Collection

Learn about Wash'Em

Emergency hygiene promotion is traditionally done by distributing hygiene kits or educating people about disease transmission. Evidence shows that these approaches alone aren’t enough to change handwashing behaviour.

The Wash’Em process involves using 5 rapid assessment tools to understand the handwashing behaviours of crisis-affected communities. You then enter the findings from the tools into the Wash’Em software, which generates step-by-step instructions for a variety of activities that address the determinants of the behaviours.

This collection of resources provides you with a set of e-learning modules that you can work through sequentially to learn more about how to use Wash'Em in your own context. If you are interested in receiving a certificate for this course, please register at https://washem-cawst.talentlms.com/index

Topics

Behaviour Change Emergency WASH Handwashing Hygiene

Co-developed with

Action contre la Faim

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Languages

English

E-Learning

What is Wash'Em?

Hygiene promotion in emergencies has typically been done by distributing hygiene kits, or educating people about disease transmission. Evidence shows that these approaches alone are insufficient to change handwashing behavior. This learning module introduces you to the the Wash'Em process and the tools you will use to help you design innovative, context-specific hygiene programs.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: The Context

For humanitarians that are not currently working in a crisis situation, this e-learning module provides three realistic contexts to practice with.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Informed Consent

For this reason, informed consent is a key component of all the Wash’Em tools. Learn why and what it entails in this module.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Handwashing Demonstrations

The Handwashing Demonstrations tool allows you to generate quick insights into how a person’s home and community environment impact their handwashing practices.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Personal Histories

The Personal Histories tool is used to generate a broad understanding about the experiences of populations affected by crisis.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Motives

The Motives tool will help you to identify what is driving handwashing behaviour, or preventing it, in your context.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Disease Perception

The Disease Perception tool helps you to understand people’s perceptions of the disease you are interested in.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Touchpoints

This tool will help you identify channels of communication so that you can prioritize which ones are likely to be the most effective in reaching your population.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Logistics

This module highlights the details you'll need to take care of before you leave for your community visit.

E-Learning

Wash'Em: Using the Software

In this module, you'll learn how to navigate the Wash'Em website and use the Program Designer to generate program recommendations.

About CAWST

CAWST is a Canadian charity and licensed engineering firm. We address the global need for safe drinking water and sanitation by building local knowledge and skills on household solutions people can implement themselves.

Learn more

Supported by

Development of this website and creation of collections of emergency themed tools on Water Treatment, Water Quality Testing, Behavior Change and Sanitation funded by Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance - USAID.

This project is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of CAWST (Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.