Hygiene and sanitation among ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam: Does government promotion match community priorities?

摘要: Improving sanitation and hygiene to prevent infectious diseases is of high priority in developing countries. This study attempts gain in-depth understanding perceptions practices among four Ethnic Minority Groups (EMGs) a rural area northern Vietnam. It based on extensive participatory observations 4 villages 20 case households over period six months (MayeOctober 2008). In addition, 10 key informants 60 household-members were interviewed focus group discussions conducted. The found that the selected EMGs cultural which inform everyday did not differ substantially similar explanations majority population elsewhere However, difficult living conditions, particularly highland communities, reinforce sense marginalization EMGs, had great impact how they perceive respond government interventions. enclosed latrines promoted by authorities are met with reluctance due body as permeable therefore, vulnerable ’dirty air’ such bad smells from human faeces. prioritization specific hardware solutions central aimed at increasing coverage creates expectations dependency ’comes outside society’, resulting low levels community initiated actions. Based these findings, we suggest future promotion strategies aim for closer match between priorities policies, e.g. allowing larger diversity low-cost solutions. Scaling up community-based also recommended curb spark initiatives ethnic minority communities. Finally, interventions should “software” - promoting behaviour changes known effectively related diseases.