Abstract:
Despite its simplicity and efficacy, the promotion of hand washing
for disease prevention remains a challenge, particularly in resourcelimited
settings. This article reports on a quasi-experimental schoolbased
study that aimed to improve habitual hand washing.
Significant increases in hand washing occurred following improvements
in hygiene and sanitation facilities (School A: t = 13.86,
p = 0.0052). Smaller increases in hand washing occurred following
education (School A: t = 2.63; p = 0.012; School B, no infrastructure
improvements: t = 1.66, p = 0.239). Health policy and programming
need to pay greater attention to the interplay of the structural,
social and individual dimensions of unique contextual environments
that influence habitual behaviours.
