Awareness, Behavior, and Gaps: A Survey-Based Analysis of Personal Hygiene, Home Safety, and Road Safety Practices

Year : 2026 | Volume : 03 | 01 | Page :
    By

    Neelesh Kumar Maurya,

  • Gul Sirin,

  • Faiza Farji,

  • Vandita Mahanta,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Science, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. B.SC Student, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Science, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  3. B.SC Student, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Science, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  4. B.SC Student, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Science, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Personal hygiene and public safety remain two of the most critical yet behaviorally neglected pillars of community health in India. Despite decades of national health campaigns, a persistent gap continues to exist between what people know and what they actually do — particularly among urban youth. This cross-sectional, survey-based study examined awareness levels, behavioral practices, and compliance gaps across three interconnected domains: personal hygiene, home accident prevention, and road safety, among 32 respondents from urban, semi- urban, and rural settings in India. Data were collected using a structured 30-item Google Forms questionnaire covering
demographic details, hygiene practices, household safety behaviors, and road safety knowledge. The sample was predominantly young (68.8% aged 18–25 years), female (59.4%), and urban (59.4%), reflecting the digital accessibility of the survey platform.Findings revealed a notable imbalance across the three domains. Personal hygiene awareness was relatively strong, with 84.4% of respondents consistently washing hands before meals and 87.5% practicing respiratory hygiene. Home safety compliance was equally encouraging, with 93.8% reporting consistent gas safety practices and 75% maintaining a first aid kit. Road safety, however, emerged as the most
critical area of concern — 71.9% of respondents admitted to ignoring traffic rules in the absence of enforcement, and 37.5% reported skipping helmets or seatbelts when in a hurry, despite acknowledging road injuries as a serious public health threat.These findings confirm a deeply rooted knowledge–behavior gap, particularly in road safety, driven less by ignorance and more by attitudinal barriers such as time pressure (18.8%), lack of discipline (59%), and
overconfidence (6.3%). The study underscores an urgent need for targeted, enforcement-integrated, and youth-centered behavioral interventions across all three safety domains in India.

Keywords: Personal hygiene, public safety, handwashing, road safety, home accident prevention, behavior change, India.

How to cite this article:
Neelesh Kumar Maurya, Gul Sirin, Faiza Farji, Vandita Mahanta. Awareness, Behavior, and Gaps: A Survey-Based Analysis of Personal Hygiene, Home Safety, and Road Safety Practices. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2026; 03(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Neelesh Kumar Maurya, Gul Sirin, Faiza Farji, Vandita Mahanta. Awareness, Behavior, and Gaps: A Survey-Based Analysis of Personal Hygiene, Home Safety, and Road Safety Practices. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2026; 03(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijbsc/article=2026/view=246969


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
01
Received 27/02/2026
Accepted 04/06/2026
Published 05/06/2026
Publication Time 98 Days
11

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