Effects of a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Mobile Health Program on Diarrhea and Child Growth in Bangladesh: A Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial of the Cholera Hospital-based Intervention for 7 Days (CHoBI7) Mobile Health Program.

BACKGROUND: The Cholera Hospital-Based Intervention for 7 Days (CHoBI7) mobile health (mHealth) program was a cluster-randomized controlled trial of diarrhea patient households conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh. METHODS: Patients were block-randomized to 3 arms: standard message on oral rehydration solution use; health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus mHealth (no home visits); and health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus 2 home visits and mHealth. The primary outcome was reported diarrhea in the past 2 weeks collected monthly for 12 months. The secondary outcomes were stunting, underweight, and wasting at a 12-month follow-up. Analysis was intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Between 4 December 2016 and 26 April 2018, 2626 participants in 769 households were randomly allocated to 3 arms: 849 participants to the standard message arm, 886 to mHealth with no home visits arm, and 891 to the mHealth with 2 home visits. Children <5 years had significantly lower 12-month diarrhea prevalence in both the mHealth with 2 home visits arm (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.73 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .61-.87]) and the mHealth with no home visits arm (PR: 0.82 [95% CI, .69-.97]). Children <2 years were significantly less likely to be stunted in both the mHealth with 2 home visits arm (33% vs 45%; odds ratio [OR]: 0.55 [95% CI, .31-.97]) and the mHealth with no home visits arm (32% vs 45%; OR: 0.54 [95% CI, .31-.96]) compared with children in the standard message arm. CONCLUSIONS: The CHoBI7 mHealth program lowered pediatric diarrhea and stunting among diarrhea patient households. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT04008134.

Child Mouthing of Soil and Contaminated Fomites and Unimproved Sanitation are Associated with Subsequent Poor Child Developmental Outcomes in Urban Bangladesh (CHoBI7 Program).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between mouthing of soil and living in unsanitary conditions and child cognitive development in urban Bangladesh. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study of 224 children under 5 years of age was conducted in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. Developmental outcomes were assessed by communication, fine motor, gross motor, personal social, problem solving, and combined developmental scores measured by the Extended Ages and Stages Questionnaire (EASQ) at a 12-month follow-up visit. RESULTS: Children who had caregiver reports of puting soil in their mouths at the majority of surveillance visits had significantly lower combined EASQ Z scores (coefficient, -0.53; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.22) at the 12-month follow-up visit. Children who had caregiver reports of putting visibly dirty objects in their mouths at the majority of visits had significantly lower combined EASQ Z scores (-0.50; 95% CI, -0.79 to -0.22). Children in households with unimproved sanitation had significantly lower combined EASQ Z scores (-0.63; 95% CI, -1.11 to -0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Children found to frequently put soil and visibly dirty objects in their mouths, and those who resided in households using unimproved sanitation, had lower subsequent cognitive developmental outcomes. These findings demonstrate the importance of interventions targeting child mouthing behaviors and sanitation infrastructure to decrease exposure to fecal pathogens and improve child cognitive developmental outcomes.

Diarrhoeal disease knowledge among diarrhoea patient housholds: findings from the randomised controlled trial of the Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days (CHoBI7) mobile health program.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days (CHoBI7) handwashing with soap and water treatment mobile health (mHealth) program on diarrhoeal disease knowledge among diarrhoea patients and their household members in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. METHODS: A cluster-randomised controlled trial of the CHoBI7 mHealth program was conducted among diarrhoea patient households in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Patients were randomised to three arms: standard recommendation on oral rehydration solution use; health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus mHealth (weekly voice and text messages) (no home visits); and health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus two home visits and mHealth. An open-ended questionnaire was administered to 1468 participants 12 years of age or older on diarrhoeal disease transmission and prevention. These items were combined to form a diarrhoeal disease knowledge score measured at baseline and at a 1 week, 6 month and 12 month follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, when participants were asked to report three ways diarrhoeal diseases were spread 37% (546/1468) of participants reported by water, 13% (187/1468) by lack of handwashing and 4% (53/1468) by food not being covered properly. At baseline when asked to name three ways diarrhoeal diseases could be prevented, 35% (515/1468) of participants reported safe water, and 16% (228/1468) reported handwashing with soap. At the 12-month follow-up, the overall diarrhoeal disease knowledge score was significantly higher in the mHealth with no home visits arm (score coefficient: 0.69, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.36, 1.01, P < 0.0001) and the mHealth with two home visits arm (score coefficient: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.49, P < 0.0001) compared with the standard recommendation arm. CONCLUSION: The CHoBI7 mHealth program significantly increased knowledge of diarrhoeal disease transmission and prevention among diarrhoea patients and their household members 12 months after in-person visits for program delivery were conducted.

