For lower-income countries, equity must be central to hygiene guidelines, recognising disparities in access, knowledge and resources, and tailoring interventions for universal access and support.
Gummi, Nigeria, illustrates the challenges of sustaining handwashing in water-scarce environments, where households often rely on alternatives like ash or sand due to limited access to soap and clean water.
Evidence-based guidance, when implemented in tandem with socially embedded hygiene habits, contributes significantly to improved health outcomes by reinforcing both scientific understanding and culturally supported behaviours.
