Implementing a Community-Based Participatory Project: Lessons Learned from the Hand Washing Education, Tippy Tap and Community Prioritization Project in Peru

A community-based participatory approach to planning and implementing health interventions is beneficial to creating more effective interventions. A three-pronged intervention of hand washing education, handwashing station (Tippy Tap) building, and community prioritization in Tuni Grande, Peru was based on the essential components of a rapid community-based participatory project. These essential components are (1) being culturally sensitive, (2) building a relationship with the community members and organization, and (3) engaging community members and organization in planning and implementing the project.

As part of being culturally sensitive, separate focus groups were conducted with the women, the leaders, and the youth. Focus groups established motivations to handwashing with soap, barriers to hand washing and safe stool disposal, prioritized health problems in the community, and identified short term and long term solutions to those problems. A relationship with the community members was built by living with local families and helping them with daily chores. Meetings with the Chijnaya Foundation were conducted to ensure that everyone involved was going to have a positive learning outcome.

As a consequence of a participatory approach, the community members identified realistic solutions to their community’s main problems. In addition, six improved hand washing stations were built in the community. Thus, respecting the cultural practices of a community, building relationships, and involving the organization and community members in planning and implementing an intervention are key to obtaining good outcomes and to motivate the community to adopt healthier behaviors.