Impact of a school-based water, sanitation and hygiene programme on children's independent handwashing and toothbrushing habits: a cluster-randomised trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To explore whether a school-based water, sanitation and hygiene programme, which includes group hygiene activities, contributes to the formation of independent handwashing and toothbrushing habits among Filipino children.

Methods

In this cluster-randomised trial, twenty primary schools were randomly allocated to the intervention or control arm. Intervention schools received group handwashing facilities and implemented daily group handwashing and toothbrushing activities. A soap use to toilet event ratio was calculated to measure children's independent handwashing behaviour after toilet use, and dental plaque accumulation on Monday morning was measured as a proxy indicator for children's independent toothbrushing behaviour at home.

Results

Four months after

SUBMITTER: Duijster D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7717050 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature