NCT02703974

Nudging Handwashing: a Cluster-randomized Trial in Bangladesh

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Oklahoma · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The study will collect and analyze quantitative data regarding handwashing behaviors among school-aged children to determine the impact of nudges compared to handwashing and hygiene education programs. Based on the success of the preliminary pilot, we hypothesize nudges leading to higher rates of handwashing than traditional handwashing and hygiene education programs.

Detailed description

This study will utilize a cluster-randomized trial design to collect quantitative data and analyze the handwashing behaviors of school-aged children. The primary purpose of this protocol is to assess nudges as a viable method of promoting handwashing among school-aged children. The specific objectives of this quantitative exploration are to: 1. Determine if nudges can prompt significant behavior change and result in higher rates of handwashing among school-aged children in Bangladesh 2. Determine if behavior change resulting from nudging is sustainable over time

Conditions

• Hand Disinfection

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Early handwashing station	A handwashing station will be a dedicated location for handwashing in each selected school and will include: 1. A raised concrete platform (built to child height) 2. A plastic container with a lid and spigot 3. Soap The early handwashing stations will be constructed in weeks 1 and 2 of the study, after the baseline observations (Phase I) are complete.
BEHAVIORAL	Late handwashing station	A handwashing station will be a dedicated location for handwashing in each selected school and will include: 1. A raised concrete platform (built to child height) 2. A plastic container with a lid and spigot 3. Soap The late handwashing stations construction will begin after Phase 2 data collection has been finished at the end of week 3.
BEHAVIORAL	Nudge	A nudge will be built in each randomly selected school and will consist of: 1. Connecting latrines to the handwashing station via paved pathways that are painted bright colors 2. Painting footprints on infrastructure guiding students to the handwashing stations and handprints on stations The nudges will be constructed at the end of week 3 and 4, after Phase II data collection is complete within each randomly assigned nudge school.
BEHAVIORAL	Education	Hand hygiene education-based program: the hygiene promotion element will include a one month program of handwashing education involving weekly facilitator led sessions. Each session will be about 30-45 minutes long, and will cover the following topics: * Importance of handwashing * Method of handwashing * Critical times of handwashing * Finding solutions for handwashing in school and at home The sessions will involve use of flipcharts, and other IEC materials (e.g. videos) and participative learning methods. The Hand hygiene education-based program will begin at the beginning of weeks 4 and 5, after Phase II data collection is complete in each randomly assigned education school.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-03-01
• Primary completion: 2016-08-01
• Completion: 2016-08-01
• First posted: 2016-03-09
• Last updated: 2016-11-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Bangladesh