Community Sanitation Research Articles

Barriers to Water and Sanitation Safety Plans in Rural Areas of South Africa—A Case Study in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

The implementation of water and sanitation safety plans (WSSP) has the potential of greatly improving the challenge of resource-limited drinking-water supplies. However, the most effective tool to make WSSP successful is understanding of the factors that contribute to hindering the implementation of these plans, specifically in rural communities. This study therefore aimed at assessing the status of basic services and determining the factors that contribute to hampering the process of WSSP in rural communities. A survey was conducted between March 2020 and March 2021 in rural communities of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The overall results indicate that poverty, unemployment, lack of access to purified water, and inadequate sanitation facilities have resulted in waterborne diseases reported within the communities and have a major impact in hindering WSSP. Other barriers observed are inequality regarding financial power, absent and degrading water and sanitation infrastructures, and lack of protection and maintenance of natural water sources. Therefore, there is a need for community members to be educated on proper behavior and perceptions towards sanitation, including working hand-in-hand with different stakeholders, men and women from communities, and different cultures and religions to overcome these barriers, so that human disease associated with water supply, wastewater reuse, and sanitation in rural communities can be alleviated.

Universal water service delivery: Insights on what it takes from Ghana

AbstractAttainment of the government of Ghana's ambitious target of providing safe and reliable basic water services to all persons in Ghana by 2025 requires urgent need to unravel localized barriers to achieve universal access and sustain it. Using the Life Cycle Cost Approach, this paper provides a framework in policy planning and estimates the quantum of funds that needs to be injected into construction, operation, and maintenance of water facilities in order to achieve full water coverage in a district. Using participatory approaches, data were collected from Bongo, East Gonja, and Wa districts of Ghana. Data collection was facilitated by Community Water and Sanitation Agency employing the Resources, Infrastructure, Demand, and Access Strategic Planning Tool. Results show that the total cost of achieving full coverage is estimated at US$ 10,342,190, US$ 15,828,421, and US$ 10,111,616 for Bongo, East Gonja, and Wa East, respectively, in the implementation of water coverage and sustainability activities spanning 2017–2025. We suggest that sustainable water services for all requires more than capital inflows. Strong leadership commitment, bolstered institutions, improved monitoring, and evaluation as well as adequate human resources are critical to ensuring that capital investments translate into effective service delivery.

The Role of Women in Climate Change Adaptation Technologies for Community Water and Sanitation Projects in Navakholo Sub County, Kenya

This research dealt with the role of women in climate adaptation technology in community water and sanitation projects in navakholo constituency, Kenya. The study used descriptive survey research design and it targeted women in the community where the technologies we being used. A sample of 234 respondents which is 10% of the universe was used to collect data and simple random sampling technique used to identify the respondents. Data was collected using questionnaire. The study used Cronbach’s alpha Coefficient ( 0.796) to measure the internal consistency of the questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential methods of data analysis were used in analysis of quantitative and qualitative data . Results indicate that t here was a statistically significant difference between groups as determined by one-way ANOVA (F (4,151) = 597.190, p = 0.000). In addition, there was positive and significant influence of community alternative energy sourcing on the role of women in climate adaptation technologies in water and sanitation projects (β= 0.0.684; t = 5.515; p < 0.05). There was positive and significant influence of spring protection on the role of women in climate adaptable technologies in water and sanitation projects (β= 0.0.111; t = 6.324; p < 0.05). There was also positive and insignificant influence of rainwater harvesting technologies on the role of women in climate adaptation technologies in water and sanitation projects (β= -0.051; t = 13.331; p < 0.05). However, there was a negative but insignificant influence of ventilated pit latrine on the role of women in climate adaptation technologies (β= -0.057; t = -.860; p > 0.05) from the regression equation determined as Y = -0.051+0.111X 1 -0.057X 2 + 0.269X 3 +0.684X 4 . The study findings will significantly inform Government and policy makers’ in improving policies that support role of women in climate adaptation technologies to provide ecological, economic, social and cultural benefits for present and future generations in gender and climate issues.

