Abstract: Background: Adolescence marks a critical phase in human development, where lifelong habits and behaviors are established. Personal hygiene and care habits play a pivotal role in overall health and well-being. This study assesses the knowledge and awareness of personal hygiene and care practices among school-going adolescents in Himachal Pradesh, India, aiming to identify areas for improvement and inform targeted interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 school-going adolescents using a structured questionnaire. The survey covered various aspects of personal hygiene and care, and knowledge was categorized into four levels: very good, good, fair, and poor. Data analysis was performed using Epi Info V7 software. Results: The study reveals that a substantial proportion of adolescents exhibited commendable knowledge in personal hygiene and care practices. Notably, 81.75% recognized the importance of personal hygiene for overall health. Participants also demonstrated a good understanding of dental hygiene (79.5%) and proper handwashing techniques (80.75%). However, areas requiring attention include knowledge related to food safety (66.25%) and eye and ear hygiene (66.5%). Overall, 35.75% of participants exhibited very good knowledge, 42% had good knowledge, 11.75% had fair knowledge, and 10.5% had poor knowledge regarding personal hygiene and care habits. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of personal hygiene and care awareness among school-going adolescents in Himachal Pradesh. While many adolescents demonstrate commendable knowledge in several areas, targeted educational interventions are needed to address specific gaps and reinforce existing understanding. Comprehensive hygiene education programs can empower adolescents to make informed choices about their health, contributing to their improved well-being.

Keywords: Adolescents, personal hygiene, care habits, knowledge, awareness, Himachal Pradesh, India.