CARE Kenya

Initiative Description: Teachers were provided with training materials suitable for classroom use and instructed to form safe water clubs with students of all grades, teach SWS and hygiene to students, and encourage them to teach their parents.A random sample of 9 out of 45 project schools were selected for the residual free chlorine treatment. The head teachers from each school were surveyed regarding the number of teachers, students, functioning latrines, drinking water collection, storage and treatment practices, handwashing facilities, and soap availability at baseline and final evaluation. In May 2005, a random sample of 390 students in grades 4-8 from the 9 project schools were selected for a baseline survey, and in February 2006, a random sample of 363 students in grades 4-8 from the same schools were selected for a final evaluation. Additonally, the homes of the 390 selected students were visited and the mother or guardian was interviewed. A similar procedure was used for the 363 students selected for final evaluation

Study Results: School absenteeism in the September-November term decreased in 9 project schools by 35% and increased in neighboring comparison schools by 5%

Reference: O’Reilly, CE, et al. (2008) The impact of a school-based safe water and hygiene programme on knowledge and practices of students and their parents: Nyanza Province, western Kenya. Epidemiology & Infection 136: 80–91

Level of Evidence: Good