{
  "abstract": "BackgroundHand hygiene is a key public health intervention for preventing infectious diseases, including respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Although the COVID-19 pandemic improved awareness and compliance, sustained adherence remains a challenge, with evidence showing a decline in practice after outbreaks, particularly among young adults in high-contact settings such as universities. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of handwashing hygiene among university students at KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania, in the post-COVID-19 era.\n\nMethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 students at KCMC University. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, which captured information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding handwashing hygiene. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Associations between variables were assessed using logistic regression and multivariable analysis, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.\n\nResultsA total of 380 students participated in the study, with a mean age of 23.5 {+/-} 3.5 years. More than half 209 (55.0%) were aged 18-23 years, while 203 (53.4%) were female. Most participants had access to hand hygiene facilities 338 (88.9%). 338 (88.9%) participants had good knowledge of hand hygiene but attitudes were mostly negative 193 (50.8%), and practices were suboptimal, with 201 (52.9%) showing poor hand hygiene practices. Good hand hygiene knowledge was associated with access to hand hygiene facilities (AOR=2.84, 95% CI: 1.25- 6.42, p=0.012) and formal training on hand hygiene (AOR=3.48, 95% CI: 1.24-9.76, p=0.018). Positive attitudes were associated with being in the fourth year or above (AOR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.16-3.89, p=0.015). Good hand hygiene practices were associated with access to hand hygiene facilities (AOR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.18-6.01, p=0.018) and formal training on hand hygiene (AOR=2.98, 95% CI: 1.19-7.48, p=0.020).\n\nConclusionAlthough knowledge and awareness of handwashing hygiene were generally high among university students, inconsistencies between knowledge and actual practices were observed in the post-COVID-19 era. Strengthening health education programs and ensuring continuous access to handwashing facilities may improve adherence to proper hand hygiene practices among university students.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "KCMC University"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "E. T. issangya"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. V. Mosha"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Mnzava"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Mwageni"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. C. Kajeguka"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4tfve7q9060dz.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.09.26365114",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.26365114v1.full",
  "id": "4tfve7q9060dz",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.26365114v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "public and global health"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|Infection Control in Healthcare"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221695387",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.26365114v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-09",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4tfve7q9060dz.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:49Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.09.26365114",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.09.26365114v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:public and global health",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Hand-Washing Hygiene Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among University Students in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Case of KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania",
  "title_text": "Hand-Washing Hygiene Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among University Students in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Case of KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:49Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4tfve7q9060dz",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}