Practice 17: Water Sanitation and Hygiene

Ensure that all family members use a toilet and always wash hands with clean water and soap/ash after disposing of children’s faeces, after using the latrine, before preparing and serving food and before feeding children.

• Ask the mother at what times she washes her hands and why she thinks we should wash hands with soap and water.
• Ask her if the family has a toilet and uses it.
• Listen attentively.

• Appreciate if the woman takes care of her and her child’s hygiene and washes hands properly.
• If not, discuss and try to get to the root of the problem. For example, does she forget to do so or does she think that it is not that important.

• Demonstrate and practice proper hand washing technique to the woman/family.
• Demonstrate what a “rolling boil” means and if family boils water before drinking.

• All family members wash hands with soap and water:
  • Before preparing and serving food
  • Feeding children
  • Using toilet
  • Disposing off faeces
• Dispose of all faeces, including children’s, properly in a latrine.
• Drink clean and safe water.
• Use toilet and keep it clean.
• Parents should show and help children to wash their hands and in using toilets.