DRASA’s #ItStartsWithMe public health awareness program promotes healthy living through the practice of good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation habits including handwashing, proper waste disposal, and safe food storage.
Why personal hygiene and environmental sanitation?
A number of environmental factors influence the spread of infectious diseases including water supply, food sources, and sanitation facilities. Good hygiene – particularly hand hygiene – is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of diseases including diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid (United Nations). Yet, in Nigeria 68% of the population has no access to a toilet and more than two thirds of the population don’t have access to adequate sanitation (Wateraid). In these communities, people are at high risk of spreading and dying from infectious diseases.
Additionally, the economic impact of poor sanitation and hygiene costs the Nigerian economy the equivalent of almost 1.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) annually according to the World Bank’s Water Sanitation Program.
How does DRASA educate and drive behavior change in communities?
- Conducting community outreach and education in low-resource areas
- Educating and engaging audiences through traditional and social media
- Hosting events and collaborations with private sector companies
- Holding educational sessions at primary and secondary schools
- Establishing health and hygiene clubs in select schools
- Distributing handwashing and hygiene products
Check out some pictures from our #ItStartsWithMe school visits and click the image to read more:
Click the image collage to view our full gallery of clean/soapy hands from the launch of the program:
