The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing (PPPHW) Findings from the 2014 Handwashing Behavior Change Think

Tank

Take Stock of the Best:

Motivators for handwashing include: nurture, disgust, comfort, having a designated place for washing hands with easy access to soap, and the distance between the handwashing location and the toilet.

Lets build on what we know about successful social norms changing for other behaviors. We need to get creative in this area and make handwashing a more visible behavior. Think about the determinants for starting and then sustaining handwashing behavior. They may be different. The behavior that needs to change is not only that of the target handwasher, but others as well. For example, if we want the mother to wash her hands, perhaps the father may need to help maintain the handwashing device as he does other household technologies. Or the mothers in law need to provide support and create time for the mothers to handwash.

Integration of handwashing behavior change into community total sanitation programs, although challenging, is working handwashing is increasing as a result in many locations.

Identify the Gaps:

Recent evidence show there is an emerging trade-off between scale and impact. The larger the target population, the less the impact on behavior change and health. We still lack evidence of significant and sustainable handwashing behavior change at scale.

Enabling technologies play a role in handwashing behavior change. We must think about what options for handwashing devices and products are appropriate for starting and maintaining handwashing.

Programs still struggle with sustaining handwashing behavior over time. What follow up is necessary after an initial intervention to ensure sustainable handwashing behavior? (it may be visits as well as other activities, such as a media component, a school component etc)

There is a lack of affordable, high-quality handwashing stations/devices, which still suffer from the need to refill with water. We need to test the most promising prototypes at the country or regional level for possible at-scale promotion.

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Articulate the Way Forward:

The PPPHW could play a role in not only compiling and sharing the latest research, but communicating what progress has been made (i.e. road map) in our knowledge of different aspects of handwashing behavior change and any pertinent recommendations for implementers.

Expand on the existing handwashing ladder to include incremental steps to improving handwashing behavior. Share handwashing social norms approaches and ideas on any other determinants as well Explore existing habits and social norms as a foundation for handwashing behavior change Articulate steps for successful integration of handwashing into sanitation programming Host regional Think Tank Share handwashing advocacy messages throughout the WASH sector

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