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Huerta D, Schobel T, Alexander-Ozinskas A, Hild J, Lauder J, Reynolds P, Von Behren J, Meltzer D, Ramírez-Andreotta MD. Probabilistic risk assessment of residential exposure to metal(loid)s in a mining impacted community. Sci Total Environ 2023; 872:162228. [PMID: 36791848 PMCID: PMC10023505 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The "Gold Country" region of California is impacted by legacy and active gold mines. Concomitantly, Gold Country has an increased rate of female breast cancer relative to the state average. Using community-based participatory research methods, 40 participants completed surveys and collected a total of 354 water, soil, home-grown foods, and dust samples from their homes, which we compared to state, federal, and international contamination standards for arsenic, cadmium, and lead. All soil samples exceeded U.S. EPA and California EPA soil standards for arsenic. When comparing other media to state, federal and international standards for arsenic, cadmium, and lead, 15 additional exceedances for indoor/outdoor dust, drinking water, and/or vegetable were documented. A probabilistic risk assessment was conducted to determine an adult female's exposure to arsenic, cadmium, and lead and estimated risk. Arsenic exposure, due largely to water (63.5 %) and homegrown food (33.3 %), presents carcinogenic risks in excess of the EPA recommended upper limit for contaminated sites (1 × 10-4) in 12.5 % of scenarios, and exceeds a risk level of 1 × 10-6 in 98.0 % of cases. Cadmium exposure results mainly from homegrown food consumption (83.7 %), and lead exposure results from a broader range of sources. This research indicates that rural areas in Gold Country face environmental exposures different than in urban areas. Exposure to arsenic in the female population of Gold Country may be driven by consumption of home-grown foods and water, and exposure to cadmium is driven by home-grown food intake. Since mining sites are of concern internationally, this risk assessment process and associated findings are significant and can be used to inform and tailor public health interventions. The weight of the evidence suggests that the arsenic exposure identified in this study could contribute to increases in the cancer rate among those living in Gold Country, California.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Huerta
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Taylor Schobel
- Sierra Streams Institute, Nevada City, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Joanne Hild
- Sierra Streams Institute, Nevada City, CA, United States of America
| | - Jeff Lauder
- Sierra Streams Institute, Nevada City, CA, United States of America
| | - Peggy Reynolds
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Julie Von Behren
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Dan Meltzer
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Mónica D Ramírez-Andreotta
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health's Division of Community, Environment & Policy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America.
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Ganguli S, Howlader S, Dey K, Barua S, Islam MN, Begum A, Sobahan MA, Chakraborty RR, Hawlader MDH, Biswas PK. Association of food habit with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization: A cross-sectional study among the recovered individuals in Bangladesh. Nutr Health 2022; 28:771-782. [PMID: 36066026 DOI: 10.1177/02601060221124068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: It was assumed that dietary habits might influence the status of COVID-19 patients. Aim: We aimed at the identification of association of dietary habits with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Methods: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study (n = 1025). We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to correlate the association between self-reported dietary patterns and COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Results: Dietary habits (black tea, milked tea, pickles, black caraway seeds, honey, fish, fruits, vegetables, garlic, onion and turmeric) were identified with lower risk of COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Interestingly, the consumption frequency (one-, two- or three-times/day) of rice - the staple food in Bangladesh - was not associated with COVID-19 severity and hospitalization for comorbid patients. In contrast, a moderate rice-eating habit (two times/day) was strongly associated with the lower risk of severity and hospitalization for non-comorbid patients. However, for both comorbid and non-comorbid patients, consumption of black tea, milked tea, pickles and honey were associated with a lower likelihood of severity and hospitalization. Overall, a high consumption (three-times/day) of fish, fruits and vegetables, a moderate consumption of garlic, onion and turmeric spices and a daily intake of black/milked tea, and honey were associated with reduced risk of COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Conclusions: To reduce the severity of COVID-19, a habitual practice of intaking black tea, milked tea, black caraway seeds and honey along with dietary habit (rice, fish and vegetables) and with a moderate consumption of ginger, garlic, onion, mixed aromatic spices (cinnamon + cardamom + cloves) and turmeric might be suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumon Ganguli
- Biomaterials Research Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh.,Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Sabbir Howlader
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Kamol Dey
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Suman Barua
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Md Nazrul Islam
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh.,School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Afroza Begum
- Department of Statistics, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abdus Sobahan
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, 54493University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Rivu Raj Chakraborty
- Department of Surgery, Rangamati Medical College and Hospital, Rangamati, Bangladesh
| | | | - Paritosh Kumar Biswas
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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Mountoumnjou O, Szymczyk A, Lyonga Mbambyah EE, Njoya D, Elimbi A. New Low-Cost Ceramic Microfiltration Membranes for Bacteria Removal. Membranes 2022; 12:490. [PMID: 35629816 PMCID: PMC9143507 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12050490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Safe water provision in low-income countries is constrained by limited financial resources, and the problem is worsened during natural disasters. Thus, there is a need to develop efficient low-cost technologies for point-of-use water treatment. This work reports on the development of new ceramic microfiltration membranes made from mixtures of inexpensive raw materials available locally (kaolin, bentonite and limestone) and their efficiency in rejecting bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, mercury intrusion porosimetry, flexural strength and water uptake were used to characterize the raw materials and membranes. The addition of limestone in the membrane fabrication increased the pore size, the porosity and, thus, the permeability of the membranes but at the expense of the rejection performance. Among the different compositions studied, the membrane made of 83% kaolin, 10% bentonite and 7% limestone showed the best performance compromise with water permeability of 566 L·h−1·m−2·bar−1 and 100% rejection of both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These new low-cost microfiltration membranes are expected to have potential applications in water treatment and household applications.
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Kassie AW, Mengistu SW, Dettori M. Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Proportion of Unimproved Drinking Water Sources in Rural Ethiopia: Evidence from Ethiopian Socioeconomic Surveys (2011 to 2019). Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2022; 2022:1-12. [PMID: 35342435 PMCID: PMC8942695 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2968756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Currently, around 36% of the rural Ethiopian population is accessing drinking water from unimproved sources and it is unevenly distributed through time and geographic regions. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of unimproved drinking water sources and identify hotspot areas in rural Ethiopia. Ethiopian Socioeconomic Survey (ESS) data obtained from the Central Statistical Agency were used. It was conducted in four waves from 2011 to 2019. A two-stage probability sampling design was applied. The sample of enumeration areas and households were taken as the first and second stages of sampling, respectively. A total of 3912, 3775, 3698, and 3115 sample households with complete information on drinking water sources were taken in each wave of ESS data, respectively. Weighted proportions, autocorrelation (Moran's “I”) statistic, and hotspot analyses were applied to estimate the prevalence, test the presence of clustering, and identify vulnerable areas with unimproved drinking water sources. The STATA version 14, Excel, and ArcGIS 10.6 were used to manage and analyze data. The proportions of households with unimproved drinking water sources were 0.497, 0.385, 0.298, and 0.363 in consecutive waves of ESS data. The results also revealed the existence of geographical and temporal variations of access to drinking water from unimproved sources, and the most recent vulnerable (hotspot) areas in the borders of the West and East Gojjam zones in the western Amhara region, Zone one in southern Afar region, and Liben, Afder, Shebelle, Korahe, and Nobob zones in Somali region were identified. In conclusion, this study reveals significant geographic inequalities in the use of improved drinking water sources. This may be necessary for policies and coverage targeting the most vulnerable regions. The presented map and analytical approaches can provide a mechanism to monitor future reductions in inequality within countries by reflecting resource allocation priorities.
