Ana I. Gil, MSc, Claudio F. Lanata, MD, MPH, and Mary E. Penny, MBchB, MRCP. Instituto de Investigacion Nutricional, Av. La Molina N° 685, La Molina, Apartado Postal 18-0191, Lima, Peru, 349-6023, kleinauef@ehproject.org

The promotion of hygiene behaviors have been identified as an intervention that could have considerable impact in the reduction of diarrheal diseases in young children in developing countries. Among them, the sanitary disposal of human feces, particularly those of children, have been the less studied area. A systematic search of the literature found 144 studies published on this subject between 1986 and 2002. The International Institute for Nutrition (IIN) in Lima, Peru, reviewed the current knowledge of children’s excretal practices in developing countries, the methodology used to assess it, and the epidemiological evidence that associates some of these practices with diarrheal diseases, with the aim of identifying interventions that could improve the sanitary disposal of feces at the household level that have a high potential of reducing diarrheal diseases in children in developing countries. Only 37 publications from 33 studies conducted in 16 countries were retained for the final review. Few studies have been done describing the excretal disposal practices of young children at the household level and very few have investigated its relationship with diarrhea. The most common method used to evaluate hygiene behaviors have been questionnaire surveys, but dissatisfaction with the reliability of the information they provide has led to the use of alternative approaches like structured observation. Qualitative methods were very important complement to observations and questionnaire data. The articles reviewed suggested that using a variety of methods offers a better understanding of these human behaviors which could lead to better designed community participatory hygiene promotions programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will gain a solid understanding of the three most important interventions to prevent childhood diarrhea and the programmatic challenges associated with their implementation.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.