A cross-sectional analytic study was done to identify the simple hygienic measures (i.e., proper hand washing, use of sanitary latrine and drinking boiled water) to prevent diarrhoea among housewives residing in Mandalay during 2011. Altogether 829 housewives (one from each household) from Chan-Aye-Tharzan and Mahar-Aung-Myay townships of Mandalay city were selected by using multi-staged systematic random sampling procedure. Face to face interview and observation methods were used to collect the necessary data. The annual occurrence of diarrhoea as reported among housewives was 9.5% (95%CI = 7.6%, 11.7%) but the prevalence of proper hand washing practice, use of sanitary latrine and drinking boiled water reported among housewives were 79.5% (95% CI = 76.6%, 82.1%), 83.2% (95% CI = 80.5%, 85.7%) and 27.1% (95% CI = 24.1%, 30.2%), respectively. Proper hand washing practice (p = 0.002), use of sanitary latrine (p = 0.014) and drinking boiled water (p = 0.025) were found to have significant effects on the occurrence of diarrhoea among housewives. It was apparent that if a housewife washed her hands properly, the annual occurrence of diarrhoea would be reduced by 50%. Similarly use of sanitary latrine and drinking boiled water could prevent the annual occurrence of diarrhoea by 44% and 47%, respectively. The combination of these three hygienic measures would reduce the annual occurrence of diarrhoea by 82%. Therefore, health education programme to promote the practice of these hygienic measures are highly essential.