Report: Enhancing Public Toilet Hygiene in Singapore through Behavior Change: Lessons from Southeast Asia

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Introduction

Improving sanitation and hygiene outcomes in public toilets is critical for public health, especially in densely populated regions such as Southeast Asia. Behavior change plays a pivotal role in achieving these outcomes. This report focuses on the social behaviors associated with public toilet use in Southeast Asia, highlighting the importance of behavior change and quoting a relevant case study from the Philippines. Additionally, it will explore what Singapore can learn from this case study to enhance its public sanitation facilities.

Importance of Behavior Change in Sanitation and Hygiene

Behavior change is essential in promoting and maintaining good sanitation and hygiene practices. It involves altering individuals' and communities' habits and attitudes towards toilet use, handwashing, and maintenance of cleanliness in public sanitation facilities. Effective behavior change interventions can lead to significant improvements in public health by reducing the spread of diseases, enhancing the usability of sanitation facilities, and fostering a culture of cleanliness and hygiene.

Key Components of Behavior Change

1. Education and Awareness: Educating the public about the health benefits of proper sanitation and hygiene practices is crucial. Awareness campaigns can help people understand the importance of using toilets properly, washing hands after use, and keeping the facilities clean.
2. Community Engagement: Involving community members in sanitation projects fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. Community-led initiatives often result in better maintenance and adherence to hygiene standards.
3. Provision of Hygiene Amenities: Ensuring the availability of essential hygiene products such as soap, hand sanitizers, and toilet paper encourages proper hygiene practices.
4. Regular Maintenance and Monitoring: Routine maintenance and monitoring of public toilets ensure that they remain functional and clean, reducing the reluctance to use them.

Case Study: Improving Toilet Usability and Cleanliness in Public Schools in the Philippines

A notable case study highlighting the impact of behavior change on sanitation outcomes is the intervention implemented in public schools in the Philippines. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a packaged operation and maintenance (O&M) intervention aimed at improving toilet usability and cleanliness.

Intervention and Findings:

• The study involved schools in Roxas City, which implemented the O&M interventions, and schools in Passi City, which served as the control group.
• The intervention included education campaigns about proper toilet use and hygiene, community engagement activities, and the provision of necessary hygiene amenities.
• Results showed a significant improvement in the percentage of usable and clean toilets in the intervention schools compared to the control schools. Specifically, intervention schools had a 32% higher percentage of usable toilets and a 27.1% higher percentage of fully clean toilets after the intervention (Duiijster et al, 2022).

Impact: The intervention not only improved the physical condition of the toilets but also positively influenced the students' and staff's behavior towards maintaining hygiene and cleanliness. This case study underscores the effectiveness of combining education, community engagement, and regular maintenance in achieving better sanitation outcomes.

Lessons for Singapore

Singapore can learn valuable lessons from this case study to further enhance its public sanitation facilities:

1. Integrate Education and Awareness Campaigns:
2. Enhance Community Engagement:
3. Ensure Availability of Hygiene Amenities:
4. Implement Routine Maintenance and Monitoring:
5. Adopt Packaged Operation and Maintenance Interventions:

Conclusion

Behavior change is crucial in improving sanitation and hygiene outcomes in public toilets. The case study from the Philippines demonstrates that comprehensive interventions, which include education, community involvement, and the provision of hygiene amenities, can lead to substantial improvements in the usability and cleanliness of public sanitation facilities. By adopting similar strategies, Singapore can enhance its public sanitation infrastructure, ensuring better public health and hygiene standards.

References

Duijster, D.; Monse, B.; Marquez, M.; Pakes, U.; Stauf, N.; Benzian, H. Improving Toilet Usability and Cleanliness in Public Schools in the Philippines Using a Packaged Operation and Maintenance Intervention. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 10059. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610059

SuSanA. (2024). Improved public sanitation facilities: A case of public toilets in Tirupati. Retrieved from https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-publications/library/details/3878