Use Of Human Excreta Research Articles

EFFECT OF FAECAL SLUDGE COMPOST ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF RED AMARANTH (AMARANTHUS CRUENTUS)

Worldwide, 2.7 billion people rely on onsite sanitation, which is a big problem in developing countries where the use of human excreta as organic fertilizer can give a solution in waste management as well as improve soil quality and sources of plant nutrition. Thus, a pot experiment was conducted at Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, University of Khulna, from November 2019 to March 2020 to investigate the best dose of faecal sludge application in soil for growth, yield, and nutrient uptake by Amaranthus cruentus. The experiment consisted of four treatments (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% faecal sludge with soil) and a control (no faecal sludge) with three replications, which were laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The present study revealed that the highest significant variation of germination (98.60%), plant height (36.99 cm), leaf number (14), root length (7.53 cm) fresh weight (8.65 g), yield per pot (8.63 g) was obtained for 4% faecal sludge mixture soil. Moreover, uptake by the plant N (2.90%), P (2.00%), K (5.51%), Ca (0.056%), Mg (0.29%) and Fe (0.036%) was also significantly higher for 4% rather than 1, 2 and 3% sludge treated soil. Therefore, for growth, yield and nutrient uptake of red amaranth, application of 4% faecal sludge compost to soil (faecal sludge compost: soil = 4:96) was the best for uses and it is recommended for the plants.

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Fecal Sludge Derived Amendments on Crop Growth and Soil Health

The use of human excreta in agricultural settings has the potential to meet crop nutrient requirements and improve soil health, while also providing a sustainable end use for fecal material. Previous reviews have focused on sewage sludge biosolids from wastewater treatment plants, but with on-site sanitation systems overtaking sewers as the leading sanitation system worldwide, greater attention to fecal sludge is warranted. This systematic Review is the first to compile the results of crop trials which utilized fecal amendments from on-site sanitation systems and includes 47 experiments. Overall, fecal amendments increased crop growth compared to unamended control plots and also produced comparable yields to synthetic fertilizers. Biological and physical soil parameters were underrepresented in the literature, which made a holistic assessment of soil health impossible. However, some improvements in chemical characteristics were observed, most notably for soil organic carbon. Inconsistent experimental design made aggregation of results and detailed statistical analysis difficult, highlighting the need for a more standardized approach for testing the efficacy of amendments and reporting results. Regardless, this Review compiles our collective existing knowledge to provide tentative results for the effect of fecal amendments on crop growth and soil health and offers recommendations for future work.

Agronomic potential of excreta-based biofertilizers made from treated human feces and urine for crop production

The use of human excreta in agriculture is driven by water scarcity, degradation of water resources, and increased demand for food. This work investigated the agronomic potential of biofertilizers made from treated human feces and urine for crop production. In this regard, field research with 18 lysimeters (six treatments and three blocks) was conducted by applying four biofertilizers in the soil to grow Lactuca sativa var. Valentina. Treatments employed were negative control (T1), chemical fertilizer (T2), urea-treated feces (T3), composted feces with organic waste (T4), stored urine (T5), and struvite (T6). Plant development was assessed weekly by measuring the plant height and diameter. As main results, the use of the biofertilizers presented a higher growth than the negative control (T1) and lower than chemical fertilizer (T2), except for the stored urine treatment, which did not exhibit a significant difference from T1. Struvite treatment stood out, showing a height 98% higher than the negative control and final leaf numbers with no significant statistical difference from the chemical fertilizer. Therefore, treated human excreta presented a potential to fertilize the soil and plant uptake. Even though the initial nutrient concentration in the soil was very low, according to the fertilizing guide from southern Brazil, the plants could still grow and present a better development than the soil with no fertilizer. As nutrient availability in organic fertilization is slower than in chemical fertilization, sequential cultivation cycles should improve plant development.

Improved Biogas Production from Human Excreta Using Chicken Feather Powder: A Sustainable Option to Eradicating Poverty.

