Formative Research Using Settings and Motives to Explore Child Faeces Disposal and Management in Rural Solomon Islands

Adam Biran, Rosie Sanderson, Diana Gonzalez, Hugo Bugoro, Mohammad Kadir, David Gegeo, Jamesford Keboy, Clement Lifoia, Sheilla Funubo, Hellenda Honimae, Lanique Naolina Pitasua, Joanna Tatalu, Patishadel Jonah, Regina Souter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Unsafe child faeces management can lead to adverse health and wellbeing outcomes for children. In Solomon Islands, diarrhoeal disease is a leading cause of under-5 mortality, though there is limited research into CFM practices and promotion of safe behaviours. The formative research applied a Behaviour-Centred Design framework to investigate the habits, motives and settings related to child faeces management in rural Solomon Islands villages. Data were collected through structured recall demonstrations by caregivers (n = 61), household infrastructure observations (n = 57), semi-structured interviews with caregivers (n = 121) and community leaders (n = 30), focus group discussions (n = 26), and three participatory activities with caregivers. The findings identified a range of CFM-related behaviours, some of which would be considered safe and some, such as outside defecation and disposal to a waterway, as unsafe. Convenience is important in shaping CFM practice and may help health benefits to be achieved without women bearing the cost of an increased work burden. Nurture and disgust may provide the basis for behaviour change communication in SI as they have elsewhere. Critically, the participation in and promotion of safe CFM by fathers in households should be promoted, and motivating such behaviours might be achieved through focus on nurture as a motive.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume19
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Aug 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • behaviour
  • children
  • gender
  • hygiene
  • motives
  • sanitation

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