Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111561

Janeth Meza, MD, MPH¹, Raul Rodriguez², Pinar Polat, MPH³, and Luis Tam, MD, DrPH³. (1) Programa Nicaragua, Plan Internacional, Residencial Las Colinas, Managua, Nicaragua, 505-2760730, luis.tam@planusa.org, (2) Region of the Americas Office, Plan International, Ciudadela del Saber, Clayton, Panama, (3) Plan USA, 1730 N Lynn St, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209

Since 2001, Plan International (an international, child-centered NGHO) has been implementing a 4-year Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Education (PHASE) project in Nicaragua. This project, funded through a grant of Glaxo Smith Kline directly benefited nearly 20,000 students in 40 schools in 126 rural communities. The area has a high prevalence of childhood diarrhea and other water-borne diseases. Using an innovative peer education methodology called Child-to-Child, PHASE aimed to reduce diarrhea cases through sustainable practices in personal hygiene and sanitation. 1,067 children (child monitors) were trained in personal hygiene and sanitation and leadership. Under the guidance of teachers, they disseminated their knowledge to 9,393 children through functional groups of 15 children each. Moreover, mothers were motivated by children to practice more hygienic ways to prepare their meals, while fathers were encouraged by children to improve the household supply of water and sanitation services. RESULTS: After the three first years of PHASE, a 42 percent decrease in the cases of diarrhea among under-five children was documented. Moreover, the percentage of families (1) with access to safe water increased from 58 percent to 100 percent and (2) that have not reported cases of diarrhea in the past 15 days increased from 59 percent to 86.3 percent. The number of families showing improvement in handling and conserving drinking water tripled from 33.5 percent to 95.9 percent. CONSEQUENCES: The World Bank has included the PHASE materials and methods in a forthcoming toolkit for hygiene promotion. Additionally, Plan's programs in Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Ecuador Bolivia and Brazil are considering its widespread application.

Learning Objectives:

• To present and discuss with the audience the importance of empowering schoolchildren in the prevention of cases and deaths due to childhood diarrhea.

Keywords: Children's Health, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF The project was funded with a grant of Glaxo Smith Kline..