Source: Asia Development Bank
The pilot provided proof of concept for school handwashing nudges in Sri Lanka. It demonstrated that nudges can significantly increase handwashing rates, even without behavior change communication.
A future scale-up of the pilot should explore whether adding nudge elements (e.g., painted “observing eyes” above the handwash area) could help reduce the impact difference between boys and girls.
Handwashing nudges must be adapted to the context of each school. The number, design, and placement of facilities vary greatly, making a one-size-fits-all approach impractical. Involving local stakeholders in the design process helps optimize this adaptation.
The timing of nudge installation is crucial to allow sufficient time for habits to take root. Research shows that habit formation can take from a few weeks to several months, depending on the behavior’s complexity and the individual’s context.
The project showed that three weeks were insufficient for some students to acquire a sustained habit, highlighting the need for extended periods to reinforce new handwashing with soap behaviors.
Repeated exposure to the nudges and longer sustained practice of handwashing may help solidify these behaviors into lasting habits.
Behavioral “nudges” should be a key tool for policymakers and program designers. Evidence from Sri Lanka demonstrates that nudges have the potential to drastically improve handwashing with soap in schools. They also require little to no additional time from teachers, unlike traditional hygiene-education methods, which often demand significant human resources to be effective.
Moving forward, collaboration across sectors will be essential to ensure the effective implementation and expansion of this strategy, driving improvements in both public health and education outcomes.
The pilot demonstrated the effectiveness of nudges to significantly increase student handwashing rates, contributing to public health in schools and their communities. By fostering these habits in educational settings, this can instill lifelong health practices and create healthier communities. A video of this initiative can be found here.