The improvement of functional handwashing facilities during COVID-19: the perspective of Tanzania

Magdalena Shao; Vivian Mushi; Luco Mwelange; Anyitike Mwakitalima

doi:10.1186/s41182-021-00334-y

The improvement of functional handwashing facilities during COVID-19: the perspective of Tanzania

Trop Med Health. 2021 May 27;49(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s41182-021-00334-y.

Authors

Magdalena Shao¹, Vivian Mushi², Luco Mwelange¹, Anyitike Mwakitalima³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
² Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. vmushi31@gmail.com.
³ Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, P. O. Box 573, Dodoma, Tanzania.

Abstract

Fighting against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) goes hand in hand with the provision of proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. In this case, proper handwashing with soap and water plays a major role in the prevention of COVID-19, since it helps to deactivate and remove virus particles from the hands. This letter points out the drivers for the improvement of functional handwashing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania, whereby three out of every 20 non-functional handwashing facilities were improved to make them functional. The letter also provides several recommendations to maintain momentum for improving functional handwashing facilities.

Keywords: COVID-19; Handwashing with soap and water; Tanzania; WASH.

Publication types

Letter