Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

Basic Hygiene Practices

In this activity, you will:

 Discuss good hygiene practices and how they can prevent the spread of disease

Facilitator’s notes:

Good hygiene practices can prevent the spread of germs into our mouths through water and food

contaminated by faecal matter. Most illness and deaths among children are a result of germs that get

into the child’s mouth. Preventing the spread of germs by disposing of faeces properly, and hand

washing after defecation, can reduce illness. It is very difficult to prevent the spread of germs when

there is no toilet, safe drinking water and no safe refuse disposal. However, there are some

simple, but important, actions that people can take which will help to stop the spread of disease.

Activity 5

Some simple hygiene practices are:

 Clean hands with soap and water or ash

Illness can be prevented by washing hands after going to the

toilet or after contact with faeces. Hand washing helps to

stop germs from getting onto food or into the mouth.

It is especially important to wash hands after defecating,

before handling or eating food, and after cleaning the bottom

of a baby who has defecated.

Children often put their hands into their mouths, so it is

important to clean a child’s hands often, especially before

eating food and after going to the toilet. Ensure the availability

of adequate water for hand washing, especially near the toilet if possible.

 Dispose of all faeces safely

One important action that a household can take is to prevent the spread of germs by the

safe disposal of all human and animal faeces. Many illnesses, including diarrhoea and worms,

come from germs found in faeces which can get into water, food, onto the hands and onto

cooking and eating utensils.

The faeces of all adults, children and babies should be disposed of in a toilet or latrine.

If families or communities experience difficulties constructing toilets, then adults and children

should defecate far away from the home, walking paths, water sources (such as rivers) and

areas where children play. The faeces should be buried to stop germs and flies. Contrary to

common belief, the faeces of children are even more dangerous than that of adults. So even

small children’s faeces should be put in a toilet or buried safely.

Animal faeces is a main breeding place for germs that cause disease, so animals should be kept

away from areas where children play. Animals should also be fenced away from water supply

points so that they do not contaminate the water supply.

(^246) Unit 2, Module 3 Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children