# Assessing community health workers’ level of knowledge concerning their roles in water, hygiene, and sanitation in Comè-Bopa-Grand Popo-Houéyogbé, Benin (2024)

## TL;DR

This study found that most community health workers in Benin lack sufficient knowledge about water, hygiene, and sanitation, and suggests better training and support could help.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific factors associated with improved knowledge among community health workers in WASH-related roles in Benin.

## Key findings

- 68.8% of CHWs had insufficient knowledge of their WASH roles.
- Training, supervision, and group sessions significantly improved knowledge.
- Ethnicity and marital status were also associated with knowledge levels.

## Abstract

This study assessed the level of knowledge of community health workers (CHWs) regarding water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) in the Comè-Bopa-Grand Popo-Houéyogbé health zone in Benin.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 160 CHWs selected randomly. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS 21.0. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with CHW knowledge.

Most CHWs (68.8%) had insufficient knowledge of their roles in WASH. Factors significantly associated with good knowledge included Mina ethnicity (OR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.9), being married (OR = 10.0; 95% CI: 1.3–77.7), training on activity packages (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.7–10.0), supervision by a qualified agent (OR = 10.2; 95% CI: 2.5–40.6), and participation in group follow-up sessions (OR = 10.0; 95% CI: 5.0–48.9). Multivariate analysis showed that attending at least two group sessions greatly increased the likelihood of good knowledge (OR = 23.9; 95% CI: 5.3–107.7).

Strengthening CHW training, regular follow-up, and incentives is essential to improve WASH-related knowledge and public health impact.