Hand hygiene: care, teaching and learning processes for children

Hands are pathway for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms and they are mean of transferring from one to another surface through contact with contaminated objects and other surfaces. Objective: Guide children from 5 to 8 years of age at Federal Basic Education School in a “Triângulo Mineiro” city in the State of Minas Gerais-Brazil, about the importance of performing proper hand hygiene to prevent and reduce infections, through health promotion at school. Method: Quantitative research initially developed by the participant observation and application of a questionnaire previously structured in the school context. Results: Male students at the age of seven years were statistically significant (p> 0.05) for the risk factor in contracting diarrhea, and also they can be observed as a risk predictor for non-adherence of hand washing after realization of physiological needs. Conclusion: The execution of educational actions focused on health promotion can stimulate healthier lifestyle habits and disseminate knowledge about diseases, improving health and promoting quality of life among people.