2010年-世界发展银行全球_Global_Scaling_Up_Handwashing_Project___Involving_Men_in_Handwashing_Behavior_Change_Interventions_in_Senegal_4页_1mb

Global Scaling Up Handwashing Project Summary: Involving Men in Senegal

Introduction

The Global Scaling Up Handwashing Project, initiated by the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) in December 2006, was implemented in Senegal, Peru, Tanzania, and Vietnam with technical support from WSP. In Senegal, the project aimed to improve handwashing behavior among 1.5 million women, caretakers, and children in eighty localities across several regions, including Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Louga, Thiès, Ziguinchor, and Saint-Louis.

Problem Statement

Initially, the project focused on women as the primary target audience, given their central role in childcare and household hygiene. However, it became evident that men, as heads of household, also played a significant role in influencing household behaviors, including handwashing. Men were found to be gatekeepers, protectors, and role models, and they often managed household finances and resource allocation, including the purchase of soap and handwashing stations.

Key Findings

• Men as Heads of Household: Senegalese men are typically the heads of household and exert influence over finances, social interactions, and hygiene behaviors.
• Men's Interest in Handwashing: Preliminary observations show that men are interested in handwashing promotion, especially due to its impact on children's health.
• Need for Inclusion: Men should be included in handwashing behavior change initiatives, as their involvement can mobilize the family and reinforce messages.
• Frustration with Exclusion: Many men expressed frustration at not being included in earlier handwashing promotion discussions.

Action Taken

To address these findings, the project team took the following actions:

1. Learning Event: In December 2009, a half-day learning event was organized in Dakar to explore the role of men and develop strategies for their inclusion. 25 participants from ten local organizations attended.
2. Training Manual Modification: The training materials for relays (fieldworkers) were updated to include men in the target audience and to leverage their roles.
3. Communication Material Adjustment: Visual materials, such as billboards, television spots, and radio ads, were revised to emphasize men's role and encourage joint participation.
4. Focus Groups and Monitoring: Fieldworkers were instructed to identify households where men had been exposed to handwashing messages and to monitor changes in men's attitudes and behaviors.

Key Learnings

• Gatekeepers: Men allow or deny access to information and resources related to handwashing.
• Protectors: Men can follow up on handwashing messages and ensure compliance within the household.
• Role Models: Men can model handwashing behavior and encourage others to adopt it.
• Inclusion Benefits: Including men in handwashing promotion can enhance the effectiveness of behavior change interventions.

What Else Do We Need to Know?

The project team continues to explore questions such as:

• What is the most powerful motivator for men to support handwashing behavior change?
• Does including men have a catalyzing, neutral, or negative impact on women's attitudes toward handwashing?
• How can the inclusion of men be sustained and scaled?

These questions are critical for the development of current and future handwashing programs.

Conclusion

The Global Scaling Up Handwashing Project in Senegal has demonstrated the importance of involving men in behavior change initiatives. By recognizing their roles as gatekeepers, protectors, and role models, the project has adapted its strategies to better engage men and promote sustainable handwashing practices across the household.

References

• The project is implemented by local and national governments with technical support from WSP.
• The Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) is a multi-donor partnership managed by the World Bank.
• For more information, visit www.wsp.org/scalinguphandwashing.

Acknowledgements

The summary is based on the work of Seydou Nourou Koita and the Global Scaling Up Handwashing Project team, including Hnin Hnin Pyne, Alfred Dacosta, Yolande Coombes, Jacqueline Devine, Libasse Diagne, Amy Grossman, Momar Kane, Mamadou Lamine Mbengue, Bernard Sene, Mamadou Thiam, and the implementing partners such as APAPS, EDE, EXP Momentum, Hors Media Communication, Mediacom, and SENAGROSOL.