INFLUENCE OF ISLAMIC VALUES ON PERSONAL HYGIENE AWARENESS AND PRACTICES AMONG MUSLIM SINGLE GIRLS IN MINNA METROPOLIS
Keywords:
Islamic values, adolescent girls, hygiene awareness, school sanitation, educationAbstract
Personal hygiene plays a critical role in adolescent health, school participation, and academic performance, particularly among female students. In Islamic societies, hygiene is regarded not only as a public health requirement but also as a religious obligation. This study examined the relationship between Islamic values and personal hygiene awareness and practices among Muslim single girls in Minna Metropolis, Niger State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised Muslim single girls aged 12–25 years, from which 150 respondents were selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. A total of 120 valid questionnaires were retrieved for analysis. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of α = 0.82. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to assess levels of awareness and hygiene practices, while the Chi-square test was employed to examine associations between Islamic hygiene teachings and reported hygiene behaviours. The findings indicated a high level of awareness of Islamic hygiene principles such as cleanliness, ritual purification, and modesty. The Chi-square analysis revealed a statistically significant association between exposure to Islamic hygiene teachings and hygiene awareness; however, reported practices were constrained by factors such as inadequate water supply, poor sanitation facilities in schools, and limited access to menstrual hygiene materials. The study concludes that Islamic education is associated with higher hygiene awareness, but environmental and infrastructural challenges limit the translation of knowledge into practice. It is recommended that faith-sensitive hygiene education be integrated into school health programmes alongside improvements in female-friendly sanitation facilities to support effective hygiene practices and enhance school participation among girls.
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