Impact of a school-based water, sanitation and hygiene programme on children’s independent handwashing and toothbrushing habits: a cluster-randomised trial

Denise Duijster (), Helen Buxton (), Habib Benzian (), Jed Dimaisip-Nabuab (), Bella Monse (), Catherine Volgenant () and Robert Dreibelbis ()
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Denise Duijster: University of Amsterdam and VU Universiteit Amsterdam
Helen Buxton: School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London
Habib Benzian: New York University
Jed Dimaisip-Nabuab: Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Bella Monse: Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Catherine Volgenant: University of Amsterdam and VU Universiteit Amsterdam
Robert Dreibelbis: School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London

International Journal of Public Health, 2020, vol. 65, issue 9, No 21, 1699-1709

Abstract: Abstract Objectives To explore whether a school-based water, sanitation and hygiene programme, which includes group hygiene activities, contributes to the formation of independent handwashing and toothbrushing habits among Filipino children. Methods In this cluster-randomised trial, twenty primary schools were randomly allocated to the intervention or control arm. Intervention schools received group handwashing facilities and implemented daily group handwashing and toothbrushing activities. A soap use to toilet event ratio was calculated to measure children’s independent handwashing behaviour after toilet use, and dental plaque accumulation on Monday morning was measured as a proxy indicator for children’s independent toothbrushing behaviour at home. Results Four months after implementation, handwashing and toothbrushing behaviours did not significantly differ between intervention and control schools. The mean soap use in intervention schools and control schools was 0.41 g and 0.30 g per toilet event, respectively (p = 0.637). Compared to baseline, mean plaque scores reduced by 4.2% and 3.5% in intervention and control schools, respectively (p = 0.857). Conclusions Although health benefits have been established, school-based group handwashing and toothbrushing may not be sufficient to increase children’s uptake of independent hygiene behaviours.

Keywords: Handwashing; Toothbrushing; Habit formation; School programme; Children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01514-z

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