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Published May 13, 2022 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Does poor mental health impair the effectiveness of complementary food hy-giene behavior change intervention in rural Malawi? Inclusion of child care-givers with poor mental health in humanitarian action

  • 1. ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2. MUBAS, Malawi
  • 3. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

Description

Mental disorders have the potential to affect an individual’s capacity to perform household daily activities such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (i.e. food hygiene inclusive) that require effort, time, and strong internal motivation. However, there is limited detailed assessment about the influence of mental health on food hygiene behaviors at household level. We conducted a follow up study to detect the effects of mental health on food hygiene behaviors after food hygiene intervention delivery to child caregivers in rural Malawi. Face-to-face interviews, based on the RANAS model, were conducted with 819 participants (control and intervention group) to assess their handwashing and food hygiene related behaviors. Mental health was assessed using the validated Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20).

Study results showed a significant negative relationship between mental health and handwashing with soap behaviour (r=-.135) and keeping utensils on an elevated place (r=-.093). Further, a significant difference was found between people with good versus poor mental health on handwashing with soap behaviour (p=.050) among the intervention group. The results showed that the influence of intervention on handwashing with soap behavior was mediated by mental health. Thus, integration of mental health in food hygiene interventions can result in improved outcomes for caregivers with poor mental health.

Keywords: behavior change; public health; humanitarian action; mental health; RANAS; rural Malawi; complementary food hygiene behaviors; evidence-based health promotion; intervention effectiveness

Files

Figure 1. Mediation analysis: effects of intervention on handwashing at key times via mental health (mediator)..pdf