Bridging the Gap between Hygiene Awareness and Lifestyle Management: A Study of Health Practices Among Young Adults

Abstract

This study examines the health practices of 218 individuals, predominantly young females (70.6%) aged 21–30 years (89.9%), to explore how demographic variables influence hygiene, nutrition, and lifestyle behaviours. The findings reveal strong adherence to basic hygiene practices—such as handwashing (99.1%) and tongue cleaning (89.0%)—but weaker engagement in daily exercise (31.2%) and consistent fruit consumption (21.1%). Statistical analysis using t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA identified significant differences in positive health scores across gender (p = 0.003), age (p = 0.042), and educational qualification (p = 0.011), while residence type exerted no significant influence (p = 0.866). Overall, females and participants aged 31–40 demonstrated stronger positive health behaviours. The results underscore the need for educational interventions emphasizing lifestyle management and health literacy among younger adults, particularly males and undergraduates.