Participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation (PHAST) : a methodology for sustainable hygiene and sanitation behavior change with experience from the Bawku West district of Ghana : paper prepared for the West Africa Regional Sanitation and Hygiene S

Despite many efforts by both government and non-governmental organizations in providing water and sanitation infrastructure as wells as health and hygiene promotion and education in the Bawku West District of Ghana, little has been achieved in reduction of water and sanitation related diseases and improvement in hygiene behaviors. This may be partially attributed to the ineffectiveness of the approaches and processes used in the sanitation, hygiene and behavior change education in the communities and institutions. The principal objective of this paper is to share World Vision Ghana’s experiences in using the F-Diagram as a hygiene, sanitation and behavioral change promotion tool which can be used to enhance effective participation by communities and schools in the hygiene promotion and behavior change process. Results indicate that the F-Diagram is an effective tool for communicating water, sanitation, hygiene and behavior change messages. Its use can create awareness among community people including children of the negative consequences of poor sanitation and hygiene practices. It has also generated high participation in community decision making on water, sanitation, hygiene issues and the desired behavior changes. Identification of applicable tools consistent with the principles of community participation is important in effective sanitation, hygiene and behavioral change promotion.

(authors abstract)