Abstract

Technological innovations in sanitation are poised to address the great need for sanitation improvements in low-income countries. Worldwide, more than 2.4 billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities. Innovative waste treatment and sanitation technologies aim to incorporate user-centered findings into technology engineering and design. Without a focus on users, even the most innovative technology solutions can encounter significant barriers to adoption. Drawing on a household survey conducted in urban slum communities of Ahmedabad, India, this research brief identifies toilet and sanitation preferences, amenities, and attributes that might promote adoption of improved sanitation technologies among potential user populations. This work uses supplemental insights gained from focus groups and findings from the literature. Based on our research, we offer specific guidance for engineering and design of sanitation products and technologies.

Highlights

  • Focus group discussions and survey data identified several strongly preferred features among respondents, many of which align with prioritized attributes of sanitation facilities

  • Most early-stage technology development and product engineering efforts do not reflect the users’ experience; prevailing evidence suggests that technologies that do not reflect user preferences, beliefs, and attitudes may face significant barriers

  • In-person discussions segmented by gender and age, led by SEWA facilitators Recruited by SEWA June and September 2014 Ahmedabad and Vadodara, Gujarat Treated water reuse, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and women’s sanitation, men’s sanitation practices and preferences, sanitation improvements

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Summary

Research Brief

User-Centered Guidance for Engineering and Design of Decentralized Sanitation Technologies. Survey respondents indicated an interest in “modern” features, such as automatic flushing, mobile-charging, or in-stall radios These features represent areas for further research on user demand and influence on technology adoption. Most early-stage technology development and product engineering efforts do not reflect the users’ experience; prevailing evidence suggests that technologies that do not reflect user preferences, beliefs, and attitudes may face significant barriers This brief discusses user-centered findings that have helped guide the design of toilet technology funded under the RTTC (Figure 1). These findings broadly apply to other sanitation technologies seeking to incorporate user preferences in earlystage product engineering. The energy from combustion is used to electrochemically disinfect liquid waste and produce nonpotable water, which can be reused (bottom right)

Selection Year Location Focused topics
Literacy rate
Guidance for Technology Engineering and Design
Private toilets
Water Availability
Menstrual Hygiene Management
Other uses defecation facility during
Work toilet
Findings
Conclusions
Full Text
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