiene
• Know types of bath
• Comprehend the guidelines of bathing
• Appreciate the need for appropriate clothes at work
• Understand benefits of handwashing

3. Introduction
• Personal hygiene are practices performed by an individual to care for
one's bodily health and well being through cleanliness. Many people
equate hygiene with 'cleanliness' but hygiene is a broad term
including personal habits choices as how frequently to bathe ,wash
hands, trim fingernails and change clothing. It also includes keeping
the environment clean and pathogen free.

4. Definition
• Hygiene is the science of health and its maintenance.
• Hygiene generally refers to the set of practices associated with the
preservation of health and healthy living. The focus is mainly on
personal hygiene that looks at cleanliness of the hair, body, hands,
fingers, feet and clothing, and menstrual hygiene.

5. Personal hygiene
• Personal hygiene is a concept that is commonly used in medical and
public health practices. It is also widely practiced at the individual
level and at home. It involves maintaining the cleanliness of our body
and clothes. Personal hygiene is personal, as its name implies. In this
regard, personal hygiene is defined as a condition promoting sanitary
practices to the self.
• Personal hygiene is the self-care by which people attend to such
functions as bathing, toileting, general body hygiene, and grooming.

6. Cleanliness and personal hygiene
• Cleaning in many cases is removing dirt, wastes or unwanted things
from the surface of objects using detergents and necessary
equipment. Hygiene practice focuses on the prevention of diseases
through the use of cleaning as one of several inputs.
• Hygienic practice encompasses both cleaning for the removal of
physically observable matters and the use of chlorine or any agent for
the removal of microorganisms. The hygiene practice aims at
preventing the spread of disease causing organisms. Cleaning is a
means to achieve this task.

7. Component of hygiene
• Face and body (skin) hygiene
• Fingernail & toenail hygiene
• Ear hygiene
• Hair hygiene
• Foot hygiene
• Menstrual hygiene
• Environmental cleanliness
gare components personal hygiene :
• • Face hygiene
• Following are components personal hygiene :
• • Face hygiene
• • Fingernail & Toenail hygiene
• • Ear hygiene
• • Hair hygiene

8. Hygienic care
• Early morning care is provided to clients as they awaken
in the morning. This care consists of providing a urinal or bedpan to
the client confined to bed, washing the face and hands, and giving
oral care.
• Hour of sleep or PM care is provided to clients before they retire for
the night. It usually involves providing for elimination needs, washing
face and hands, giving oral care, and giving a back massage.

9. Factors influencing hygiene
• Culture : Some bathe or shower once or twice a day, people from some
other cultures bathe once a week. Some cultures consider privacy essential
for bathing, whereas others practice communal bathing. Body odor is
offensive in some cultures and accepted as normal in others.
• Religion : Ceremonial washings are practiced by some religions.
• Environment : Finances may affect the availability of facilities for bathing.
For example, homeless people may not have warm water available; soap or
shampoo.
• Developmental level : Children learn hygiene in the home.
• Health and energy : Ill people may not have the motivation or energy to
attend to hygiene.
• Personal preferences : Some people prefer a shower to a tub bath. The
time of bathing varies (e.g., morning versus evening).

10. Importance of personal hygiene
• Preventing faeco-orally transmitted diseases: The fingers may get
contaminated with one’s own faeces, either directly or indirectly. Activities
during defecation and child bottom-washing are additional opportunities
for the contamination of the fingers that facilitate the transmission of
infections.
• Aesthetic values of personal hygiene: A person with clean hands is proud
while eating because they feel confident of preventing diseases. A teacher
in a school is always happy to see their students with clean faces and eyes,
and dressed in clean clothes.
• Social impact : A person with poor personal hygiene might be isolated from
friendship because telling the person about the situation might be sensitive
and culturally difficult.

11. Component: skin care
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It serves five major functions:
1. It protects underlying tissues from injury by preventing the passage
of microorganisms. The skin and mucous membranes are considered
the body’s first line of defense.
2. It regulates the body temperature.
3. It secretes sebum, an oily substance
4. It transmits sensations through nerve receptors, which are sensitive
to pain, temperature, touch, and pressure.
5. It produces and absorbs vitamin D in conjunction with ultraviolet
rays from the sun.

