Mikono Safi - a cluster randomised controlled intervention trial in fourteen schools in North-West Tanzania

Purpose

To assess the effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention that promotes hand washing with soap

Activities

Mikono Safi, which means clean hands in Kiswahili, is a study taking place among school-aged children in the Kagera Region, North-West Tanzania. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention that promotes hand washing with soap, in reducing both the prevalence and infection intensity of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) (Ascaris lumbricoides and Triuchuris trichiura).

The cluster randomised controlled intervention trial is being conducted in fourteen schools in the region. The trial is led by the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU), a collaborative research unit of the Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

Images

Image: Handwashing in Schools

Countries of activity

Location of main activity

Objectives

Aim: Mikono Safi, which means clean hands in Kiswahili, aims to assess the effectiveness of a behaviour intervention, including promotion of HWWS, among school-aged children in the Kagera Region of NW Tanzania in reducing both the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections.

Objectives:
• To design a scalable, school-based behaviour change intervention to promote HWWS at key times during the day among schoolaged children in North Western Tanzania;
• To assess the effectiveness of this intervention in changing handwashing-behaviour and in reducing the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections among school-aged children following a deworming programme;
• To explore the costs and cost-effectiveness of the intervention with a view to the possible integration of the intervention into the national STH control efforts, and prepare the methods for a future large cost-effectiveness study of the intervention when integrated into the national STH control programme.

Contact information

Saidi Kapiga
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Filter tags

Behaviour change Health and hygiene Other funding source or unspecified Schools Specific to one or several countries Sub-Saharan Africa UK government University, education or research institution