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Hu G, Mian HR, Abedin Z, Li J, Hewage K, Sadiq R. Integrated probabilistic-fuzzy synthetic evaluation of drinking water quality in rural and remote communities. J Environ Manage 2022; 301:113937. [PMID: 34731953 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An integrated probabilistic-fuzzy synthetic evaluation (PFSE) approach was developed for assessing drinking water quality in rural and remote communities (RRCs) through the lens of health risks and aesthetic impacts. The probabilistic health risk assessment can handle aleatory uncertainty raised by the variation of contaminant concentrations, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) can address vagueness and ambiguity in human perception of risks and aesthetic impacts. The PFSE approach was applied to five RRCs in British Columbia, Canada where different drinking water quality issues, including high metal(loids) concentrations, the presence of coliforms, and poor aesthetics were reported. Cancer, non-cancer, and microbial risks assessed, as well as both quantitative and qualitative aesthetic impact assessment outcomes, were aggregated into synthetic water quality indices for water quality ranking. The probabilistic health risk assessment results revealed significant health risks for a community with relatively high arsenic concentrations (mean value = 7.0 μg/L) in the water supply. The microbial risks were also found significant (disability-adjusted life years >1 × 10-6) for all communities because of the presence of coliforms in the water. The FSE results indicated that the drinking water quality of five RRCs was associated with high aggregated impacts, which concurred with the "poor" water quality ratings according to the Canadian Water Quality Index. The water quality of the five RRCs was ranked based on the synthetic water quality evaluation indices. The PFSE approach can help decision-makers prioritize RRCs in effective resource allocation for addressing drinking water quality issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangji Hu
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
| | - Haroon R Mian
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
| | - Zawad Abedin
- Environmental Engineering Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada.
| | - Jianbing Li
- Environmental Engineering Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada.
| | - Kasun Hewage
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
| | - Rehan Sadiq
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
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Oskam MJ, Pavlova M, Hongoro C, Groot W. Socio-Economic Inequalities in Access to Drinking Water among Inhabitants of Informal Settlements in South Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph181910528. [PMID: 34639828 PMCID: PMC8507892 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
While evidence from several developing countries suggests the existence of socio-economic inequalities in the access to safe drinking water, a limited number of studies have been conducted on this topic in informal settlements. This study assessed socio-economic inequalities in the use of drinking water among inhabitants of informal settlements in South Africa. The study used data from “The baseline study for future impact evaluation for informal settlements targeted for upgrading in South Africa.” Households eligible for participation were living in informal settlements targeted for upgrading in all nine provinces of South Africa. Socio-economic inequalities were assessed by means of multinomial logistic regression analyses, concentration indices, and concentration curves. The results showed that the use of a piped tap on the property was disproportionately concentrated among households with higher socio-economic status (concentration index: +0.17), while households with lower socio-economic status were often limited to the use of other inferior (less safe or distant) sources of drinking water (concentration index for nearby public tap: −0.21; distant public tap: −0.17; no-tap water: −0.33). The use of inferior types of drinking water was significantly associated with the age, the marital status, the education status, and the employment status of the household head. Our results demonstrate that reducing these inequalities requires installing new tap water points in informal settlements to assure a more equitable distribution of water points among households. Besides, it is recommended to invest in educational interventions aimed at creating awareness about the potential health risks associated with using unsafe drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke J. Oskam
- Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (M.P.); (W.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Milena Pavlova
- Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (M.P.); (W.G.)
| | - Charles Hongoro
- Peace and Sustainable Security (PaSS), Developmental, Capable and Ethical State Division, Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Wim Groot
- Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (M.P.); (W.G.)
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Leach MJ, Gillam M, Gonzalez-Chica DA, Walsh S, Muyambi K, Jones M. Health care need and health disparities: Findings from the Regional South Australia Health (RESONATE) survey. Health Soc Care Community 2021; 29:905-917. [PMID: 32767700 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Regional South Australia has some of the highest rates of psychological distress, chronic disease and multimorbidity of any Australian State or Territory. Yet, the healthcare needs of this population are still not completely understood. To better understand the healthcare needs of regional South Australians, we invited adults living in the region to complete the 44-item consumer utilisation, expectations and experiences of healthcare instrument (CONVERSATIONS), online or in hard-copy. The survey was conducted between April 2017 and March 2018. A multi-modal recruitment campaign was utilised to promote the survey. We examined associations between study outcomes and remoteness area, and drew comparisons between our findings and other surveys reporting pertinent outcomes in the urban SA population. The questionnaire was completed by 3,926 adults (52.5% females; 37.6% aged 60 + years). Among the 264 distinct health conditions reported by participants, the most prevalent were hypertension (31.6%), depression (25.7%), anxiety (23.5%) and hypercholesterolaemia (22.9%). The lifetime prevalence of these conditions among participants exceeded rates reported in urban SA. The largest regional-urban health disparities were observed for eczema/dermatitis, skin cancer, other cancer types and cataracts, where prevalence rates were 2075%, 400%, 373% and 324% higher, respectively, than that reported in urban SA. Participants also reported higher levels of multimorbidity (37.7% higher) relative to urban South Australians. By contrast, participants appeared to be exposed to fewer lifestyle risk behaviours (e.g. smoking, alcohol, inadequate fruit or vegetable intake) than their urban counterparts. In summary, there was a high level of healthcare need, and considerable health disparity among participants when compared with urban settings (particularly for skin and eye conditions). These findings highlight the need for a more targeted approach to delivering health services and health promotion activities in regional areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Leach
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, East Lismore, NSW, Australia
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla Norrie, Australia
| | - Marianne Gillam
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla Norrie, Australia
| | | | - Sandra Walsh
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla Norrie, Australia
| | - Kuda Muyambi
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla Norrie, Australia
| | - Martin Jones
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla Norrie, Australia
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Kanyangarara M, Allen S, Jiwani SS, Fuente D. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa 2013-2018: Results of health facility surveys and implications for COVID-19 transmission. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:601. [PMID: 34172045 PMCID: PMC8231746 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06515-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted important needs in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and standard practices for infection prevention and control in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed the availability of WASH and standard precautions for infection prevention in health facilities across 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as inequalities by location (rural/urban) and managing authority (public/private). Data from health facility surveys conducted between 2013 and 2018 in 18 sub-Saharan African countries were used to estimate the access to an improved water source within 500 m, an improved toilet, soap and running water or alcohol-based hand rub, and standard precautions for infection prevention at health facilities. Rural-urban differences and public-private differences in access to services were calculated. We also compared population level access to health facility access to services. RESULT Overall, 16,456 health facilities from 18 countries were included. Across countries, an estimated 88 % had an improved water source, 94 % had an improved toilet, 74 % had soap and running water or alcohol-based hand rub, and 17 % had standard precautions for infection prevention available. There was wide variability in access to water, sanitation and hygiene services between rural and urban health facilities and between public and private facilities, with consistently lower access in both rural and public facilities. In both rural and urban areas, access to water, sanitation and hygiene services was ubiquitously better at health facilities than households. CONCLUSIONS Availability of WASH services in health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa has improved but remains below the global target of 80 % in many countries. Ensuring adequate access to WASH services and enforcing adherence to safety and hygiene practices in health facilities will be essential to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mufaro Kanyangarara
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, SC 29201 Columbia, USA
| | - Savannah Allen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, SC 29201 Columbia, USA
| | - Safia S Jiwani
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - David Fuente
- School of Earth, Ocean and the Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
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Díaz-alcaide S, Sandwidi WJ, Martínez-santos P, Martín-loeches M, Cáceres JL, Seijas N. Mapping Ground Water Access in Two Rural Communes of Burkina Faso. Water 2021; 13:1356. [DOI: 10.3390/w13101356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Granting safe water access worldwide is a major objective of the Sustainable Development Goals. Water access is a manifold concept that encompasses collection time, distance from the household, water quality, affordability, and reliability of water sources, among other factors. GIS-based methods can be particularly useful in improving water access estimates, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. Based on an extensive water point database (n = 770), this paper explores the main challenges involved in mapping water access in two rural communes of Burkina Faso. Water access is estimated in terms of coverage per surface area. Coverage is filtered into four distinct categories of improved water sources, namely existing infrastructures, operational infrastructures, permanent infrastructures, and permanent infrastructures that provide safe water. The outcomes suggest that the study area is better endowed with water access than rural Burkina Faso and the remainder of the African continent, although there are important questions regarding groundwater quality. The outcomes highlight the conceptual differences between coverage and access, as well as some of the practical difficulties involved in estimating water access beyond standard ratios. The shortcomings include the absence of continuous monitoring of infrastructure functionality and water quality, as well as water affordability, among others. Enhancing national borehole databases with items aligned with the United Nations’ definition of water access is recommended.
