Factors Affecting Personal Hygiene, Fundamental of Nursing

Detailed description on factors affecting personal hygiene, for nurses and health professionals

1. Factors affecting Personal Hygiene Prepared by: Pooja Koirala Lecturer NMCTH

2. Introduction Hygiene is the science of health and its maintenance Personal hygiene is the self care by which people attend to such function such as bathing, toileting, general body hygiene and grooming. Hygiene is a highly personal matter determined by individual values and practices

3. Introduction cont… It involves care of the skin, feet, nails, oral and nasal cavities , teeth , hair, eyes, ears, and perineal -genital areas . It is important for nurses to know exactly how much assistance a client needs for hygienic care Clients may require help after urinating or defecating, after vomiting, and whenever the clothes become soiled , for example, from wound drainage or from profuse perspiration.

4. Skin

5. Common skin problems Excessive dryness : skin can appear flaky and rough. Ammonia dermatitis (diaper rash):caused by skin bacteria reacting with urea in the urine. The skin becomes reddened and is sore.

6. Skin problems cont… Acne: inflammatory condition with papules and pustules Erythema : redness associated with a variety of conditions, such as rashes, exposure to sun, elevated body temperature. Hirsutism : excessive hair on a person’s body and face, particularly in women.

7. Some cause of self care deficit Decreased or lack of motivation Weakness or tiredness Pain or discomfort Perceptual or cognitive impairment Inability to perceive body part or spatial relationship Neuromuscular or musculoskeletal impairment Medically imposed restriction

8. Some cause of self care deficit cont… Therapeutic procedure restraining mobility (e.g., intravenous, infusion, cast) Severe anxiety Environmental barriers Activity intolerance Decrease strength Impaired mobility

9. Defining characteristics Disorderly appearance, strong body odor Frustration Impaired ability to put on or take off clothing Inability to ambulate autonomously Inability to bathe and groom self independently Inability to control temperature of water

10. Defining characteristics cont… Inability to do common tasks such as telephoning and writing Inability to dress self autonomously Inability to feed self independently Inability to move from bed to wheelchair Poor personal hygiene Problems in finishing toilet tasks

11. Factors affecting personal hygiene Hygiene activities and practices can protect health and prevent disease However, hygiene practices vary widely among groups and people It is important to respect differences in patient hygiene practices and provide care and information in a non judgmental manner

12. Culture It is important to identify cultural variations that could affect a patient’s personal hygiene preferences, such as typical bathing habits and behaviors such as use of various hygiene related products. For e.g. People form some cultures place a high value on personal cleanliness and feel unclean unless they shower or bath at least once a day Many consider bathing incomplete without the use of products to reduce or mask normal body odors.

13. Culture cont… So culture may influence whether bathing is a private or communal activity

14. Socio economic A persons socioeconomic class and financial resources often define the hygiene options available to that person For example: Some people may have limited finances to buy soap, shampoo, shaving cream and deodorant Homeless people may have no or limited access to the water, soap

15. Spiritual practices Spiritual practices including religious beliefs may include ceremonial washings and purifications such as before prayer, eating For e.g. in the Jewish tradition, ritual baths are required for women after childbirth and menstruation In some religion of Nepal, contact with a deceased person may make a person unclean.

16. Developmental level Children learn hygiene practice while growing up An adolescent become more concerned about their personal appearance They may adapt new hygiene measures such as taking showers more frequently and wearing deodorants

17. Bathing frequency commonly decreases as a person ages due to limitation in mobility and the natural tendency toward drier skin with age

18. Health state Disease, surgery or injury may reduce a person’s ability to perform hygiene measures or motivation to follow usual hygiene habits Weakness, dizziness and fear of falling prevent a person from entering a tub or shower or bathroom or from bending to wash the lower extremities Illness may also create a demand for new or modified hygiene measures

19. Health state cont… For example: peripheral vascular complications that often accompany diabetes mellitus require meticulous foot care Pain: it may decrease the person’s ability to perform self care

20. Personal preferences People have different preferences with regard to hygiene practices such as taking a shower versus a tub bath, using bar soap versus liquid soap and washing to wake oneself or to relax before sleep A persons self concept and sexuality also influence personal hygiene practices For example: in an e ffort to promote a positive self image, older adults may use skin care products advertised to prevent wrinkles and diminish signs of ageing

21. Women who are sexually active may use a variety of hygiene products following intercourse to promote cleanliness

22. Nursing process for skin care and personal hygiene Assessment : Nursing diagnosis : Planning: Implementation: Evaluation:

23. Thank you