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Handwashing in 51 Countries: Analysis of Proxy Measures of Handwashing Behavior in Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys and Demographic and Health Surveys, 2010–2013
Authors: Swapna Kumar, Libbet Loughnan, Rolf Luyendijk, Orlando Hernandez, Merri Weinger, Fred Arnold, and Pavani K. Ram
Source: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Online first: 12 June 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0445
Topic(s): Diarrhea
Hygiene
Country: More than one region
  Multiple Regions
Published: JUN 2017
Abstract: In 2009, a common set of questions addressing handwashing behavior was introduced into nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), providing large amounts of comparable data from numerous countries worldwide. The objective of this analysis is to describe global handwashing patterns using two proxy indicators for handwashing behavior from 51 DHS and MICS surveys conducted in 2010–2013: availability of soap anywhere in the dwelling and access to a handwashing place with soap and water. Data were also examined across geographic regions, wealth quintiles, and rural versus urban settings. We found large disparities for both indicators across regions, and even among countries within the same World Health Organization region. Within countries, households in lower wealth quintiles and in rural areas were less likely to have soap anywhere in the dwelling and at designated handwashing locations than households in higher wealth quintiles and urban areas. In addition, disparities existed among various geographic regions within countries. This analysis demonstrates the need to promote access to handwashing materials and placement at handwashing locations in the dwelling, particularly in poorer, rural areas where children are more vulnerable to handwashing-preventable syndromes such as pneumonia and diarrhea.
Web: http://www.ajtmh.org/docserver/fulltext/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0445/tpmd160445.pdf?expires=1498831805&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=CE174EA42BCD388610EAA7664E6F5E82