Media Access is Associated with Knowledge of Optimal Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices in Tanzania

Chelsi C. Alexander, Shilpa Shrestha, Mamadou D. Tounkara, Shelly Cooper, Leiema Hunt, Taylor H. Hoj, Kirk Dearden, Dotto Kezakubi, Vianney Atugonza, Joshua West, Benjamin Crookston and Cougar Hall
Additional contact information
Chelsi C. Alexander: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Shilpa Shrestha: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Mamadou D. Tounkara: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Shelly Cooper: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Leiema Hunt: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Taylor H. Hoj: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Kirk Dearden: IMA World Health, Nyalali Curve, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dotto Kezakubi: DMI Tanzania, P.O. Box 517, Mwanza, Tanzania
Vianney Atugonza: DMI Tanzania, P.O. Box 517, Mwanza, Tanzania
Joshua West: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Benjamin Crookston: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Cougar Hall: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-10

Abstract: The importance of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) behaviors in low- and middle-income countries in preventing childhood illness is well established. Tanzania is known to have high rates of chronic malnutrition and childhood stunting—both of which have been linked to poor WASH practices. Interviews were conducted with 5000 primary caregivers of children aged 0–23 months. Four composite WASH knowledge variables were created to assess the relationship between WASH knowledge and access to different forms of media, such as television, radio, and mobile phones. WASH knowledge variables measure knowledge of when to wash hands, the need for soap when washing hands, when to wash a baby’s hands, and how eating soil or chicken feces can affect a baby’s health. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to measure the association between media access and WASH knowledge. Having watched television was positively associated with higher WASH knowledge indicators (all p < 0.05). Higher WASH knowledge was positively associated with more frequent handwashing after cleaning a baby’s bottom (all p < 0.0001). The quantity of media access also had a positive linear effect on handwashing; more media items owned was associated with increases in handwashing. Study findings indicate media access is associated with WASH knowledge among caregivers in resource-poor settings.

Keywords: water; sanitation; hygiene; media access; Tanzania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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