OBJECTIF: L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer l'impact du programme CHoBI7 (Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days) de santé mobile (mHealth) sur la connaissance sur les maladies diarrhéiques chez les patients atteints de diarrhée et les membres de leur ménage dans la ville de Dhaka, au Bangladesh. MÉTHODES: Un essai contrôlé randomisé par grappes du programme mHealth CHoBI7 a été mené auprès de ménages de patients atteints de diarrhée à Dhaka, au Bangladesh. Les patients ont été randomisés dans trois groupes: recommandation standard sur l'utilisation de solutions de réhydratation orale; délivrance du programme CHoBI7 dans les services de santé plus mHealth (pas de visites à domicile); et délivrance du programme CHoBI7 dans les services de santé plus deux visites à domicile et mHealth. Un questionnaire ouvert a été administré à 1.468 participants âgés de 12 ans ou plus sur la transmission et la prévention des maladies diarrhéiques. Ces éléments ont été combinés pour former un score de connaissance sur les maladies diarrhéiques mesuré au départ et à 1 semaine, 6 mois et 12 mois. RÉSULTATS: Au départ, lorsqu'il a été demandé aux participants d'indiquer trois modes de propagation des maladies diarrhéiques, 37% (546/1468) des participants ont indiqué que ces maladies étaient transmises par l'eau, 13% (187/1468) par le manque de lavage des mains et 4% (53/1468) par le fait que les aliments n'étaient pas correctement couverts. Au départ, lorsqu'on leur a demandé de citer trois moyens de prévention des maladies diarrhéiques, 35% (515/1468) des participants ont cité l'accès à l'eau potable et 16% (228/1468) ont cité le lavage des mains avec du savon. Lors du suivi à 12 mois, le score global de connaissance sur la diarrhée était significativement plus élevé dans le bras mHealth sans visites à domicile (coefficient de score: 0,69, intervalle de confiance à 95%: 0,36-1,01; P < 0,0001) et le volet mHealth avec deux visites à domicile (coefficient de score: 1,18; IC 95%: 0,87-1,50; P < 0,0001) par rapport au bras de recommandation standard. CONCLUSION: Ces résultats suggèrent que le programme mHealth de CHoBI7 présente une approche prometteuse pour accroître les connaissances sur les maladies diarrhéiques dans les ménages de patients atteints de diarrhée.

Effect of a water, sanitation and hygiene program on handwashing with soap among household members of diarrhoea patients in healthcare facilities in Bangladesh: a cluster-randomised controlled trial of the CHoBI7 mobile health program.

OBJECTIVE: The Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days (CHoBI7) is a water treatment and handwashing with soap intervention for diarrhoea patients and their household members which is initially delivered in a healthcare facility setting. This study evaluated the effectiveness of CHoBI7 program delivery in increasing handwashing with soap in a healthcare facility setting among diarrhoea patients and their household members. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial of the CHoBI7 program was conducted among 404 diarrhoea patients and their accompanying household members in healthcare facilities in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The 'Standard Message' Arm received the standard message given in Bangladesh to diarrhoea patients on the use of oral rehydration solution. The 'Health Facility Visit + Soapy Water' Arm received the standard message, the CHoBI7 communication module delivered bedside to the patient; and a soapy water bottle in the healthcare facility. The 'Health Facility Visit + Handwashing Station' Arm received this same intervention plus a small plastic handwashing station. Within 24 h of intervention delivery, three-hour structured observation of handwashing practices at stool/vomit- and food-related events (key events) was conducted in healthcare facilities of diarrhoea patients and their accompanying household members. RESULTS: Compared to the Standard Message Arm, there was significantly more handwashing with soap at key events in both the Health Facility Visit + Soapy Water Arm (51% vs. 25 %) (Odds Ratio: 3.02; (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.41, 6.45) and the Health Facility Visit + Handwashing Station Arm (58% vs. 25%) OR: 4.12; (95% CI: 1.86, 9.14). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that delivery of the CHoBI7 communication module and provision of a soapy water bottle to diarrhoea patients and their accompanying household members presents a promising approach to increase handwashing with soap among this high risk population in a healthcare facility setting in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIF: Le programme (CHoBI7Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days) est une intervention de traitement de l'eau et de lavage des mains avec du savon pour les patients et les membres de leur famille qui est initialement administrée dans un établissement de santé. Cette étude a évalué l'efficacité du programme CHoBI7 pour augmenter le lavage des mains au savon dans les établissements de santé. MÉTHODES: Un essai contrôlé randomisé du programme CHoBI7 a été mené auprès de 404 patients atteints de diarrhée et des membres de leur famille qui les accompagnent dans des établissements de santé à Dhaka, au Bangladesh. Le bras "Message standard" a reçu le message standard donné au Bangladesh aux patients atteints de diarrhée sur l'utilisation de la solution de réhydratation orale. Le bras "Visite de l'établissement de santé + eau savonneuse" a reçu le message standard, le module de communication CHoBI7 a été délivré au chevet du patient et une bouteille d'eau savonneuse dans l'établissement de santé. Le bras "Visite de l'établissement de santé + station de lavage des mains" a reçu la même intervention, ainsi qu'une petite station de lavage des mains en plastique. Dans les 24 heures suivant l'intervention, une observation structurée de trois heures des pratiques de lavage des mains lors d'événements liés aux selles/vomis et à la nourriture (événements clés) a été menée dans les établissements de santé. RÉSULTATS: Par rapport au bras 'Message standard', le lavage des mains au savon était significativement plus fréquent lors des événements clés dans le bras 'Visite de l'établissement de santé + Station de lavage des mains' (58% contre 25%) (rapport de cotes (OR): 4,12 ; (intervalle de confiance (IC) de 95%: 1,86-9,14) et dans le bras 'Visite de l'établissement de santé + Eau savonneuse' (51% contre 25%) (OR: 3,02 ; (IC95% : 1,41-6,45). CONCLUSION: Ces résultats démontrent que l'implémentation du module CHoBI7 constitue une approche prometteuse pour augmenter le lavage des mains au savon dans un établissement de santé au Bangladesh.

