The determinants of handwashing behaviour among internally displaced women in two camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

BackgroundDiarrhoea is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity among populations displaced due to conflict. Handwashing with soap has the potential to halve the burden of diarrhoeal diseases in crisis contexts. This study aimed to identify which determinants drive handwashing behaviour in post-conflict, displacement camps. MethodsThis study was conducted in two camps for internally displaced people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A Barrier Analysis questionnaire was used for assessing the determinants of hand washing behaviour. Participants were screened and classified as either 'doers' (those who wash their hands with soap at critical times) or 'non-doers' (those who do not wash their hands with soap at critical times). Forty-five doers and non-doers were randomly selected from each camp and asked about behavioural determinants. The Barrier Analysis standard tabulation sheet was used for the analysis. ResultsNo differences were observed between doers and non-doers in relation to self-efficacy, action efficacy, the difficulties and benefits of handwashing, and levels of access to soap and water. In the first of the two camps, non-doers found it harder to remember to wash their hands (P = 0.045), had lower perceived vulnerability to diarrhoea (P = 0.037), lower perceived severity of diarrhoea (P = 0.020) and were aware of 'policies' which supported handwashing with soap (P = 0.037). In the second camp non-doers had lower perceived vulnerability to diarrhoea (P = 0.017). ConclusionsIn these camp settings handwashing behaviour, and the factors that determine it, was relatively homogenous because of the homogeneity of the settings and the socio-demographics

Exploring behavioral determinants of handwashing with soap after defecation in an urban setting in Bangladesh: findings from a barrier analysis

“…In this urban context, poorer people are living in the slum setting where access to a handwashing station with soap has been found to be a major barrier in this and other studies (Hoque 2003). Also, it is widely accepted that access to a handwashing facility is an important determinant of HWWS in lower-income settings globally (Zangana et al 2020) and having a handwashing facility is a critical determinant of HWWS in critical times including after defecation (White et al 2020). These findings are similar to our study.…”

Exploring the behavioral determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among an urban population in Bangladesh: Implications for behavior change interventions

“…The beliefs and other responses regarding behavioral determinants assessed during BA (see Table 1 ) are identified with a focus on the most actionable findings. The other details of BA approach can be found elsewhere [ 43 – 48 ]. There are BA studies in the peer-reviewed literature on exclusive breastfeeding [ 49 ], handwashing with soap at critical times [ 43 ], timely oral polio vaccination and agricultural extension behaviors [ 50 ], dietary salt reduction [ 51 ], transition from the lactational amenorrhea method to other modern family planning methods [ 39 ] and cervical cancer screening [ 52 ].…”

COVID-19 and handwashing: Implications for water use in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Zangana et al [ 36 ] examined the factors that determine handwashing behaviors among internally displaced women. The study noted that diarrhea is a common killer among individuals displaced by conflicts and discusses how frequent handwashing with soap can drastically reduce or eradicate the problem associated with the disease.…”