Improving handwashing habits and household air quality in Africa after COVID-19
A. Kofi Amegah
Abstract
Handwashing with soap under running water is a key intervention for preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, in Africa, before the COVID-19 pandemic, this simple and effective intervention for preventing sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, and soil-transmitted helminth infections was not practised by many people, especially in communities in rural areas and low-income urban settlements. Only 15% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa have access to basic handwashing facilities with soap and water.
Topics & Concepts
SanitationEnvironmental healthCholeraHygieneTyphoid feverDiarrhoeal diseaseDysenteryPandemicMedicinePopulationHand washingGeographySocioeconomicsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)DiarrheaVirologyInternal medicineSociologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseasePathologyChild Nutrition and Water AccessEnergy and Environment ImpactsFood Security and Health in Diverse Populations