Enabling technologies for handwashing with soap : a case study on the tippy-tap in Uganda : global scaling up handwashing project

Handwashing with soap at key times is believed to be an eff ective and highly costeffective means of reducing diarrhea incidence. However, global rates of handwashing with soap are frequently low, particularly among the poor, who also face the greatest threat from infectious diseases. Access to a convenient handwashing station has been found to be associated with higher rates of handwashing and decreased fingertip contamination. One such handwashing station is the “tippy-tap,” which consists of a small (3 or 5 liter) jerry can filled with water and suspended from a wooden frame. A string attached to the neck of the jerry can is tied to a piece of wood at ground level. Pressing on the wood with the foot tips the jerry can, releasing a stream of water through a small hole. Soap is suspended from the frame beside the jerry can. A tippy-tap located close to a latrine provides a cheap and potentially convenient means of washing hands after latrine use. A qualitative case study was carried out May 11–18, 2010 in Uganda to learn about two projects, described below, in which health workers and village- level volunteers promoted the tippy-tap, provided health education and carried out household inspections. Th e purpose of this study was to document the process through which tippy-taps were promoted to qualitatively explore the results and to draw out lessons for future interventions. Data were collected through nine key informant interviews, forty-seven interviews with householders from model and non-model villages, and twenty-two spot-check observations of handwashing facilities. [authors abstract]