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Mactaggart I, Baker S, Bambery L, Iakavai J, Kim MJ, Morrison C, Poilapa R, Shem J, Sheppard P, Tanguay J, Wilbur J. Water, women and disability: Using mixed-methods to support inclusive WASH programme design in Vanuatu. Lancet Reg Health West Pac 2021; 8:100109. [PMID: 34327430 PMCID: PMC8315363 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Adequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is imperative for health and wellbeing, yet people with disabilities, people with incontinence and people who menstruate often experience unmet WASH requirements. Methods In 2019 we completed a mixed-methods study in two provinces of Vanuatu, (SANMA and TORBA). The study comprised 1) a population-based disability survey using the Washington Group Short-Set 2) a nested case-control study to explore associations between WASH, disability and gender, and 3) an in-depth qualitative assessment of the experiences of WASH users with additional requirements: people with and without disabilities who menstruate, or experience incontinence. Finding 11,446 households (response rate 85%) were enrolled into the survey. All-age disability prevalence across the two provinces was 2.6% (95% Confidence Interval 2.5-2.8), increasing with age. 814 people with, and 702 people without disabilities participated in the case-control study. People with disabilities were statistically more likely to experience barriers in seven of eight intra-household indicators. WASH-related stigma, reliance on informal caregivers, and under-resourcing of WASH personnel were critical issues for people who menstruate or experience incontinence. Interpretation People with disabilities, people with incontinence and people who menstruate in Northern Vanuatu face continued challenges in accessing safe, affordable and appropriate WASH that meets their requirements. Outputs from this study have supported progression towards gender and disability-inclusive WASH programming in the area and highlighted the value of mixed-methods research. Funding The research was funded by the Australian Government's Water for Women fund and donations from the Australian public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islay Mactaggart
- International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Sally Baker
- Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
| | - Luke Bambery
- World Vision Vanuatu, Rue Artoi M/S, P.O Box 247, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Judith Iakavai
- Vanuatu Society for People with Disability (VSPD), Vanuatu
| | - Min Jung Kim
- International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Chloe Morrison
- World Vision Vanuatu, Rue Artoi M/S, P.O Box 247, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Relvie Poilapa
- World Vision Vanuatu, Rue Artoi M/S, P.O Box 247, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Jeanine Shem
- World Vision Vanuatu, Rue Artoi M/S, P.O Box 247, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Phillip Sheppard
- International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Jamie Tanguay
- Vanuatu National Statistics Office, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Jane Wilbur
- International Centre for Evidence in Disability (ICED), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Wang T, Sun D, Zhang Q, Zhang Z. China's drinking water sanitation from 2007 to 2018: A systematic review. Sci Total Environ 2021; 757:143923. [PMID: 33310571 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Regular monitoring of drinking water in China is carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at all levels and some articles were published for the public to understand the status of drinking water. However, these published articles were limited to small areas and reported almost exclusively in Chinese. In order to give the public a comprehensive understanding of the situation of drinking water sanitation in China and provide specific directions for ensuring drinking water safety in the future, we review the sanitation status of drinking water in different regions of China from 2007 to 2018, the changes over time and the factors affecting drinking water quality by means of systematic review for the first time. Our results show that the quality of drinking water in China has shown an upward trend from 2007 to 2018. The qualification rate of urban drinking water (85.51%) was much higher than that of rural drinking water (51.12%), and the dry season (56.93%) was higher than the wet season (50.54%), and the terminal tap water (59.88%) was higher than the outlet water of waterworks (55.87%). In addition, the regions with low qualification rate of water quality in China were mainly distributed in several southern provinces, such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Hainan, etc. What's more, the qualified rate of the three microbiological indicators was the lowest, all below 85%. All the results indicate that the sanitation status of drinking water in China is unsatisfactory, and the biggest risk affecting water safety is microbial pollution. The central and local governments should work hard to improve people's drinking water quality and continue to strengthen the treatment and supervision of drinking water, especially in rural areas and undeveloped southern areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Donglei Sun
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zunzhen Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
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Potgieter N, Banda NT, Becker PJ, Traore-Hoffman AN. WASH infrastructure and practices in primary health care clinics in the rural Vhembe District municipality in South Africa. BMC Fam Pract 2021; 22:8. [PMID: 33397298 PMCID: PMC7780685 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01346-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa has unique and diverse social and economic factors that have an impact on the provision of basic water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management infrastructure and practices at health care facilities in ensuring patient safety and prevent the spread of diseases. METHODS The aim of this study was to evaluate water, sanitation and hygiene access and standards at 50 government owned public health care clinics in the rural region of the Vhembe district of South Africa during 2016/2017, using self-observation, an observation checklist, record reviews and interviews with clinic managers. Water quality from all available water sources on the clinic compound was analysed for Total coliform and E. coli counts using the Colilert Quanti-tray/2000 system. The prevalence of pathogenic diarrhea causing E. coli strains was established using multiplex-Polymerase Chain Reaction. RESULTS The health care clinics in the Vhembe District generally complied with the basic WASH services guidelines according to the World Health Organisation. Although 80% of the clinics used borehole water which is classified as an improved water source, microbiological assessment showed that 38% inside taps and 64% outside taps from the clinic compounds had TC counts higher than guideline limits for safe drinking. Similarly, EC counts above the guideline limit for safe drinking water were detected in 17% inside taps and 32% outside taps from the clinic compounds. Pathogenic EAEC, EPEC, ETEC and EHEC strains were isolated in the collected water samples. Although improved sanitation infrastructures were present in most of the clinics, the sanitary conditions of these toilets were not up to standard. Waste systems were not adequately managed. A total of 90% of the clinics had hand washing basins, while only 61% of the clinics had soap present and only 64% of the clinics had adequate signs and posters reminding the staff, care givers and patients to wash their hands. CONCLUSIONS Various WASH aspects within the primary health care system in South Africa needs to be improved and corrected. A more rigorous system that is inclusive of all role players in the WASH sectors, with regular monitoring and training sessions, should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Potgieter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa.
| | - N T Banda
- Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - P J Becker
- Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - A N Traore-Hoffman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
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Cohen A, Pillarisetti A, Luo Q, Zhang Q, Li H, Zhong G, Zhu G, Colford JM, Smith KR, Ray I, Tao Y. Boiled or Bottled: Regional and Seasonal Exposures to Drinking Water Contamination and Household Air Pollution in Rural China. Environ Health Perspect 2020; 128:127002. [PMID: 33275452 PMCID: PMC7717838 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inadequate access to safe drinking water remains a global health problem, particularly in rural areas. Boiling is the most commonly used form of point-of-use household water treatment (HWT) globally, although the use of bottled water in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is increasing rapidly. OBJECTIVES We assessed the regional and seasonal prevalence of HWT practices (including bottled water use) in low-income rural areas in two Chinese provinces, evaluated the microbiological safety of drinking water and associated health outcomes, and estimated the air pollution burden associated with the use of solid fuels for boiling. METHODS We conducted cross-sectional surveys and collected drinking water samples from 1,033 rural households in Guangxi and Henan provinces. Temperature sensors affixed to pots and electric kettles were used to corroborate self-reported boiling frequencies and durations, which were used to model household air pollution (HAP) in terms of estimated particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μ m in aerodynamic diameter (PM 2.5 ) concentrations. RESULTS Based on summer data collection in both provinces, after controlling for covariates, boiling with electric kettles was associated with the largest log reduction in thermotolerant coliforms (TTCs) (- 0.66 log 10 TTC most probable number/ 100 mL ), followed by boiling with pots (- 0.58 ), and bottled water use (- 0.39 ); all were statistically significant (p < 0.001 ). Boiling with electric kettles was associated with a reduced risk of TTC contamination [risk ratio ( RR ) = 0.25 , p < 0.001 ] and reported diarrhea (RR = 0.80 , p = 0.672 ). TTCs were detected in 51% (n = 136 ) of bottled water samples. For households boiling with biomass, modeled PM 2.5 concentrations averaged 79 μ g / m 3 (standard deviation = 21 ). DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that where boiling is already common and electricity access is widespread, the promotion of electricity-based boiling may represent a pragmatic stop-gap means of expanding safe water access until centralized, or decentralized, treated drinking water is available; displacing biomass use for water boiling could also reduce HAP concentrations and exposures. Our results also highlight the risks of increasing bottled water use in rural areas, and its potential to displace other sources of safe drinking water, which could in turn hamper efforts in China and other LMICs toward universal and affordable safe water access. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7124.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alasdair Cohen
- Public Health Program, Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Ajay Pillarisetti
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Qing Luo
- National Center for Rural Water Supply Technical Guidance, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- National Center for Rural Water Supply Technical Guidance, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China
| | - Hongxing Li
- National Center for Rural Water Supply Technical Guidance, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China
| | - Gemei Zhong
- Guangxi CDC, Nanning, Guangxi Autonomous Region, China
| | - Gang Zhu
- Henan CDC, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - John M. Colford
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kirk R. Smith
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Isha Ray
- Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Berkeley Water Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Yong Tao
- National Center for Rural Water Supply Technical Guidance, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Beijing, China
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Quispe-Coica A, Pérez-Foguet A. Preprocessing alternatives for compositional data related to water, sanitation and hygiene. Sci Total Environ 2020; 743:140519. [PMID: 32663686 PMCID: PMC7316445 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.1 and 6.2 measure the progress of urban and rural populations in their access to different levels of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, based on multiple sources of information. Service levels add up to 100%; therefore, they are compositional data (CoDa). Despite evidence of zero value, missing data and outliers in the sources of information, the treatment of these irregularities with different statistical techniques has not yet been analyzed for CoDa in the WASH sector. Thus, the results may present biased estimates, and the decisions based on these results will not necessarily be appropriate. In this article, we therefore: i) evaluate methodological imputation alternatives that address the problem of having either zero values or missing values, or both simultaneously; and ii) propose the need to complement the point-to-point identification of the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) with other robust alternatives, to deal with outliers depending on the number of data points. These suggestions have been considered here using statistics for CoDa with isometric log-ratio (ilr) transformation. A selection of illustrative cases is presented to compare performance of different alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Quispe-Coica
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DECA), Engineering Sciences and Global Development (EScGD), Barcelona School of Civil Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Agustí Pérez-Foguet
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DECA), Engineering Sciences and Global Development (EScGD), Barcelona School of Civil Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain.
