Handwashing in the Sustainable Development...

Handwashing in the Sustainable Development EraPRAGMATISM IN MEASUREMENT

PAVANI K. RAM, MD

Handwashing matters here.

Observed handwashing behavior in the places where it matters

19% 5% 5%

Availability of soap for handwashing in the home, by wealth quintile, Africa Region, 2009-2013

Availability of soap and water at a handwashing place, 2009-2013

Availability of soap and water at a handwashing place, Africa region, 2009-2013

Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Relevant targets in goal 6:

6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

...

Measuring “access to adequate and equitable hygiene for all”?

Measuring handwashing… a dull business

AskLook for

cluesObserve

Measuring handwashing to evaluate progress toward the SDG target… a difficult but doable business

AskLook for

cluesObserve

Looking for clues to handwashing

Soap in the home

Volume of soap

consumption

Soap and water at a

handwashing place

Hand contamination

Sensor detection of soap use

Soap use during demonstration

A pragmatic indicator for the SDG era

Soap and water at a

handwashing place

Valid Measurable

‘Valid’ here refers to the documented association between the indicator and behavior / risk of infectious syndromes

‘Measurable’ here refers to the feasibility of inclusion in large, nationally representative surveys

Soap and water at a

handwashing place

Soap and water at a handwashing place: An indicator for all

An expanded definition of ‘soap’ in the SDG era

Measuring handwashing to evaluate progress toward the SDG target… imperfect but doable

AcknowledgementsSwapna Kumar

Libbet Loughnan

Julia Liguori

Contact: pkram@buffalo.edu