12. Common skin problems
• ABRASION : Superficial layers of the skin are scraped or rubbed away. Area
is reddened and may have localized bleeding or serous weeping.
• EXCESSIVE DRYNESS : Skin can appear flaky and rough.
• AMMONIA DERMATITIS (DIAPER RASH) : Caused by skin bacteria reacting
with urea in the urine. The skin becomes reddened and is sore.
• ACNE : Inflammatory condition with papules and pustules.
• ERYTHEMA : Redness associated with a variety of conditions, such as
rashes, exposure to sun, elevated body temperature.
• HIRSUTISM : Excessive hair on a person’s body and face, particularly in
women.

13. Bathing
• The body has nearly two million sweat glands. Moistened and dried
sweat and dead skin cells all together make dirt that sticks on to the
skin and the surface of underclothes. The action of bacteria
decomposes the sweat, thereby generating bad odour and irritating
the skin. This is especially observed in the groin, underarms and feet,
and in clothing that has absorbed sweat. Skin infections such as
scabies, pimples and ringworm are results of poor body hygiene.
• The first task in body hygiene is to find water, soap and other
cleansing materials. Taking a bath or a shower using body soap at
least weekly is very important to ensuring our body stays clean.
Bathing can be every day or after periods of sweating or getting dirty.

14. Purpose of bathing
1 . Cleansing the skin
• Removes perspiration, bacteria, which minimizes skin irritation and
reduces chance of infection
2. Stimulation of circulation
• Warm water and gentle strokes from distal to proximal increase
circulation and promote venous return
3. Improve self-image
4. Promotes feeling of being refreshed, relaxed
5. Reduction of body odors
• Especially in axillae and pubic areas
6. Promotion of Range of Motion
• Movement of extremities while bathing

15. Types of bathing
• Complete bed bath. The nurse washes the entire body of a dependent client in
bed.
• Self-help bed bath. Clients confined to bed are able to bathe themselves with
help from the nurse for washing the back and perhaps the feet.
• Partial bath (abbreviated bath). Only the parts of the client’s body that might
cause discomfort or odor, if neglected, are washed: the face, hands, axillae,
perineal area, and back.
• Towel bath. This bath is similar to a bag bath but uses regular towels. It is useful
for clients who are bedridden and clients with dementia. The client is covered and
kept warm throughout the bathing process by a bath blanket.
• Tub bath. Tub baths are often preferred to bed baths because it is easier to wash
and rinse in a tub. Tubs are also used for therapeutic baths.
• Shower. Many ambulatory clients are able to use shower facilities and require
only minimal assistance from the nurse.

16. Guidelines for bathing
1. Provide Privacy
2. Maintain Safety
3. Maintain warmth
4. Promote the patient’s independence as much as possible
5. The genitals and the anal region need to be cleaned well because of
the natural secretions of these areas.
6. Dry the body with a clean towel after thorough rinsing.
7. Change into clean underwear after a bath.
8. Changing sweat soaked clothes after each bath is advised.

17. Mouth: Oral Hygiene
A. Maintains the healthy state of the mouth
• Cleanses teeth of food particles, plaque, and bacteria
• Massages the gums
• Relieves discomfort from unpleasant odors and tastes.
• Refreshes the mouth and gives a sense of well-being and stimulate appetite.
. Frequency depends on condition of patient’s mouth.
• Some patient’s with dry mouth or lips need care every 2 hours.
• Usually done twice a day or after each meal
b. Assistance Needed
• Does the patient need assistance to do oral care
*The nurse can help patients maintain good oral hygiene by:
1. Teaching them correct techniques
2. Actually performing for weakened or disabled patients.

18. Oral hygiene
c. Abnormalities
• Loose or missing teeth
• Swelling and bleeding of gums
• Unusual mouth odor
• Pain or stinging in mouth structures
• Brushing Major concerns are:
• Thoroughness in cleansing
• Maintaining the condition of the oral mucosa.
• Procedure for Conscious Patient:
• Upright position

19. Brushing: Unconscious Patient
Safety is of utmost importance
• Prevent aspiration
Positioning—lateral position with head turned to the side or side-lying. Position
back of head on a pillow so that the face tips forward and fluid/ secretions will
flow out of the mouth, not back into the throat.
• Place a bulb syringe or suction machine with suction Keeping the mouth open
Use a padded tongue blade to open the patients mouth and separate the upper and
lower teeth.
Never place your hand in the patient’s mouth or open with your fingers. Oral
stimulation often causes the biting –down reflex and serious injuries can occur.
Keep equipment that may be needed nearby e.g. suction device.