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15
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Smith CD, Jackson K, Peters H, Herrera Lima S. Lack of Safe Drinking Water for Lake Chapala Basin Communities in Mexico Inhibits Progress toward Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E8328. [PMID: 33187103 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to safe, affordable and accessible drinking water is a human right and foundational to the third and sixth World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Unsafe drinking water is a risk factor for chronic and enteric diseases. Both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diarrheal disease are highly prevalent in the Lake Chapala basin, Jalisco, Mexico, suggesting disparities in factors leading to successful achievement of these two SDGs. METHODS This study aimed to assess progress towards SDG three and six in the Lake Chapala basin. Qualitative, quantitative, and geospatial data were collected between May and August of 2019 from three towns within the municipalities of Poncitlán and Chapala. RESULTS Ninety-nine households participated in this study. Water sampling analyses determined 81.18% of samples from water jugs (garrafones) and 70.05% of samples from tap water were contaminated with total coliform bacteria, often including E. coli. Additionally, 32% of garrafón samples and 61.9% of tap water samples had detectable levels of arsenic. Approximately 97.94% of respondents stated that they believe clean water is a human right, but 78.57% feel the Mexican government does not do enough to make this a reality. CONCLUSIONS This mixed methods approach highlights water quality as a serious issue in communities around Lake Chapala, and demonstrates inadequate drinking water as a key hazard, potentially perpetuating the high disease burden of both CKD and enteric disease in the region.
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Cassivi A, Tilley E, Waygood EOD, Dorea C. Trends in access to water and sanitation in Malawi: progress and inequalities (1992-2017). J Water Health 2020; 18:785-797. [PMID: 33095201 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2020.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Billions of people globally gained access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation in the last decades, following effort towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Global progress remains a general indicator as it is unclear if access is equitable across groups of the population. Agenda 2030 calling for `leaving no one behind', there is a need to focus on the variations of access in different groups of the population, especially in the context of low- and middle-income countries including Malawi. We analyzed data from Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) to describe emerging trends on progress and inequalities in water supply and sanitation services over a 25-year period (1992-2017), as well as to identify the most vulnerable populations in Malawi. Data were disaggregated with geographic and socio-economic characteristics including regions, urban and rural areas, wealth and education level. Analysis of available data revealed progress in access to water and sanitation among all groups of the population. The largest progress was generally observed in the groups that were further behind at the baseline year, which likely reflects good targeting in interventions/improvements to reduce the gap in the population. Overall, results demonstrated that some segments of the population - foremost poorest Southern rural populations - still have limited access to water and are forced to practise open defecation. Finally, we suggest including standardized indicators that address safely managed drinking water and sanitation services in future surveys and studies to increase the accuracy of national estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Cassivi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) 304, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8 W 2Y2, Canada E-mail:
| | - Elizabeth Tilley
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Malawi and Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Caetano Dorea
- Department of Civil Engineering, Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) 304, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8 W 2Y2, Canada E-mail:
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17
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Cetrulo TB, Marques RC, Malheiros TF, Cetrulo NM. Monitoring inequality in water access: Challenges for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sci Total Environ 2020; 727:138746. [PMID: 32498195 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The diffusion of the indicators for monitoring sustainable development goals (SDG) has conceptual and symbolic uses far beyond their instrumental uses. Despite its value in dismantling social and economic inequalities, the goal regarding guaranteed of water and sanitation for all did not specify any indicators for this purpose. This research contributes to the discussions on the best way to monitor inequality in access to water by the SDG. Inequality measures established in other areas of study and specific to the access to water were analyzed as their applicability for this purpose. Our study finds that current United Nations strategy does not allow for robust conclusions and does not respect some economical axioms. Furthermore, we show the potentialities and inconveniences of the most important metrics, but it can be concluded that if the objective is merely to measure inequality and communicate easily, the concentration index is the most appropriate measure. These results may contribute to a more refined discussion of how the SDGs can measures progress towards equality in water access and provides information to guide governments agendas for equality in water access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago B Cetrulo
- Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Rui C Marques
- Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geo-resources at the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Tadeu F Malheiros
- Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Natália M Cetrulo
- School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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18
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Fisher MB, Danquah L, Seidu Z, Fechter AN, Saga B, Bartram JK, Liang KM, Ramaswamy R. WaSH CQI: Applying continuous quality improvement methods to water service delivery in four districts of rural northern Ghana. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233679. [PMID: 32667923 PMCID: PMC7363065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous, safely managed water is critical to health and development, but rural service delivery faces complex challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We report the first application of continuous quality improvement (CQI) methods to improve the microbial quality of household water for consumption (HWC) and the functionality of water sources in four rural districts of northern Ghana. We further report on the impacts of interventions developed through these methods. A local CQI team was formed and trained in CQI methods. Baseline data were collected and analyzed to identify determinants of service delivery problems and microbial safety. The CQI team randomized communities, developed an improvement package, iteratively piloted it in intervention communities, and used uptake survey data to refine the package. The final improvement package comprised safe water storage containers, refresher training for community WaSH committees and replacement of missing maintenance tools. This package significantly reduced contamination of HWC (p<0.01), and significant reduction in contamination persisted two years after implementation. Repair times in both intervention and control arms decreased relative to baseline (p<0.05), but differences between intervention and control arms were not significant at endline. Further work is needed to build on the gains in household water quality observed in this work, sustain and scale these improvements, and explore applications of CQI to other aspects of water supply and sanitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B. Fisher
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute at UNC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MBF); (RR)
| | - Leslie Danquah
- School of Geosciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Zakaria Seidu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | | | - Jamie K. Bartram
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute at UNC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Kaida M. Liang
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Water Institute at UNC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Rohit Ramaswamy
- Public Health Leadership Program, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MBF); (RR)
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Geerts R, Vandermoere F, Van Winckel T, Halet D, Joos P, Van Den Steen K, Van Meenen E, Blust R, Borregán-Ochando E, Vlaeminck SE. Bottle or tap? Toward an integrated approach to water type consumption. Water Res 2020; 173:115578. [PMID: 32058152 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
While in many countries, people have access to cheap and safe potable tap water, the global consumption of bottled water is rising. Flanders, Belgium, where this study is located, has an exceptionally high consumption of bottled water per capita. However, in the interest of resource efficiency and global environmental challenges, the consumption of tap water is preferable. To our knowledge, an integrated analysis of the main reasons why people consume tap and bottled water is absent in Flanders, Belgium. Using Flemish survey data (N = 2309), we first compared tap and bottled water consumers through bivariate correlation analysis. Subsequently, path modelling techniques were used to further investigate these correlations. Our results show that bottled water consumption in Flanders is widespread despite environmental and financial considerations. For a large part, this is caused by negative perceptions about tap water. Many consumers consider it unhealthy, unsafe and prefer the taste of bottled water. Furthermore, we found that the broader social context often inhibits the consumption of tap water. On the one hand, improper infrastructures (e.g. lead piping) can limit access to potable tap water. On the other hand, social norms exist that promote bottled water. Lastly, results suggest that the consumption of bottled water is most common among men, older people and less educated groups. We conclude that future research and policy measures will benefit from an approach that integrates all behavioural aspects associated with water type consumption. This will enable both governments and tap water companies to devise more effective policies to manage and support tap water supply networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbe Geerts
- Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Frédéric Vandermoere
- Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Tim Van Winckel
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Dirk Halet
- Flanders Knowledge Center Water (VLAKWA), Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 34, 8500, Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Pieter Joos
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, Antwerp, Belgium; Water-link, Mechelsesteenweg 111, 2840, Rumst, Belgium.
| | | | | | - Ronny Blust
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Middelheimlaan 1, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, Antwerp, Belgium.
