Innovative Fibreglass Mobile Sink Basin: An Intervention for Hand Washing in an Era of Pandemics

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to undertake an innovative project of producing a mobile sink basin from fibreglass as an intervention for hand washing in Ghana. The qualitative research approach with the arts-based descriptive research design guided the study. Fifty-five (55) study participants in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana were purposively sampled to evaluate the project in the context of handwashing in this era of pandemics. Data were primarily gathered via semi-structured interviews, observations and photographs. Detailed account on the tools and materials as well as the procedural steps for the production of the innovative fibreglass mobile sink by meticulously following the rules in arts-based descriptive research design. The qualitative data were analysed using the qualitative thematic analysis. The study found that the fibreglass mobile sink would be useful for handwashing and proper hand hygiene at homes, schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and marketplaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics, the study suggests the scaling up of this innovative mobile sink due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness, accessibility and portability that would encourage the Ghanaian citizenry to practice handwashing. The study recommends that the Ghana government via the Ministry of Health in Ghana should seek for funding avenues to support the mass production of this innovative project. Also, the Ministry of Health must collaborate with higher education institutions in organizing and funding projects of staff and students targeted at arresting the daunting health-related issues such as handwashing to curb the spread of infectious diseases.