It has been proposed that providing energy for cooking and lighting would solve over 65% of energy needs in rural communities. The use of biomass resources has been found not sustainable as other bioproducts such as biodiesel and bioethanol depend on it. More so that there is a depletion of bioresources in some parts of the world. The shift into animal waste such as poultry droppings and cattle dung has huge prospects, but it is not sustainable in the long term as rural farmers depend on it. The use of human excreta is the most available and sustainable due to the human population. This research aims to provide a workable blueprint of biogas production to meet energy needs. The research considers a laboratory‐scale experiment whose result is used to project the medium‐scale biodigester. Microbial culturing from human waste is used to initiate the codigestion of human excreta and powdered chicken feathers. It is observed that this procedure drastically reduces the high nitrogen content in the biogas and improves its methane and carbon dioxide content. It is observed that the scaled‐up biodigester in a worst case scenario can function at 67%. Design parameters are documented for the onward adoption of the technique.

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.

Taboos, toilets and biogas: Socio-technical pathways to acceptance of a sustainable household technology

Toilet-linked anaerobic digesters (TLADs) can provide users with a clean gaseous fuel and a fertiliser product as well as offer waste management services. Socio-cultural resistance towards domestic TLADs, due to the use of human excreta as a feedstock, is often articulated as a finite barrier to adoption. However, no research has specifically investigated the issues associated with TLADs separately from those associated with domestic digesters without toilet connections, consequently, there has been little attempt to discover what motivates users to use TLADs. Drawing on qualitative data from Nepal this paper explores how socio-cultural resistance impacts TLAD adoption and subsequent use of the biogas, and how adoption and transition pathways evolve. We argue that socio-cultural resistance is not a finite barrier to adoption and the opportunity to observe or trial a TLAD can positively influence adoption, especially amongst the older generations. Technical issues affected how TLADs were utilised more than socio-cultural norms and we discuss how socio-technical factors might co-evolve to influence sustainable adoption and use of TLADs. Caste and gender were not found to influence adoption pathways as much as the leadership or ‘risk-taking’ characteristics of specific adopters. Adoption of TLADs can occur within a year of a user first observing or trialling a TLAD; however, most users still do not use biogas for ritual cooking, despite having had a TLAD for many years. Grassroots initiatives that understand the diversity of localised socio-cultural norms will likely be imperative for successful TLAD dissemination.

People\u2019s perceptions on the use of human excreta for biogas generation in Ghana

This paper explored people’s perceptions on the use of human excreta for biogas generation in Ghana using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). It sought to assess the effect of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control on people’s behavioural intention to use human excreta (HEx) for biogas. Data collection was by questionnaire designed with the TPB constructs and other demographic information, and the analysis was done by structural equation modelling (SEM). The analysis produced two structural models: the standard TPB model and the adjusted model. Based on SEM, this study revealed that the adjusted model provides a useful and effective framework for analysing the interrelationships between socio-demographic variables and the standard TPB constructs than the standard TPB. Therefore, the results show that the effect of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control are all significant and positive. Though all the constructs were significant and positive, participants showed low perceived behavioural control or they perceive low ability of using HEx for biogas. Results revealed an adequate fit for people’s behavioural intentions to use HEx for biogas. The adjusted model, generated by the inclusion of gender and education into the TPB model, provided a useful and effective framework for the interrelationships between socio-demographic variables and the TPB constructs than the standard TPB. Attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control significantly influenced intentions to use HEx for biogas. Though perceived behavioural control showed low controllability, subjective norm was a major factor with religion being key on intentions to use HEx for biogas generation. Gender and education had no direct significant influence on intentions, but their effects were mediated through the TPB factors. It was further revealed that knowledge on the benefits of biogas as well as the perceived effect of using human excreta was strong and positive. Interventions aimed at promoting the use of HEx for biogas should address low controllability and that should include government subsidy and financial support as well as education to address stigma and HEx knowledge. The intervention should also bring on board important persons such as religious leaders and persons from relevant institutions to lead more open discussions on HEx use for biogas.

