Health and Hygiene School Program Initiative for Adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The level of knowledge on personal health and hygiene within the Bangladeshi society is limited. Poor hygiene and health practices restricts the socioeconomic, psycho logical and health well being of adolescents, especially girls. This case-study focuses on a health and hygiene school program initiative from two trainers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. To create a comprehensive overview of the methods and activities of the trainers, interviews were conduct ed with the trainers, materials and reports were reviewed, and one school was visited. The trainers organized interactive and participatory classroom sessions, providing adolescents with information ranging from basic hygiene to the effects of drugs and menstrual hygiene. The majority of the participating students were adolescent girls and many students were orphans. The program has resulted in an increased health and hygiene awareness among st u dents and changes in behavior related to food intake and hygiene. Recommendations for further improvement include training the teachers and combining education with installation of latrines and water taps and avenues for socioeconomic improvements to increase income available for health and hygiene investment.