Behavioural change communication: guideline for component 3 [draft]

Sustainable hygiene behaviour change involves more aspects than only giving up the practice of open defecation. To consolidate behaviour change other messages are needed incorporating messages such as hygienic use of toilets, use by all, safe disposal of infant excreta, handwashing with soap etc. Whatever is the priority behaviour depends on the local situation, and should logically follow from the data of the baseline survey. Good behavioural change communication only addresses one behaviour at the time! Hygiene behavioural change communications should be sustained over time. This cannot all be done within the scope of any programme within a limited period of one or two years. Therefore, more important than conducting any specific campaign on one specific behaviour, is to build the capacity in local line agencies or other appropriate organisations to develop, test and implemented BCC. Anchoring innovative BCC for hygiene in local organisations is the essence of the BCC component of Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for ALL (SSH4A). [authors abstract]