Behavioural determinants of handwashing at critical times among mothers and care givers in Zimbabwe: implications for behaviour change interventions

Abstract

AbstractHandwashing with soap has the potential to reduce the occurrence of infectious diseases. However, few studies have systematically analysed the determinants of handwashing with soap among mothers in rural areas of Zimbabwe. This study was conducted in two rural districts of Zimbabwe to assess the behavioural determinants of hand washing with soap at 5 critical times. Results show that doers wash their hands with soap at critical times for health reasons. Difficulties in accessing soap for handwashing was the main barrier mentioned by 60% and 44% doers and non-doers respectively. The availability of handwashing facilities is an important determinant of handwashing. Family, friends, and village health workers approved handwashing with soap at critical times. Interventions that improve access to soap and handwashing facilities should be promoted. Promoting household income generating activities will go a long way in improving income streams to fund the purchase of soap, handwashing containers and construction of handwashing stations. Households should be encouraged to construct handwashing stations, for example, tippy taps and these should be located at convenient sites to encourage handwashing practice. Hygiene promotion plans and interventions should include the participation of family, friends, and village health workers in mobilizing communities to adopt handwashing with soap at critical times.

Keywords

• Barrier analysis
• behavioral determinants
• handwashing
• mothers
• behaviour change
• Zimbabwe