Integration of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene into HIV Programs

Adequate clean water, improved sanitation infrastructure, and better hygiene may significantly improve health outcomes for people living with HIV in resource-poor settings. However, few programs effectively integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into home-based care and other HIV services.

In Malawi, Catholic Relief Services Malawi implemented a pilot project to identify household-scale changes or actions that could improve water, sanitation and hygiene conditions for people living with HIV. An evaluation showed substantial changes in six targeted behaviors and a reduction in the overall prevalence of diarrhea, suggesting that this is an effective approach to ameliorating water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions for those affected by HIV.