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A need for community education in development: the Mit Abu El Kom case
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1985
Summary
New water and sanitation facilities alone did not improve household health knowledge or attitudes in rural Egypt. Community health education is crucial for realizing the benefits of improved water and sanitation access.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Community Health
Background:
- Inadequate water and sanitation facilities were prevalent in Mit Abu El Kom Village, Egypt.
- A portion of households received new housing with indoor water and sanitation, while others served as controls.
- No community health education was provided alongside the facility improvements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if access to new water and sanitation facilities significantly altered knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
- To compare outcomes between households with new facilities (subjects) and those without (controls).
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental study design was employed.
- Structured household interviews were conducted with adult women respondents (123 subjects, 111 controls).
- Data were analyzed to compare knowledge, attitudes, and practices between the two groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in knowledge or attitudes were found between subjects and controls.
- Respondent age and sex did not significantly impact responses.
- Some practice changes occurred among subjects, often due to convenience, but benefits were limited.
Conclusions:
- Improved water and sanitation facilities alone are insufficient to realize health benefits.
- Community health education is essential for maximizing the impact of water and sanitation improvements.
- Educational interventions should specifically target women to address household health needs.