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20
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Anthonj C, Tracy JW, Fleming L, Shields KF, Tikoisuva WM, Kelly E, Thakkar MB, Cronk R, Overmars M, Bartram J. Geographical inequalities in drinking water in the Solomon Islands. Sci Total Environ 2020; 712:135241. [PMID: 31843312 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 seeks to "by 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water", which is challenging particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Pacific Island Countries (PIC). We report drinking water sources and services in the Solomon Islands and examine geographical inequalities. Based on two quantitative baseline datasets of n = 1,598 rural and n = 1,068 urban households, we analyzed different drinking water variables (source type, collection time, amount, use, perceived quality, storage, treatment) and a composite index, drinking water service level. We stratified data by urban and rural areas and by province, mapped, and contextualized them. There are substantive rural-urban drinking water inequalities in the Solomon Islands. Overall, urban households are more likely to: use improved drinking water sources, need less time to collect water, collect more water, store their water more safely, treat water prior to consumption, perceive their water quality as better and have an at least basic drinking water service than rural households. There are also provincial and center-periphery inequalities in drinking water access, with more centrally located provinces using piped water supplies and more distant and remote provinces using rainwater and surface water as their primary source. There are also inter-national inequalities. Out of all PICs, the Solomon Islands have among the lowest access to basic drinking water services: 92% of urban and 55% of rural households. Of all SIDS, PICs are least serviced. This study shows that drinking water inequality is a critical issue, and highlights that all identified dimensions of inequality - rural-urban, provincial, center-periphery and inter-national - need to be explicitly recognized and addressed and included in pro-equity monitoring, policy and programming efforts by the Solomon Islands Government and stakeholders to reduce inequalities as per the Agenda 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Anthonj
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States.
| | - J Wren Tracy
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Lisa Fleming
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Katherine F Shields
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States; Department of Geography, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
| | - Waqairapoa M Tikoisuva
- UNICEF Pacific, Fiji Development Bank Building, 360 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji, United States
| | - Emma Kelly
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Mamita Bora Thakkar
- UNICEF Solomon Islands, ANZ Haus, Kukum Highway, Ranadi, Honiara P.O Box 1786 Solomon Islands
| | - Ryan Cronk
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Marc Overmars
- UNICEF Pacific, Fiji Development Bank Building, 360 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji, United States
| | - Jamie Bartram
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States; School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
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21
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Hasan MM, Alam K. Inequality in access to improved drinking water sources and childhood diarrhoea in low- and middle-income countries. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 226:113493. [PMID: 32155581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In addition to the conventional wisdom of categorizing countries based on nationally-averaged coverage in access to improved drinking water sources (IDWS), this study incorporated sub-national inequality into a novel categorisation framework. The association between access to IDWS and the incidence of childhood diarrhoea (ICD) was also quantified. Information from 1.63 million households obtained through nationally representative and cross-sectional demographic and health survey (DHS) and multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS) from 81 countries were analysed. Sub-national inequalities in the access to IDWS were measured using proportional variability (PV). Most studied countries with low coverage and high inequalities in accessing IDWS were from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Wealth status of households showed a higher variability in the IDWS than the variability across locations. Significant negative associations between accessing IDWS and ICD were observed for regional models, except for SSA. This study adds knowledge towards understanding the state of sustainable development goal achievements in terms of accessing IDWS. The knowledge may be helpful in designing country-specific, achievable, short- and long-term strategies. The non-decisive relation between access to IDWS and ICD indicates the adoption of additional measures in the modelling mechanism.
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Rodrigues Peres M, Ebdon J, Purnell S, Taylor H. Potential microbial transmission pathways in rural communities using multiple alternative water sources in semi-arid Brazil. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 224:113431. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.113431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Ma X, Li G, Chen R, Yu Y, Tao H, Zhang G, Shi B. Revealing the changes of bacterial community from water source to consumers tap: A full-scale investigation in eastern city of China. J Environ Sci (China) 2020; 87:331-340. [PMID: 31791506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2019.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study profiled the bacterial community variations of water from four water treatment systems, including coagulation, sedimentation, sand filtration, ozonation-biological activated carbon filtration (O3-BAC), disinfection, and the tap water after the distribution process in eastern China. The results showed that different water treatment processes affected the bacterial community structure in different ways. The traditional treatment processes, including coagulation, sedimentation and sand filtration, reduced the total bacterial count, while they had little effect on the bacterial community structure in the treated water (before disinfection). Compared to the traditional treatment process, O3-BAC reduced the relative abundance of Sphingomonas in the finished water. In addition, ozonation may play a role in reducing the relative abundance of Mycobacterium. NaClO and ClO2 had different effects on the bacterial community in the finished water. The relative abundance of some bacteria (e.g. Flavobacterium, Phreatobacter and Porphyrobacter) increased in the finished water after ClO2 disinfection. The relative abundance of Mycobacterium and Legionella, which have been widely reported as waterborne opportunistic pathogens, increased after NaClO disinfection. In addition, some microorganisms proliferated and grew in the distribution system, which could lead to turbidity increases in the tap water. Compared to those in the finished water, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas, Hyphomicrobium, Phreatobacter, Rheinheimera, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter increased in the tap water disinfected with NaClO, while the relative abundance of Mycobacterium increased in the tap water disinfected with ClO2. Overall, this study provided the detailed variation in the bacterial community in the drinking water system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Ma
- School of Environment & Natural Resource, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Guiwei Li
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ruya Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hui Tao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Guangming Zhang
- School of Environment & Natural Resource, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China.
