ABSTRACT Despite its simplicity and efficacy, the promotion of hand washing for disease prevention remains a challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings. This article reports on a quasi-experimental school-based study that aimed to improve habitual hand washing. Significant increases in hand washing occurred following improvements in hygiene and sanitation facilities (School A: t = 13.86, p = 0.0052). Smaller increases in hand washing occurred following education (School A: t = 2.63; p = 0.012; School B, no infrastructure improvements: t = 1.66, p = 0.239). Health policy and programming need to pay greater attention to the interplay of the structural, social and individual dimensions of unique contextual environments that influence habitual behaviours.

中文翻译：

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评估南非林波波省学童洗手的环境背景

摘要 尽管洗手预防疾病简单有效，但推广洗手仍然是一个挑战，特别是在资源有限的环境中。本文报道了一项旨在改善洗手习惯的准实验性学校研究。随着个人卫生和环境卫生设施的改善，洗手次数显着增加（学校 A：t = 13.86，p = 0.0052）。教育后洗手次数略有增加（学校 A：t = 2.63；p = 0.012；学校 B，基础设施没有改善：t = 1.66，p = 0.239）。卫生政策和规划需要更多地关注影响习惯行为的独特背景环境的结构、社会和个人层面的相互作用。