Success StoryIncreased Personal Hygiene Leads to Fewer School Absences



Increased Personal Hygiene Leads to Fewer School Absences

Author: Katherine Jury

Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences

Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

Plan of Work: Improving, basic lifeskills, well-being, and quality of life

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

According to the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings, in Hopkins County, respondents reported an average of 4.5 unhealthy days per month in the last year.  For children, being ill leads to absenteeism from school, and missing important educational information.  In an effort to combat the high incidence of illness and absenteeism due to illness in the Hopkins County Schools, the Hopkins County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences approached the Family Resource and Youth Services Coordinators at two local Elementary Schools.  They formed a partnership, along with the Physical Education teachers, to educate students on proper hand washing and personal hygiene practices.  The Hopkins County Extension Agent has since led “Healthy Me, Healthy You” programs at both Elementary Schools twice a year, for all students, for the past four years.  During the program, students read the book, Germs Make Me Sick, and then discussed ways to prevent the spread of germs.  Students practiced using the six steps of hand washing, and acted out scenarios to show how they could prevent the spread of germs in those situations. Students then demonstrated the solutions they found to preventing the spread of germs.  Last year, on the one week follow up, 92% of students demonstrated their ability to list at least three times when they should wash their hands, 94% correctly identified all six steps of hand washing, and 96% of students correctly explained why hand washing is important. On one-month follow up evaluations, 91% of students demonstrated their ability to list at least three times when they should wash their hands, 92% correctly identified all six steps of hand washing, and 93% of students correctly explained why hand washing is important.  Since the program was initially implemented in 2014, absenteeism at Pride Elementary School due to illness during peak cold and flu season has decreased consistently every year.  From the Fall Semester of 2014 to the Fall Semester of 2017, absenteeism due to illness has decreased 37%. Both the school administrators and local health department credits student’s increased personal hygiene and hand washing to prevent the spread of germs for the decrease.  






Stories by Katherine Jury


American Private Enterprise Seminar

American Private Enterprise Seminar

about 6 years ago by Katherine Jury

The Hopkins County Family & Consumer Science Agent partnered with the Hopkins County School System, ... Read More


Hopkins County Students "Get Cooking"

Hopkins County Students "Get Cooking"

about 6 years ago by Katherine Jury

In Hopkins County, 35% percent of children are overweight or obese, and in all Hopkins County school... Read More


Stories by Family and Consumer Sciences


4-H Art Workshop: Watercolor Painting for Beginners: Exploring Elements of Art & Design

4-H Art Workshop: Watercolor Painting for Beginners: Exploring Elements of Art & Design

about 6 years ago by Chandra DeRamus

Students working on Watercolor Tree projectStudent works on finishing the landscape design on waterc... Read More


KY Military Teen Adventure Camps 2018

about 6 years ago by Tyrone Atkinson

Funding year 2018 of the Kentucky Military Teen Adventure Camps (MTAC) has been yet another success!... Read More


Stories by Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)


Recipe for Life 2018

Recipe for Life 2018

about 6 years ago by Karen Denniston

The Bourbon County Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent in collaboration with the Snap-ED ass... Read More


Healthy Homes Inside and Outside Series

Healthy Homes Inside and Outside Series

about 6 years ago by Alivia Faris

Healthy Homes Inside and Outside SeriesAccording to the Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health ... Read More