Individual and Community Level Factors Related to Sanitation, Water Quality, Treatment and Management in Rural Communities in Accra, Ghana: A Field Study Report

Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation are basic necessities of life, yet not everyone in the world is able to access these services, particularly people living in rural areas. Rural areas in Ghana, defined as communities with populations less than 5,000 people, and some rural areas in the United States (US), defined as non-metropolitan communities, experience water and sanitation-related issues to varying degrees. The purpose of the field study was to examine individual and community level issues related to sanitation, and water sources, water quality, treatment and management, water needs and water-related illness in Accra, Ghana, and to determine areas of similarities and differences with the US. Thus, study results are not generalizable to the entire population of Ghana. Given the short duration of the entire field study (three weeks) and the fact that most information on water and sanitation in the US is publicly-available, secondary data from various sources were used for the US comparison. Results from the study showed that 61.4% of study participants in the selected communities in Accra and 80.0% of Americans living in rural areas had access to safe water. Lack of access to toilet facilities was minimal in rural communities in both Ghana and the US. Copyright © 2022 Willis et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention and Control in Low- and Middle-income Countries: Current Status and Best Practices.

Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention and Control in Low- and Middle-income Countries: Current Status and Best Practices.

The Feasibility of Water Quality of Bedadung River for Inland Fishery Business Development and Sanitation Hygiene

This research was conducted using a quantitative descriptive method for measuring water quality in the form of measuring chemical, physical and biological parameters of the waters at the research location, then using a qualitative descriptive method to describe the condition of the designated area in the watershed of the research location.The research location is the Biting River, the Jompo River and the Besini River. The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility of water quality at the research site for inland fishery businesses and the water needs for sanitation hygiene for the community. The results of the measurement of water quality parameters at the research location showed that the Biting river was in an unpolluted and fertile condition, while the Jompo River indicated that it was contaminated with Oscillatoria bacteria which is very dangerous for human health and aquatic organisms. The water quality of the Besini river shows that the waters are fertile, not polluted but not suitable for community hygiene and sanitation activities because it is brackish with an average water salinity of 25 ppt.

The Perception of Water Contamination and Risky Consumption in El Salvador from a Community Clinical Psychology Perspective.

This study was carried out as part of the international cooperation project “Agua Futura” for the improvement of water resource management and the promotion of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) behaviors in rural communities of Central America. Given the relevant healthcare problem of water pollution, especially in El Salvador, the aim was to detect some key factors affecting the perception of water contamination and its risky consumption from a community clinical psychological perspective. Ninety rural inhabitants of El Salvador were administered a structured interview exploring their perceptions about water quality and the impact of water consumption on health. Data were analyzed through a computer-aided thematic analysis—complemented by a qualitative analysis—allowing the detection of sense-making processes based on lexical variability. Different themes were identified with regard to the perception of water quality (i.e., mistrust, danger, and safety) and the beliefs about the impact of water consumption on health (i.e., rationalization, denial, awareness, displacement, and isolation of affect). The results showed heterogeneous perspectives about water quality and sanitation. However, the perceived negative impact of water consumption on health was mostly denied or minimized through massive distortions. Overall, the study highlights the role of defensive patterns in facing issues of water contamination, which may prevent the community from adopting healthy behaviors and adequate water management behaviors.

Factors Associated With Utilization of Ecological Sanitation Technology in Burera District, Rwanda: A Mixed Methods Research.