Intervention mapping as a framework for planning the implementation of urine diversion toilets and Ecosan education in a community school in Kavre, Nepal

Use of human excreta as fertilizer is not a new concept. However, with the use of the modern water-flush toilet, human excreta becomes mixed with water and causes environmental pollution. To reemphasize the nutritional value of human urine in the field, a urine diversion toilet was constructed in a community school situated in Kavre, Nepal. The purpose of establishing the urine diversion toilet is to improve hygiene outcomes through promoting proper sanitation and transforming the school community’s regular practice and attitudes towards urine as a resource. To ensure effective implementation of the urine diversion toilets, intervention mapping was used as a guiding framework. The aim of this paper is to document how the urine diversion toilet was planned and implemented in the school and how the urine diversion toilet was connected with the curriculum to address concerns regarding water, sanitation, and hygiene with a focus on sustainability through intervention mapping. This study highlights the benefits of intervention mapping as a systematic and step-by-step process for the planning and implementation of the urine diversion toilet. This study also highlights the benefits of connecting urine diversion toilets with school gardening, and engaging with local government and other stakeholders about the value of the approach.

Attitudes and Perceptions on the Agricultural Use of Human Excreta and Human Excreta Derived Materials: A Scoping Review

This study explicates the scope of published literature on the influence of attitudes and perceptions on the intention to use human excreta and human excreta derived materials in agriculture. Using a scoping review methodology, search results from Scopus and Web of Science were screened and synthesized using the DistillerSR web-based application. Out of the 1192 studies identified, 22 published articles met the inclusion criteria. Additional studies were identified by keyword enrichment, hand-searching, and snowballing in other electronic data bases. The benefit perception of the soil health, income, and yield was the main driver for positive attitudes. Perceived health risk and socio-cultural factors were reported as the main barriers to the use of human excreta derived materials in agriculture. Limited information, availability, collection, transport, and storage were the other reported perceived barriers. The influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on farmers’ attitudes and perceptions was inconclusive, which is potentially attributed to contextual and methodological differences. Social and behavior change communication through community mass campaigns and targeting interventions segregated by socioeconomic and demographic contexts is recommended for development interventions. Future empirical studies could focus on the influence of crop types, treatment processes, food preparation and processing on attitudes and perceptions.

Organic farm waste management in degraded banana-coffee-based farming systems in NW Tanzania

This study examines how smallholder farmers operate degraded banana-coffee-based farming systems and apply organic farm waste. We surveyed 150 farm households in two districts of the Kagera region in north-west Tanzania (Karagwe and Kyerwa districts). An expert-based typology revealed three groups of farm households that differ in biomass production (high, moderate, low). Households producing high amounts of biomass have integrated a sophisticated farm waste management system, but do not exploit the full potential of organic farm waste as a soil fertiliser and conditioner. The integration of farm waste management decreases in farm households with medium and low biomass production. None of the households is food secure, as they experience seasonality in food production and lack food storage technologies. In farm households with high and medium biomass production, the optimised use of organic farm waste could potentially lead to food security if food storage capacities were also improved. However, farm households with low biomass production will not become food secure with the introduction of organic farm waste management alone, as the land size is too small, and the socio-economic basis for it is lacking. Limited labour remains a major restriction to improving farm waste management. In the future, the safe use of human excreta needs to be fostered in engineering and research, holistic material flow analyses integrating (low-tech) agricultural solutions and concepts investigated, e.g., biochar production, safe use of mineral fertiliser and climate-smart agriculture, and the socio-economic status of female-headed households strengthened, e.g., in farmer field schools and governmental programmes.

Inactivation kinetics modeling of Escherichia coli in concentrated urine for implementing predictive environmental microbiology in sanitation safety planning

