Effects of a community-driven water, sanitation, and hygiene intervention on diarrhea, child growth, and local institutions: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in rural Democratic Republic of Congo.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diarrhea and growth faltering in early childhood reduce survival and impair neurodevelopment. We assessed whether a national program combining (i) funds for latrine and water upgrades; (ii) institutional strengthening; and (iii) behavior change campaigns reduced diarrhea and stunting, and strengthened local institutions.

Methods and findings

We collaborated with program implementers to conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial in four provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Three hundred thirty-two rural villages were grouped into 121 clusters to minimize geographic spillovers. Between 15 March and 30 June 2018, we randomly assigned, after stratifying by province and cluster size, 50 intervention and 71 control clusters. Masking of participants an

SUBMITTER: Quattrochi JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11884671 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature