Integrated HIV testing, malaria, and diarrhea prevention campaign in Kenya

April 6, 2012 · 0 comments

PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e31316 Feb 8.

Integrated HIV testing, malaria, and diarrhea prevention campaign in Kenya: modeled health impact and cost-effectiveness.

Kahn JG, Muraguri N, Harris B, Lugada E, Clasen T, Grabowsky M, Mermin J, Shariff S.

Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America. jgkahn@ucsf.edu

BACKGROUND: Efficiently delivered interventions to reduce HIV, malaria, and diarrhea are essential to accelerating global health efforts. A 2008 community integrated prevention campaign in Western Province, Kenya, reached 47,000 individuals over 7 days, providing HIV testing and counseling, water filters, insecticide-treated bed nets, condoms, and for HIV-infected individuals cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and referral for ongoing care. We modeled the potential cost-effectiveness of a scaled-up integrated prevention campaign.

METHODS: We estimated averted deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) based on published data on baseline mortality and morbidity and on the protective effect of interventions, including antiretroviral therapy. We incorporate a previously estimated scaled-up campaign cost. We used published costs of medical care to estimate savings from averted illness (for all three diseases) and the added costs of initiating treatment earlier in the course of HIV disease.

RESULTS: Per 1000 participants, projected reductions in cases of diarrhea, malaria, and HIV infection avert an estimated 16.3 deaths, 359 DALYs and $85,113 in medical care costs. Earlier care for HIV-infected persons adds an estimated 82 DALYs averted (to a total of 442), at a cost of $37,097 (reducing total averted costs to $48,015). Accounting for the estimated campaign cost of $32,000, the campaign saves an estimated $16,015 per 1000 participants. In multivariate sensitivity analyses, 83% of simulations result in net savings, and 93% in a cost per DALY averted of less than $20.

DISCUSSION: A mass, rapidly implemented campaign for HIV testing, safe water, and malaria control appears economically attractive.

UN Water Prize for SODIS

April 3, 2012 · 0 comments

UN Water Prize for SODIS

The United Nations “Water for Life Award” goes this year to the Fundación SODIS in Bolivia. The non-profit organisation, founded in 2001 by staff from Eawag and DEZA, disseminates simple and appropriate solutions with regard to water and waste water in Latin America. Over the past 11 years, Fundación SODIS has educated more than 1.2 million people in the method of solar water disinfection (SODIS), and has meantime expanded its work to other topics such as hygiene and sanitation solutions. The prize will be awarded today, 22 March, on the World Water Day, at a ceremony at the FAO in Rome. 

The prize is being awarded to Fundación SODIS for the project “Cambio de hábitos a través del empoderamiento de grupos de mujeres“ (Changing behaviour through the empowerment of women’s groups). This innovative project was undertaken in four communities in the Cochabamba Department in Bolivia, and reached over 13,000 people. The Fundación SODIS educated the women’s groups on a number of topics, such as hygiene and water purification, empowering them to such an extent that they became the real drivers behind local development processes. The results demonstrated that profound improvements to the health situation and behavioural patterns can be achieved through such participative processes. By the end of the project, the number of people treating their water (using the SODIS method, chlorine or boiling) and washing their hands rose from 36% to 89%. The financial backing for the project came from UNICEF Bolivia and from the SOLAQUA Foundation, a private foundation in Switzerland that specifically supports SODIS projects in developing countries.

Contact information

Matthias Saladin, President of Fundación SODIS
Email: msaladin@fundacionsodis.org

Source

 

Risk factors associated with typhoid fever in children aged 2-16 years in Karachi, Pakistan

April 3, 2012 · 0 comments

Epidemiol Infect. 2012 Apr;140(4):665-72

Risk factors associated with typhoid fever in children aged 2-16 years in Karachi, Pakistan.
Khan MI, Ochiai RL, Soofi SB, VON-Seidlein L, Khan MJ, Sahito SM, Habib MA, Puri MK, Park JK, You YA, Ali M, Nizami SQ, Acosta CJ, Bradley-Sack R, Clemens JD, Bhutta ZA.

International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea.

We analysed the data from the control group in a typhoid vaccine trial in Karachi to assess the differences in individual-, household- and cluster-level characteristics for developing typhoid fever. The annual incidence of typhoid in children aged 2-16 years in the control arm of the vaccine trial was 151/100 000 population.

After adjustment, the risk of typhoid was lower with increasing age [risk ratio (RR) 0·89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·83-0·95], was higher with an increase in population density (RR 1·13, 95% CI 1·05-1·21) and was lower in the households using a safe drinking-water source (RR 0·63, 95% CI 0·41-0·99).

Typhoid fever affects younger children living in areas of high population density and lack of access to safe water in Pakistan. A combination of environmental and biological interventions is required to prevent the continued epidemiological and economic impact of typhoid fever in high-risk areas of Pakistan.

