Designing and Evaluating a School-based Hand Washing Program in Malawi

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of the study is to design and evaluate a school-based hand washing program for children in Malawi, Sub-Saharan Africa, using a cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT), so as to improve proper hand washing, increase knowledge level and also reduce school absenteeism.

Detailed Description
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A cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) design with pre-, mid- and post-interventions and follow-up measures will be randomized into intervention or control groups. A simplified 5-steps hand washing program will be implemented in the intervention group while the control group will continue with their usual practice where schoolchildren do not follow any standard recommended handwashing technique.

Official Title
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Designing and Evaluating a School-based Hand Washing Program in Malawi

Conditions
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School-based, Hand-washing, Program, Malawi

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Hand Washing Program (HWP)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Schools that have piped tap water source situated in Mzuzu City, Private primary schools, Children in elementary one and six, Written parental consent allowing their child to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: Schools without piped tap water source, Government primary schools, Children whose parents will not give consent.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 5 Years
Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Hand Washing Program (HWP)<br>Clusters in this arm will be given a Hand Washing Program (HWP) which will consist of: integrating hand washing practice in the school health policy, setting up proper hand washing facilities in the intervention schools, training to school teachers, delivering of health talk to schoolchildren and their parents, developing reminders and posters of a simplified 5-step hand washing technique, peer briefing session, take home package (5-steps hand washing, commitment letter, poster, leaflet). The program will be delivered once every week. | Behavioral: Hand Washing Program (HWP)<br>* HWP consists of integrating hand washing practice in the school health policy, setting up proper hand washing facilities in the intervention schools, training to school teachers, delivering of health talk to schoolchildren and their parents, developing reminders and posters of a simplified 5-step hand washing technique, peer briefing session, take home package (5-steps hand washing, commitment letter, poster, leaflet). The program will be delivered once every week.<br>|
| No Intervention: No Hand Washing Program (NHWP)<br>Clusters in this arm will be allowed to continue with their usual practice regarding hand washing/hygiene | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Proper hand washing | This will be achieved by giving a score to the amount of fluorescents stain on the hand. | 9 month | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Knowledge gain | A quiz will be administered to assess knowledge of school children. | 9 month |