HEALTH INTERVENTION AGAINST POOR WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES IN AYAEBAM COMMUNITY, AKAMAKPA LGA CROSS RIVER STATE

HELD ON THE 3RD DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019.
BY
iCARE INITIATIVE
IN COLLABORATION WITH TRANSFORMATION HOME NIGERIA

The session started with an opening prayer by a volunteer which was followed by opening
remark and introduction by one of the team members.
Two major health strategies were used to communicate information regarding proper water,
sanitation and hygiene practices to the community members;

Health education strategy
Health communication strategy

HEALTH EDUCATION
A health education session was conducted to increase awareness, knowledge and practice of
water, sanitation and hygiene practices in Ayaebam community with the following learning
objectives;
At the end of the session, at least 70% of the participants should be able to;

Explain the concept of WASH
List the importance of environmental sanitation practices
Explain the local water treatment methods
Demonstrate how the oral rehydration solution is prepared
List and explain the health implication of open defecation practices
Explain the role of water, sanitation and hygiene in disease prevention

The session was conducted under a serene atmosphere in the most conducive structure in the
community with adequate and comfortable sitting arrangement. A total of fifty persons (29 males
and 21 females) participated in the session of which a pre and post questionnaire was
administered to 32 participants.

A lesson guide was developed for the session with the focus of
raising awareness about today’s most pressing environmental health concerns which is in line
with the 2019 World Environmental Health Day celebration held on 26th September 2019 with
the theme: “Climate change challenges, time for global Environmental Health to act in unison”,
and addressed the physical and all the related factors impacting behavior and can potentially
affect health.

The participants were educated on the importance of environmental sanitation, health implication
of open defecation practices, the role of water, sanitation and hygiene in disease prevention and
local water treatment options. Also, one of the facilitators practically taught the participants the
techniques for Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) preparation; which was referred to as sugar-salt
solution for a better understanding, after which two volunteers (a male and a female) from the
audience did same.
Some of the key messages delivered were;

Proper Water, Sanitation and Hygiene practices can save lives.
Proper Sanitation and hygiene is one of the most important aspects of community wellbeing.
It protects human health and extends life span.
Hand washing with soap or ash is among the most effective and cheapest ways to prevent
diarrhea diseases which is responsible for the majority of child deaths. It is a “do it
yourself vaccine”.
Oral Rehydration Solution is a type of fluid replacement used to prevent and treat
dehydration especially that due to diarrhea.

At the end of the session, notable questions and concerns were raised of which the team
members proffered answers to their satisfaction. The representative of the community head, on
behalf of the community members verbally expressed their utmost delight and satisfaction from
the program, and then light refreshment was provided for the participants.

HEALTH COMMUNICATION
Health communication is the practice of communicating promotional health information. It
includes verbal and written strategies to influence and empower individuals, populations, and
communities to make healthier choices. As part of the program intervention strategy, messages
regarding proper water, sanitation and hygiene and the health implication of poor practices were
conveyed through IEC materials and visual aids which included posters, placards, banner and
video presentations.

Prior to the health education session, a 4min video covering all aspect of the learning
objective was presented with emphasis laid on the key messages contained in the video.
Participants were given placards to take and place in their homes to serve as a reminder to
own the knowledge gained.
With permission and participation of the community members, banners and posters were
placed at strategic places within the entire community.
Visual aids and IEC materials were provided in the two major institutions located in the
community i.e. the health center and the schools were placed at strategic places for the
benefit if individuals coming in and out of those institutions.

RESULT
By the end of the health education session, the participants were able to explain the concept of
WASH, list the importance of environmental sanitation practices, explain the local water
treatment methods, explain the health implication of open defecation practices, explain the role
of water, sanitation and hygiene in disease prevention and demonstrated how the oral rehydration
solution is prepared. Also, following the analysis of the administered pre and post questionnaire
using the SPSS version 23, 80% increase in awareness and knowledge of water, sanitation and
hygiene activities among the participants were recorded.
The participants were grateful for the session, their expectations were met and they were ready to
change behavior and implement the knowledge gained from the session.