Personal hygiene 

This refers to individual cleanliness. It mirrors on how one takes care of oneself.


Good manners 

This refer to acceptable person's ways of behaving towards others.

Principles of personal hygiene

  • Eating balanced diet regularly to maintain good health
  • The body should be washed daily and hair combed regularly
  • Teeth should be brushed after every meal
  • The nails should be cut short
  • Wear clean and ironed clothes
  • Avoid risk behaviors like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, prostitution and others
  • Wash your hands with soap before and after meals and after visiting a lavatory
  • Have enough sleep and rest.
  • Take regular exercises to maintain fitness
  • Underwear should be changed regularly
  • Bedding should be changed regularly

Principles of good manners


1. Respect;
 – an individual should have good respect such as: showing great respect to elders by
helping and greeting them decently; being polite and humble; and talking in a clear and calm voice.

2. Tidiness;
– every body should look smart all the time. An individual should: keep the bedroom
neat; brush shoes; wear clean and ironed clothes; cut nails and hairs short; comb or plait the hair nicely, etc.

3. Discipline;
– an individual should be well disciplined e.g. avoid using bad language; cover, your
mouth when sneezing, yawning or coughing; and portray good postures e.g. sitting properly in class and at home.

4. Good eating habits (table manners) which include the following;
–Eating at regular time intervals; Avoid talking with food is in the mouth; Do not pile food up on your plate. Serve yourself with a reasonable amount while considering others; In case the food given is not good, make an excuse that you are not hungry or not feeling well rather than showing or saying that the food is not good; Don't tell stories that will make others laugh when eating; Always wash your hands before and after eating.

5. Putting things in proper order;
–All objects in the surrounding should be kept properly and in a right place e.g.: Rubbish should be disposed as required; Books should be kept in shelves; Cooking and eating utensils should be kept well in the cupboards; Clothes should be properly ironed, folded and kept.

Requirements of Personal Hygiene and Good Manners.

This includes towel, soap, comb, brush, basin, toothbrush, a pair of scissors, razor blades, water and cosmetics.

Ways of Maintaining Proper Personal Hygiene During Puberty

Puberty is the adolescent period. It is the period when one experiences physiological changes in the body. The physiological changes mark the beginning of adolescence.Puberty begins the age of 10 to 12 years for girls and 11 to 14 years for boys.


Ways of maintaining proper hygiene during puberty

1. Both sexes should wash their bodies regularly.

2. During menstruation, girls should use good quality sanitary towels or pads and change them as necessary.

3. Boys should undergo circumcision and females should avoid female genital mutilation.

4. Underwears should be washed and changed regularly.

5. Both boys and girls should avoid irresponsible sexual behaviours such as prostitution and rape so as to keep away from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

6. Hair in the armpits or pubic areas should be shaved or trimmed.

The Importance of Personal Hygiene and Good Manners


These includes:

1. Reduces chances of pathogen infection.

2. Enhances social acceptance in the society.

3. Prevents one from getting choked while eating.

4. Maintains natural body state.

5. Maintains personality of an individual in the society.

6. One becomes respected by others.

7.  Maintains health of the body and mind.