Selection, use and care of undergarments among students in Kwanyako Senior High School

Abstract

The study was conducted at Kwanyako Senior High School. The descriptive survey design was employed to investigate how students in the school‟s boarding house select, use and care for their undergarments. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 176 respondents, comprising 115 females and 61 males for the study. Research objectives for the study were: to identify the types of undergarments used by students, examine factors they considered in their selection, evaluate the care methods adopted by students to maintain their undergarments and to explore undergarment related challenges they experienced. Questionnaire was used to collect data which were analysed electronically with the SPSS version 21 to generate percentages, means and standard deviations and independent t-test. The study revealed that female students often wore undergarments such as chemises, brassieres, boy shorts, briefs, underskirts, thongs, G-strings, brassieres and chemise while the male students used boxer shorts, undershirts, singlets, boxer briefs and briefs. Both female and male students considered association, intention for use, outer wear, convenience and affordability. Care methods used were mending, washing, airing, bleaching, drying, ironing and storing in trunks. It was also found that both sexes used appropriate care methods for their undergarments; however, both had health problems. Independent t-test was used to determine the significant difference in the factors for selecting undergarments among male and male female students, and the care methods adopted to maintain their undergarments. It was tested at a significant level of p<0.05 at a confidence interval of 95%. The test results showed that both null hypotheses were not rejected. Thus, similar factors and care methods were considered by both male and female students in their selection and care. It is recommended that the authorities of the school educate students on the health implications of using thongs and G-strings, tight casing of undergarment at waist line, and the use of undergarments made with synthetic fabrics in order to prevent infections. Students should be advised to desist from stealing undergarments, school authorities should provide enough drying lines on campus to prevent infections.