Prospective cohort study of child mouthing of faeces and fomites in Dhaka, Bangladesh (CHoBI7 Program).

OBJECTIVE: To characterise childhood mouthing and handling behaviours and to assess the association between hand-to-object and object-to-mouth contacts and diarrhoea prevalence in young children in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 494 children under 5 years of age in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This study was nested within the randomised controlled trial of the Cholera Hospital-Based Intervention for 7 Days (CHoBI7) mobile health (mHealth) program. The CHoBI7 mHealth program focuses on promoting handwashing with soap and water treatment to diarrhoea patients and their household members through mobile messages and a single in person visit. Mouthing and handling of faeces and fomites among young children was measured by five-hour structured observation and caregiver reports. Diarrhoea surveillance data was collected monthly for 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty five percent of caregivers reported that their child put a visibly dirty fomite (object or soil) in their mouth in the past week. Caregivers reported that 50% of children had mouthed visibly dirty objects, 26% had mouthed dirt, and 2% had mouthed faeces. Forty five percent of children were observed mouthing a visibly dirty fomite during structured observation, 40% of children were observed mouthing a visibly dirty object, 10% were observed mouthing soil, and one child (0.2%) was observed mouthing faeces. Mouthing of visibly dirty fomites was highest for children 12-18 months of age with 69% of these children having caregiver reports and 54% having observed events. Children with caregiver reports of mouthing faeces had a significantly higher odds of diarrhoea over the subsequent month (Odds Ratio: 4.54; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.06, 19.48). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that mouthing of contaminated fomites among young children is frequent in urban environments in Bangladesh, and that mouthing faeces is associated with a significantly higher odds of diarrhoea. Interventions are urgently needed to protect young children from faecal pathogens in their play spaces.

OBJECTIF: Caractériser les comportements de mâchouillement et de manipulation par les enfants et évaluer l'association entre les contacts main-objet et objet-bouche et la prévalence de la diarrhée chez les jeunes enfants dans la ville de Dhaka, au Bangladesh. MÉTHODES: Une étude de cohorte prospective a été menée auprès de 494 enfants de moins de 5 ans à Dhaka, au Bangladesh. Cette étude s'inscrivait dans le cadre de l'essai contrôlé randomisé du programme CHoBI7 (Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days) de santé mobile (mHealth. Le programme de santé mobile CHoBI7 se concentre sur la promotion du traitement de l'eau et du lavage des mains avec à l'eau et au savon aux patients atteints de diarrhée et aux membres de leur foyer par le biais de messages mobiles et de visites de face à face. Le mâchouillement et la manipulation des excréments et des fomites chez les jeunes enfants ont été mesurés par des observations structurées de cinq heures et par les rapports des personnes s'occupant d'enfants (soignants). Les données de surveillance de la diarrhée ont été recueillies chaque mois pendant 12 mois. RÉSULTATS: 55% des soignants ont déclaré que leur enfant avait mis un fomite visiblement sale (objet ou terre) dans sa bouche au cours de la semaine précédente. Les soignants ont indiqué que 50% des enfants avaient mâchouillé des objets visiblement sales, 26% avaient mâchouillé de la terre et 2% avaient mâchouillé des excréments. 45% des enfants ont été observés en train de mâchouiller un fomite visiblement sale au cours d'une observation structurée. 40% des enfants ont été observés en train de mâchouiller un objet, 10% ont été observés en train de mâchouiller de la terre et un enfant (0,2%) a été observé en train de mâchouiller des excréments. Le mâchouillement de fomites visiblement sales était le plus fréquent chez les enfants de 12 à 18 mois; 69% de ces enfants ont été signalés par les soignants et 54% ont été observés en train de le faire. Les enfants dont les soignants avaient signalé un mâchouillement d'excréments présentaient un risque de diarrhée nettement plus élevé au cours du mois suivant (rapport de cotes: 4,54; intervalle de confiance à 95%: 1,06-19,48). CONCLUSION: Ces résultats démontrent que le fait de mâchouiller des fomites contaminés chez les jeunes enfants est fréquent en milieu urbain au Bangladesh et que le fait de mâchouiller des excréments est associé à un risque de diarrhée nettement plus élevé. Des interventions sont urgemment nécessaires pour protéger les jeunes enfants des agents pathogènes fécaux dans leurs espaces de jeu.

