On June 26 in Nairobi and June 28 in Kisumu, IPA Kenya and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) disseminated results from an evaluation of the benefits of water quality, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions on maternal and child health. The study tested the impact of low cost hand washing, water treatment, sanitation and nutrition interventions on the health of children during the first two years of life in the rural Vihiga, Kakamega, and Bungoma counties of Kenya. It also evaluated whether each of these interventions delivered alone or in combination could improve child health and development overall.

The presentation provided insights and evidence on whether existing WASH interventions lead to lasting improvements in children’s health, growth and development, and whether nutrition programs are more effective when combined with WASH interventions. IPA Kenya and Kenya Medical Research Institute together with the lead researchers shared findings on the different arms of the WASH Benefits study and engaged policy makers, partners, and implementers on next steps.