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Table 6 Barriers of handwashing behavior, as reported by study respondents

From: Programmatic implications for promotion of handwashing behavior in an internally displaced persons camp in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

I lose my mind when my children don’t eat at night and I don’t know how we are going to eat. I start wondering how the children will survive, and it isn’t possible to think about handwashing. . .. Because we lack food occasionally, we do not always follow all of the (hygiene) rules. Those in charge of hygiene work well, but people cannot think clearly when they don’t have anything to eat. (In-depth interview mother-respondent P19)

If I see that my hands are dirty, I wash my hands because I have greeted many people on the path. But if my hands do not look dirty, I do not wash my hands. (In-depth interview mother-respondent P15)

I don’t know why. I see many people entering the toilet, do their business and leave without even washing their hands. It is just their bad habits. Really, someone who leaves the toilet without washing his hands, does he follow good hygiene at home? (In-depth interview mother-respondent P13)