21.4  Two approaches to communal behaviour change

Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) are among the CATS techniques used to achieve total sanitation. These methods introduce community mobilisation and behaviour change as their core principles to improve sanitation and integrate hygienic practices.

Traditional methods of sanitation and hygiene promotion were teacher-driven, i.e. the educator taught by lecture and the community listened passively. CATS approaches are demand-driven, community-led and emphasise the sustainable use of user-friendly, affordable and safe sanitation. The following sections outline the basic principles of PHAST and CLTS but to be a facilitator of these techniques requires further study and training to develop the skills required. Such training might be sought from NGOs involved in water and sanitation (also known as WASH) projects.