Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions.

First read Case Study 13.2 and then answer the questions that follow it.

Case Study 13.2 Ato Belay observes handwashing practices at a wedding

Mr. Belay was invited to a wedding where food and drinks were served. He observed that most people washed their hands in plain water before eating, but used soap after eating. Some people did not wash their hands at all, so he politely asked them why not. Some said: ‘The handwashing facility is too crowded’, or ‘There is not enough soap’. Others believed there was no health benefit from handwashing. Some said that soap and water was for washing clothes and should not be wasted on washing hands.

  1. What handwashing practice was used by most people at this wedding?
  2. Identify a negative belief concerning handwashing at this wedding.
  3. Identify a negative attitude concerning handwashing at this wedding.
  4. How may economic factors have influenced handwashing behaviour at this wedding?

Show answer

  1. The handwashing practice used by most people at this wedding was washing their hands in plain water before eating, but using soap after eating.
  2. A negative belief expressed by some wedding guests is that there is no health benefit from handwashing before eating.
  3. A negative attitude concerning handwashing at this wedding is that it is a waste of soap and water which should be saved for washing clothes.
  4. Better handwashing facilities and more soap would cost more to provide and may not have been affordable at this wedding.

  1. What are the critical times for handwashing that can have the greatest impact on infectious disease transmission?
  2. What percentage reduction in diarrhoeal disease episodes is achieved by routine handwashing at critical times with plain water or using water and soap?

Show answer

  1. The critical times for handwashing are before and after preparing food or eating, and after urinating, defecating or cleaning a child’s bottom.
  2. Handwashing with plain water at critical times can reduce episodes of diarrhoea by about 30%; using soap and water reduces diarrhoeal diseases by about 44%.

How could building a latrine and ensuring all family members use good WASH practices benefit:

  1. the economic sustainability of the household?
  2. the women and girls in the family?
  3. the physical environment around the household?

Show answer

Building a latrine and ensuring all family members use good WASH practices would have the following benefits:

  1. The economic sustainability of the household will be improved because there will be fewer episodes of diarrhoea and other infections, so the cost of health care, including transport to a health facility will be saved and adults will not lose so much in earnings when they are looking after a sick child.
  2. The women and girls in a family with a latrine will benefit from the privacy and security of having a safe place to urinate and defecate during the day, instead of the discomfort and risks associated with waiting to ease themselves in the open after dark.
  3. The physical environment around the household will not be contaminated by human waste, which attracts vermin and flies that spread infection; also, the waste will not be washed into the soil and local water sources where pollution not only affects the health of people but it also damages other animals and plants.

Last modified: Monday, 3 October 2016, 7:27 AM