Socio-cultural aspects: the key to sustainable WASH behaviour? : a case study in southwest Uganda

Abstract: Despite investments of $15 billion in the WASH-sector the millennium development goal on sanitation will not be met. This is partially because of lack of sufficient knowledge about the socio-cultural environments of the projects. Socio-cultural aspects have not been investigated sufficiently, if at all, in most project designs, and this leads to behaviour change that is not sustainable. This present field-study examined a WATSAN-programme in southwest Uganda, and looked at both successful and less successful cases of sanitation- and hygiene-promotion to identify what aspects influence the different behaviours and in which way. Methods used included observations, interviews and focus groups. The study concludes with five recommendations; first, keeping positive traditional behaviours such as using leaves or ashes for hand washing instead of soap, as many people cannot afford this and now regard their traditional behaviours as primitive and rather use nothing than go back to their traditional ways. Second, tackle poverty to ensure the promoted behaviour is implemented. Third, use social norms to promote a changed behaviour as these are strong motivators. Fourth, use peoples own experiences as examples and to make the change relatable. Fifth, using knowledge from within the community involved in the programme rather than imposing an outside understanding of behaviour improvements needed.