TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR STUDYING THE MOTIVATION AND BARRIERS TO HYGIENE BEHAVIORS AND PRACTICES IN DOWA DISTRICT
TERMS OF REFERENCE: STUDY ON MOTIVATION AND BARRIERS TO HYGIENE BEHAVIORS AND PRACTICES
1. Organisation and WASH Programme Background
Self-Help Africa (SHA) Malawi is an international non-governmental organisation working to create opportunities for lasting improvement in peoples’ lives. We work in partnership with others to support a range of livelihoods and food security, WASH and health, sustainable energy and gender equality programmes reaching over 1 million people a year across Malawi.
Globally, we work in 16 countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. In Malawi, SHA currently operates in 14 districts, supporting 23 on-going projects, and comprising 180 team members. We remain committed to our ambition to move ‘Beyond Aid’ in line with The Government of Malawi’s efforts to progress towards a self-reliant Malawi.
Our global WASH portfolio spans 25 ongoing projects across 10 countries, benefiting over 5 million people with increased access to WASH services. Our Global WASH Strategy outlines our objectives of improving health and well-being, creating and reinforcing sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening resilience to climate change and disasters. Key components of the strategy include market-based approaches, systems strengthening innovative service delivery and financing models, and humanitarian-development connectedness. You can access the full strategy here.
SHA has been implementing WASH programming in Malawi since 1994, becoming one of the largest and most progressive NGOs in the country’s WASH sector.
While working across many districts, we have increasingly focused on long-term programming in certain areas, adopting a ‘district-wide approach. Dowa, located in the central region of Malawi, is one such focus district With support from charity:water, we have implemented annual WASH programs, developed a District Strategic Investment Plan (DSIP), collaborated with government partners to address systemic barriers, and increased WASH access for thousands of inhabitants. Despite these efforts, progress in adopting hygiene practices has been slow
2. Study Rationale
While Malawi has made substantial progress on water supply coverage which currently stands at approximately 68.79% (JMP,2022) there are still issues of non-functionality of water points, putting the lives of many at risk via drinking from alternative dirty water sources, whilst adding a significant burden to women’s workloads, requiring them to walk longer distances to fetch water from improved sources. Progress in sanitation is less evident, with only 49.5% of the population accessing basic sanitation, and 2.93% practising open defecation (JMP, 2022). Worse still, very few (12.5%) wash hands with soap at critical times (JMP,2022) despite it being the cheapest and most effective intervention. These factors are a catalyst for diarrhoeal diseases, which is one of the leading causes of death for under-five children; poor sanitation, unsafe water and unhygienic practices contribute to more than 3,100 under-five child deaths every year (WaterAid,2019).
Recent study results from charity:water’s end line assessment revealed undeniable slippage of ODF status as a challenge to sustainability of good hygiene practices.
Behaviour change around the use of latrines and handwashing practices remains challenging. For example, only 0.3% were found with hand washing facilities with soap (a proxy indicator for handwashing practice) during the end line. Poor sanitation and hygiene are major contributors to the burden of disease, and Malawi is currently healing from a cholera outbreak that led to significant loss of life.
It is against this background that a survey is being planned for studying hygiene behaviours and practices practices in Dowa to understand motivation factors and barriers that affect access to hygiene practices and define an effective approach that will be implemented to increase access to hygiene practices.
3. Objectives
- To identify the key motivating factors that influence individuals to adopt and maintain good hygiene practices.
- To investigate the barriers that hinder individuals from practicing good hygiene despite awareness of its importance.
- To provide insights into demographic, cultural, and socio-economic factors that impact motivation and barriers to hygiene practices.
4. Scope of Work
- Conduct literature review to gather existing research on motivation and barriers to hygiene practices.
- Design and implement surveys, interviews, or focus group discussions to collect primary data from individuals across various demographics.
- Analyze the collected data to identify common motivations and barriers, as well as any significant variations based on demographic factors.
- Prepare a comprehensive report outlining the findings, conclusions, and recommendations for addressing identified barriers and enhancing motivation towards hygiene practices.
5. Methodology
- Utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods to gather comprehensive insights.
- Employ sampling techniques to ensure representation across different age groups, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, and geographical locations.
- Develop structured questionnaires or interview guides to ensure consistency and comparability of data.
6. Deliverables
Below are the expected deliverables:
- Inception Report detailing the objectives, methodology, data collection methods, project plan and timelines for the study
- Interim report detailing the progress of the study, including methodology, data collection methods, and preliminary findings.
- Final report summarizing the key findings, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Presentation of findings to SHA, including relevant district government stakeholders
7. Timeline
The study is expected to be completed within [2 months] inclusive of reporting. A detailed study execution plan, with milestones and deadlines should be provided.
8. Budget
Provide a detailed breakdown of the budget required for conducting the study, including expenses related to research personnel, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Note that SHA will provide a vehicle to manage transport logistics and will cover costs for dissemination of the results
9. Safeguarding Considerations
Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects, including obtaining informed consent, protecting participant confidentiality, and minimizing any potential harm (safeguarding).
10. Quality Assurance
Outline the quality control measures to be employed throughout the research process to ensure the validity, reliability, and credibility of the study findings.
11. How to apply
- All eligible consultants with verifiable offices and licenses who meet the requirements can submit their bid documents by uploading the electronic files through the link provided below.
- Bidders should submit their offers which should include delivery terms and bid validity.
- The TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR CONTRACTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF GOODS – SELF HELP AFRICA (SHA)_JAN 2023 will be applicable. These terms and conditions will be shared with the successful bidder for their review and signature.
- Kindly utilize this provided box link to upload electronic copies of your bid application.
https://gsha.app.box.com/f/570e535f4a0341609566e207400d32a9. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to send an email to procurement.mw@selfhelpafrica.org
Closing date of receiving bid submission is 20th September, 2024 at 5:00pm.
Note: Self Help Africa is not bound to accept the lowest or any other bid. All bids will be evaluated in accordance with SHA Procurement guidelines as well as the requirements for this Invitation to bids. Bids will be evaluated on the basis of compliance with technical specifications, delivery period, price and discounts offered (if any).
Self Help Africa takes the safety and well-being of all those we work with, very seriously. We have a zero-tolerance policy on abuse. Our recruitment is safe, meaning that we recruit contractors with the highest values and standards of ethical behaviour.
Post expires at 5:00pm on Friday September 20th, 2024