Process evaluation for the delivery of a water, sanitation and hygiene mobile health program: findings from the randomised controlled trial of the CHoBI7 mobile health program.

OBJECTIVE: The Cholera-Hospital-Based Intervention for 7-days (CHoBI7) mobile health (mHealth) program delivers mobile messages to diarrhoea patient households promoting water treatment and handwashing with soap. The randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the CHoBI7 mHealth program demonstrated this intervention was effective in significantly reducing diarrhoea and stunting amoung young children. The objective of this study was to assess the implementation of the CHoBI7 mHealth program in delivering mHealth messages during this RCT. METHODS: 517 diarrhoea patient households with 1777 participants received weekly text, voice and interactive voice response (IVR) messages from the CHoBI7 mHealth program over the 12-month program period. The program process evaluation indicators were the following: the percentage of CHoBI7 mHealth messages received and fully listened to by program households (program fidelity and dose), and household members reporting receiving and sharing an mHealth message from the program in the past two weeks (program reach). RESULTS: Ninety two percent of text messages were received by program households. Eighty three percent of voice and 86% of IVR messages sent were fully listened to by at least one household member. Eighty one percent of IVR quiz responses from households were answered correctly. Program households reported receiving a CHoBI7 mHealth message in the past two weeks at 79% of monthly household visits during the 12-month program. Seventy seven percent of participants reported sharing a program message with a spouse, 55% with a neighbour and 49% with a child during the program period. CONCLUSION: There was high fidelity, dose and reach of mobile messages delivered for the CHoBI7 mHealth program. This study presents an approach for process evaluation that can be implemented to evaluate future mHealth programs.

OBJECTIF: Le programme CHoBI7 (Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days) de santé mobile (mHealth) délivre des messages mobiles aux ménages avec patients atteints de diarrhée pour promouvoir le traitement de l'eau et le lavage des mains au savon. L'essai contrôlé randomisé (ECR) du programme mHealth CHoBI7 a démontré que cette intervention était efficace pour réduire de manière significative la diarrhée et le retard de croissance chez les jeunes enfants. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer la mise en œuvre du programme CHoBI7 mHealth dans la diffusion des messages mHealth au cours de cet ECR. MÉTHODES: 517 ménages avec des patients atteints de diarrhée ont reçu chaque semaine des messages SMS, vocaux et de réponse vocale interactive (RVI) du programme mHealth de CHoBI7 pendant les 12 mois du programme. Les indicateurs d'évaluation du processus du programme étaient les suivants: le pourcentage de messages mHealth du programme CHoBI7 reçus (fidélité au programme et dose) et entièrement écoutés par les ménages participant au programme (fidélité au programme et dose) et les bénéficiaires déclarant avoir reçu et partagé un message mHealth du programme (portée du programme) au cours des deux dernières semaines. RÉSULTATS: 92% des SMS ont été reçus par les ménages participant au programme. 83% des messages vocaux et 86% des messages RVI envoyés ont été entièrement écoutés par au moins un membre du ménage. 81% des réponses aux quiz RVI des ménages ont été correctement répondues. Les ménages du programme ont déclaré avoir reçu un message CHoBI7 mHealth au cours des deux dernières semaines dans 79% des visites mensuelles des ménages pendant les 12 mois du programme. 77% des participants ont déclaré avoir partagé un message du programme avec un conjoint, 55% avec un voisin et 49% avec un enfant pendant la durée du programme. CONCLUSION: La dose et les messages délivrés dans le cadre du programme mHealth de CHoBI7 l'ont été avec une fidélité élevée. Cette étude présente une approche d'évaluation des processus qui peut être mise en œuvre pour évaluer les futurs programmes mHealth.

Child mouthing of soil and presence of animals in child sleeping spaces are associated with growth faltering among young children in Dhaka, Bangladesh (CHoBI7 Program).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate potential risk factors for growth faltering among children under 5 years of age. METHOD: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 553 children under 5 years from diarrhoea patient households in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. Height and weight measurements were obtained at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up. Caregivers of young children were administered a monthly questionnaire on household sociodemographic characteristics and hygiene practices. RESULTS: Children with caregiver reports of mouthing soil at the majority of household visits had a significant reduction in their height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) from baseline to the 12-month follow-up (ΔHAZ: -0.28 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.51, -0.05)). A significant reduction in HAZ was also observed for children in households with animals in their sleeping space (ΔHAZ: -0.37 (95% CI: -0.71, -0.04)). CONCLUSION: These findings provide further evidence to support the hypothesis that child mouthing of soil and the presence of animals in the child's sleeping space are potential risk factors for growth faltering among young children. Interventions are urgently needed to provide clean play and sleeping spaces for young children to reduce exposure to faecal pathogens through child mouthing.

