By Agustin Caceres

One of the main challenges of fighting neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the poorest, most isolated communities of LAC is the lack of access to clean, safe water. It has been demonstrated that this is one of the main risk factors for the transmission of several water-borne diseases and, together with some cultural aspects, is the main burden when it comes to promoting healthy hygiene habits for the prevention of NTDs like soil-transmitted helminths (STH).

Promoting hand and face washing in different communities affected by NTDs, particularly among children, is an important component of projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In Chiapas, for instance, this is one of the main activities carried out as part of the social mobilization strategy of a project supported by the NTD Initiative for LAC for the elimination of trachoma, STH, and the control of other NTDs in this Mexican State.

But, what happens when water is not available? How can we reduce the incidence of diseases related to poor hygiene in challenging settings like childcare centers? In a paper titled A cluster-randomized controlled trial of hand rubs for prevention of infectious diseases among children in Colombia, a group of researchers has concluded that alcohol-based hand rubs are effective in reducing the incidence of some diseases in children aged 1-5, particularly acute diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, in childcare centers. The study took place at 42 childcare centers with sporadic and limited water availability in six towns in Colombia, and participants were randomly assigned to use alcohol-based hand washing as a complement to regular hand washing.

Can alcohol-based hand washing be effective for the prevention of STH or trachoma?

Preliminary evidence indicates this strategy might be worth including as part of projects aimed at the prevention of NTDs; however, the floor is open for discussion.

 

Agustin Caceres is Communications and Outreach Officer at the Social Protection and Health Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Washington DC.