Peri-urban schools of Kinshasa before and during COVID-19: an evaluation of water, handwashing facilities, and girl students’ hand hygiene practices

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has led communities, including Kinshasa peri-urban schools, to reinforce WASH-related practices as a key component in preventing the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed determine institutional and behavioural changes adolescent girl students’ handwashing before during pandemic. A cross-sectional was performed, observing hand hygiene students, assessing WASH facilities at chosen from sample previously selected area. results indicate significant increases prevalence water points schools 10.9 22.5%, 43 60.1% with an average number one two, school brigades 4.8 11.8% schools. There also increase receiving funds, other support for WASH, respectively, 24.9 70.3%, 17 45.9%, while proportion students washing their hands after using toilet eating significantly increased 6 28.4%. However, improve current picture, succeed curtailing related impacts, additional efforts enhance practice items’ coverage are expected.