The impact of enhanced, demand-side sanitation and hygiene promotion on sustained behaviour change and mental well-being in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

A multisectoral approach is needed to meet the World Health Organisation's (WHO) target to eliminate morbidity due to soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) in children by 2020. In addition to deworming, WHO recommends improving hygiene education and sanitation to reduce soil transmitted helminthiases transmission. CLTSH, a modified form of CLTS, focusses additionally on hygiene, specifically handwashing with soap or a soap substitute and hygienic handling of drinking water. With CLTSH, there is considerable focus on 'triggering' collective awareness of the problem of open defecation and behaviour change. CLTSH in Ethiopia is a government-backed, low-cost, and locally acceptable approach to improving sanitation and hygiene. It is being scaled up throughout Amhara in Ethiopia.