"Ces deux eaux sont incomparables!" : l'impact de l'education sanitaire sur les affaires menageres

After having provided handpumps and solar pumps to villages in Southern Mali (Mali-Sud), the Division de Hydraulique Villageoise of the Compagnie Malienne pour le Developpement de Textiles (CMDT), in Koutiala, started a hygiene education programme. Village animators conducted three sessions on hygiene education in each of the programme villages. These sessions were based on the participatory methods and materials developed produced by GRAAP (Groupe de Recherche et d'Action pour l'Autopromotion Paysanne). A study on the impact of hygiene education on household activities was undertaken from February to July 1994 in three of the programme villages. People were asked about their knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding water and hygiene. Also representatives of the village associations and water point committees were interviewed. The evaluation revealed that the hygiene education sessions helped to increase considerably the knowledge about water-borne diseases. One of the consequences of the programme is that women now prefer to use the pump and the taps, due to their cleaner surroundings, than the wells. Another outcome was the realization that clean water point surroundings are a prerequisite for clean water to stay clean. However, the hygiene education sessions did not have an effect on personal and household hygiene. This is influenced by environmental conditions, religion and habits. Therefore, the author's main conclusion is that the impact of the hygiene education programme on household activities has only been a 'stimulating' one.