Background:The utilization of “on-site excreta decomposition technology” known as “Ecological sanitation (Ecosan)” has a rational use of human excreta. It is a resource-oriented sanitation mostly feasible in areas with rocky soil and prone to agriculture. This technology was implemented in Rwanda for more than a decade. However, little is known about Ecosan utilization in the process of scale-up in the community.Aim:The study was carried out to determine enablers and barriers associated with the utilization of Ecosan in Burera district, Rwanda.Methods:A mixed method study was surveyed in 374 households with Ecosan. A systematic random sampling was used to select respondents and a sample was drawn from the 3 administrative sectors of Burera district. We interviewed 20 key informants that included community leaders and sanitation actors. Bivariate, ordered logistic regression with thematic content analysis were used.Results:Ecosan users were unable to practice both urine diversion and the use of Ecosan by-products. Only 39.4% of households were better users. As by the survey results, primary and secondary educational status (AOR 2.60, 95% CI 1.11-6.08) and (AOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.02-11.9), frequency of fecal pit emptying (AOR 3.38, 95% CI (2.18-17.91), ash use (AOR 1.65, 95% CI (0.93-4.64) and concrete slab latrine (AOR 7.31, 95% CI (2.94-17.95) were found to be associated with better use of Ecosan. Qualitative findings suggested unaffordable cost, a touch of excreta taboos, and poor maintenance practices as key barriers to utilization.Conclusion:Overall utilization of Ecosan was poor and the majority of households was not able to use Ecosan for both dry separation of urine from feces and reuse in the gardens. Upgrading existing knowledge about Ecosan with greater emphasis on the use of by-products and adopting good maintenance practices through regular training can promote better utilization of Ecosan.

Self-Help System of Provision of Communal Sanitation Facilities and Its Sustainability in a High-Density Slum Settlement

Self-Help System of Provision of Communal Sanitation Facilities and Its Sustainability in a High-Density Slum Settlement

EVALUASI KUALITAS OLAHAN IPAL (INSTALASI PENGOLAHAN AIR LIMBAH) KOMUNAL DI KOTA BANDA ACEH

One solution for domestic waste treatment is the operation of a communal IPAL (WWTP, Wastewater Treatment Plant). This is in accordance with SDG's (Sustainable Development Goals), national and regional policies related to sustainable sanitation management. In Banda Aceh, the Sanimas (Community sanitation) program has been and is being implemented in 40 gampongs (villages) which are classified as slum areas. This study aims to determine the results of the effluent processing of the IPAL system (pH, BOD, COD, TSS, ammonia, Total Coliform, Oil/Fat parameters) to see whether the IPAL system that has been built is operating properly. There were five IPALs studied, namely in Gampong Peunayong (Dusun Cendrawasih), Gampong Tibang (Dusun Tgk. Meurah, Dusun Tgk Meulinje, Dusun Tengku Meulagu), and Gampong Panteriek (Dusun Jeumpa). The results of the effluent wastewater test showed that in all WWTPs, the BOD and COD parameters still exceeded the wastewater quality standards, and in one WWTP, the total Coliform parameter was >1,000/100 ml (quality standard >3,000/100 ml).

System-wide approaches to mitigate environmental and health impacts of water contamination

Abstract There is an urgent need to address the challenges of inadequate safe water and proper sanitation in peri-urban communities in low-income countries. Agencies have tended to focus on a single aspect of the challenge for service delivery, which ultimately fails to capture the full scope of the problem. In this study, 63 household surveys and 15 key informant interviews regarding water and sanitation issues were conducted in a peri-urban area of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Results revealed that 87% of households experience water scarcity issues. More than 50% of the homes were surrounded by swampy areas with sewage and stagnant pools, with 40% reporting water source contamination due to seepage and overflowing of sewage collection systems. Key informants reported water scarcity and poor water quality due to poor sanitation practices and a compromised water supply network. We found that a highly integrated approach that invests in cultural, social, political, human, financial, and built community capitals is needed to address these challenges. Community self-efficacy and empowerment will be critical to accomplishing this and protecting public health.

How community participation in water and sanitation interventions impacts human health, WASH infrastructure and service longevity in low-income and middle-income countries: a realist review

ObjectiveTo understand how, and under what circumstances community participation in water and sanitation interventions impacts the availability of safe water and sanitation, a change in health status or behaviour and...

Analysis Water Quality of Springs on the East Slope of Mount Sumbing, Central Java, Indonesia for Sanitation Hygiene Purposes Based on the Physical and Chemical Properties

The eastern slope of Mount Sumbing has many springs used as a source of raw water for hygienic sanitation purposes. However, there has been no scientific research showing the quality of springs. Therefore the purpose of this study is to analyze the quality of springs on the eastern slopes of Mount Sumbing for community sanitation hygiene purposes based on water physical and chemical properties. Water samples were taken from several points in the study area and observed for physical parameters (TDS, smell, taste, and temperature) and chemical parameters (acidity, nitrate, fluoride, and sulfates). The results showed that from 30 samples of springs, only one spring fulfilled the Indonesia Minister of Health Regulation No. 32 in 2017. The spring located at STA 51 Kaliloro, Krajan, Kaliangkrik, Magelang Regency. There was a spring classified as deep geothermal groundwater and the others classified as shallow groundwater. Based on the acidity of water, most of the springs on the eastern slopes of Mount Sumbing could be used as hygiene sanitation by treating the water acidity and regulating the purposes of springs.

