Learning for a Healthy Living – Scaling up school-based hygiene education in 2010 flood affected Pakistan

IFTIKHAR HUSSAINfromPAKISTAN – Social Action Bureau forAssistance in Welfare and OrganizationalNetworking (SABAWON) Presented at ASIA REGIONAL SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTITIONERS WORKSHOP, Dhaka 2012

Introduction In 2010 Pakistan experienced unprecedented floods of its national history The floods created a disaster across the country resulting in declaring large scale emergency SABAWON in partnership with Oxfam GB initiated an emergency life saving WASH project in District Charsadda and Nowshera of North West Pakistan funded by AusAID

Hygiene Promotion Project Component An essential part of the WASH project was public health promotion Innovative participatory approaches were applied using children as agents of change at school and communities Children were educated to play the role of active citizens Focus on non school going children

Setting course of action 30 schools in 4 union councils were selected in the project districts Charsadda and Nowshera KAP survey conducted, selected 20% students interviewed in 30 schools of both districts Three key study areas investigated Safe disposal of excreta Hand washing with soap Reducing the contamination of household drinking water

KAP Survey In total 1226, respondents were interviewed in which 876 were boys and 350 were girls respondents. The age range of whole group was from 5 to 12 years. Various interesting findings emerged from the survey

Assessing knowledge of students on importance of handwashing Knowledge Responses Responses AssessmentWhat are the benefits of Number s Percenthand washing? Clean hands 365 29.8% To remove germs 532 43.4% To prevent disease 237 19.3% Do not know 72 5.9% Will be healthy 20 1.6%Total 1226 100%

Synopsis of applied approaches 40 child clubs were formed in selected 40 schools of both project districts. The child clubs symbolically support the idea of a resource center for the students of a particular school. In total, 600 students became members of child clubs in selected 40 primary schools. Separate child clubs were established for male and female students in their schools.

Applied approaches Each member of a child club was paired with a non school- going child living in his / her community to educate the non school-going children on safe hygiene practices, sanitation and the importance of safe drinking water School cleaning competitions among primary schools of the project districts were also part of the comprehensive WASH program Training of school teachers and members of community based organizations on hygiene promotion techniques including child to child approach

Educating young students on importance of hygiene

Hygiene Education session for young students

Conclusion The teachers are now in a position to know their students better and are more aware about their inherent capacities. Health professionals have unchallengeable knowledge of diseases, transmission routes and curative measures; but lack capacity in communication Broad-based approach needs to be adapted which ensures participation of the health department as well.

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Learning for a Healthy Living – Scaling up school-based hygiene education in 2010 flood affected Pakistan

by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre on May 14, 2012

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