The Link Between Hygiene and School Attendance

naturalena
Jul 18
1 min read

When children lack access to basic hygiene products, the consequences go beyond physical health. Poor hygiene can lead to frequent school absences, low self-esteem, and even bullying. Ensuring that every child has the essentials—like soap, shampoo, deodorant, and clean clothing—can support better educational outcomes and mental well-being.

How Hygiene Impacts Education

Children who don’t feel clean are less likely to attend school and more likely to suffer from social anxiety. Studies show that poor hygiene contributes to absenteeism and reduced academic performance. According to the U.S. Department of Education, chronic absenteeism affects more than 8 million students each year (https://www.ed.gov/chronicabsenteeism).

Common Hygiene Barriers

Lack of access to laundry facilities or clean clothes
Inability to afford personal care items
Limited hygiene education at home or school

Community Solutions

Schools and nonprofit organizations are stepping up by providing hygiene closets, weekend care kits, and school-based hygiene education. The National Association of School Nurses supports these efforts with hygiene guidelines and resources (https://www.nasn.org/).