A National Communication Campaign in Indonesia Is Associated with Improved WASH-Related Knowledge and Behaviors in Indonesian Mothers

Curtis Hanson, Emily Allen, Margie Fullmer, Rachel O’Brien, Kirk Dearden, Joshua Garn, Cut Novianti Rachmi, Jeffrey Glenn, Joshua West, Benjamin Crookston and Parley Hall
Additional contact information
Curtis Hanson: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Emily Allen: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Margie Fullmer: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Rachel O’Brien: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Kirk Dearden: IMA World Health, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Joshua Garn: School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Cut Novianti Rachmi: Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jawa Barat 45363, Indonesia
Jeffrey Glenn: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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
Parley Hall: Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) behaviors play a significant role in stunting. Knowledge and behaviors regarding WASH among caregivers are critical to providing children with chances to survive and thrive. The purpose of this study is to determine if exposure to a national communication campaign using media and interpersonal communication (IPC) is associated with WASH-related knowledge and behaviors among Indonesian mothers with children under the age of two. Methods: Data came from a cross-sectional survey of 1734 mothers with children under the age of two. The measures included exposure to two different interventions: media messages (media) and interpersonal communication strategies (IPC) and WASH-related knowledge and behavior. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between intervention exposure and study variables. Results: Exposure to both media and IPC interventions was associated with participants having a higher knowledge of appropriate defecation practices ( p < 0.001), higher knowledge of proper handwashing practices ( p < 0.001), and higher self-reported handwashing at critical times ( p < 0.001) but was not associated with reported practicing of appropriate defecation (OR = 0.780, 95% CI: 0.566–1.101). Mothers exposed to only media interventions were more likely to have knowledge of appropriate defecation practices ( p < 0.001) and to have reported practicing appropriate defecation behaviors (OR = 1.539, 95% CI: 1.173–2.019). Mothers exposed to only IPC interventions were more likely to have reported handwashing at critical times ( p = 0.009). Conclusions: Exposure to both media and IPC interventions was associated with increased knowledge and optimal behaviors related to WASH. These findings demonstrate the value of communications campaigns that use mass media coupled with IPC to improve WASH knowledge and behavior.

Keywords: WASH; media messages; interpersonal communication strategies; knowledge; behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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