Mosan: Combining Circularity and Participatory Design to Address Sanitation in Low-Income Communities

The health and environmental impact of unsafe sanitation affects more than half of the world’s population. The lack of access to safe sanitation affects disproportionately rural populations in low- and middle-income countries, where progress is also shown to be slower. The sheer scale of the problem, combined with the variability of climate, geographies, and socioeconomic conditions, requires a variety of adaptable, scalable, centralized, and decentralized solutions working cohesively. This paper presents the case of Mosan, an off-grid, market-based sanitation solution, in order to display how such sanitation approaches can contribute to bridge this gap by addressing the communities most at risk. Mosan is a decentralized, circular sanitation solution encompassing the whole sanitation chain from containment, collection, transport, transformation, and reuse. Focused on community-scale systems, Mosan is applying participatory design principles and co-creation to enable community engagement, raise awareness, trigger creativity, and support local innovation.

Community-level impacts of sanitation coverage on maternal and neonatal health: a retrospective cohort of survey data

IntroductionAccess to sanitation facilities (toilets or latrines) greatly improves human health. Low community sanitation coverage may lead to increased exposure to pathogens for households both with and without a sanitation...

Period during a pandemic: The neglected reality of Nigerian girls and women

Underneath the façade of supposedly bubbly girls, living daily lives in many parts of Nigeria lies the problem of lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene management tools or kits. From schools to business places, religious organizations amongst others, a hive of women and girls face the harsh reality of inability to manage their periods due to poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, common in many low- and middle-income countries of which Nigeria sits top. The issue of privacy and dignity during menstruation is still one area in which women and girls in Nigeria are failed every day. All of these further taking a toll on the emotional life, education, productivity of the girl child amongst others. The pandemic further impedes the ability/efforts of non-governmental organizations hitherto saddled with the responsibility of tutoring young girls in mostly rural and underserved communities the art of making re-useable pads to address the challenge of period poverty. Deep-seated Menstrual taboos, common among many Nigerian tribes have also served as major setbacks to proper menstrual hygiene management. With all of these, the period poverty struggle, made worse by poor water sanitation and hygiene facilities in Nigerian communities continues. There is still an urgent need to increase sensitization, and advocacy to break menstrual taboos, reduce cost and improve access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities especially following the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant overbearing effects.

Zoonotic Transmission of Blastocystis Subtype 1 among People in Eastern Communities of Thailand: Organic Fertilizer from Pig Feces as a Potential Source.

ABSTRACTBlastocystis sp., the most common intestinal protozoa, remains a public health problem among people in many countries, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. The infection usually reflects poor sanitation in communities by waterborne, zoonotic, and person-to-person transmission. Interestingly, at least 17 subtypes (STs) have been reported and are associated with a broad range of animal hosts, including humans. In this study, we reported potential evidence of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis ST1 in rural communities of eastern Thailand where the overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 15.7%. Two major and three minor subtypes were found to be distributed unequally in this region. Of 5 STs, only ST1 was found to be associated with pig feces in an open farm system that produced organic fertilizer for agriculture uses in the community. This finding suggests that properly protective contact and standard production of organic fertilizer from pig feces by-products could be key factors for reducing the prevalence of Blastocystis infection and prevent Blastocystis reinfection among people in the community.IMPORTANCE Blastocystis sp. remains a public health problem among people, particularly in rural areas of many developing countries. The infection usually reflects poor sanitation in communities by waterborne, zoonotic, and person-to-person transmission. In this study, we reported potential evidence of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis subtype 1 (ST1) in rural communities of eastern Thailand. Two major and three minor subtypes were found to be unequally distributed in this region. Interestingly, only ST1 was found to be associated with pig feces in an open farm system that produced organic fertilizer for agriculture uses in the community. The finding makes significant contributions to genetic and molecular investigations of microbial topics of practical value and suggest that properly protective contact and standard production of organic fertilizer from pig feces by-products could be key factors for reducing the prevalence of Blastocystis infection and prevent Blastocystis reinfection among people in the community.

