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01-04-2012 | Original Paper

Preventing Waterborne Diseases: Analysis of a Community Health Worker Program in Rural Tamil Nadu, India

Authors: Neal Gupta, Thingalraj Mutukkanu, Alexander Nadimuthu, Initha Thiyagaran, Eileen Sullivan-Marx

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Community health worker (CHW) programs have become popular tools in reducing the burden of childhood illnesses. However, the efficacy of CHWs in facilitating behavior change, as a means of preventing waterborne diseases, remains unclear. Using a household survey (n = 225),in rural Tamil Nadu, South India, we assessed the effects of a CHW program on knowledge, attitudes and practices related to diarrheal illness through comparison with a control population that was not enrolled in the program. The CHW program in the experimental village entailed behavior change aimed at preventing diarrheal illness through home visits, community events and health education. Correlates of four key variables on knowledge of drinking water contamination and behavior change were examined by using logistic regression models. We found that while the program was effective in raising awareness of drinking water contamination, it did not significantly increase hygiene and water sanitation practices in the village community in comparison to the control population. Furthermore, villagers enrolled in the CHW program were unable to recognize the connections between contaminated drinking water and disease. The results of our survey indicated the CHW program did not significantly affect behavior in the experimental village. Possible shortcomings in the program are discussed.

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Title: Preventing Waterborne Diseases: Analysis of a Community Health Worker Program in Rural Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Neal Gupta
Thingalraj Mutukkanu
Alexander Nadimuthu
Initha Thiyagaran
Eileen Sullivan-Marx
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Community Health / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-011-9472-5

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Preventing Waterborne Diseases: Analysis of a Community Health Worker Program in Rural Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

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