OBJECTIF: L'objectif de l'étude était d'examiner les facteurs de risque potentiels de retard de croissance chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans. MÉTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte prospective sur 553 enfants de moins de 5 ans provenant de ménages avec des patients diarrhéiques dans la ville de Dhaka, au Bangladesh. Les mesures de taille et de poids ont été obtenues au départ et à 12 mois de suivi. Les personnes s'occupant de jeunes enfants (les gardiens) ont reçu un questionnaire mensuel sur les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des ménages et les pratiques d'hygiène. RÉSULTATS: Les enfants pour lesquels les gardiens ont déclaré qu'ils mâchouillaient de la terre lors de la majorité des visites à domicile présentaient une diminution du score Z de taille pour l'âge (TAZ) de manière significative de l'âge de référence au 12 mois de suivi (ΔTAZ −0,28 (intervalle de confiance (IC) à 95%: −0,51, −0,05)). Une réduction significative des TAZ a également été observée pour les enfants des ménages ayant des animaux dans leur espace de couchage (ΔTAZ −0,37 (IC95%: −0,71, −0,04)). CONCLUSION: Ces résultats apportent des données supplémentaires pour appuyer l'hypothèse selon laquelle le fait que l'enfant mâchouille de la terre et la présence d'animaux dans son espace de couchage sont des facteurs de risque potentiels de retard de croissance chez les jeunes enfants. Des interventions sont urgemment nécessaires pour fournir des espaces de jeu et de sommeil sains aux jeunes enfants afin de réduire l'exposition aux agents pathogènes fécaux par le mâchouillement des enfants.

Formative research to scale up a handwashing with soap and water treatment intervention for household members of diarrhea patients in health facilities in Dhaka, Bangladesh (CHoBI7 program).

BACKGROUND: During the time a diarrhea patient presents at a health facility, the household members of the patient are at higher risk of developing diarrheal diseases (> 100 times for cholera) than the general population. The Cholera-Hospital-based-Intervention-for-7-Days (CHoBI7) is a health facility-initiated water treatment and handwashing with soap intervention designed to reduce transmission of diarrheal diseases between patients and their household members. The present research aimed to (1) develop a scalable approach to integrate the CHoBI7 intervention program into services provided at government and private health facilities in Bangladesh; and (2) tailor the intervention program for the household members of all diarrhea patients, irrespective of the etiology of disease. METHODS: We conducted 8 months of formative research, including 60 semi-structured interviews, 2 group discussions, and a pilot study. Thirty-two interviews were conducted with diarrhea patients and their family caregivers, government stakeholders, and health care providers both to explore existing WASH and diarrhea patient care practices in health facilities and to identify considerations for scaling the CHoBI7 program. Fifty-two diarrhea patient households participated in a pilot study of a modified version of the CHoBI7 intervention program for tailoring. Twenty-eight interviews and 2 group discussions were conducted with pilot households to explore experiences with and recommendations for intervention delivery. RESULTS: The intervention program was modified based on formative research findings. Pilot study participants recognized the benefits of the CHoBI7 intervention program and made suggestions to improve the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Modifications included 1) providing additional pictorial modules, cues to action, enabling technologies, and supplies for safe drinking water and handwashing with soap behaviors in the health facility; 2) switching out technology prone to breaks and leaks as well as sourcing plastic technologies from a high-quality, local manufacturer; and 3) including instructions discouraging the non-use or misuse of technologies and supplies. Considerations for scalability include the local availability and marketing of enabling technologies and supplies, staff for program delivery in health facilities, and potential integration into existing government or health promotion programs. CONCLUSIONS: Formative research identified important considerations for the content, delivery, and scalability of the CHoBI7 health facility-initiated WASH intervention program.

Formative research for the design of a scalable water, sanitation, and hygiene mobile health program: CHoBI7 mobile health program