Urine concentration (condensation) leads to the inactivation of pathogens in urine owing to a hyperosmotic environment. This study proposed an inactivation kinetic model of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a surrogate of human bacterial pathogens, in concentrated synthetic urine. The model parameters were obtained under an assumption that the inactivation rate of E. coli followed a binomial distribution, which made it possible to accurately simulate the time-course decay of E. coli in synthetic urine. The inactivation rate constant values obtained in concentrated urine samples, ammonium buffer solutions and carbonate buffer solutions indicated that the osmotic pressure was a relatively predominant cause for the inactivation of E. coli. The appropriate storage time was estimated using the approach of quantitative microbial risk assessment, which indicated that the 5-fold concentrated urine could be safely collected after 1-day storage when urea was hydrolyzed, whereas 91-hour storage was required for non-concentrated urine. The occupational risk was not negligible even with 6-month storage at 20 °C when urea was not hydrolyzed, which suggested that the urine storage styles should be clarified more minutely. The present study highlights the importance of “predictive environmental microbiology,” which deals with inactivation kinetic models of microorganisms under varied environmental conditions to fully implement the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) approach for the safe use of human excreta in agriculture.

Application of human excreta on the farms as an effective option to the uptake and replication of ecological sanitation (Ecosan) in Burera District, Rwanda

The ecological sanitation (Ecosan) technology continues to be challenged by diverse factors including exposure of human excreta to the users in different geographical settings. The purpose of the study is to understand the linkage between the uptake of Ecosan technology and theapplication of human excreta on the farms among farmers in Burera district. A quantitative study was conducted to assess the linkage between the application of human excreta on the farms and the uptake of Ecosan technology among farmers of Burera District, Northern Province of Rwanda. By using a multistage sampling strategy, a sample of 361 household farmers was selected in the sectors of Rugarama, Gahunga and Cyanika in the District of Burera where the Ecosan technology has been mostly implemented at the household level Findings show that Ecological sanitation technology is favorable among females and 70% of females prefer to use it as sanitation facilities due to its privacy and design compared to the pitlatrine technology. In addition, the application of human excreta on the farm was high and 60% of farmers apply excreta on the farmers especially when there is a time of emptying excreta from their sanitation technologies. However, only 3% of the users of Ecosan technology apply also human excreta as Ecosan products on their farms. This implies that there is a need to scale up the Ecosan technology in the community of Burera district to optimize the proper use of human excreta. The high uptake of Ecosan technology will evolve the implementation strategies such as community education, the supply of Ecosan materials in the community and the construction of Ecosan technology. This will boost sanitation coverage and increase crop production in Burera district by taking into account the community health as well as the environmental aspect

Evaluating the feasibility of human excreta-derived material for the production of hydroponically grown tomato plants - Part I: Photosynthetic efficiency, leaf gas exchange and tissue mineral content

There is increasing interest and wide recognition of the potential use of human-excreta derived materials (HEDM) as fertilizer to supply essential nutrients needed for crop production. However, most work on HEDM has focussed on yield responses using soils and very little done on soil-less media using hydroponics. Further, physiological responses of plants to different HEDM in a hydroponic production system is currently not well-understood. This study investigated the effect of Decentralized Waste-water Treatment System (DEWATS) effluents and Nitrified Urine Concentrate (NUC) on leaf gas exchange, photosynthetic efficiency and mineral content of hydroponically-grown tomato. The experiment was conducted in a polyethylene tunnel using a complete randomised design comprising of three treatments namely: DEWATS effluent, NUC and commercial hydroponic fertilizer mix (CHFM). Sampling conducted both before and after flowering showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among different nutrient sources for all physiological parameters (leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence) and mineral content. Leaf N and P were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in NUC treatment whereas Ca and K were high in the CHFM treatment. The current study demonstrated that HEDM such as NUC and DEWATS effluent could be an effective source of nutrients of agricultural crops in hydroponic systems with results comparable to commercial fertilizer mix.

Photosynthetic efficiency of hydroponically-grown tomato plants to decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) effluents and nitrified urine concentrate (NUC) as nutrient sources

