Context
Borno, Nigeria, remains the epicentre of protracted humanitarian crisis, with more than 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), and many conflict incidents reported monthly. Health systems are overwhelmed, and health staff is inadequately trained.
WASH needs are negatively impacting malnutrition and contributing to the spread of water-borne diseases and pneumonia – a significant threat, particularly when coupled with COVID-19.
Our project focuses on schools in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno State.
Project flyer
Download the project flyer here.
Project profile
| Focus | Schools |
| Location(s) | 2 Local Government Areas in Borno State: Maiduguri and Jere |
| Roles of consortium partner(s) involved | – Tdh (lead): coordination, implementation strategy and adoption at scale – Swiss TPH: impact evaluation – RANAS: behaviour change strategy – EPFL and Martin Systems: technical innovations – University of Maiduguri: field technical evaluation support – FHNW: support to stregthening of local management and monitoring capacities |
| Local and strategic stakeholders | – Schools – Ministry of Education – Ministry of Health – NIHSA (Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency) – SUBEB (Borno State Universal Basic Education Board) – WASH Cluster |
| Project overview | In Nigeria, the hands4health project is implemented in schools in the area of Maiduguri, capital city of Borno State (north-eastern Nigeria). To achieve the project’s primary goal – developing and implementing a holistic approach to hand hygiene, water quality and sanitation, we will start by assessing the WASH needs and users’ practices and preferences regarding hand hygiene in schools of the target area. Based on these data and on the results of a first pilot phase, during which different solutions will be tested, the systemic approach will be finalised, comprising both hardware (handwashing stations) and software components (RANAS behaviour change methodology). It will then be implemented in 26 schools during the second phase of the project. The results of the intervention will be monitored throughout to evaluate the impact of the approach in terms of health and hygiene practices. |
| Main activities | – Gender-sensitive mapping of the WASH needs of different user groups in schools – Assessment of the local market in terms of availability of suitable materials and skills – Field evaluation of different design options – Development of a catalogue of design options suitable for different user groups and production methods – Collection of baseline data on factors influencing users’ behaviour, acceptance and preferences of technologies/concepts – Installation of Gravit’eau handwashing stations in 26 schools, including training on how to build, operate, maintain and monitor the systems at the local level – Implementation of the behaviour change techniques developed from the analysis of the baseline data and evaluation of their effect – Strengthening of local management and monitoring capacities, including preventive maintenance and digital data collection – Submission of the research protocol for the study on the health impact of the intervention to the local Ethics Committee – Training of local collaborators on the data collection process and baseline and follow-up surveys (before and after implementation, respectively) in 26 schools – Development of the Ranas4Schools toolkit with data and evidence-based behavior change activities for handwashing with soap tailored to schools – Theory of change workshops with local stakeholders and dissemination of results supporting internal take-up by other country offices |
| Expected results / products | – Local production of context-specific, user-centered designs of handwashing stations – Enhanced hand hygiene practices amongst direct users (school staff, children) and the community in general – Local collaborators certified as RANAS experts – Evidence on the health impact of the implemented approach for users – Improved understanding of the WASH ecosystem in schools in Nigeria |
News on h4h activities in Nigeria
- Invitation to a Symposium on WASH interventions in healthcare facilities and schools
The hands4health consortium and the Swiss Water and Sanitation Consortium (SWSC) are pleased to invite people interested to a 2-day interactive symposium in Muttenz, with the aim of disseminating the learnings of the… Read more: Invitation to a Symposium on WASH interventions in healthcare facilities and schools - Emergency Environmental Health Forum 2024
Showcasing the h4h systemic approach The Emergency Environmental Health Forum (EEHF) is an international research and learning event aimed at water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) implementers, researchers, donors and policymakers. The event provides… Read more: Emergency Environmental Health Forum 2024