BACKGROUND: The Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-Days (CHoBI7) is a handwashing with soap and water treatment intervention program delivered by a health promoter bedside in a health facility and through home visits to diarrhea patients and their household members during the 7 days after admission to a health facility. In a randomized controlled trial among cholera patient households in Bangladesh, the 7-day CHoBI7 program resulted in a significant reduction in cholera among household members of cholera patients and sustained improvements in drinking water quality and handwashing with soap practices 12 months post-intervention. In an effort to take this intervention to scale across Bangladesh in partnership with the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of mobile health (mHealth) programs as a low-cost, scalable approach for CHoBI7 program delivery. METHODS: Formative research for the development of the CHoBI7 mHealth intervention included 40 semi-structured interviews, 4 mHealth workshops, 2 group discussions, and a pilot study of 52 households to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the developed mHealth program. Thematic analysis of the interviews and group discussions was conducted by two individuals separately based on emergent themes, and then themes were compared and discussed. RESULTS: A theory- and evidence-based approach using qualitative research methods was implemented to design the CHoBI7 mHealth program. Semi-structured interviews with government stakeholders identified perceptions and preferences for scaling the CHoBI7 mHealth program. Group discussions and semi-structured interviews with diarrhea patients and their family members identified beneficiary perceptions of mHealth and preferences for CHoBI7 mHealth program delivery. mHealth workshops were conducted as an interactive approach to draft and refine mobile message content based on stakeholder preferences. The pilot findings indicate that the CHoBI7 mHealth program has high user acceptability and is feasible to deliver to diarrhea patients that present at health facilities for treatment in Bangladesh. Both text and voice messages were recommended for program delivery. Dr. Chobi, the sender of mHealth messages, was viewed as a credible source of information that could be shared with others. CONCLUSION: This study presents a theory- and evidence-based approach that can be implemented for the development of future water, sanitation, and hygiene mHealth programs in low-resource settings.

Correction to: Formative research for the design of a scalable water, sanitation, and hygiene mobile health program: CHoBI7 mobile health program.

It was highlighted that the original article [1] contained an error in the title. Additionally, Table 2 contained a typesetting mistake. This Correction article shows the incorrect and correct article title and Table 2. The original article has been updated.

Enteric Infections in Young Children are Associated with Environmental Enteropathy and Impaired Growth.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between faecal contamination in child play spaces, enteric infections, environmental enteropathy (EE) and impaired growth among young children. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted of 203 children 6-30 months of age in rural Bangladesh. Stool samples were analysed by quantitative PCR for Shigella, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Campylobacter jejuni, Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Four faecal markers of intestinal inflammation were also measured: alpha-1-antitrypsin, myeloperoxidase, neopterin and calprotectin. Child growth was measured at baseline and 9 months after enrolment. E. coli was measured in soil in child play spaces. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of study children had three or more enteric pathogens in their stool. Thirty five percent (71/203) of children had Shigella, 30% (61/203) had ETEC, 73% (148/203) had C. jejuni, 79% (160/203) had Giardia intestinalis and none had Cryptosporidium. Children with ETEC had significantly higher calprotectin concentrations (Coefficient: 1.35, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.005, 1.82). Children with Shigella had a significantly higher odds of being stunted at our 9-month follow-up (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.93). Children with Giardia intestinalis had significantly higher E.coli counts in the soil collected from their play spaces (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.48). CONCLUSION: Enteric infections were significantly associated with EE and impaired growth in rural Bangladesh. These findings provide further evidence to support the hypothesis that contaminated soil in child play spaces can lead to enteric infections, many of which are likely subclinical, resulting in EE and impaired growth in young children.

Mouthing of Soil Contaminated Objects is Associated with Environmental Enteropathy in Young Children.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise childhood mouthing behaviours and to investigate the association between object-to-mouth and food-to-mouth contacts, diarrhoea prevalence and environmental enteropathy. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted of 216 children ≤30 months of age in rural Bangladesh. Mouthing contacts with soil and food and objects with visible soil were assessed by 5-h structured observation. Stool was analysed for four faecal markers of intestinal inflammation: alpha-1-antitrypsin, myeloperoxidase, neopterin and calprotectin. RESULTS: Overall 82% of children were observed mouthing soil, objects with visible soil, or food with visible soil during the structured observation period. Sixty two percent of children were observed mouthing objects with visible soil, 63% were observed mouthing food with visible soil, and 18% were observed mouthing soil only. Children observed mouthing objects with visible soil had significantly elevated faecal calprotectin concentrations (206.81 µg/g, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.27, 407.36). There was also a marginally significant association between Escherichia coli counts in soil from a child's play space and the prevalence rate of diarrhoea (diarrhoea prevalence ratio: 2.03, 95% CI 0.97, 4.25). CONCLUSION: These findings provide further evidence to support the hypothesis that childhood mouthing behaviour in environments with faecal contamination can lead to environmental enteropathy in susceptible paediatric populations. Furthermore, these findings suggest that young children mouthing objects with soil, which occurred more frequently than soil directly (60% vs. 18%), was an important exposure route to faecal pathogens and a risk factor for environmental enteropathy.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Hospital-Based Hygiene and Water Treatment Intervention (CHoBI7) to Reduce Cholera.

