Personal hygiene entails more than just being clean. It includes many practices that help people stay healthy. Many of the health problems that adolescents face are linked to their activities and habits. Adolescents are active while playing, (exercising,, exploring the world, carrying out science activities which brings them in contact with dirt, germs and chemicals. They need to be aware of the harm that these can cause and how simple measures like washing hands repeatedly can prevent diseases (sometimes fatal) like typhoid, cholera, worm infestation etc, from spreading.
Adolescents also need to know how to take care of their evolving and changing bodies. Bathing daily with soap and water, maintaining dental and oral hygiene taking care of eyes and ears and grooming are some of the activities that adolescents need to carry out. Adolescents who maintain personal hygiene are less pre-disposed to skin infections and other communicable diseases.