Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
February 10, 2026Open Access

Assessing the Impact of a School-Based Handwashing Programme on Absenteeism from Diarrhoea and Respiratory Illness in Arusha Primary Schools: A Cross-Sectional Survey

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Authors

AMAmina MwendaArdhi UniversityJHJuma HassanArdhi University

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Implication

A cross-sectional survey assesses reduced absenteeism in primary schools, suggesting effective public health interventions.

Key Points

  • The study aims to evaluate how a handwashing programme affects absenteeism linked to diarrhoea and respiratory illnesses in Arusha's primary schools.
  • Conducted a cross-sectional survey across 20 primary schools in Arusha, Tanzania.
  • Compared 10 schools with a handwashing programme to 10 control schools without.
  • Collected data via questionnaires to headteachers and analysis of pupil absentee records.
  • Pupils in intervention schools had a mean absenteeism rate of 1.2 days due to diarrhoea, compared to 3.1 days in control schools.
  • A reduction in absenteeism due to respiratory illness was also observed, although less significant.
  • The programme was associated with a substantial reduction in overall absenteeism from these illnesses.

Cite This Study

Mwenda et al. (2006) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/698acaf07c832249c30ba905https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18528970
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1A Data Descriptor on the Impact of a School-Based Handwashing Programme on Absenteeism from Diarrhoeal and Respiratory Illnesses in Monrovia Primary Schools2024
  2. 2Hand Hygiene Practices in School Populations: Assessing Their Impact on Infectious Disease Outbreaks2026
  3. 3An Ethnographic Study of School-Based WASH Interventions and Diarrhoeal Absenteeism in Volta Region Primary Schools, Ghana, 20152015
  4. 4Impact of a school-based water and hygiene intervention on child health and school attendance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cluster-randomised controlled trial2024 · 1 citations
  5. 5Effects of a school-based water and hygiene intervention on the health and attendance of preschool pupils in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cluster-randomised controlled trial2026 · 1 citations