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Measurement of handwashing behavior in Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys and Demographic and Health Surveys, 1985–2008
Authors: Libbet C. Loughnan, Pavani K. Ram, and Rolf Luyendijk
Source: Waterlines, 34(4): 296-313; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2015.028
Topic(s): Hygiene
Sanitation
Water supply
Country: More than one region
  Multiple Regions
Published: OCT 2015
Abstract: With this paper, we aim to describe handwashing worldwide, as measured in Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) and Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in low- and middle-income countries between 1985 and 2008, and to explain the strengths, weaknesses and evolution of this data collection to inform future survey development. We searched reports of DHS and MICS conducted before 2009 and analysed data on handwashing measurements. We examined data according to geographic region, as well as demographic characteristics such as wealth quintile, education of the household head, and rural/urban location. Before 2009, eight MICS and 40 DHS included handwashing-related measurements, using a variety of self-reports and rapid observations. Internal triangulation of findings from surveys that collected multiple types of measurement shows that self-reports to closed questions overestimate behaviour. Observation-based data suggest low handwashing rates in many low- and middle-income countries with high prevalence of water and sanitation-related diseases, and high inter- and intra-country disparities. However, due to the widely disparate nature of the pre-2009 handwashing-related measurements, much of the data cannot be compared between countries, and only an incomplete picture of global rates can be formed. Efforts to increase the prevalence of handwashing with soap and water need to be strengthened in many low- and middle-income countries, especially among poorer, rural populations and where the household head has less formal education. Closed questions asking for self-reports of handwashing behaviour should be avoided. Findings support instead the inclusion of uniform observation-based measurements, as were integrated as core modules of MICS and DHS in 2009. Keywords: handwashing, hygiene, soap, surveys, monitoring
Web: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4780073/