Impact of a Hand Hygiene Curriculum and Group Handwashing Station at Two Primary Schools in East Africa
Abstract
Proper handwashing reduces the transmission of deadly, preventable diseases. Schools, even those with limited resources, have the power to promote handwashing through simple, effective interventions. This study evaluated the impact of a school-based handwashing program consisting of two interventions: a hand-hygiene curriculum and group handwashing station. Quantitative and open-ended pre/postintervention surveys were administered to students at one primary school in Kenya (n = 38) and at one primary school in Uganda (n = 57). Matching procedures were followed at each school. Paired ttests for pre/postsurveys demonstrated an increase in students’ knowledge (p < .001) and frequency of handwashing (p < .001). After 6 months, students were still engaging in daily group handwashing. The curriculum increased knowledge, and the handwashing station enabled students to translate their knowledge into action. This study supports educational interventions combined with built environmental interventions should be used to promote handwashing behaviors and emphasizes the role of group handwashing stations.
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Biographies
Stephanie E. Pasewaldt, BS, graduated from James Madison University with her bachelor’s degree in Public health. She plans to pursue her master of Public Health in global epidemiology and is interested in studying infectious disease outbreak management in vulnerable contexts.
Stephanie L. Baller, PhD, is an associate professor of in the Department of Health Sciences at James Madison University. She teaches in the areas of health behavior change and research methods and has scholarly interests in undergraduate education as well as the production of space and how it influences physical activity.
Sarah R. Blackstone, MPH, PhD, is an assistant professor at James Madison University. Her research interests are in psychosocial aspects related to health beliefs and behavior, and the role of social determinants of health in influencing health and wellbeing.
Lucy Bryan Malenke, MFA, is an assistant professor of Writing at James Madison University, where she serves as the University Writing Center’s liaison to the College of Health and Behavioral Studies.
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Article first published online: December 21, 2018
Issue published: April 2019
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PubMed: 30577725
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