Promoting safe child faeces management in Solomon Islands

The failure to separate and contain the faeces of infants and young children, causes significant human health risks to Solomon Islanders. Many situational factors influence the way in which child faeces is managed, including low rates of access to safe sanitation facilities, varying knowledge and beliefs around children’s faeces, and the higher potential for transmission of pathogens from child faeces to children because of hand-to-mouth behaviours. While there is increasing focus on trying to close the sanitation gap for people living in the Solomon Islands, the safe management of children’s faeces is seldom considered. 

The Water for Women research project Promoting Safe Child Faeces Management in Solomon Islands led by the International WaterCentre at Griffith University in partnership with the Solomon Islands National University and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, addresses this issue. 

The data collection tool comprises a set of picture cards to be used during focus groups discussions with participants. The illustration represent different situations and scenarios related to daily activities and child faeces management in rural Solomon Islands.

These illustrations were drawn by Solomon Islands artists and were used during formative research data collection activities in rural communities.

The picture cards are arranged in three sections:
(i) daily routine activities,
(ii) child faeces management practices, and
(iii) pictures depicting motives and emotions

If you would like to use these illustrations, please get in touch with 
(Rosie Sanderson – r.sanderson@griffith.edu.au) and credit them as: International WaterCentre, 2020

Download