Social and Behavior Change Research Agenda: Findings from a Rapid Desk Review and Stakeholder Engagement

WASHPaLS #2 global research focuses on three themes: area-wide sanitation, market-based sanitation, and social and behavior change (SBC) to promote hygienic behaviors and environments. Within the theme of SBC for improved hygienic environments (HEs), and building on research undertaken by WASHPaLS between 2016 and 2021, WASHPaLS #2 set out to identify priority research questions focused on interrupting contamination and transmission pathways that specifically threaten infants and young children’s (IYC’s) health and growth, concentrating on the following intervention areas: Improving the HE through (1) improved flooring inside and/or outside homes, (2) safe disposal of IYC feces, and (3) reducing IYC’s exposure to poultry and other animal feces in the home setting; Improving handwashing (HW) behaviors in the home setting; and Improving food hygiene (FH). This report summarizes findings from a desk review and expert consultations undertaken under WASHPaLS #2 to further define and shape the direction of the HE and SBC research, which resulted in adjustments to the proposed focus of the WASHPaLS #2 research. WASHPaLS #2 plans to conduct at least two research studies, one tied to an RCT and analyzing the “how and why” of providing a comprehensive set of HE enabling technologies with light behavior change communications in Ethiopia; and the second in Malawi on the intersection between HW and FH.