We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Impact of In-Home Handwashing Stations on Hand Hygiene During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Unpiped Rural Alaska Native Homes.
- Authors
Harmon, Olivia A.; Howe, Tricia S.; Schaeffer, Jacqualine D.; Adeboyejo, Ramot; Eichelberger, Laura P.
- Abstract
Objectives: More than 3300 rural Alaska Native homes lack piped water, impeding hand hygiene. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnered with 10 Tribal communities and regional Tribal health organizations to install a low-cost, intermediate-technology water and sanitation system, the Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS). We assessed the impact of the Mini-PASS handwashing station on handwashing, other water-related uses, and problems encountered over time. Methods: In this pre–postintervention study, we conducted semi-structured interviews by telephone seasonally with representatives of 71 households with the Mini-PASS from February 2021 through November 2022 to assess the impact of the units on water use and health. Results: Before Mini-PASS installation, all participating households primarily used washbasins for handwashing. Postintervention, more than 70% of households reported using the Mini-PASS as their primary handwashing method in all 3 follow-up intervals (3, 6-9, and 12 months postintervention). The proportion of households using the handwashing station for other household tasks increased during 12 months, from 51.4% (19 of 37) at 3 months postintervention to 77.8% (21 of 27) at 12 months postintervention. Although approximately 20% to 40% of households reported problems with their handwashing station during the 12 months postintervention, a large proportion of interviewees (47% to 60%) said they were able to conduct repairs themselves. Conclusions: Households in rural Alaska quickly adopted the Mini-PASS for hand hygiene and other needs and were largely able to troubleshoot problems themselves. Further research evaluating the impact of improved handwashing behaviors facilitated by the Mini-PASS should be conducted.
- Subjects
ALASKA Natives; SANITATION; RESEARCH funding; HAND washing; INTERVIEWING; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; COMMUNITIES; WATER supply; RURAL conditions; RESEARCH methodology; TELEPHONES; CENTERS for Disease Control &; Prevention (U.S.); PUBLIC health; COVID-19 pandemic; NATIVE Americans
- Publication
Public Health Reports, 2024, Vol 139, p81S
- ISSN
0033-3549
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/00333549241255260