20. Denture care
• Clean dentures as frequently as natural teeth
• Dentures are the patient’s personal property and should be handled with
care because they can be easily broken.
• Care: Remove before going to bed – allows gums to rest and prevents
buildup of bacteria. Store in a labeled container covered with water or
denture cleaner if available
• Tips to remember:
– Use gauze or washcloth to grasp front of dentures to prevent from slipping
– Place wash cloth or paper towel in sink while you are cleaning the dentures
– Work close to the bottom of the sink in case you drop them.
– Use tepid water

21. Hands washing
• Before
• starting to work
After:
• Handling raw ingredients
• Smoking, eating or drinking
• Using a handkerchief or tissue
• Touching any dirty object or surface
• Touching any part of your body
• Cleaning or taking out garbage
• Using the washroom

22. Hand washing activity
1. Wet hands
2. Soap (20 seconds)
3. Scrub back of hands, wrists, between fingers, under fingernails,
arms almost to elbows
4. Rinse
5. Towel dry (single use towel)
6. Turn off taps with towel
7. Open door with towel
8. Discard towel in appropriate manner

23. Critical at work or home
• After using the toilet (or disposing faeces)
• After changing a baby’s diaper (nappy) and disposing of the faeces.
• Immediately after touching raw food (e.g. chicken or other meat).
• Before preparing and handling cooked/ready-to-eat food.
• Before eating food or feeding children.
• After contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g. rubbish bins, cleaning
cloths, food contaminated surfaces).
• After handling pets and domestic animals.
• After wiping or blowing the nose or sneezing into the hands (respiratory
hygiene).
• After handling soiled tissues (your own or others’, e.g. children).

24. At work
• Before and after contact with an infected wound.
• After contact with blood or body fluids (e.g. vomit).
• Before and after dressing wounds.
• Before giving care to an ‘at risk’ person (e.g. attending delivery,
attending a baby).
• After giving care to an infected person.

25. Hair care
• A person’s appearance and feeling of well-being often depends on
the way their hair looks and feels
• Keeps hair clean and distributes oil evenly along the hair shaft.
• Assessment while brushing:
• Scalp lesions, abrasions
• Dandruff
• Parasitic infestations
• Quality of hair
• Appearance

26. Feet and nails
• Usually part of the bath
• Purpose: Eliminate sources of infection and decrease odors
• Assessment: Color, shape length, texture of nails
• Condition of skin around nails and between toes and fingers – swollen, inflamed,
callused, lesions, temperature.
• Soak the hand or foot to soften the cuticles
• Thoroughly cleanse and dry
• Trim the nails ONLY if you have permission or it is allowed at that institution.
Teach patient and family that nails should be cut – straight across.
Show close attention to the feet and nails of the diabetic patient and the elderly.
If feet and nails are in bad condition– notify doctor so a consult can be
ordered with a podiatrist

27. Eye care
• Assessment:
• Abnormal lesions
• Discharge
• Tearing
• Presence of any infection
• Use of Visual Aids (contacts, glasses)
• Wash around the eyes with a warm moist washcloth with warm water—no soap!
• Clean from the inner canthus to the outer canthus of the eye. Pay special
attention to the inner canthus.
• Provide special care for the eyes of unconscious patients.
• May need to tape the eye lids shut if unable to blink and protect own eyes

28. Ear care
• Usually requires minimal care
• Cleanse the external auricle with washcloth when bathing
• Avoid insertion of objects into the ear
• Hearing aids:
a. Check that the device is functioning correctly and clean any body oils or
cerumen from the hearing aid
b. Make sure the hearing aid is off and volume is down before insertion
c. Insert hearing aid in ear by pulling earlobe downward while pressing the
hearing aid inward
d. Turn on and adjust volume
e. Ask the patient if comfortable and can hear!

