Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Handwashing and Hand Hygiene Among Municipal Sanitary Workers and Sweepers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives

To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of handwashing and hand hygiene among sanitary workers and sweepers in Kundrathur Municipality, Tamil Nadu; to describe the discrepancy between self-reported handwashing knowledge and reported practices at key occupational critical times; and to identify factors independently associated with good hand hygiene practice. Material and Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2025 to May 2026 among 200 sanitary workers employed by Kundrathur Municipality, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, selected by simple random sampling. Knowledge, attitude, and practice were assessed using a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire, with good hand hygiene practice defined as reporting handwashing at four or more of six occupational critical times. Factors independently associated with good practice were identified using multivariable binary logistic regression.