Evaluating a handwashing with soap program in Australian remote Aboriginal communities: a pre and post intervention...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Promotion
• Social Marketing

Background:

• The No Germs on Me (NGoM) campaign promotes handwashing with soap in remote Australian Aboriginal communities to reduce childhood infections.
• Three new television commercials were developed to extend the NGoM program's reach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the mass media component of the NGoM program using an evaluation design informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).
• To gather insights into community members' beliefs, attitudes, and intentions regarding hygiene behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A survey questionnaire based on TPB constructs was administered in six Aboriginal communities.
• Surveys were conducted immediately before and after a four-week intensive television advertising period.

Main Results:

• Television access varied significantly (49-83%) across communities.
• High acceptability and comprehension (97%) of the commercials were reported.
• Participants indicated willingness to purchase hygiene products if less expensive, suggesting socio-economic barriers.

Conclusions:

• Promoting habitual handwashing and hygiene behaviors faces significant cultural, socio-economic, and physical barriers in remote communities.
• Reliance on media like television can exacerbate disadvantage if access is limited.
• The TPB-informed evaluation provided valuable data for future NGoM program planning and evidence-based interventions.