Handwashing With a Water-Efficient Tap and Low-Cost Foaming Soap: The Povu Poa "Cool Foam" System in Kenya.

Jaynie Whinnery,Amy J Pickering,Clair Null,Gauthami Penakalapati,Rachel Steinacher,Noel Wilson

doi:10.9745/ghsp-d-16-00022

Jaynie Whinnery, Amy J Pickering + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-16-00022

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Abstract

The new handwashing system, designed with end user input, features an economical foaming soap dispenser and a hygienic, water-efficient tap for use in household and institutional settings that lack reliable access to piped water. Cost of the soap and water needed for use is less than US$0.10 per 100 handwash uses, compared with US$0.20–$0.44 for conventional handwashing stations used in Kenya.

Highlights

Handwashing with soap and water reduces the spread of respiratory and diarrheal disease, the 2 leading causes of death in children under 5 years old.[1,2,3,4,5] Studies estimate that handwashing with soap can reduce acute respiratory infections by 21% and the risk of diarrhea by 40%.6,7In settings without piped water, refilling water containers and securing soap for handwashing requires constant user effort and expense, creating barriers to handwashing with soap
The dual tippy tap has several shortcomings: it can become unstable over time, it requires frequent maintenance, the metal components are prone to theft, and the hardware is not attractive
We developed 2 configurations of the system, both of which are currently marketed under the brand Povu Poa (‘‘Cool Foam’’ in Swahili)

Summary

Introduction

Handwashing with soap and water reduces the spread of respiratory and diarrheal disease, the 2 leading causes of death in children under 5 years old.[1,2,3,4,5] Studies estimate that handwashing with soap can reduce acute respiratory infections by 21% and the risk of diarrhea by 40%.6,7In settings without piped water, refilling water containers and securing soap for handwashing requires constant user effort and expense, creating barriers to handwashing with soap. Global Health: Science and Practice 2016 | Volume 4 | Number 2 water.[9] Conventional handwashing stations in Kenya, such as a jug and basin (Figure 1A) or a bucket with a tap (Figure 1B), are prone to soap theft, are cumbersome and unhygienic, and are not water-efficient. Conventional Handwashing Stations in Kenya www.ghspjournal.org (A) jug and basin; (B) bucket with a tap; (C) dual tippy tap that dispenses soapy water and plain water.

Results

Conclusion