CLEAN HANDS: PREVENTION OF TYPHOID FEVER IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN EGYPT* †‡ ANNA L. LOHINIVA U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit #3, Cairo, Egypt MOHAMED SAEED NASR EL-SAYEED Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt MAHA TALAAT U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit #3, Cairo, Egypt ABSTRACT Typhoid fever is a serious public health problem in Egypt. Effective pre- vention strategies include the promotion of handwashing. This study explores *The study is supported by USAID work Unit No. 80000.000.000.E0022. † The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, the U.S. Governorate, or the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population. The study protocol was approved by the Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 Institutional Review Board (protocol CPHS#166 DOD# NAMRU3.2004.0020) in compliance with all Federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects. ‡ Authors are contractors supported by military funding at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit #3. This work was prepared as part of their official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. §105 provides that “Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.” Title 17 U.S.C. §101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties. Int’l. Quarterly of Community Health Education, Vol. 28(3) 215-227, 2007-2008 Ó 2008, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc. doi: 10.2190/IQ.28.3.d http://baywood.com 215