Cover image: ©UNICEF/UNI287827/Mukherjee

About the course

In this course, you will work independently through a series of e-learning modules to learn the logic behind Wash'Em and how to use Wash'Em tools to design a context-specific and evidence-based hygiene program.

Hygiene promotion in emergencies has typically been done by distributing hygiene kits or educating people about disease transmission. Evidence shows that these approaches alone are insufficient to change handwashing.

WE BELIEVE WE CAN DO HANDWASHING BEHAVIOR CHANGE BETTER!

The Wash’Em process involves using 5 rapid assessment tools to understand behaviour and entering your findings into the Wash’Em software for tailored program recommendations. This course teaches you how to implement this process with a team.

Learning objectives

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the logic behind the Wash'Em methodology and toolkit,
  • Use the Wash'Em rapid-assessment tools to collect information about the community of interest,
  • Analyze the data collected through the Wash'Em tools,
  • Use the Wash'Em software to generate context-specific recommendations for a handwashing intervention.

Audience

  • UNICEF staff (country offices, Regional Offices and HQ) – specifically WASH and Emergency specialists/officers/managers
  • UNICEF partners – implementing WASH and Environment and/or Emergency programming
  • UNICEF and National Committee consultants, interns, volunteers, goodwill ambassadors and National Committee board members
  • UNICEF government, civil society and corporate partners as appropriate

Length

It should take you about 10 hours to complete this self-paced course.

Methodology

This course is an asynchronous self-directed learning experience.

Structure

The course is composed of ten modules:

  1. Introduction to Wash'Em
  2. Context
  3. Informed Consent
  4. Handwashing Demonstrations
  5. Personal Histories
  6. Motives
  7. Disease Perceptions
  8. Touchpoints
  9. Logistics
  10. Using the Software

You can work through the modules on your own time and at your own pace, but to obtain a course certificate, you must complete all 10 modules. The length of time to complete each module varies. Some modules may take you 15 minutes. Others may take more than an hour to complete all the activities. In total, you should be able to complete the full course in less than approximately 10 hours.

Contact details

For content-related issues and questions: Nicole Klaesener-Metzner (nklaesener@unicef.org), WASH Specialist (UNICEF ROSA).

For technical issues, please contact the Agora Team (agora@unicef.org).