Effectiveness of Community Health Clubs Intervention on Selected Hygiene and Health Outcomes in Kajiado County, Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study of a Pastoral Community DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v37i2.10

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James Otieno Okumu
Violet Wanjihia
John Gachohi

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Maintaining optimal hygiene and health is a fundamental human right that cannot be compromised. The United Nations General Assembly has acknowledged the significance of achieving "health and well-being" and providing "safe water and sanitation for all" by 2030. However, diseases associated with water, sanitation and hygiene remain a significant concern worldwide, with diarrheal diseases being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five. This study evaluated the effectiveness of community health clubs on selected hygiene and health outcomes in children under five years old.


METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental design was conducted among households in the intervention group where community health clubs (CHCs) and community-led total sanitation (CLTS) were utilized and in the control group where only community-led total sanitation was utilized. Researchers conducted a baseline survey, facilitated discussions on open defecation, and created action plans. Community health clubs were formed for health education, with two community health extension workers and two community Health Assistants providing training on hygiene and latrine ownership. This study recruited a representative sample of 514 households, 256 in the intervention group, and 258 in the control group. Trained interviewers conducted interviews at baseline and after six months with household heads. Twenty focus group discussions were conducted, and 162 water samples were collected for bacteriological analysis to determine the presence and quantity of microbes.


RESULTS: The study revealed diarrheal cases reduction at the end of the study in the intervention group from 50.8% to 37.4%. A significant decrease in risk of 32.1% in female-headed households was also observed. Additionally, families headed by a person who had attained tertiary education showed a 100% decrease in risk from both study arms.


CONCLUSION: Incorporating health strategies such as community health clubs into sanitation programs leads to improved water safety and hygiene. Our findings indicate that the combined approach of community health clubs and community-led total sanitation significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhoea among children under five years old and positively influenced other selected hygiene and health outcomes.

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Effectiveness of Community Health Clubs Intervention on Selected Hygiene and Health Outcomes in Kajiado County, Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study of a Pastoral Community: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v37i2.10. (2024). African Journal of Health Sciences, 37(2). https://ojs.ajhsjournal.or.ke/index.php/home/article/view/356
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How to Cite

Effectiveness of Community Health Clubs Intervention on Selected Hygiene and Health Outcomes in Kajiado County, Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study of a Pastoral Community: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v37i2.10. (2024). African Journal of Health Sciences, 37(2). https://ojs.ajhsjournal.or.ke/index.php/home/article/view/356