Table 2 Hand hygiene practice of mothers or care givers and children in the rural settings of the east Dembiya district, northwest Ethiopia, May–June 2021, (n = 372)

Mothers or care givers always washed hands

 After visiting toilet

 After defecating a child

 Before feeding a child

 Before preparing foods

 After handling rubbish

 After touching animals

What mothers or care givers usually used to wash hands

 Water alone

 Soap

 Leaf

 Ash

How mothers or care givers washed hands during the observation

 Used soap

 Used ash

 Thoroughly rubbed all parts of the hand for at least 20 s

 Wiped hands on their cloth after washing

 Dried in the air after washing

Mothers or care givers always washed hands of children after playing

 Yes

 No

Mothers or care givers always washed hands of children before eating

 Yes

 No

Mothers or care givers kept fingernails short and clean

 Yes

 No

Children kept fingernails short and clean

 Yes

 No

Children mouthed soil material

 Yes

 No