Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions: effects on child development in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: Main objective: The main objective is to assess the effect of interventions to improve sanitation, hygiene, water quality and supply within low- and middle-income countries on child development. Secondary objectives: The secondary objectives are to: analyse any measured effect of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions on school or preschool enrolment and attendance; examine the feasibility of WASH interventions with regard to their implementation fidelity and participant compliance; evaluate the effect of WASH interventions on intermediary outcomes of environmental contamination, gastrointestinal diseases and reduction in the burden of water collection and water costs; and identify any adverse impact that WASH interventions may have for participants.