The risk for cholera infection is >100 times higher for household contacts of cholera patients during the week after the index patient seeks hospital care than it is for the general population. To initiate a standard of care for this high-risk population, we developed Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-Days (CHoBI7), which promotes hand washing with soap and treatment of water. To test CHoBI7, we conducted a randomized controlled trial among 219 intervention household contacts of 82 cholera patients and 220 control contacts of 83 cholera patients in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 2013-2014. Intervention contacts had significantly fewer symptomatic Vibrio cholerae infections than did control contacts and 47% fewer overall V. cholerae infections. Intervention households had no stored drinking water with V. cholerae and 14 times higher odds of hand washing with soap at key events during structured observation on surveillance days 5, 6, or 7. CHoBI7 presents a promising approach for controlling cholera among highly susceptible household contacts of cholera patients.

Geophagy Is Associated with Growth Faltering in Children in Rural Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between geophagy (mouthing of dirt, sand, clay, or mud) and growth faltering in young children. STUDY DESIGN: We examined linear growth as height and weight standardized by age and sex, and weight standardized by height, in a cohort of children aged 6-36 months in rural Mirzapur, Bangladesh. We determined geophagy behavior at baseline through caregiver report. Anthropometric measurements were assessed at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: We found that among children not stunted at baseline, those with caregiver-reported geophagy at baseline grew less over 1 year compared with their peers, with a difference in the change of standardized height for age and sex of -0.31 (95% CI, -0.61 to -0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings show that caregiver-reported geophagy was associated with growth faltering in a pediatric population in rural Bangladesh. Future studies are needed to learn more about this exposure pathway and its relevance to child growth.

Unsafe Child Feces Disposal is Associated with Environmental Enteropathy and Impaired Growth.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between unsafe child feces disposal, environmental enteropathy, and impaired growth, we conducted a prospective cohort study of 216 young children in rural Bangladesh. STUDY DESIGN: Using a prospective cohort study design in rural Bangladesh, unsafe child feces disposal, using the Joint Monitoring Program definition, was assessed using 5-hour structured observation by trained study personnel as well as caregiver reports. Anthropometric measurements were collected at baseline and at a 9-month follow-up. Stool was analyzed for fecal markers of environmental enteropathy: alpha-1-antitrypsin, myeloperoxidase, neopterin (combined to form an environmental enteropathy disease activity score), and calprotectin. FINDINGS: Among 216 households with young children, 84% had an unsafe child feces disposal event during structured observation and 75% had caregiver reported events. There was no significant difference in observed unsafe child feces disposal events for households with or without an improved sanitation option (82% vs 85%, P = .72) or by child's age (P = .96). Children in households where caregivers reported unsafe child feces disposal had significantly higher environmental enteropathy scores (0.82-point difference, 95% CI 0.11-1.53), and significantly greater odds of being wasted (weight-for-height z score <-2 SDs) (9% vs 0%, P = .024). In addition, children in households with observed unsafe feces disposal had significantly reduced change in weight-for-age z-score (-0.34 [95% CI -0.68, -0.01] and weight-for-height z score (-0.52 [95% CI -0.98, -0.06]). CONCLUSION: Unsafe child feces disposal was significantly associated with environmental enteropathy and impaired growth in a pediatric population in rural Bangladesh. Interventions are needed to reduce this high-risk behavior to protect the health of susceptible pediatric populations.

Shigella Infections in Household Contacts of Pediatric Shigellosis Patients in Rural Bangladesh.

To examine rates of Shigella infections in household contacts of pediatric shigellosis patients, we followed contacts and controls prospectively for 1 week after the index patient obtained care. Household contacts of patients were 44 times more likely to develop a Shigella infection than were control contacts (odds ratio 44.7, 95% CI 5.5-361.6); 29 (94%) household contacts of shigellosis patients were infected with the same species and serotype as the index patient's. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that 14 (88%) of 16 with infected contacts had strains that were indistinguishable from or closely related to the index patient's strain. Latrine area fly counts were higher in patient households compared with control households, and 2 patient household water samples were positive for Shigella. We show high susceptibility of household contacts of shigellosis patients to Shigella infections and found environmental risk factors to be targeted in future interventions.

Reduced Diarrhea Prevalence and Improvements in Handwashing with Soap and Stored Drinking Water Quality Associated with Diarrheal Disease Awareness Measured by Interactive Voice Response Messages in the CHoBI7 Mobile Health Program.

The Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-Days (CHoBI7) mobile health program promotes water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) behaviors through interactive voice response (IVR), voice, and text messages to reduce diarrheal diseases in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between responses to CHoBI7 WASH IVR quiz messages and subsequent diarrhea and WASH behaviors. Fourteen CHoBI7 IVR quiz messages on handwashing with soap and treatment of stored water were sent to 517 households with 1,777 participants during the 12-month program period. IVR message responses were classified as correct answer, incorrect answer, no response (did not press 1 or 2), and failed (did not answer the phone). Diarrhea prevalence was assessed through self-reported monthly clinical surveillance visits. Handwashing with soap was assessed by a 5-hour structured observation, and stored water quality was defined by Escherichia coli concentration. Households that responded correctly to a CHoBI7 IVR quiz message had significantly lower odds of diarrhea for all age groups (adults and children) at the subsequent visit 1 month later (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54-0.98), and significantly greater odds of handwashing with soap after stool-related events (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.12-5.49) and E. coli levels < 100 colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL (World Health Organization high-risk cutoff) in the stored household water (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.25-3.33) compared with households that did not answer CHoBI7 IVR quiz calls. Correct responses to CHoBI7 IVR quizzes were associated with decreased diarrhea prevalence and improved stored drinking water quality and handwashing with soap behaviors at the subsequent visits. These findings suggest engagement in the CHoBI7 mobile health (mHealth) program and awareness of diarrheal disease prevention can reduce diarrhea and facilitate changes in WASH behaviors.

