Basic 6 · Our World and Our People · My Family
Personal Hygiene During Adolescence
In this topic you will explain how to maintain personal hygiene during adolescence, including care of the skin, teeth, hair, clothes and menstrual hygiene.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain why hygiene is especially important in adolescence
- Describe how to care for different parts of the body
- Practise good menstrual and general hygiene
What you already know
- Managing adolescent problems
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- All About Us
- Sub-strand
- My Family
- Indicator
- B6.1.2.2.1 – Explain how to maintain personal hygiene during adolescence
Introduction
During adolescence, sweat glands become more active, the skin produces more oil and girls begin to menstruate. Good hygiene keeps the body healthy, prevents infections and builds confidence.
1. Why Hygiene Matters in Adolescence
- More sweating causes body odour if not washed away.
- Oily skin can lead to pimples.
- Poor hygiene can cause skin infections, fungal infections and tooth decay.
- Good hygiene builds self-confidence and good relationships.
2. Caring for the Body
| Part | Practice |
|---|---|
| skin | bathe at least twice a day with soap and clean water; wash armpits and private parts well |
| face | wash twice daily; do not squeeze pimples |
| teeth | brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste; floss or use a chewing stick properly; visit a dentist |
| hair | wash regularly; comb; keep it neat and free from lice |
| nails | cut short and keep clean |
| feet | wash and dry well, especially between the toes |
| clothes | change underwear and socks daily; wash and iron clothes |
3. Menstrual Hygiene
Girls should use clean sanitary pads or other safe materials, change them every 4–6 hours (more often when the flow is heavy), wash the private area with clean water, and wrap used pads in paper and put them in a covered bin. Never flush pads down the toilet. Keep a calendar to know when your next period is expected. Menstruation is natural; no girl should be teased or made to feel ashamed.
4. Myths and Facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| girls should not bathe during menstruation | bathing during menstruation is important for hygiene |
| pimples are caused by dirty blood | they are caused by oily skin and hormones |
| boys do not need deodorant | anyone who sweats a lot may need it |
Schools and communities should provide clean toilets, water and soap so that pupils, especially girls, can maintain hygiene and stay in school.
New words
- personal hygiene
- Keeping the body clean and healthy.
- body odour
- An unpleasant smell from sweat.
- menstrual hygiene
- Keeping clean during menstruation.
- sanitary pad
- An absorbent pad used during menstruation.
- fluoride
- A substance in toothpaste that protects teeth.
- myth
- A false belief.
Summary
- Adolescence brings more sweat, oily skin and menstruation.
- Bathe twice daily, brush teeth, care for hair, nails and clothes.
- Change pads every 4–6 hours and dispose of them properly.
- Correct myths with facts.
Class activity: Hygiene Checklist
- Make a daily hygiene checklist.
- Tick each item every day for a week.
- Discuss with a partner which habits you need to improve.
You need: Bar of soap, Toothbrush, Clean hand towel
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. How often should adolescents bathe?
- A. At least twice a day
- B. Once a week
- C. Once a month
- D. Never
Show answer
Answer: At least twice a dayTo remove sweat.2. Sanitary pads should be changed every…
- A. 4–6 hours
- B. 2 days
- C. week
- D. month
Show answer
Answer: 4–6 hoursOr more often.3. Used pads should be…
- A. wrapped and put in a covered bin
- B. flushed down the toilet
- C. thrown on the road
- D. burnt in class
Show answer
Answer: wrapped and put in a covered binProper disposal.4. Squeezing pimples is good for the skin.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt can cause infection and scars.5. Girls should bathe during menstruation.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueIt keeps them clean.6. A false belief is called a ______.
Show answer
Answer: mythCorrected by facts.7. Give four personal hygiene practices for adolescents.
Show answer
Answer: Bathe twice a day, brush teeth, change underwear daily, keep nails short.Any four.8. Why should schools provide clean toilets, water and soap?
Show answer
Answer: So pupils, especially girls during menstruation, can keep clean and stay in school.Supports attendance.
Homework
- Teach a younger sibling three personal hygiene habits.