Abstract
BACKGROUND: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are essential for preventing infectious diseases and promoting public health, particularly among school-aged children. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of WASH among secondary school students in Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, comparing public and private school students. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 20 secondary schools, with a total of 400 students participating in the study. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), with descriptive and inferential statistics applied to determine associations between variables at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Findings revealed that while public school students exhibited higher WASH knowledge (87.1%) compared to private school students (54.3%), private school students demonstrated better WASH practices, with 65.5% maintaining good hygiene compared to 55.7% of public-school students (p = 0.043). Significant disparities were observed in handwashing behaviors, toilet use, and drinking water sources. Public school students faced greater challenges due to inadequate sanitation facilities, leading to a higher prevalence of open defecation (55.7%) compared to private school students (6.9%). Despite high awareness of WASH-related diseases, practice gaps remained, particularly in public schools, where limited access to hygiene facilities hindered adherence to proper sanitation practices. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve WASH infrastructure, particularly in public schools. Policies should prioritize the provision of adequate toilets, functional handwashing stations, and safe drinking water to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. Strengthening hygiene education and implementing behavior change strategies will enhance WASH compliance and reduce the burden of preventable diseases among students.