Washing with hope: evidence of improved handwashing among children in South Africa from a pilot study of a novel soap technology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While regular handwashing effectively reduces communicable disease incidence and related child mortality, instilling a habit of regular handwashing in young children continues to be a challenging task, especially in developing country contexts. This randomised controlled pilot study assessed the effect of a novel handwashing intervention - a bi-monthly delivery of a colourful, translucent bar of soap with a toy embedded in its centre (HOPE SOAP©) - on children's handwashing behaviour and health outcomes.

Methods

Between September and December 2014, 203 households in an impoverished community in Cape Town, South Africa, were randomised (1:1) to the control group or to receive HOPE SOAP©. Of all children (N = 287) aged 3-9 years and not enrolled in early childhood d

SUBMITTER: Burns J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5992781 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature