Integrated behaviour change intervention for sustainable community development: a KAP study of WASH in district Gujrat, Pakistan

Abstract

Behaviour change interventions are fundamental to achieve sustainability in communities through the identification of new practices and strengthening the existing positive practices. It is considered central to the quest for a sustainable future and solves multidimensional community problems, which require large-scale shifts in human behaviour with regard to their health, social, physical activities, and long-held habits. In this context, the study examines the role of integrated behaviour change interventions for sustainable community development (SCD) by exploring the direct and mediating impacts through knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The primary data were collected from the district Gujrat (Pakistan) through stratified random sampling to explore the impacts of KAP of WASH and its relationship with child health (CH) and SCD. The hypotheses of the study were tested with smartPLS software. Findings of the overall sample of the study have revealed that integrated behaviour change interventions have significant impacts on KAP, WASH practices in daily life, CH, and SCD. Furthermore, the relationships among variables are positively significant and have direct and mediating impacts on SCD.