Hygiene

Although a number of small-scale interventions have been undertaken in Uganda in the past, there is no reliable data on handwashing practices, nor has there been understanding of the reasons why people do or do not wash their hands with soap mainly because hand washing behaviour is an emotive issue.

The National Sanitation Working Group (NSWG intended to design and execute a national handwashing with soap campaign aimed at increasing the rates of handwashing with soap at key junctures among the groups most susceptible to diarrhoeal diseases.  These include children less than five years of age through their caretakers, and school-aged children (6-13 years).  The main purpose of this research was to provide insights to the design of an effective communication programme to promote hand washing with soap.  The research utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and was executed at two levels; community and school targeting caregivers of children under 5 years and school going children of 6-13 years. The community methods included structured observations, behavioural trials, focus group discussions, and In-depth interviews.  The report provides key information for all involved in promotion of handwashing at all levels.