Hygiene maintenance and infection prevention in children after the first year of life

Abstract

Osobna higijena je važan dio očuvanja zdravlja za svakoga, a posebno je važna za djecu od najranije dobi. Uloga roditelja je usaditi djeci naviku za brigu o osobnoj higijeni i paziti na osobnu higijenu same djece. S druge strane nedovoljna briga o osobnoj higijeni povećava rizik od zaraznih bolesti, čiji se uzročnici najčešće šire preko ruku te ulaze u tijelo kapljičnim putem kroz nos, usta, oči ili putem oštećene kože. Posljedično takvom ponašanju javlja se infekcija, koja se može manifestirati kao gljivična, virusna i bakterijska. Njega djeteta nakon prve godine života samo je nastavak, odnosno nadogradnja njezi, koja se provodila u dojenačkoj dobi. Opće je poznato da se djeca igraju na podu, tepihu ili pločicama gdje dolaze u dodir s nečistoćom ili prašinom u kojoj se mogu nalaziti crijevni paraziti (mala dječja glista, gljivice i bakterije). Pravilna higijena u tom trenutku igra glavnu ulogu. Održavanjem čistoće ruku prije jela i nakon nužde, te pravilnom higijenom lica i rezanjem noktiju smanjujemo mogućnost dolaska djeteta u dodir s nečistoćom. Djeca u drugoj godini života trebaju biti učena pravilnoj higijeni ruku kako bi im taj postupak prešao u naviku. Kupanje djeteta i dalje se provodi svaki dan s napomenom da to bude navečer, to jest nakon cjelodnevnih aktivnosti koje je dijete imalo toga dana. Djeca se rađaju bez osjećaja za higijenu i čistoću, stoga ih treba naučiti tom osjećaju i potrebi. Zdravstveni odgoj mora biti planirani i usmjereni na kreiranje postupaka koji će omogućiti djetetu da stekne pozitivne navike i vještine korisne za zdravlje. Navike se započinju formirati još u ranom djetinjstvu, stoga je uloga odgojitelja gotovo jednako važna kao i uloga roditelja koji provode najviše vremena s djetetom a potom i uloga samih zdravstvenih djelatnika. Cilj istraživanja provedenog u sklopu izrade ovog rada bio je dobiti uvid u educiranost i stavove opće populacije o osobnoj higijeni i sprečavanju infekcija nakon prve godine života. U samom istraživanju sudjelovalo je 114 osoba u dobi od 18 - 65 god. Istraživanje je provedeno online putem Google Forms upitnika. Rezultati provedenog istraživanja ukazuju na visoku razinu informiranosti i pozitivne stavove opće populacije o važnosti osobne higijene i prevenciji infekcija nakon prve godine života. Većina ispitanika prepoznaje svakodnevnu higijenu kao ključan čimbenik u očuvanju zdravlja, osobito kod djece. Osobna higijena predstavlja temelj prevencije zaraznih bolesti u dječjoj dobi, osobito nakon prve godine života kada djeca sve više dolaze u kontakt s okolinom. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je ispitati razinu znanja potom stavove roditelja i opće populacije o važnosti higijene te identificirati područja koja zahtijevaju dodatnu edukaciju. Rezultati su pokazali da većina ispitanika prepoznaje važnost higijenskih navika i njihovu povezanost s prevencijom infekcija, ali i da velik dio populacije nije sudjelovao u formalnim edukativnim programima. Medicinske sestre prepoznate su kao ključne osobe u promicanju zdravlja, osobito u kontekstu edukacije roditelja i djece o pravilnoj higijeni. Njihova uloga obuhvaća individualni i grupni rad, provedbu preventivnih programa i izravno djelovanje u zajednici. Usklađeno s međunarodnim smjernicama, intervencije medicinskih sestara mogu značajno pridonijeti oblikovanju zdravih higijenskih navika od najranije dobi. Dobiveni nalazi upućuju na potrebu jačanja edukacijskih aktivnosti i osnaživanje uloge zdravstvenih djelatnika u promociji higijene. Sustavna edukacija, dostupni informativni materijali i suradnja s roditeljima ključni su za unapređenje zdravstvene pismenosti i prevenciju infekcija u ranoj dječjoj dobi.Personal hygiene is an important part of maintaining health for everyone, and it is especially important for children from an early age. It is the responsibility of parents to instill in their children the habit of caring for personal hygiene and to monitor the hygiene of the children themselves. On the other hand, insufficient attention to personal hygiene increases the risk of infectious diseases, the causative agents of which are most commonly spread via hands and enter the body through droplets via the nose, mouth, eyes, or through damaged skin. As a consequence of such behavior, infections may occur, which can manifest as fungal, viral, or bacterial. The care of a child after the first year of life is a continuation and enhancement of the care provided during infancy. It is well known that children play on the floor, carpets, or tiles, where they come into contact with dirt or dust that may contain intestinal parasites (such as pinworms), fungi, and bacteria. Proper hygiene plays a crucial role in these situations. By keeping hands clean before eating and after using the toilet, as well as by maintaining facial hygiene and trimming nails, the chances of the child coming into contact with dirt are significantly reduced. Children in their second year of life should be taught proper hand hygiene so that the practice becomes a habit. Bathing should still be carried out daily, preferably in the evening, after the child has completed all activities for the day. Children are born without a sense of hygiene and cleanliness, so they must be taught to develop this awareness and need. Health education must be planned and directed toward creating routines that will help the child acquire positive habits and skills beneficial to their health. These habits begin to form in early childhood; therefore, the role of educators is almost as important as that of parents, who spend the most time with the child, and subsequently the role of healthcare professionals. The aim of the research conducted for the purpose of this paper was to gain insight into the level of education and attitudes of the general population regarding personal hygiene and the prevention of infections after the first year of life. A total of 114 individuals aged 18 to 65 participated in the study, which was conducted online via a Google Forms questionnaire. The results of the study indicate a high level of awareness and positive attitudes within the general population regarding the importance of personal hygiene and the prevention of infections after the first year of life. Most respondents recognize daily hygiene as a key factor in maintaining health, especially in children. Personal hygiene is the foundation of infectious disease prevention in childhood, particularly after the first year of life when children increasingly come into contact with their surroundings. The goal of this research was to examine the level of knowledge and the attitudes of parents and the general population about the importance of hygiene, as well as to identify areas that require further education. The results showed that most respondents acknowledge the importance of hygienic habits and their link to infection prevention, but that a significant portion of the population has not participated in formal educational programs. Nurses are recognized as key figures in health promotion, especially in the context of educating parents and children about proper hygiene. Their role includes individual and group work, the implementation of preventive programs, and direct action within the community. In line with international guidelines, nursing interventions can significantly contribute to the development of healthy hygiene habits from an early age. The findings point to the need to strengthen educational activities and empower healthcare workers in promoting hygiene. Systematic education, accessible informational materials, and collaboration with parents are crucial for improving health literacy and preventing infections in early childhood