Model Healthy Communities (MHCs): a new behaviour change approach in Nepal

Previous findings have shown that water supply and sanitation coverage in communities where local organizations implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services were already high but the correct, consistent and continued use of household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) technologies and sanitation facilities was decreasing. In response to these findings, ENPHO/CAWST shifted the NERF project focus to behaviour change interventions, including the development of these Model Healthy Communities (MHCs) in order to effect change. AMHC is a cluster of 180-220 households where correct WASH behaviours, as defined by a 15 indicator criteria, are practiced regularly by all community members. It was implemented from April 2019 -March 2020 in five communities.