SJLD Aug 5, 2009:

yes I did read your question in fact I have worked in several developing nations as a public health specialist for a French-English speaking international development agency. Any more questions?

Rimas Balsys (asker) Aug 5, 2009:

You're trivializing a serious question. The phrase refers to educating people about the transmission of water-borne diseases AND - WHICH IS WHY I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION - could it also refer to tangible efforts to minimize the transmission of water-borne diseases such as waste water management systems including simple local improvements such as adding toilets (Did you read my question? Have you ever been in a disadvantaged country)?

SJLD Aug 4, 2009:

We're talking about "sanitaire" as an adjective I suppose then "éducation sanitaire" is teaching people how to use toilets?
Not wasting any more time. Nip/Tuck is much more amusing :-)

Rimas Balsys (asker) Aug 4, 2009:

Thanks SDLP. I don't want to get into argumentative mode but having lived in (among others) France, North Africa and now Canada, 'sanitaire' does refer to health but only in France. Certainly outside the mother country, ie, in North Africa and Canada, "sanitaires publics" for example refers to toilets, public conveniences, rest rooms, etc. This is why I trying to divine the thinking behind this phrase, otherwise it would be quite simply "health support measures"... This is a policy paper by & for an African State.

SJLD Aug 4, 2009:

"sanitaire" is NOT sanitation (toilets, drains...) "Accompaniment sanitaire" is about health. Look how it is used in French. Plenty of examples on the net.
But you are the one with the full document and the only one capable of judging what it actually means.

Rimas Balsys (asker) Aug 4, 2009:

Based on everyone's comments, and given that the text qualifies "accompaniment sanitaire" as being "pour lutter contre les maladies liées à l’eau" it does seem to be referring specifically to sanitation more than just generally health. But is this 'support' (accompaniment) intangible such as education & information, or does/could it also refer to practical measures such as funding for (say) more public toilets etc ? It makes a difference to the actual translation in Englsih, I would think (?). Or am I now splitting hairs unnecessarily?

MatthewLaSon Aug 4, 2009:

health support I'm wary of using it here, but I'd have to do more research to be sure of anything.

SJLD Aug 4, 2009:

"I know that it can mean "health support", but is that what we'd say here in English, in this very context"<br><br>I've certainly never heard this expression in my experience in developing countries. It usually refers to lay support groups for health problems.

What they are talking about here is a parallel health promotion programme to "support" the political and structural improvements.

MatthewLaSon Aug 4, 2009:

Interesting I know that it can mean "health support", but is that what we'd say here in English, in this very context. It's almost like a "health component to the water management plan. It's a health (improvement) component to it, no?

SJLD Aug 4, 2009:

I wouldn't restrict it to health education although we don't have the full context, this is likely to encompass various health-promoting activities from education/prevention to health surveillance to curative services.

Julie Barber Aug 4, 2009:

health I also agree that it relates to health education, rather than actual water sanitation. If it related to the actual water, providing "accompagnement" for water bound diseases wouldn't be acceptable, as you'd expect more than simple support!

SJLD Aug 3, 2009:

"sanitaire" in French usually refers to (public) health, not sanitation as in sewage. I would avoid using the word "sanitation" here.

Rimas Balsys (asker) Aug 3, 2009:

So far, I'm leaning towards "sanitation education and support", which is a rough compilation of both suggestions. (And yes, Matt, yours was a help, as many times in the past :-)

Rimas Balsys (asker) Aug 3, 2009:

Ok, thanks, I hear what you're saying and I need to think about that. Unfortunately, it's unlcear whether it refers to information/education or actual physical measures such as vaccinations, sewage plants, etc... I guess I need to find a broad phrase that's not too lumpy that conveys the breadth of all that... Any ideas?

jmleger Aug 3, 2009:

The rub is That we don't know whether health services (i.e. vaccinations, for instance) are not provided. Which I why I courageously remained fairly vague, preferring a term which would encompass everything plus the kitchen sink.

Rimas Balsys (asker) Aug 3, 2009:

Thanks jmleger - In that case, how about "health education" or "health and sanitation education"?