Diarrhea is associated with chronic child malnutrition.  Different studies show that we can reduce diarrhea by as much as 50% by promoting the habit of handwashing with soap.

The project took as a basis the “Study of behavior of handwashing with soap in marginal urban areas and rural areas in Peru.”  We promoted the work in a public-private partnership with key stakeholders such as the Regional Government, Regional Branches of the Ministry of Health and of Education, Municipalities, NGOs, institutional leaders, the mass media, and all those linked with mothers/carers of under-five-year-old children.  The idea was to guarantee that human, technical, and economic resources would be made available to meet common goals to achieve the expected impact and sustainability of the activities.

Objective: To contribute to a change in knowledge, attitudes, and practices in mothers of under-five-year-old children in the communities with regard to adequate handwashing, by developing interpersonal and mass communication strategies in the project regions.

Source of funding: JSDF/PAS – World Bank

Project area: Ayacucho, Cusco, Lambayeque, Lima and San Martín

Duration: 20 months (March 2005 – October 2007)