Engineering and public health: An interdisciplinary approach to addressing water quality in Compone, Peru

E Maring,G Raspanti,G Jaschek,K Hogan,C Farmer,D Lovell,S Grutzmacher,P Parikh,S Olcese

doi:10.1016/j.aogh.2014.08.200

E Maring, G Raspanti + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2014.08.200

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Abstract

E. Maring 1 , G. Raspanti 1 , G. Jaschek 2 , K. Hogan 3 , C. Farmer 4 , D. Lovell 3 , S. Grutzmacher 5 , P. Parikh 6 , S. Olcese 6 ; 1 University of Maryland, Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, College Park, MD/US, 2 University of Maryland, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College Park, MD/US, 3 University of Maryland, A. James Clark School of Engineering, College Park, MD/US, 4 University of Maryland, Dean’s Office, College Park, MD/US, 5 University of Maryland, Department of Family Science, College Park, MD/US, 6 University of Maryland, Global Public Health Scholars, College Park, MD/US

Highlights

University of Maryland undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty from the Schools of Engineering and Public Health conducted field water tests and a health needs assessment in a traditional farming community in the Andean mountain region of Southern Peru. This innovative project focuses on health as a cross-cutting issue best addressed as an interdisciplinary team
Fourteen interviews were conducted with health clinic staff, school personnel, community leaders, and community members
Summary/Conclusion: Qualitative data from a representative sample of community members, school personnel, and health providers along with field water tests substantiated speculation by Engineers without Borders that health problems may be related to contaminated water. These data provided information to guide design of a water disinfection system and curriculum addressing the health issues identified by community members

Summary

Introduction

Engineering and public health: An interdisciplinary approach to addressing water quality in Compone, Peru Background: University of Maryland undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty from the Schools of Engineering and Public Health conducted field water tests and a health needs assessment in a traditional farming community in the Andean mountain region of Southern Peru. The project provides an opportunity to develop relationships among different fields and expands leadership capacity through multi-level teams of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty.

Results

Conclusion