Assessing the effectiveness of compound-led initiatives on hygiene practices and maintenance of handwashing facilities in low income settings in Kenya.
Principal Investigator: Sheillah Simiyu, RGHI Fellow.
Many African countries, including Kenya, have large numbers of their urban residents living in low income settlements, that often lack basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services that are critical in preventing diseases.
When water and sanitation services are available, they are often shared with several other households. Whereas it is expected that handwashing facilities are available at the household level, this is not the case in low income settlements, thereby limiting handwashing with soap at key moments. This study aims to understand hand hygiene behaviours in low income settlements, to design appropriate hand hygiene facilities that are managed by community members, and assess the effectiveness of these facilities in increasing handwashing practices.
Phase one of the research is aimed at identifying the key hygiene practices in the settlements. Phase two is the design of appropriate handwashing facilities with compound members, and phase three is an evaluation of their effectiveness in increasing handwashing practices. The study is being conducted in three sites in Kenya, to provide a comparison of hygiene practices in a capital city, a medium sized city, and a rapidly growing secondary city.
Outputs from this study will provide information on determinants of hygiene practices in low income settlements, and how communities can be empowered to influence their hygiene practices. This data will provide evidence relevant to policy makers and practitioners, and will inform global goals such as the sustainable development goals.