| | - Baoyou Shi
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Mumma J, Simiyu S, Aseyo E, Anderson J, Czerniewska A, Allen E, Dreibelbis R, Baker KK, Cumming O. The Safe Start trial to assess the effect of an infant hygiene intervention on enteric infections and diarrhoea in low-income informal neighbourhoods of Kisumu, Kenya: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:1066. [PMID: 31856747 PMCID: PMC6923833 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4657-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptomatic and asymptomatic enteric infections in early childhood are associated with negative effects on childhood growth and development, especially in low and middle-income countries, and food may be an important transmission route. Although basic food hygiene practices might reduce exposure to faecal pathogens and resulting infections, there have been few rigorous interventions studies to assess this, and no studies in low income urban settings where risks are plausibly very high. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a novel infant food hygiene intervention on infant enteric infections and diarrhoea in peri-urban settlements of Kisumu, Kenya. METHODS This is a cluster randomized control trial with 50 clusters, representing the catchment areas of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), randomly assigned to intervention or control, and a total of 750 infants recruited on a rolling basis at 22 weeks of age and then followed for 15 weeks. The intervention targeted four key caregiver behaviours related to food hygiene: 1) hand washing with soap before infant food preparation and feeding; 2) bringing all infant food to the boil before feeding, including when reheating or reserving; 3) storing all infant food in sealed containers; and, 4) using only specific utensils for infant feeding which are kept separate and clean. RESULTS The primary outcome of interest is the prevalence of one or more of 23 pre-specified enteric infections, determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for enteric pathogen gene targets. In addition, infant food samples were collected at 33 weeks, and faecal indicator bacteria (Enterococcus) isolated and enumerated to assess the impact of the intervention on infant food contamination. CONCLUSION To our knowledge this is the first randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of an infant food hygiene intervention on enteric infections in a high burden, low income urban setting. Our trial responds to growing evidence that food may be a key pathway for early childhood enteric infection and disease and that basic food hygiene behaviours may be able to mitigate these risks. The Safe Start trial seeks to provide new evidence as to whether a locally appropriate infant food hygiene intervention delivered through the local health extension system can improve the health of young children. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered at clinicaltrial.gov on March 16th 2018 before enrolment of any participants (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03468114).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Mumma
- Center of Research, Great Lakes University Kisumu, P.O. Box 2224-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sheillah Simiyu
- Urbanisation and Well Being Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evalyne Aseyo
- Center of Research, Great Lakes University Kisumu, P.O. Box 2224-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - John Anderson
- Independent Research Consultant, TX78702, Austin, USA
| | - Alexandra Czerniewska
- Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Robert Dreibelbis
- Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Kelly K. Baker
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52333 USA
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
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Ezbakhe F, Giné-Garriga R, Pérez-Foguet A. Leaving no one behind: Evaluating access to water, sanitation and hygiene for vulnerable and marginalized groups. Sci Total Environ 2019; 683:537-546. [PMID: 31146059 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Achieving equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services requires paying special attention to the most disadvantaged segments of the population. Yet, despite all the progress made to evaluate the access of vulnerable and marginalized groups, important knowledge gaps still remain with respect to identifying their specific barriers and needs. At the global level, for example, the two monitoring mechanisms for SDG 6 - the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) and Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and drinking-water (GLAAS) - face difficulties in understanding how, and to what extent, vulnerable and marginalized groups access WASH services. In this context, this work examines the UNECE/WHO-Europe 'Equitable Access Score-card' for assessing the access to WASH services by vulnerable and marginalized groups. In particular, we: (i) analyse its strengths and limitations as a tool for revealing the needs of these groups in accessing WASH services; and (ii) propose an extended variant of the score-card that addresses these limitations. We test this version in two local-level case studies: Lima (Peru) and Castelló de la Plana (Spain). The score-card diagnosis is found to be particularly useful for collecting information on the level of access of the different vulnerable and marginalized groups, as well as the specific public policies and funding mechanisms in place that address and support their needs. However, the score-card should be complemented with specific assessments of all five normative dimensions of the human rights to water and sanitation (access, availability, quality, acceptability and affordability) in order to have a better understanding of the concerns for service delivery for the different vulnerable and marginalized groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Ezbakhe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DECA), Engineering Sciences and Global Development (Esc&GD), Barcelona School of Civil Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - R Giné-Garriga
- Stockholm International Water Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - A Pérez-Foguet
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DECA), Engineering Sciences and Global Development (Esc&GD), Barcelona School of Civil Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
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Fleming L, Anthonj C, Thakkar MB, Tikoisuva WM, Manga M, Howard G, Shields KF, Kelly E, Overmars M, Bartram J. Urban and rural sanitation in the Solomon Islands: How resilient are these to extreme weather events? Sci Total Environ 2019; 683:331-340. [PMID: 31132712 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Solomon Islands, like other small island developing states in the Pacific, face significant challenges from a changing climate, and from increasing extreme weather events, while also lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) services. In order to support planning for the implementation of national WaSH strategies and policies, this study contextualizes representative urban and rural baselines for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 ("by 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation"). We highlight specific threats to the current sanitation services under extreme weather events such as flooding and drought, both of which are commonly observed in the country, and provide suggestions for structural improvements to sanitation facilities to increase resiliency. As the first detailed nationally representative cross-sectional sanitation study in urban and rural areas in the Solomon Islands, the results of this paper inform national WaSH policy, strategic planning and programming by the Solomon Islands Government and stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Fleming
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Carmen Anthonj
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
| | | | | | - Musa Manga
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Guy Howard
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Katherine F Shields
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; Department of Geography, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Emma Kelly
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Marc Overmars
- UNICEF Pacific, Fiji Development Bank Building, Suva, Fiji
| | - Jamie Bartram
- The Water Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
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Cassivi A, Guilherme S, Bain R, Tilley E, Waygood EOD, Dorea C. Drinking water accessibility and quantity in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:1011-1020. [PMID: 31320308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing the quantity of water available for consumption and hygiene is recognized to be among the most efficient interventions to reduce the risk of water-related infectious diseases in low and middle-income countries. Such impacts are often associated with water supply accessibility (e.g. distance or collection time) and used to justify investment in improving access. OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between the water source location and the quantity of water available in households from low and middle-income countries by identifying the effects of interventions aiming to improve access, and to compare the indicators and measures used to collect information. METHODS We systematically searched seven databases (i.e. Cairn, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Women's Studies International) along with grey literature for articles reporting indicators and measures of accessibility and quantity. We found 6492 records, of which 20 studies were retained that met the review's inclusion criteria. RESULTS Most studies were conducted in rural settings and provided suggestive findings to describe an inverse relationship between accessibility and quantity. Overall, a wide range of indicators and measures were used to assess water accessibility and quantity in the selected studies along with their association. The lack of consistency raised concerns regarding comparability and reliability of these methods. CONCLUSIONS The review findings support the hypothesis that the quantity of water available in households is a function of the source location, but the inconsistency in study outcomes highlights the need to further investigate the strength and effects of the relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert Bain
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New York, United States
| | - Elizabeth Tilley
- University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, Malawi; Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Switzerland
| | - E Owen D Waygood
- Université Laval, Quebec, Canada; Polytechnique Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Omarova A, Tussupova K, Hjorth P, Kalishev M, Dosmagambetova R. Water Supply Challenges in Rural Areas: A Case Study from Central Kazakhstan. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E688. [PMID: 30813591 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16050688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Rural water supplies have traditionally been overshadowed by urban ones. That must now change, as the Sustainable Development Goals calls for water for all. The objective of the paper is to assess the current access to and the perceived water quality in villages with various types of water supply. The survey was carried out during July–December 2017 in four villages in central Kazakhstan. Overall, 1369 randomly selected households were interviewed. The results revealed that even though villagers were provided with tap water, significant numbers used alternative sources. There were three reasons for this situation: residents’ doubts regarding the tap water quality; use of other sources out of habit; and availability of cheaper or free sources. Another problem concerned the volume of water consumption, which dropped sharply with decreased quality or inconvenience of sources used by households. Moreover, people gave a poor estimate to the quality and reliability of water from wells, open sources and tankered water. The paper suggests that as well decentralization of water management as monitoring of both water supply and water use are essential measures. There must be a tailor-made approach to each village for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of providing rural Kazakhstan with safe water.
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Li H, Cohen A, Li Z, Zhang M. The Impacts of Socioeconomic Development on Rural Drinking Water Safety in China: A Provincial-Level Comparative Analysis. Sustainability 2019; 11:85. [DOI: 10.3390/su11010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In China, achieving rural drinking water safety—meaning access to a safe, affordable, sufficient, and sustainable drinking water supply—remains a key challenge for government agencies and researchers. Using cross-sectional data at the provincial level, in this paper we examine the impacts of socioeconomic development on drinking water safety in rural China. Using a theoretical framework called Pressure-State-Response (PSR), existing data were organized into state and pressure indicators. Canonical Correlation Analysis was then used to analyze provincial-level relationships between the indicators. Significant drinking-water-safety-related differences were found across provinces. Our analyses suggest that, overall, China’s recent and rapid socioeconomic development yielded substantial benefits for China’s rural drinking water safety. However, this same development also negatively impacted rural drinking water safety via increased groundwater over-abstraction, reductions in water supply, and environmental contamination. The paper closes with a discussion of implications and options for improving drinking water policy, management, and regulation in rural China.
