Multidimensional Benefits of Improved Sanitation: Evaluating 'PEE POWER®' in Kisoro, Uganda.

Jiseon You,Alan Cook,Jess Boulton,Wayne Powell,Chad Staddon,Ioannis Ieropoulos,James Walker

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072175

Abstract

With 2.3 billion people around the world lacking adequate sanitation services, attention has turned to alternative service provision models. This study suggests an approach for meeting the sanitation challenge, especially as expressed in Sustainable Development Goal 6.2, using a toilet technology system, such as Pee Power® that generates electricity using diverted urine as a fuel. A field trial was carried out in a girls’ school in Kisoro, Uganda, where the generated electricity was used to light the existing toilet block. The trial was evaluated in terms of social acceptability and user experience using a multidimensional assessment protocol. The results of our assessment show that users felt safer when visiting the toilets at night. Lights provided from the technology also helped with the perceived cleanliness of the toilets. The technology was well accepted, with 97% of the respondents saying that they liked the idea of the Pee Power® technology and 94% preferring it over other facilities on site. This shows how the technology helps meet SDG target 6.2, with its particular focus on vulnerable populations.

Highlights

Improving sanitation by eliminating open defecation (OD) and enhancing access to improved sanitation services such as toilets and handwashing facilities can prevent transmission of disease, malnutrition and stunted growth of children as well as sanitation-related morbidity and mortality [1,2,3,4].Besides health benefits, better sanitation can lead to other benefits including improving gender equality, the welfare of the disabled and the local environment [5]
In 2015, all United Nations member states agreed to adopt the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are an urgent call for action for a better and more sustainable future for all [7]
Goal 6 calls on nations to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” with eight more specific targets to be achieved by 2030, one of which (SDG 6.2) is to “achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end OD, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations”

Summary

Introduction

Better sanitation can lead to other benefits including improving gender equality, the welfare of the disabled and the local environment [5]. In 2015, all United Nations member states agreed to adopt the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are an urgent call for action for a better and more sustainable future for all [7]. Goal 6 calls on nations to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” with eight more specific targets to be achieved by 2030, one of which (SDG 6.2) is to “achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end OD, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations”. There is considerable evidence that women and girls are at greater risk of maternal mortality, adverse pregnancy outcomes and non-partner sexual

Methods

Results

Conclusion