AUTHOR=Kebede Sewnet Adem , Tusa Biruk Shalmeno , Weldesenbet Adisu Birhanu 

TITLE=Spatial Distribution and Determinant Factors of Handwashing Practice With Essential Agents Among Households in Ethiopia

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 67 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604040

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604040

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess spatial distribution and determinate factors of hand washing practice using essential hand washing agent among households in Ethiopia. 
Methods: Two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique was used. Mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was also used to identify predictors of handwashing practice with essential agents.
Results: Household handwashing practice with essential agents was spatially clustered in Ethiopia (Moran’s Index 0.62, p<0.001). The significant hotspot areas with low handwashing practice with essential agents were located in Amhara and Somali regions. 
Conclusion: In Ethiopia, handwashing practice with essential agents was very low and had spatial variation across the country. Areas with low handwashing practice with essential agents need high priority in the allocation of resources to ensure communities access to fixed and portable handwashing facilities, soap and reliable water supplies. Households with low access to improved sanitation facilities, low wealth status and low educational status should be targeted for the intervention. Cultural and religious difference also should be considered for implementing strategy to promote hand washing practice with essential agents.