A Review of the Community Health Club Literature Describing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Outcomes

Jason Rosenfeld, Ruth Berggren and Leah Frerichs
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Jason Rosenfeld: Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
Ruth Berggren: Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
Leah Frerichs: Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1102C McGavran-Greenberg, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7411, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-33

Abstract: The Community Health Club (CHC) model is a community-based health promotion program that utilizes water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education as the first stage of a longitudinal development process. Although the CHC model has been implemented in fourteen countries over 20 years, this is the first review of the literature describing the model’s outcomes and impact. We conducted a review of the literature that provided quantitative or qualitative evidence of CHC interventions focused on WASH in low- and middle-income countries. We identified 25 articles that met our inclusion criteria. We found six major outcomes: WASH behaviors and knowledge, social capital, collective action, health, and cost or cost-effectiveness. The most consistent evidence was associated with WASH behaviors and knowledge, with significant effects on defecation practices, hand washing behaviors, and WASH knowledge. We also found qualitative evidence of impact on social capital and collective action. CHCs catalyze favorable changes in WASH behaviors and knowledge, yielding outcomes commensurate with other WASH promotion strategies. This review provides insights into the model’s theory of change, helping identify areas for further investigation. The CHC model’s holistic focus and emphasis on individual and collective change offer promising potential to address multiple health and development determinants.

Keywords: water; sanitation and hygiene; community health clubs; health promotion; behavior change; community-based (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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