Effects of community-led WASH on Covid-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Researchers
Aidan Coville, Kevin Croke, Eric Mvukiyehe, John Quattrochi
Abstract
This study uses a cluster-level randomized controlled trial to evaluate the causal impact of the VEA program across 332 rural villages. VEA is a national community-led water, sanitation, and hygeine program in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although VEA has been operational since 2008, the study focused on more recent activities; as the program was implemented in these villages in the later phase of the program (throughout 2019). It involves experimentally varying the provision of the VEA program to a set of villages to examine the causal impacts on Covid-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices, water governance, water access, infrastructure development, availability of sanitation services, and health. We interviewed households in-person at 5 months post-intervention, and by phone at 12 months and 18 months. As of February 2021, the research team plans two more rounds of phone surveys and one more in-person interview.
Project Outcomes of Interest
Covid 19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices; physical health; mental health; access to improved water; access to improved sanitation; water collection time; water collection quantity; water governance
Partners
DRC Ministry of Primary, Secondary, and Professional Education
Innovation Hub for Research in Africa
Impact Goals
- Improve women’s health, safety, and economic empowerment
- Keep children safe, healthy, and learning
- Reduce COVID-19 transmission rates
Project Data Collection Mode
- CAPI (Computer-assisted personal interviewing)
- CATI (Computer-assisted telephone interviewing)
Link to Pre-Registration
https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/4648/history/64498
Results Status
No Results Yet