Empowering Handwashing Behavior with Soap in Early Childhood at Kindergarten
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24252/ucr.v2i2.66579Keywords:
Early Childhood, Handwashing With Soap, Health Empowerment, Health Promotion, SchoolAbstract
Handwashing with soap (HWWS) is a fundamental component of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior that plays a crucial role in preventing infectious diseases, particularly among early childhood populations. However, the implementation of proper handwashing behavior in kindergarten-aged children remains limited due to insufficient knowledge, skills, and habitual practices. This community service activity aimed to improve HWWS behavior among children aged 5–6 years through a media-based health empowerment approach at TK Negeri Bonto, Sinjai Tengah District. A participatory health education method was applied, incorporating demonstrations, hands-on practice, and interactive learning using a six-step handwashing puzzle. Behavioral evaluation was conducted using a pre-test and post-test observational design. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in children’s handwashing behavior following the intervention, indicated by an increased proportion of children classified in the good behavior category and the elimination of poor behavior classification. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon test revealed a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention behaviors (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that media-based empowerment interventions are effective in enhancing handwashing behavior among early childhood students and have the potential to support sustainable healthy behavior practices within school settings.
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