Research summary : results from a school WASH service delivery trial [in] May - November, 2011

The positive effects of improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) have been well documented. For primary school students, WASH improvements in schools can play a particularly important role in promoting health and well-being. In resource-restricted countries in particular, WASH services are seldom delivered in schools and sustainable solutions are needed. A study is conducted in Nyanza Province, Western Kenya with seventy primary schools to explore the effectiveness of various interventions to improve the delivery of WASH services in schools. Schools were randomly divided into four groups: three intervention groups of 15 schools each and a control group of 25 schools. All intervention schools received 37KES (≈ 0.44USD) per pupil for purchase of water, sanitation and hygiene supplies. Two of the intervention groups additionally received either funds for repair costs and a cleaner or guidance and materials for monitoring facilities. Schools across all intervention groups achieved improved conditions of their WASH facilities compared to control schools: cleaner latrines, chlorinated drinking water and soap provided for handwashing. Direct comparisons were not made between intervention groups due to small sample sizes. While interventions provided promising results, additional research is needed to understand how improved conditions can be more consistent. Schools that had the required inputs (soap, chlorine, cleaning supplies) still did not provide services to students on a daily basis. [authors abstract]

This is a SWASH+ -output.

202.2, 302.2