There is increasing interest and wide recognition of the potential use of human-excreta derived materials (HEDM) as fertiliser to supply essential nutrients needed for crop production. This has additional benefits as part of a reuse-oriented sustainable sanitation approach in efforts aimed at addressing sanitation challenges in many parts of the developing world. However, most work on HEDMs has focused on yield responses when compared to chemical commercial fertiliser sources using soils. Not much work has considered different systems such as hydroponic production. The physiological responses of plants to different HEDM when used in a hydroponic system is currently not well understood. This study evaluated the effect of decentralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS) effluents and nitrified urine concentrate (NUC) as nutrient sources on hydroponically grown tomatoes. The study was conducted using 'Monica' determinate tomatoes planted in a polyethylene tunnel located at Newlands-Mashu Research Station, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The experiment was laid out using a complete randomized block design and comprised of three treatments, namely, DEWATS effluent, NUC and commercial hydroponic fertilizer mix (CHFM). Each treatment was replicated three times giving nine experimental units of five plants each planted in a 5 L polyethylene pot. Data was collected on the following physiological variables: leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content index (CCI), stomatal conductance (gs), net CO(2) assimilation rate (A), intercellular CO(2) concentration (Ci) and the ratio of intercellular CO(2) and atmospheric CO(2) (Ci/Ca) were evaluated at vegetative stage, three weeks after transplanting. Results showed that tomato plants receiving CHFM had the highest LAI (3.00), followed by NUC (1.85) and DEWATS (1.48). CCI was significantly higher in the NUC treatments (42.58) compared to the CHFM (30.51) and DEWATS effluent (23.60). DEWATS effluent reported high values of A (22.75) followed by CHFM (22.40) and NUC by (14.56). The value of gs was higher in the DEWATS effluent (0.44) compared to the values of 0.110 and 0.021 observed for NUC and CHFM, respectively. Further, Ci was higher using DEWATS effluent compared to NUC and CHFM. The current study demonstrated that the use of HEDM such as NUC and DEWATS effluent as nutrient sources have comparable effects with commercial fertilizer mix with respect to the physiology of hydroponically grown tomatoes.

Night Soil: Origins, Discontinuities, and Opportunities for Bridging the Metabolic Rift

For millennia, people have relied on human excrement or “night soil” as a source of agricultural fertilization. Following industrialization, however, the use of this resource became considerably limited. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the historical use of human excreta for agricultural application at varying scales of management, from early Amazonian farming middens to regional networks of night soil trade in imperial China. We then draw attention to the factors that led to the discontinuation of night soil usage during industrialization, placing focus on the “culture of flushing” that developed along with the adoption of the hydraulic sanitation system. To conclude, we consider how improved management of human excreta in the contemporary world can have important consequences for agricultural production, despite the ongoing challenges posed by what Marxian scholars refer to as the metabolic rift—the disruption of the earth’s socio-ecological cycles brought on by industrial capitalism.

Realizing the Circular Economy for Sanitation: Assessing Enabling Conditions and Barriers to the Commercialization of Human Excreta Derived Fertilizer in Haiti and Kenya

Efficient fecal sludge management solutions are especially challenging in densely populated urban informal settlements, where space is limited and land tenure uncertain. One solution is to collect and treat human excreta to produce soil conditioners for use in agriculture, through container-based sanitation, thus realizing the circular economy for sanitation. This study focused on container-based sanitation ventures that produce and sell fertilizers from human excreta. Stakeholder interviews showed that challenges faced by these ventures were similar: unclear regulations on the use of fertilizers derived from source-separated excreta, undeveloped markets for organic fertilizers, difficulties in securing secondary sources of organic matter for composting as well as complex transport and distribution logistics. The findings of this study emphasized the need for clear policies with respect to human excreta derived fertilizer, as well as institutional involvement in order to incentivize the sale and use of human excreta derived fertilizer locally to ensure that sustainable and safely managed sanitation systems are available in urban areas.

A Review of Recycling of Human Excreta to Energy through Biogas Generation: Indonesia Case

The use of waste to produce biogas not only limited to the waste from nature such as agricultural waste, food waste, or cattle manure; but can also use human waste hereinafter called human excreta. The use of human excreta for biogas generation considered beneficial either in the term of process or environment. It is at the same time produce energy and reducing environmental problem that caused by unmanaged human excreta disposal. In Indonesia, the main use of biogas itself is for cooking and generating electricity. The huge population and inequality deployment of electricity supply in Indonesia becomes a strong reason in developing biogas system from human excreta. This review paper will discuss utilization of human excreta to produce biogas as alternative energy source and the prospect of this technology in Indonesia.

