SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND PERSONAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AMONG STUDENTS

Abstract

This study examined the effect of the School Health Program (Usaha Kesehatan Sekolah/UKS) on personal hygiene among fourth- and fifth-grade students. The study used a quantitative field-survey approach with 64 students as respondents. Data were collected using Likert-scale questionnaires on UKS implementation and personal hygiene, supported by school-level responses from the principal and the UKS manager. Instrument testing on 30 student items showed acceptable validity (r = 0.425-0.895) and very high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.975). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test showed that the residual data were normally distributed (p = 0.200). Simple linear regression indicated that the UKS program had a positive and significant effect on personal hygiene (B = 0.482; Beta = 0.466; t = 4.151; p < 0.001). Student responses also showed strong descriptive profiles: 65.6% rated health counseling and education at the highest category, 53.1% rated UKS facilities at the highest category, 87.5% reported strong participation in UKS activities, and 79.7% reported very good hand hygiene. These findings indicate that better UKS implementation is associated with better personal hygiene practices among elementary school students.