ASSESSMENT OF PERSONAL CLEANLINESS PRACTICES AMONG INMATES IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF KANO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed personal cleanliness practices among inmates in correctional institutions in Kano State, Nigeria. Guided by two research questions and two hypotheses, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population comprised 5,258 inmates across eight satellite correctional facilities, from which a representative sample of 400 inmates was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were gathered through a researcher-designed instrument titled Questionnaire on Personal Cleanliness Practices Among Inmates in Correctional Institutions of Kano State (QPCPAICI), structured on a four-point modified Likert scale. The instrument’s content and face validity were confirmed by five experts in health education and promotion, and a pilot test yielded a reliability coefficient of r = 0.78. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic data, while inferential statistics (t-test) were employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance using SPSS version 25. Findings indicated that inmates significantly practice personal cleanliness within the correctional institutions (t = 21.61, df = 394, p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed based on years spent in custody (t = 1.021, df = 393, p > 0.05). The study recommended sustaining the current level of cleanliness and implementing regular health education programs within the facilities to further promote hygiene awareness and practices among inmates.