Hygiene promoters help protect children in developing countries.
Hygiene promoters play a vital role in preventing unnecessary deaths caused by disease in developing countries and regions affected by natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Attached to government-sponsored or voluntary aid organizations, they educate people about basic hygiene measures, identify what emergency and sanitation supplies are needed during a crisis and distribute hygiene kits containing essential items such as soap, potties and cotton wool.
Forging Relationships
Forging relationships with people in the community is essential if a hygiene promoter is to get her message across. She must be sensitive and diplomatic if she is to build trust and educate people about key aspects of hygiene, such as hand-washing and waste disposal, without appearing to be arrogant or didactic.
Assessing Risks
Identifying and assessing public hygiene risks and needs is an essential component of hygiene promotion. The hygiene promoter reports directly to her organization's senior project manager, highlighting areas of progress and concern.
Raising Public Awareness
A hygiene promotion officer might take part in local, national or international campaigns to raise awareness about health risks or emergencies in developing countries. Such initiatives could range from a campaign to raise funds for improved water supplies after an outbreak of disease or to educate people about the benefits of bed nets treated with insecticides in regions affected by malaria. Campaigns might involve radio and television interviews or getting a message across via loudspeakers.
Networking
Hygiene promotion workers collaborate with a number of other agencies, including local authorities and international aid workers. They may also work with engineering colleagues during the implementation of water and sanitation programs.
Training
A hygiene promoter may recruit and train local hygiene promotion staff and supervise their activities. This is particularly important during an emergency situation, as local people will be qualified to implement hygiene initiatives after emergency aid staff have left.
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