Hygiene promotion is a vital, low-cost and simple component of a WASH intervention. It is needed to educate people on hygiene practices for maximizing the health benefits of safe water sources and sanitation facilities. In different formats, individuals learn the importance of hand-washing, stopping open defecation, proper disposal of waste and feces, not swimming in infested waters, wearing shoes and good food preparation. Different interventions on hygiene promotion have already been conducted, for example local motivators who are trained to educate on hygiene behavior change; teaching schoolchildren good hygiene practices through cartoons, songs, games and drama; and participating in a hygiene workshop to promote water taps and to encourage hand-washing.
Individuals with NTDs, such as lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, trachoma and Buruli ulcer, benefit from good hygiene practices. Good skin hygiene of the affected limb or foot, with particular attention to skin lesions, is essential to minimize the risk of opportunistic infections and to prevent disease progression. Where disease has progressed, training in good (skin) hygiene and self-care practices is necessary to manage the clinical manifestations, for example lymphedema and dryness of the skin.