Bangladesh Interventions
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Water Quality The study will deliver a 10-liter, insulated water storage vessel and a free supply of chlorine tablets (Aquatabs®, sodium dichloroisocyanurate) to improve the microbiological quality of their drinking water. Behavior change messages will focus on the consistent provision of treated water to all children living in the household. Sanitation The Bangladesh sanitation intervention will include three hardware components: 1) a sani-scoop hoe dedicated to the removal of human and animal feces from the compound, 2) plastic child potties for children ages 6 months and older until they are using the latrine, and 3) a new or upgraded dual pit latrine for each household in the compound. The behavior change components of the intervention will emphasize the use of the latrine for defecation and the safe disposal of feces in the compound courtyard to prevent contact with young children. Handwashing The hardware components of the Bangladesh handwashing intervention include two handwashing stations. The first station will be located in the kitchen (location of food preparation), and will include a 16-liter bucket with a tap fitting, a stool, bowl and soapy water bottle. The second station will be located near the toilet, and will include a 40-liter bucket with tap fitting, stool, bowl and soapy water bottle. The study will provide detergent soap to families free of charge to replenish the soapy water bottles. The behavior change component of the intervention will focus messaging for handwashing at two critical times: after defecation and before food preparation. Nutrition Mothers will be encouraged to exclusively breastfeed their children through age 6 months. When newborns reach 6 months of age, mothers will be encouraged to continue breastfeeding their children until 24 months, and will receive education about supplementing breastfeeding with healthy complementary foods following infant and young child feeding best practice guidelines from Unicef and WHO. From ages 6 – 24 months, study children will receive a daily lipid-based nutritional supplement (LNS) that has been developed and tested through the iLiNS project. |