TIDieR-WASH: A Guideline for Reporting Implementation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Interventions

Introduction:

Accurate information on context and implementation of public health interventions is necessary to replicate, adapt, and scale effective interventions and to interpret evaluations. Reporting the context and implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions has been inconsistent and incomplete.

Methods:

To improve the reporting of WASH interventions, we developed the Template for Intervention Description and Replication for WASH (TIDieR-WASH) checklist and guide, by adapting and expanding the original TIDieR guide. We performed a scoping review of existing implementation reporting guidelines, and of current implementation reporting in WASH evaluations, to develop a list of candidate items to include in this checklist. We then used a 4-stages of review by international experts to reach consensus.

Results:

The resulting 14-item checklist comprises: a) name, b) theory of change, c) prior evidence, d) location and setting, e) context, f) suitability, g) implementers, h) recipients, i) targeting, j) activities, k) intervention dose, l) fidelity, m) costs, and n) materials. Definitions, explanations, examples, and instructions for use are reported in this article.

Discussion:

The checklist can be applied to all types of evaluations of WASH interventions, including direct service provision, behavior change, and systems strengthening interventions. We deliberately developed this guidance document to be accessible and relevant to practitioners and researchers. Adoption of this checklist will support transparent reporting of WASH implementation for research and practice. As with other sectors that have used TIDieR checklists, clear implementation reporting can assist with evidence synthesis, adaptation, and policy guidance. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14780