Visible and invisible risks: exploring washing and hygiene practices with women living on low income in Kenya

Robinson, J. and Howland, O. (2022) Visible and invisible risks: exploring washing and hygiene practices with women living on low income in Kenya. Global Public Health, 17(6), pp. 1002-1015. (doi: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1887314) (PMID:33635181)

[img] Text
233138.pdf - Accepted Version

702kB

Abstract

Shifting environmental conditions and poor or insufficient hygiene facilitates the transmission of bacteria and viruses between and within species of animals; between humans; and between humans and animals. Taking a One Health perspective, we used interviews to explore with 20 women living on low income in Kenya: their gendered hygiene practices and daily contact with animals; how and why they access water and sanitation facilities for themselves, their families, and any livestock; and their understandings of (zoonotic) health risks and disease transmission within their local environments. The women described how they worked every day to keep bodies and homes clean by washing bodies, surfaces and clothes. Women's hygiene practices focussed on removing visible dirt partly because of concerns for health but also to support their families’ social standing in their community. While they were less aware of any ‘invisible’ risks to health through contact with animals or other hazards present in their daily living environments, most exercised care to source and manage water for drinking. Contaminated water was recognised as a risk to health suggesting that in this case, women accepted that there were ‘invisible risks’ to health, even in clear water, and took steps to mitigate them.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the UK Research and Innovation, BBSRC Global Challenges Research Fund, Grant number BB/P027954/1. Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Robinson, Professor Jude
Authors: Robinson, J., and Howland, O.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
Journal Name:Global Public Health
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:1744-1692
ISSN (Online):1744-1706
Published Online:26 February 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
First Published:First published in Global Public Health 17(6):1002-1015
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record