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30
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Setoodehzadeh F, Rashidian A, Emamgholipour Sefiddashti S. Health Infrastructure Development in Rural and Urban Areas of Iran Between 1976 and 2011. Health Scope 2018; 7. [DOI: 10.5812/jhealthscope.13956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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He Y, Huang G, An C, Huang J, Zhang P, Chen X, Xin X. Reduction of Escherichia Coli using ceramic disk filter decorated by nano-TiO 2: A low-cost solution for household water purification. Sci Total Environ 2018; 616-617:1628-1637. [PMID: 29066198 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Lack of access to safe water is a challenge in many developing countries, especially in rural areas. It is urgent to develop cost-effective water purification technologies to guarantee drinking water safety in these areas. The present study investigated the reduction of Escherichia coli (E. coli) using ceramic disk filters (CDFs) decorated by nano-TiO2. The production of CDFs coated with nano-TiO2 in terms of rice-husk ratio, rice-husk particle size, heating hold time and nano-TiO2 mass fraction was optimized. The results show that the optimum conditions for CDFs with nano-TiO2 coating included rice-husk ratio of 29.03%, rice-husk particle size of 0.28mm, heating hold time of 1.41h and nano-TiO2 mass fraction of 2.21%. Additionally, the morphological and crystal phase characteristics of CDFs were revealed after the decoration by nano-TiO2. The effects of temperature, influent E. coli concentration, lamp power and their interactions were explored via factorial analysis. Influent E. coli concentration and lamp power had significant effects on E. coli removal efficiency. This study provided the solid theoretical support for understanding the production and bacteria inactivation relevant to CDFs impregnated with nano-TiO2. The results have important implications for finding a safe and cost-effective approach to solve drinking water problems in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan He
- Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability Research, UR-NCEPU, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guohe Huang
- Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability Research, UR-NCEPU, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Chunjiang An
- Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, Regina S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Jing Huang
- Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability Research, UR-NCEPU, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, Regina S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Xiujuan Chen
- Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, Regina S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Xiaying Xin
- Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, Regina S4S 0A2, Canada
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Cumming O, Cairncross S. Can water, sanitation and hygiene help eliminate stunting? Current evidence and policy implications. Matern Child Nutr 2017; 12 Suppl 1:91-105. [PMID: 27187910 PMCID: PMC5084825 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Stunting is a complex and enduring challenge with far‐reaching consequences for those affected and society as a whole. To accelerate progress in eliminating stunting, broader efforts are needed that reach beyond the nutrition sector to tackle the underlying determinants of undernutrition. There is growing interest in how water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions might support strategies to reduce stunting in high‐burden settings, such as South Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa. This review article considers two broad questions: (1) can WASH interventions make a significant contribution to reducing the global prevalence of childhood stunting, and (2) how can WASH interventions be delivered to optimize their effect on stunting and accelerate progress? The evidence reviewed suggests that poor WASH conditions have a significant detrimental effect on child growth and development resulting from sustained exposure to enteric pathogens but also due to wider social and economic mechanisms. Realizing the potential of WASH to reduce stunting requires a redoubling of efforts to achieve universal access to these services as envisaged under the Sustainable Development Goals. It may also require new or modified WASH strategies that go beyond the scope of traditional interventions to specifically address exposure pathways in the first 2 years of life when the process of stunting is concentrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Cumming
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sandy Cairncross
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Cohen A, Zhang Q, Luo Q, Tao Y, Colford JM, Ray I. Predictors of Drinking Water Boiling and Bottled Water Consumption in Rural China: A Hierarchical Modeling Approach. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:6945-6956. [PMID: 28528546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Approximately two billion people drink unsafe water. Boiling is the most commonly used household water treatment (HWT) method globally and in China. HWT can make water safer, but sustained adoption is rare and bottled water consumption is growing. To successfully promote HWT, an understanding of associated socioeconomic factors is critical. We collected survey data and water samples from 450 rural households in Guangxi Province, China. Covariates were grouped into blocks to hierarchically construct modified Poisson models and estimate risk ratios (RR) associated with boiling methods, bottled water, and untreated water. Female-headed households were most likely to boil (RR = 1.36, p < 0.01), and among boilers those using electric kettles rather than pots had higher income proxies (e.g., per capita TV ownership RR = 1.42, p < 0.01). Higher-income households with younger, literate, and male heads were more likely to purchase (frequently contaminated) bottled water, or use electric kettles if they boiled. Our findings show that boiling is not an undifferentiated practice, but one with different methods of varying effectiveness, environmental impact, and adoption across socioeconomic strata. Our results can inform programs to promote safer and more efficient boiling using electric kettles, and suggest that if rural China's economy continues to grow then bottled water use will increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alasdair Cohen
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California at Berkeley , Berkeley, California United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley , Berkeley, California United States of America
| | - Qi Zhang
- National Center for Rural Water Supply Technical Guidance, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing, China
| | - Qing Luo
- National Center for Rural Water Supply Technical Guidance, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing, China
| | - Yong Tao
- National Center for Rural Water Supply Technical Guidance, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing, China
| | - John M Colford
- School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley , Berkeley, California United States of America
| | - Isha Ray
- Energy and Resources Group, University of California at Berkeley , Berkeley, California United States of America
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Kamara JK, Galukande M, Maeda F, Luboga S, Renzaho AMN. Understanding the Challenges of Improving Sanitation and Hygiene Outcomes in a Community Based Intervention: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Tanzania. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:E602. [PMID: 28587248 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14060602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Good sanitation and clean water are basic human rights yet they remain elusive to many rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We carried out a cross sectional study to examine the impact of a four-year intervention aimed at improving access to water and sanitation and reducing waterborne disease, especially diarrhea in children under five years old. The study was carried out in April and May 2015 in Busangi, Chela and Ntobo wards of Kahama District of Tanzania. The interventions included education campaigns and improved water supply, and sanitation. The percentage of households (HHs) with access to water within 30 min increased from 19.2 to 48.9 and 17.6 to 27.3 in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The percentage of HHs with hand washing facilities at the latrine increased from 0% to 13.2%. However, the incidence of diarrhea among children under five years increased over the intervention period, RR 2.91 95% CI 2.71–3.11, p < 0.0001. Availability of water alone may not influence the incidence of waterborne diseases. Factors such as water storage and usage, safe excreta disposal and other hygiene practices are critical for interventions negating the spread of water borne diseases. A model that articulates the extent to which these factors are helpful for such interventions should be explored.
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Martínez-santos P, Cerván J, Cano B, Díaz-alcaide S. Water versus Wireless Coverage in Rural Mali: Links and Paradoxes. Water 2017; 9:375. [DOI: 10.3390/w9060375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Water and wireless coverage were evaluated in a rural commune of southern Mali. All improved water sources in the area were checked for operability, accessibility, and water quality, while wireless coverage was tested by means of smartphones, phone calls, and instant messaging applications. Theoretical water coverage exceeded 82% of the total village surface area, thus beating the national and sub-Saharan African averages, but dropped to just 39% when considering only serviceable and contamination-free sources. In contrast, wireless coverage exceeded 90%. These outcomes highlight a triple paradox: (1) water from theoretically safe (i.e., improved) water sources is often unsafe to drink; (2) wireless access is better than water access even though water is essential for human survival and telecommunications are not; and (3) excellent Internet coverage does not help a large number of people, who lack the skills, devices, or need to access it. While telecommunications seem to be making inroads towards universal access faster than the water sector, a survey of water committees uncovered a hidden nexus between both resources, revealing that increased wireless access is actually contributing to underpin water coverage in a variety of ways.
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Vadiati M, Asghari-Moghaddam A, Nakhaei M, Adamowski J, Akbarzadeh AH. A fuzzy-logic based decision-making approach for identification of groundwater quality based on groundwater quality indices. J Environ Manage 2016; 184:255-270. [PMID: 27720605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Due to inherent uncertainties in measurement and analysis, groundwater quality assessment is a difficult task. Artificial intelligence techniques, specifically fuzzy inference systems, have proven useful in evaluating groundwater quality in uncertain and complex hydrogeological systems. In the present study, a Mamdani fuzzy-logic-based decision-making approach was developed to assess groundwater quality based on relevant indices. In an effort to develop a set of new hybrid fuzzy indices for groundwater quality assessment, a Mamdani fuzzy inference model was developed with widely-accepted groundwater quality indices: the Groundwater Quality Index (GQI), the Water Quality Index (WQI), and the Ground Water Quality Index (GWQI). In an effort to present generalized hybrid fuzzy indices a significant effort was made to employ well-known groundwater quality index acceptability ranges as fuzzy model output ranges rather than employing expert knowledge in the fuzzification of output parameters. The proposed approach was evaluated for its ability to assess the drinking water quality of 49 samples collected seasonally from groundwater resources in Iran's Sarab Plain during 2013-2014. Input membership functions were defined as "desirable", "acceptable" and "unacceptable" based on expert knowledge and the standard and permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. Output data were categorized into multiple categories based on the GQI (5 categories), WQI (5 categories), and GWQI (3 categories). Given the potential of fuzzy models to minimize uncertainties, hybrid fuzzy-based indices produce significantly more accurate assessments of groundwater quality than traditional indices. The developed models' accuracy was assessed and a comparison of the performance indices demonstrated the Fuzzy Groundwater Quality Index model to be more accurate than both the Fuzzy Water Quality Index and Fuzzy Ground Water Quality Index models. This suggests that the new hybrid fuzzy indices developed in this research are reliable and flexible when used in groundwater quality assessment for drinking purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vadiati
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | | | - M Nakhaei
- Department of Applied Geology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - J Adamowski
- Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - A H Akbarzadeh
- Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada.
