Sustained improvements in hygiene behaviour amongst village women in Lombok, Indonesia

Fifty-seven mothers in Indonesia were involved in a face-to-face health education programme which encouraged hand-washing with soap. The intervention spanned 4 months and comprised fortnightly visits by 2 community organizers, who supplied free soap. Two years after the intervention, 79% of mothers were still using hand soap, despite the fact that they now had to buy it themselves. The community seemed to be benefiting from a sustained reduction in diarrhoea episodes due to improved hygiene practices.