29. Armpit and bottom
• These are body parts that easily get sweaty and where ventilation is
very poor. After puberty, our sweat gains a specific and unpleasant
odour which may be offensive to others.
• The armpits and the bottom should be washed daily.
• Anal cleansing is the hygienic practice of cleaning the anus after
defecation. The anus and buttocks may be cleansed with clean toilet
paper or similar paper products. Water may be used.
• Hands must be washed with soap afterwards. The use of rags, leaves,
stones, corn cobs, or sticks must be discouraged as these materials
can damage the skin.

30. Menstrual hygiene
• The vagina is able to clean itself; no special care is needed other than
washing the external genitals. Washing the outer genital area with
clean water must be a daily practice.
• Change tampons and sanitary napkins or pads regularly.
• Always wash your hands before and after handling a tampon or pad.
Clean and soft cloths can be used in place of sanitary pads.
• The use of dirty cloths must be discouraged.
• Menstrual blood-absorbing items must be properly disposed of in a
burial pit or other appropriate method.

31. Perineal care
• Can be embarrassing for the nurse and the patient.
• Should not be overlooked because of embarrassment.
• If the patient can do it themselves—let them. Hand them the washcloth
and ask if they would like to “finish their bath.”
• Those patients who may need the nurses assistance:
• Vaginal or urethral discharge
• Skin irritation
• Catheter
• Surgical dressings
• Incontinent of urine or feces

32. Clothes
• We usually have two layers of clothing. The internal layer is underwear (or
underclothes) such as pants, vest and T-shirt. These are right next to our
skin and collect sweat and dead skin cells, which can stain the cloth.
• Underwear must be washed more frequently than the outer layer of
clothing.
• Clothes hygiene is an important aspect of one’s dignity. Changing used
clothes for clean ones every day is recommended. Washing dirty clothes
requires adequate clean water, detergents.
• If possible, the washed clothes should be ironed to help the destruction of
body lice and nits. Boiling water or insecticides can be used to destroy
clothes infestation.

33. Proper dressing
• Clean uniforms
• No tears
• Closed toe shoes, no heels
• Clean foot ware
• Hair restraints
• Hairnets, beard nets
• No jewelry
• No visible body piercing
• No nail polish, false fingernails
• No false eyelashes

34. What not to do at work
• No eating
• No drinking
• No smoking
• No spitting
• No chewing gum

35. If you are ill
• Inform your supervisor if you exhibit any of the following symptoms:
• jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• fever
• sore throat with fever
• boils or cuts
• discharges from ears, nose or eyes
• excessive coughing or sneezing.

36. Sanitation
• Sanitation means the prevention of human contact with wastes, for
hygienic purposes. It also means promoting health through the
prevention of human contact with the hazards associated with the
lack of healthy food, clean water and healthful housing, the control of
vectors (living organisms that transmit diseases), and a clean
environment. It focuses on management of waste produced by
human activities.

37. Types of sanitation
• Basic sanitation: refers to the management of human faeces at the household
level. It means access to a toilet or latrine.
• Onsite sanitation: the collection and treatment of waste at the place where it is
deposited.
• Food sanitation: refers to the hygienic measures for ensuring food safety. Food
hygiene is similar to food sanitation.
• Housing sanitation: refers to safeguarding the home environment (the dwelling
and its immediate environment).
• Environmental sanitation: the control of environmental factors that form links in
disease transmission. This category includes solid waste management, water and
wastewater treatment, industrial waste treatment and noise and pollution control.
• Ecological sanitation: the concept of recycling the nutrients from human and
animal wastes to the environment.

38. Summary and conclusion
1. Personal hygiene is a necessity for our daily activities. It is very important for the
protection of our health and helps to prevent the spread of communicable
diseases.
2. Personal hygiene has social and aesthetic values. An individual who follows the
practice of proper personal hygiene gains confidence, pride and dignity.
3. Personal hygiene applies to all parts of the body, but hand hygiene is the most
important for public health.
4. The procedures that apply in personal hygiene (such as handwashing and oral
hygiene) need to be followed strictly to gain the best results.
5. The promotion of personal hygiene should aim to change human behaviour.
(information impacts on knowledge and practice).
6. The promotion of personal hygiene must be well planned in order to bring
positive changes.

39. Questions
• What are the components of personal hygiene
• Which hygiene is the most important
• When are we expected to report to our supervisors
• List out the type of sanitation you know
• Outline the guidelines for bathing