Measuring Change in Behavior: Burkina Faso—An Analysis of a Participatory Evaluation Method of Hygiene Education for Water and Sanitation

Abstract

In Boucle du Mouhoun (Burkina Faso) 53 percent of the consultations at health centers are attributed to water and sanitation-related diseases. A reduction in incidence of these diseases may be obtained by improving hygienic behavior. Therefore, a hygiene education program has been established with the objective of promoting hygienic messages through peer education. The program has been assessed by a participatory process and effect evaluation. The effect evaluation comprised structured observations of behavioral change by community members. However, results of the effect evaluation were queried. This article analyzes the evaluation method used by the program. Positive aspects included a clearly defined and comprehensive method. Nevertheless, certain aspects required improvement—for example, a better selection of indicators of behavioral change, increased participation of community members in the effect evaluation, and a follow-up of the concept of peer education in the field.