Use of Human Excreta as Manure in Rural China

Empirical research has shown that the use of manure significantly improves crop yield, soil fertility and water and moisture conservation. Despite these documented benefits, however, there is a concern on the downward trend of manure use in agriculture in China. This paper examines factors contributing to this downward trend, with a particular focus on human excreta used in agriculture. Empirical analysis based on data from stratified random sampling of rural households in five provinces of China shows that about 85% of human excreta was still used as manure in agriculture in 2007 which was less than a decade ago when nearly all human excreta was used as manure. Econometric results suggest that income growth, rising population density and improvement in rural transportation significantly contribute to declining use of human excreta as manure in agriculture. These results imply that the current downward trend will continue given China's rising economic growth, urbanization and rural infrastructural improvement.

Skin Problems among Users of the Urine-Based Fertiliser in Ouagadougou Periurban Areas, Burkina Faso: A Prospective Study

The great challenge for the sustainable use of excreta (urine, faeces) in agriculture is to increase the benefits of these products as resources and decrease the negative effects on human health. The risk of gastrointestinal diseases associated with the use of human excreta as natural fertilisers is well established, while information on skin problems remains largely anecdotal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of skin problems among people involved in the handling of the urine used as fertiliser along a productive sanitation system in Ouagadougou periurban areas. A questionnaire was used for each targeted worker to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, conditions of work and reported health symptoms such as skin burning, itching, eye irritation and paronychia. The exposure measurements were essentially based on field observations. A total of 435 people were interviewed, including 45 workers in urine storage sites, 209 farmers using urine-based fertiliser and 181 control farmers. More than 35% of site workers reported skin symptoms. For farmers using urine-based fertiliser and their controls, 17.2% and 26.0% reported skin symptoms, respectively. Overall, the associations between skin symptoms and the handling of urine used as fertiliser were almost significant (P 0.06). Also, the study showed that these skin symptoms reported by the urine handlers are associated with conditions of work. Effective preventive measures such as wearing suitable protective equipment and practicing good personal hygiene should be emphasized. This topic needs to be further examined using longitudinal studies.

Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections associated with wastewater and human excreta use in agriculture in Vietnam

BackgroundWe assessed the risk of helminth infections in association with the use of wastewater and excreta in agriculture in Hanam province, northern Vietnam. In two cross-sectional surveys, we obtained samples from 1,425 individuals from 453 randomly selected households. Kato-Katz thick smear and formalin-ether concentration techniques were used for helminth diagnosis in two stool samples per person. Socio-demographic and water, sanitation and hygiene related characteristics, including exposure to human and animal excreta and household wastewater management, were assessed with a questionnaire. ResultsOverall 47% of study participants were infected with any helminth (Ascaris lumbricoides 24%, Trichuris trichiura 40% and hookworm 2%). Infections with intestinal protozoa were rare (i.e. Entamoeba histolytica 6%, Entamoeba coli 2%, Giardia lamblia 2%, Cryptosporidium parvum 5% and Cyclospora cayetanensis 1%). People having close contact with polluted Nhue River water had a higher risk of helminth infections (odds ratio [OR]=1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–2.2) and A. lumbricoides (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.2), compared with those without contact. The use of human excreta for application in the field had an increased risk for a T. trichiura infection (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.3). In contrast, tap water use in households was a protective factor against any helminth infection (i.e. T. trichiura OR=0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9). Prevalences increased with age and males had generally lower prevalences (OR=0.8, 95% CI 0.6–1.0), participants performing agricultural (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1) and having a low educational level (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4) were significantly associated with helminth infections. None of the factors related to household's sanitary condition, type of latrine, household's SES, use of animal excreta, and personal hygiene practices were statistically significant associated with helminth infection. ConclusionsOur study suggests that in agricultural settings, direct contact with water from Nhue River and the use of human excreta as fertiliser in the fields are important risk factors for helminth infection. Daily use of clean water is likely to reduce the risk of worm infection. Deworming policies and national programs should give more attention to these agricultural at risk populations.