Improved Child Feces Management Mediates Reductions in Childhood Diarrhea from an On-Site Sanitation Intervention: Causal Mediation Analysis of a Cluster-Randomized Trial in Rural Bangladesh.
Jesse D ContrerasMahfuza IslamAndrew N MertensAmy J PickeringBenjamin F ArnoldJade Benjamin-ChungAlan E HubbardMahbubur RahmanLeanne UnicombStephen P LubyJohn M ColfordAyse ErcumenPublished in: Journal of epidemiology and global health (2024)
The effect of the WASH Benefits Bangladesh sanitation intervention on diarrheal disease was mediated through improved child feces management and reduced child open defecation. Although the intervention significantly improved latrine quality, relatively high latrine quality at baseline may have limited benefits from additional improvements. Targeting safe child feces management may increase the health benefits of rural sanitation interventions.