Handwashing Programs for Better Hygiene

Abstract

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.