Food Hygiene and Fecal Contamination on the Household Compound are Associated with Increased Pediatric Diarrhea in Urban Bangladesh (CHoBI7 Program).

In this prospective cohort study, we explored individual- and household-level risk factors associated with diarrheal diseases among 251 children younger than 5 years in slum areas of urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. During the 3-month study period, diarrhea surveillance was conducted monthly, and spot checks of the household compound were performed at baseline to assess the presence of feces (animal or human) in the household compound and in cooking and food storage areas, and to assess whether cooked food was covered and refrigerated. We also collected caregiver reports on child mouthing behaviors. Children living in households with feces within 10 steps of cooking and food storage areas (odds ratio [OR], 8.43; 95% CI, 1.01-70.18), those with visible feces found on the ground of the household compound (OR, 4.05; 95% CI, 1.24-13.22), and those in households found to keep cooked food uncovered and without refrigeration (OR, 6.16; 95% CI, 1.11-34.25) during spot checks had a significantly greater odds of diarrhea. There was no significant association between pediatric diarrhea and caregiver-reported child mouthing behaviors or presence of animals in the cooking area. These study findings demonstrate that presence of visible feces in the household compound and near cooking and food storage areas, and poor household food hygiene practices, were significant risk factors for diarrheal disease among young children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Health communication programs are needed to target these exposure pathways to fecal pathogens.

Gut microbiota shifts favorably with delivery of handwashing with soap and water treatment intervention in a prospective cohort (CHoBI7 trial).

BACKGROUND: Cholera can result in the expulsion of important microbiota from the gut and result in death if left untreated. The disease transmits mainly via drinking water carrying Vibrio cholerae; and household contacts (HHC) of cholera patients are at elevated risk during the first week of infection. The gut microbiota profiles of HHC-children of cholera patients at Dhaka city slums were investigated before (day 0) and after (day 8) delivery of chlorinated water as part of the major study 'CHoBI7 trial (cholera-hospital-based intervention for 7 days)'. RESULT: Results of sequencing and analysis of bacterial community DNA revealed the predominance of two bacterial phyla: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes at day 0 with a relative abundance of 62 ± 6 (mean ± SEM%) and 32 ± 7, respectively. The pattern reversed at day 8 with a decreased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (39 ± 12; p = 0.034) and an increased abundance of Firmicutes (49 ± 12; p = 0.057). Of 65 bacterial families confirmed at day 0, six belonging to Proteobacteria including Vibrionaceae disappeared at day 8. Interestingly, the relative abundance of four Firmicutes families-Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Ruminococcaceae was increased in all five study children at day 8. CONCLUSION: The observed exclusion of pathogenic Proteobacteria and enhancement of beneficial Firmicutes in the gut of children delivered with chlorinated water as part of WASH intervention reflect a great promise of the CHoBI7 program in preventing cholera and improving child health.

Effects of a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Mobile Health Program on Respiratory Illness in Bangladesh: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of the CHoBI7 Mobile Health Program.

Acute respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young children globally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days (CHoBI7) handwashing with soap and water treatment mobile health (mHealth) program on respiratory illness among diarrhea patients and their household members in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cluster-randomized controlled trial of the CHoBI7 mHealth program was conducted among diarrhea patient households in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Patients were randomized to three arms: standard recommendation on oral rehydration solution use, health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus mHealth (weekly voice and text messages for 12 months) (no home visits), and health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus two home visits and mHealth. Respiratory symptoms were assessed during monthly clinical surveillance over the 12-month surveillance period. Respiratory illness was defined as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing. Two thousand six hundred twenty-six participants in 769 households were randomly allocated to three arms: 849 participants to the standard message arm, 886 to the mHealth with no home visits arm, and 891 to the mHealth with two home visits arm. Compared with the standard message arm, participants in the mHealth with no home visits arm (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 0.89 [95% CI: 0.80, 0.98]), and the mHealth with two home visits arm (PR: 0.89 [95% CI: 0.81, 0.99]) had significantly lower respiratory illness prevalence over the 12-month program period. Our findings demonstrate that the CHoBI7 mHealth program is effective in reducing respiratory illness among diarrhea patient households.