What are the methods and tools used in investigating the context in which hygiene practices occur?
Updated - Monday 28 November 2005
What are the methods and tools used in investigating the context in which hygiene practices occur?
To understand hygiene and sanitation issues fully, it is necessary to explore people's ideas, beliefs and knowledge, and their activities. It is not enough to describe existing methods of excreta disposal or people's personal hygiene practices, such as handwashing, without finding out what physical, social, cultural or economic constraints might be operating locally to cause people to do what they do. People in the study population need to be involved in the investigation, analysis and interpretation of their situation. This is important, because they then have an interest in, and a sense of ownership of the information gathered, and they will perhaps have an interest in making use of the study findings if they are presented in accessible forms.
The following are some methods and tools that can be use in investigating the context in which hygiene practices occur:
Health walk: this method is an adaptation of the transect walk in which the study team spends several hours walking across the study site(s). During the walk, the team members (not more than three persons per group) familiarize themselves with the physical context in which the hygiene practices occur and observe how people behave and interact with each other. A checklist of what to lookout for can be used.
Structured observations: spot check observations are the simplest type of structured observations that can be conducted during a health walk, as well as during household visits and when interviewing. The purpose of structured observations is to obtain first-hand information on hygiene practices in and around the locations e.g. water sources, and at people's homes.
Key informant interviews: A key informant is anyone who can provide you with detailed information on the basis of their special expertise or knowledge of a particular issue, e.g. a health worker to discuss risky practices and disease prevalence, or a village leader to discuss community participation. The subject of the interviews may be very broad such as health or more specific such as which water sources are best for which purposes. The interviews can provide information on specific hygiene practices and on the context in which they take place.
History line: the purpose of this tool is to investigate both local history in general terms and specific changes over time related to management of natural resources such as water and land. During the discussions the investigators try to get an idea of the important changes which have taken place and when they have taken place. For this activity the investigators can involve knowledgeable people such as the community leaders and the elders of the community. During a group discussion the participants are invited to tell about the important events that have taken place in the past and with these events to develop a history line.
Community mapping: This method is used to find out what public facilities (related to health and hygiene) are available in the community, including the water sources, clinics, sanitation facilities etc. Participants are asked to draw/create a map representing their community and showing places of interest such as market places, churches and mosques, temples, etc.
Seasonal calendar: Using this method, the investigator can obtain information on the activities of men, women and children at different times/seasons of the year. This can be complemented with an overview of which illnesses are perceived to be most important and at what time of the year or in which season they are the most prevalent.
Gender roles analysis: This method serves to explore:
1. which activities or talks are acceptable for men, which are assigned to women and which are acceptable for both men and women, and why;
2. how existing resources are shared between men and women.
To do so, participants are given one set of pictures depicting a variety of locally observed practices and a set of pictures of locally available resources. Through discussion, the participants have to come to a consensus as to whether each task is performed by men, women or both, and whether each available resources is controlled by men, women or both.
Source: Almedom et al., (1997). Hygiene evaluation procedures: approaches and methods for assessing water- and sanitation-related hygiene practices, Boston, MA, USA : International Nutrition Foundation for Developing Countries.
