This paper depicts how a participatory approach successfully changed people’s hygiene practices in peri-urban settlements
in Lusaka, Zambia. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
undertook programmes for the improvement of hygiene and sanitary conditions in unplanned settlements in order to improve
health status of under 5 years children in Lusaka in 1997. The Method used to mobilize community volunteers was
a participatory approach, PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) and the formation of task force
committees to carry out environmental health activities. The concept of sustainability was also taken into consideration
from the beginning. The outcome of this project showed that hygiene practices of the project’s targeted population were
improved. The Ministry of Health intends to replicate the concept of PHAST which was introduced by the project to other
Districts in the country.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)
Published in
WEDC Conference
Citation
SASAKI, S. ... et al, 2006. Participatory approach to promote hygiene and sanitary practice in peri-urban areas, Lusaka, Zambia. IN: Fisher, J. (ed). Sustainable development of water resources, water supply and environmental sanitation: Proceedings of the 32nd WEDC International Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 13-17 November 2006, pp. 56-59.
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