Meningkatkan Sanitasi Masyarakat dan Memajukan Umkm di Desa Tegak Kabupaten Klungkung di Masa Pandemi

This activity aims to improve the level of community hygiene or sanitation and promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tegak Village, Klungkung Regency during the Pandemic Period. This is done by implementing several programs. This activity can be carried out thanks to the collaboration between Warmadewa University and the people of Upright Village. This study was written with a qualitative method, and data collection was carried out by direct observation and interviews. This service activity is carried out by helping promote MSMEs through social media platforms, educating on how to wash hands properly, distributing free masks, and installing educational posters for COVID-19 prevention, as well as assisting with COVID-19 vaccination activities, and assisting after-care activities such as the construction of MCK facilities. and tree planting. The programs that have been implemented well in Tegak Village, Klungkung District, Klungkung Regency include the promotion program for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), an educational program on how to wash hands properly, a program for distributing free masks and the installation of educational posters for COVID-19 prevention, a program to assist in the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination, assisting posyandu activities, handing over direct cash assistance (BLT) for Upright Village funds for the 2021 fiscal year 2021 phase V in May 2021, the village SDGs population data survey program in 2021, and programs to improve sanitation and care for the environment.

Meningkatkan Sanitasi Masyarakat dan Memajukan Umkm di Desa Tegak Kabupaten Klungkung di Masa Pandemi

This activity aims to improve the level of community hygiene or sanitation and promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tegak Village, Klungkung Regency during the Pandemic Period. This is done by implementing several programs. This activity can be carried out thanks to the collaboration between Warmadewa University and the people of Upright Village. This study was written with a qualitative method, and data collection was carried out by direct observation and interviews. This service activity is carried out by helping promote MSMEs through social media platforms, educating on how to wash hands properly, distributing free masks, and installing educational posters for COVID-19 prevention, as well as assisting with COVID-19 vaccination activities, and assisting after-care activities such as the construction of MCK facilities. and tree planting. The programs that have been implemented well in Tegak Village, Klungkung District, Klungkung Regency include the promotion program for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), an educational program on how to wash hands properly, a program for distributing free masks and the installation of educational posters for COVID-19 prevention, a program to assist in the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination, assisting posyandu activities, handing over direct cash assistance (BLT) for Upright Village funds for the 2021 fiscal year 2021 phase V in May 2021, the village SDGs population data survey program in 2021, and programs to improve sanitation and care for the environment.

EVALUASI PENERAPAN PROGRAM IPAL (INSTALASI PENGOLAHAN AIR LIMBAH) KOMUNAL DI KOTA BANDA ACEH

One solution for domestic waste treatment is the operation of a communal IPAL (WWTP, Wastewater Treatment Plant). This is in accordance with SDG's (Sustainable Development Goals), national and regional policies related to sustainable sanitation management. In Banda Aceh, the Sanimas (Community sanitation) program has been and is being implemented in 40 gampongs (villages) which are classified as slum areas. This study aims to determine the results of the effluent processing of the IPAL system (pH, BOD, COD, TSS, ammonia, Total Coliform, Oil/Fat parameters) to see whether the IPAL system that has been built is operating properly. There were five IPALs studied, namely in Gampong Peunayong (Dusun Cendrawasih), Gampong Tibang (Dusun Tgk. Meurah, Dusun Tgk Meulinje, Dusun Tengku Meulagu), and Gampong Panteriek (Dusun Jeumpa). The results of the effluent wastewater test showed that in all WWTPs, the BOD and COD parameters still exceeded the wastewater quality standards, and in one WWTP, the total Coliform parameter was >1,000/100 ml (quality standard >3,000/100 ml).