Sustainability of hygiene promotion and education: a six country research study

Studies were undertaken in six countries to examine the sustainability of hygiene behaviours after water and sanitation projects had ended. The results of the three year study showed that hygienic behaviours are sustained two years and more years after the end of the intervention. The main behaviours studied were handwashing, latrine use and maintenance and safe water storage. Intervention variables related to gender, socio-economic status, access to water and duration of the intervention were also studied.