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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04078633

Innovative Hand Washing Interventions for Internally Displaced Populations in Ethiopia

Understanding how different types of visual prompts and props could impact handwashing practices in humanitarian emergency settings could allow organisations managing camps to deliver hygiene interventions tailored to populations in humanitarian crises. The study aims to test how liquid soap, bar soap and the use of a mirror could impact handwashing behaviours. As such, this research could lead to participants increased handwashing, which should lead to decreased disease transmission of important infectious diseases. With the compliance of NGOs, and the working relationship that will be formed, the results of the research will be shared directly with them. It is likely they will immediately act on any findings.

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Key information

Conditions

Behavior

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medecine

London, WC1E7HT, United Kingdom

About this study

According to UNICEF, respiratory and diarrheal diseases are the first and second leading causes of deaths among children under-five years of age worldwide. Handwashing has the potential to reduce diarrhoeal disease by almost half and respiratory infections by a quarter. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are especially vulnerable to diarrheal and respiratory diseases, mainly due to overcrowding of settlements and camps and lack of access to WASH facilities. Hygiene programmes delivered in humanitarian crises primarily involve distributing hygiene kits and teaching people about disease transmission. These things are important but are commonly insufficient to lead to behaviour change.

Research in non-emergency settings has shown that the presence of a convenient and desirable handwashing facility may be the factor most likely to determine whether or not people wash their hands. This is particularly relevant to handwashing promotion in IDP camps where it is typically the responsibility of governments or organisations to provide water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Research in non-emergency settings has also shown that using stories and emotional motivators can be a powerful way of changing behaviour, but to date such approaches have not been tried in emergency settings, where they could potentially have a more substantial impact on disease transmission.

Study Aim: To develop and test innovative behaviour change approaches to improve handwashing behaviour among IDPs in Ethiopia.

Study objectives:

  • To conduct a cluster randomised pilot study to assess whether the provision of liquid soap makes handwashing more desirable and more likely to be practiced.
  • To conduct a cluster randomised pilot study to assess whether installing mirrors above the handwashing facility makes handwashing more desirable and more likely to be practiced.
  • To conduct a pilot study of the effect of motivational stories on handwashing behaviour.
  • To conduct a pilot study of the effect of educational activities on handwashing behaviour.

Methodology: The study will be conducted in IDP settlements in Oromia Region. Zones of the camp will be randomised to either receive one of the interventions or to act as a control. If the intervention is successful, the control arm will receive the intervention also. Households will be informed about the research and provide voluntary consent if they wish to participate. Handwashing behaviour will be assessed through structured observation and socio-demographic information will be collected through a survey. Focus groups will be conducted to understand people's perceptions about the interventions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Internally displaces persons living in humanitarian crises settings

Exclusion criteria

  • Host community

Treatment and study plan

Hand hygiene interventions

Behavioral

Interventions are commonly used physical props for handwashing and commonly used hygiene promotion activities.

Primary outcomes

  1. Structured observation to measure frequency of handwashing, who is washing their hands and whether soap was used.

    Time frame: 4 weeks after implementation

    The primary outcome measure for this study will be observed handwashing at five key critical times (after using the toilet, before preparing food, before eating, before feeding a child and after cleaning a child's faeces). It will also be monitored whether hands are washed with soap or with water only. This will be measured via 3-hour structured observations which is considered to be the gold standard within the sector

  2. Survey on socio-demographics and hand hygiene behaviours

    Time frame: 4 weeks after implementation

    After completing the structured observation, a short survey will be conducted with each household. This will cover family demographics, and information about water, sanitation and hygiene practices. The survey will be administered to the female head of the household. It is estimated that this will take 30 minutes to complete.

  3. Focus group discussions on drivers and barriers to handwashing in the IDP settlement

    Time frame: 1 hour per focus group discussion 6 weeks after implementation

    Focus group discussions will be conducted with recipients in the intervention arms. These will be designed to explore reactions to the interventions and generate reflections on what was liked or disliked about them. The focus group discussions aim to explore what is driving handwashing behaviour, or preventing it in the camps. Two focus group discussions, one with women and one with men, will be conducted in each of the intervention arms. It is estimated that about seven people will participate in each group discussion. Participants will be selected to represent a diverse mix of demographics within the camp and will be individuals that are believed yo contribute most to our learning about hygiene in the local context. The focus group discussions will involve participatory activities using visual prompts or tasks like ranking and scaling. Focus group discussions will be audio recorded.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Other

Collaborators

  • Action Contre la Faim

Registry information

Official study title

Pilot Studies of Innovative Hand Washing Interventions for Internally Displaced Populations in Ethiopia

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2020
First posted
Sep 6, 2019
Registry last updated
Apr 28, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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