Document Detail


Determinants of handwashing practices in Kenya: the role of media exposure, poverty and infrastructure.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19793069     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: To explore how structural constraints such as lack of reliable water supply, sanitation, educational and other socio-economic factors limit the adoption of better hygiene. METHODS: In preparation for the Kenya National Handwashing Campaign, we conducted a nationwide cross sectional survey in 800 households with two components: (i) direct structured observation of hygiene practices at key junctures (food handling, cleaning a child after defaecation, toilet use), followed by (ii) a structured interview addressing potential socio-economic, water access and behavioural determinants of handwashing. RESULTS: We observed a total of 5182 critical opportunities for handwashing, and handwashing with soap at 25% of these. Handwashing with soap was more often practised after faecal contact (32%) than in connection with food handling (15%). In univariate and multivariate analysis, water access, level of education, media exposure and media ownership were associated with handwashing with soap. Only households with very poor access to water and sanitation, and with the lowest levels of education and media exposure, washed their hands markedly less than the majority of the households. CONCLUSION: The results underscore that structural constraints can limit hygiene practices in the very disadvantaged sections of a population, thus jeopardizing the potential success of hygiene promotion campaigns in those most at risk of disease. Nevertheless, the strong association of handwashing with media ownership and exposure supports the view that mass media can play a role in hygiene promotion.
Authors:
Wolf-Peter Schmidt; Robert Aunger; Yolande Coombes; Peninnah Mukiri Maina; Carol Nkatha Matiko; Adam Biran; Val Curtis
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-09-30
Journal Detail:
Title:  Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH     Volume:  14     ISSN:  1365-3156     ISO Abbreviation:  Trop. Med. Int. Health     Publication Date:  2009 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-12-03     Completed Date:  2010-01-07     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9610576     Medline TA:  Trop Med Int Health     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1534-41     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. wolf-peter.schmidt@lshtm.ac.uk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Defecation
Family Characteristics
Female
Food Handling
Handwashing / standards*
Health Behavior
Health Education / methods
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Hygiene / education,  standards*
Male
Mass Media
Middle Aged
Soaps
Socioeconomic Factors
Young Adult
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Soaps

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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