CHOICES AND PRACTICES OF HAND WASHING WITH SOAP IN THE POST-COVID-19 PERIOD IN VIWANDANI INFORMAL SETTLEMENT, NAIROBI, KENYA, Post COVID-19 Hand Washing Project

Hand washing with soap is crucial for infection transmission prevention. However, despite its effectiveness in reducing infections, globally the proportion of individuals who comply is low at only 19%, varying between developed (48-72%) and developing countries (5-25%). In Africa, basic hand washing facility coverage is at 15%, and in Kenya, the same is estimated at 18%. During the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness and hand washing practices increased globally including Kenya. However, hand-washing adoption often declines soon after crises/pandemics. Informal settlements, such as Viwandani, are harder hit by handwashing challenges because of limitations in access to water and handwashing facilities. Moreover, these communities are more vulnerable to other non-hygiene-related infectious diseases. Data on hand washing practices is sparse more so among populations living in informal settlements. Also, there is need to identify interventions for sustained hand washing with soap in these communities.