The WHO supported research on sanitation behaviour change is enclosed.

The study delved into understanding deeper self perception barriers, that prevent people from building and using toilets in rural India. In a previous study by the authors, in mixed caste Bihar rural areas as well as in this study in the states of Telengana, Gujarat and Jharkhand : the study found that caste, tribal and class identities play a major role in determining adoption of improved sanitation and hygiene behaviours. Your self perception that you are from a lower caste can prevent you from building a toilet and hand washing with soap, lest you confront the higher castes. Similarly if you have a very basic subsistence tribal livelihood status, you may lack the aspiration to improve your sanitation and hygiene behaviours alone unless this is part of a larger livelihood and income improvement change.

The study findings challenge the popular approaches to behaviour change - normative and advertising based approaches, that believe mere coaxing for health benefits, shaming and pride can make people change their sanitation and hygiene behaviours.

The study was done by India WASH Forum and is being presented today at SACOSAN 7 in Islamabad.

The study is accessible at India WASH Forum site :

indiawashforum.com/wp-content/uploads/20...ve-Research-2016.pdf

It is also available at :

scbp.niua.org/other-important-resources

Placed here for discussion.

Depinder