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Kirby MA, Nagel CL, Rosa G, Iyakaremye L, Zambrano LD, Clasen TF. Faecal contamination of household drinking water in Rwanda: A national cross-sectional study. Sci Total Environ 2016; 571:426-34. [PMID: 27470017 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Unsafe drinking water is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among young children in low-income settings. We conducted a national survey in Rwanda to determine the level of faecal contamination of household drinking water and risk factors associated therewith. Drinking water samples were collected from a nationally representative sample of 870 households and assessed for thermotolerant coliforms (TTC), a World Health Organization (WHO)-approved indicator of faecal contamination. Potential household and community-level determinants of household drinking water quality derived from household surveys, the 2012 Rwanda Population and Housing Census, and a precipitation dataset were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Widespread faecal contamination was present, and only 24.9% (95% CI 20.9-29.4%, n=217) of household samples met WHO Guidelines of having no detectable TTC contamination, while 42.5% (95% CI 38.0-47.1%, n=361) of samples had >100TTC/100mL and considered high risk. Sub-national differences were observed, with poorer water quality in rural areas and Eastern province. In multivariate analyses, there was evidence for an association between detectable contamination and increased open waste disposal in a sector, lower elevation, and water sources other than piped to household or rainwater/bottled. Risk factors for intermediate/high risk contamination (>10TTC/100mL) included low population density, increased open waste disposal, lower elevation, water sources other than piped to household or rainwater/bottled, and occurrence of an extreme rain event the previous day. Modelling suggests non-household-based risk factors are determinants of water quality in this setting, and these results suggest a substantial proportion of Rwanda's population are exposed to faecal contamination through drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles A Kirby
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Corey L Nagel
- Oregon Health and Science University, School of Nursing Portland Campus, 3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, SN-6S, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | - Ghislaine Rosa
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Laurien Iyakaremye
- DelAgua Health Rwanda Implementation, Ltd., 3rd Fl KG 19 Avenue, Kibagabaga Rd, Kigali, Rwanda.
| | - Laura Divens Zambrano
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Thomas F Clasen
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom; Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Boakye-Ansah AS, Ferrero G, Rusca M, van der Zaag P. Inequalities in microbial contamination of drinking water supplies in urban areas: the case of Lilongwe, Malawi. J Water Health 2016; 14:851-863. [PMID: 27740550 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2016.258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Over past decades strategies for improving access to drinking water in cities of the Global South have mainly focused on increasing coverage, while water quality has often been overlooked. This paper focuses on drinking water quality in the centralized water supply network of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. It shows how microbial contamination of drinking water is unequally distributed to consumers in low-income (unplanned areas) and higher-income neighbourhoods (planned areas). Microbial contamination and residual disinfectant concentration were measured in 170 water samples collected from in-house taps in high-income areas and from kiosks and water storage facilities in low-income areas between November 2014 and January 2015. Faecal contamination (Escherichia coli) was detected in 10% of the 40 samples collected from planned areas, in 59% of the 64 samples collected from kiosks in the unplanned areas and in 75% of the 32 samples of water stored at household level. Differences in water quality in planned and unplanned areas were found to be statistically significant at p < 0.05. Finally, the paper shows how the inequalities in microbial contamination of drinking water are produced by decisions both on the development of the water supply infrastructure and on how this is operated and maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuliana Ferrero
- UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands E-mail:
| | - Maria Rusca
- Department of Geography, King's College London, Strand WC2R2LS, London, UK
| | - Pieter van der Zaag
- UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands E-mail:
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Irianti S, Prasetyoputra P, Sasimartoyo TP. Determinants of household drinking-water source in Indonesia: An analysis of the 2007 Indonesian family life survey. Cogent Medicine 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/2331205x.2016.1151143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sri Irianti
- National Institute of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Jl. Percetakan Negara No. 29, Jakarta Pusat 10560, Indonesia
| | - Puguh Prasetyoputra
- Research Center for Population, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (P2K-LIPI), Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto No. 10, Jakarta Selatan 12710, Indonesia
| | - Tri Prasetyo Sasimartoyo
- Independent Researcher, Villa Bogor Indah III, Blok BC1 No. 1, Kedung Halang, Bogor 16158, Indonesia
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Li W, Wang F, Zhang J, Qiao Y, Xu C, Liu Y, Qian L, Li W, Dong B. Community shift of biofilms developed in a full-scale drinking water distribution system switching from different water sources. Sci Total Environ 2016; 544:499-506. [PMID: 26674678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial community of biofilms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) with various water sources has been rarely reported. In this research, biofilms were sampled at three points (A, B, and C) during the river water source phase (phase I), the interim period (phase II) and the reservoir water source phase (phase III), and the biofilm community was determined using the 454-pyrosequencing method. Results showed that microbial diversity declined in phase II but increased in phase III. The primary phylum was Proteobacteria during three phases, while the dominant class at points A and B was Betaproteobacteria (>49%) during all phases, but that changed to Holophagae in phase II (62.7%) and Actinobacteria in phase III (35.6%) for point C, which was closely related to its water quality. More remarkable community shift was found at the genus level. In addition, analysis results showed that water quality could significantly affect microbial diversity together, while the nutrient composition (e.g. C/N ration) of the water environment might determine the microbial community. Furthermore, Mycobacterium spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were detected in the biofilm, which should give rise to attention. This study revealed that water source switching produced substantial impact on the biofilm community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiying Li
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Feng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Junpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yu Qiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chen Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yao Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lin Qian
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wenming Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bingzhi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Fuller JA, Goldstick J, Bartram J, Eisenberg JNS. Tracking progress towards global drinking water and sanitation targets: A within and among country analysis. Sci Total Environ 2016; 541:857-864. [PMID: 26433336 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Global access to safe drinking water and sanitation has improved dramatically during the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) period. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in progress between countries and inequality within countries. METHODS We assessed countries' temporal patterns in access to drinking water and sanitation using publicly available data. We then classified countries using non-linear modeling techniques as having one of the following trajectories: 100% coverage, linear growth, linear decline, no change, saturation, acceleration, deceleration, negative acceleration, or negative deceleration. We further assessed the degree to which temporal profiles follow a sigmoidal pattern and how these patterns might vary within a given country between rural and urban settings. RESULTS Among countries with more than 10 data points, between 15% and 38% showed a non-linear trajectory, depending on the indicator. Overall, countries' progress followed a sigmoidal trend, but some countries are making better progress and some worse progress than would be expected. We highlight several countries that are not on track to meet the MDG for water or sanitation, but whose access is accelerating, suggesting better performance during the coming years. Conversely, we also highlight several countries that have made sufficient progress to meet the MDG target, but in which access is decelerating. DISCUSSION Patterns were heterogeneous and non-linearity was common. Characterization of these heterogeneous patterns will help policy makers allocate resources more effectively. For example, policy makers can identify countries that could make use of additional resources or might be in need of additional institutional capacity development to properly manage resources; this will be essential to meet the forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Fuller
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
| | - Jason Goldstick
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jamie Bartram
- The Water Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Joseph N S Eisenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Abstract
Various nanomaterials for fluoride and nitrate removal from contaminated water.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. P. Suriyaraj
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory
- PSG Institute of Advanced Studies
- Coimbatore 641004
- India
| | - R. Selvakumar
- Nanobiotechnology Laboratory
- PSG Institute of Advanced Studies
- Coimbatore 641004
- India
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