Liquid soap making to improve hand hygiene

Introduction

Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP) has been operating in Western Kenya since 2005 with public health programs, research and emergency response. SWAP's mission is to provide innovative solutions for improved health and economic status of communities.

SWAP has a wealth of experience in public health interventions and has worked in collaboration with County Health Management Teams to respond to COVID-19 especially with focus on healthcare facilities and the community at large. Currently the country is facing a cholera outbreak and in Uganda, the neighboring country an Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak where Kenya is at high risk due to the trade and porous borders between the two countries. For COVID-19, we are facing the seventh wave and with positivity rates of over 10% for several weeks. The cases are mild and there is an increase in COVID- 19 vaccinations, with now over 50% of the population in Kisumu fully vaccinated. But all the above mentioned public health concerns has triggered increased demand for hand washing stations and soap.

Part of the COVID-19 response was the distribution of hand washing stations to health facilities, community hot spot areas and schools. Community health volunteers were trained to do door to door sales of health products while promoting hygiene through social behavioral change communication. During monitoring of the hand hygiene practices, we observed that bar soap placed at the hand washing stations would be exposed to sun and rain and either dry out get dissolved by water or get very dirty. Theft was also common, or bar soap eaten by goats and rats. This created demand for liquid soap.

Production of Liquid Soap

Following demand from the healthcare workers and community members, SWAP started a production unit for Liquid Soap. Renovations were made of our store and investments were made to procure supplies and ingredients needed. Our Lab technicians were trained on the production of liquid soap using the standards provided by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. Internal controls were done and several samples were taken to the Kenya Bureau of Standards who also visited our lab to assess. Approval was received by the Kenya Bureau of Standards for the production and distribution of Liquid soap for a period of two years.

Distribution of Liquid Soap

One round of distribution was done to 47 healthcare facilities in two sub counties of Kisumu County to all patient care areas. SWAP also ensured that healthcare facilities had hand washing stations and liquid soap placed at strategic points. Apart from the healthcare facilities the soap was also distributed to 34 hot spot areas including 22 worship areas.

A group of Community Health Volunteers had been trained on Social marketing of life saving health products. They do door to door sales and health education. While they improve health at household level, they generate income and become useful members of society. Most of these volunteers are widows and or living with HIV with no formal employment. They as well offer primary health care services and use social behavioral change communication strategy. Their work has reduced stigma and made them self-reliant. They became very essential during the COVID-19 pandemic and one of the products they promote and sell is Liquid soap.

Adopt A School Initiative

Other beneficiaries of the Liquid soap are the learners and teachers at Schools through the Adopt a School Initiative. This is an initiative which started due to the COVID-19 pandemic to help schools to comply with COVID-19 rules and regulations. Schools were ill prepared and lacked enough WASH infrastructure. SWAP adopted three schools in flood prone area, Ombaka Primary, Secondary and Special School. Schools were given hand washing stations, liquid soap, water tanks among other supplies.

• Global Giving Report December 2022 with images (PDF)