Publication: Handwashing Programs for Better Hygiene
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2009-04
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2012-08-13
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The handwashing handbook advocates handwashing-with-soap programs to fight the spread of disease. It covers the following components: laying the foundation for a National Handwashing Program; understanding the consumer; and implementing the program. The handbook explains how to research consumer needs, communicate with target audiences, design appropriate and appealing messages, and implement a multi-channel promotional program. Handwashing with soap can dramatically reduce the leading causes of child mortality. The vast majority of child mortality occurs among the world's poorest populations in low and middle-income countries, with diarrhea and respiratory infections responsible for two out of three deaths. Handwashing with soap interrupts one of the main transmission routes of diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin infections and trachoma. Soap plays a key role in stopping transmission; just washing with water has little or no effect. Studies have shown that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrheas incidence by almost half and respiratory infections by a third.
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“World Bank. 2009. Handwashing Programs for Better Hygiene. Water P-Notes; No. 35. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/11727 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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Publication The Power of Primary Schools to Change and Sustain Handwashing with Soap among Children : The Cases of Vietnam and Peru(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2011-09)Vietnam and Peru are two of four countries taking part in the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) Global Scaling up Handwashing Project. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Scaling Up Handwashing Project aims to expand handwashing practices among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and primary school-aged children (5 to 12 in Peru; 6 to 10 in Vietnam) The project focuses on applying innovative promotional approaches to generate widespread and sustained improvement in handwashing with soap practice. Started in December 2006, the project is implemented by local and national governments with technical support from WSP, and participation from the private sector and nongovernmental organizations. 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Preliminary monitoring and evaluation showed mixed but promising improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and practices, particularly in handwashing before eating and preparing food. Fostering partnerships at the national, regional, and local levels has been a key project strategy. Although this has been difficult and demanding at times, it has also been a major reason for progress. Both interpersonal communication (in schools and communities) and mass media (mostly print and radio) made important contributions to changing knowledge, attitudes, and practices.Publication Global Scaling Up Handwashing Project : Results, Impacts, and Learning from Vietnam(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-09)The Vietnam Handwashing Initiative (HWI) began in January 2006 with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from diarrheal diseases in children less than five years of age. In December 2006, Vietnam became one of four countries in the Water and Sanitation Program's (WSP) Global Scaling Up Handwashing Project. The objective of the project was to learn how to stimulate improved hand washing behaviors at large scale, sustain the activities after the project ended, and measure the impact on behavioral, health, and welfare outcomes. This learning note presents the achievements, learning, and reflections that resulted from implementing a large-scale hand washing program in Vietnam and provides recommendations for future hygiene promotion initiatives. During the four-year implementation (2006-2010), the program achieved all four of its key objectives. However, a randomized control trial (RCT) impact evaluation found no significant changes in hand washing behavior and no impact on health in children under two. Although much has been learned about how to implement a nation-wide communication program in Vietnam, behavior change at scale has proven challenging.Publication Tanzania : A Handwashing Behavior Change Journey(Washington, DC, 2011-10)In Tanzania, nearly 30,000 people die annually due to diarrheal diseases and an estimated 12.6 percent of children suffer from diarrheal diseases. There is a widespread and deep-rooted belief that diarrhea is part of growing up and cannot be prevented. Working with the government and with non-governmental organizations, the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) sought to increase rates of handwashing with soap among women and children, especially at critical junctures. This learning note documents the development of the project, with a focus on how it was designed, implemented, and monitored. Challenges and lessons learned are highlighted to assist program managers in designing and managing evidence-based handwashing with soap and other hygiene promotion programs.Publication Vietnam : A Handwashing Behavior Change Journey for the Caretakers’ Program(Washington, DC, 2011-12)The Vietnam Handwashing Initiative (HWI) was launched in January 2006 by the Ministry of Health (MoH) with funds from the Danish Embassy in Vietnam and technical assistance from the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP). This learning note documents the development process of the caretakers' program with a focus on how it was designed, implemented, and monitored. Lessons learned and challenges are also highlighted to assist program managers in designing and managing evidence-based handwashing with soap or other hygiene promotion programs. A separate publication will focus on the process of developing the children's handwashing program.
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