Systematic review of behavior change research on point-of-use water treatment interventions

March 27, 2012 · 0 comments

Social Science & Medicine, Available online 21 March 2012

Systematic review of behavior change research on point-of-use water treatment interventions in countries categorized as low- to medium-development on the human development index

Amy Parker Fiebelkorn, M.S.N.,M.P.H.a, , , Bobbie Person, M.P.H.,Ph.D.b, Robert E. Quick, M.D.,M.P.H.c, Stephen M. Vindigni, M.D.,M.P.H.d, e, Michael Jhung, M.D.,M.P.H.f, Anna Bowen, M.D.,M.P.H.c, Patricia L. Riley, C.N.M., M.PH., FACNMg, h
a Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
b Office of the Director, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
c Division of Foodborne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vectorborne and Enteric Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
d Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
e Office of the Director, National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
f Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
g Division of Global HIV/AIDS, Center for Global Health, CDC, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
h Lillian Carter Center for International Nursing, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A

Point-of-use watertreatment (i.e., water purification at the point of consumption) has proven effective in preventing diarrhea in developing countries. However, widespread adoption has not occurred, suggesting that implementation strategies have not motivated sustained behavior change. We conducted a systematic literature review of published behavioral research on factors influencing adoption of point-of-use watertreatment in countries categorized as low- to medium-development on the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index.

We used 22 key words to search peer-reviewed literature from 1950-2010 from OVID Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Twenty-six (1.7%) of 1551 papers met our four inclusion criteria: 1) implemented a point-of-use watertreatment intervention, 2) applied a behavioral intervention, 3) evaluated behavior change as the outcome, and 4) occurred in a low- or medium-development country. We reviewed these 26 publications for detailed descriptions of the watertreatment intervention, theoretical rationales for the behavioral intervention, and descriptions of the evaluation.

In 5 (19%) papers, details of the behavioral intervention were fully specified. Seven (27%) papers reported using a behavioral theory in the design of the intervention and evaluation of its impact. Ten (38%) studies used a comparison or control group; 5 provided detailed descriptions.Seven papers (27%) reported high sustained use of point-of-use watertreatment with rates >50% at the last recorded follow-up.

Despite documented health benefits of point-of-use watertreatment interventions in reducing diarrheal diseases, we found limited peer-reviewed behavioral research on the topic. In addition, we found the existing literature often lacked detailed descriptions of the intervention for replication, seldom described the theoretical and empirical rationale for the implementation and evaluation of the intervention, and often had limitations in the evaluation methodology. The scarcity of papers on behavior change with respect to point-of-use water treatment technologies suggests that this field is underdeveloped.

Eliminating turbidity in drinking water using the mucilage of a common cactus

March 21, 2012 · 0 comments

Water Science & Technology: Water Supply Vol 12 No 2 2012

Eliminating turbidity in drinking water using the mucilage of a common cactus

Thomas Pichler, Kevin Young and Norma Alcantar.
Geochemistry and Hydrogeology, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
E-mail: alcantar@eng.usf.edu

Diced Nopal cladodes (pads) have been used for the treatment of turbid natural spring waters in Latin America. To investigate this phenomenon, the mucilage derived from the species Opuntia ficus-indica was investigated. Comparison against the commonly used synthetic flocculant, aluminium sulfate (Al2(SO4)3) demonstrated the high efficiency of the cactus to eliminate turbidity.

The mucilage extract increased particulate settling rates 330% compared with aluminium sulfate, at dosage concentrations of 3 mg L−1, while its performance was equivalent at doses 0.3% of the required Al2(SO4)3 concentration. The cactus mucilage, which consists of complex carbohydrates and sugars, has unique surface activity characteristics that make it an ideal candidate for enhancing dispersion properties, creating emulsifications, and for reducing the surface tension of high polarity liquids.

These results indicated that the Nopal cactus mucilage has the potential to be the basis for a new ‘green’ technology, which is environmentally benign and cost-effective.

Pacific Institute – Criteria Report for Household Water Treatment Solutions

March 21, 2012 · 0 comments

Criteria Report for Household Water Treatment Solutions: Community Choices Tool for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, 2012.

Pacific Institute

Criteria Used for Ranking Household Water Treatment Solutions. Below you can view information that clarifies how your individual answers to the questions impacted the Community Choices Tool’s recommendations for technologies and approaches that are appropriate for your situation and needs.

NOTE: This demonstration prototype of the Community Choices Tool contains rankings for the few solutions we have in the database. We envision that once fully developed, the Community Choices Tool will be able to evaluate and rank hundreds of technologies and approachesfor the entire WASH sector, and from those it will be able to create fully customized solutions for each user (rather than the static solutions it has now).

 

Study of Moringa oleifera (Drumstick) seed as natural Absorbent and Antimicrobial agent for River water treatment

March 20, 2012 · 0 comments

Study of Moringa oleifera (Drumstick) seed as natural Absorbent and Antimicrobial agent for River water treatment, 2012.

Mangale S. M., Chonde S. G., Jadhav A. S., and Raut P. D. Department of Environmental Science, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India

The present study was carried out to confirm the effectiveness of seed powder extracted from mature-dried Moringa oleifera seeds which are commonly available in most rural communities. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and efficiency of a natural absorbent from Moringa oleifera seeds in treating river water.

During this study, surface water samples were collected for treatment by Moringa seeds in powdered form, resulting in an effective natural clarification agent for highly turbid and untreated pathogenic water. Various doses of Moringa seed powder viz. 50, 100 and 150 mg/l were taken and checked for the efficiency dose on raw water. After treatment of seed powder with water samples were analyzed for different parameter like pH, Turbidity, TDS, TS, Hardness, Chlorides, Alkalinity, Acidity, MPN and SPC.

All parameters were reduced with increasing dose of 50, 100 and 150 mg/l seed powder respectively (except alkalinity and pH). Application of this low cost Moringa oleifera seeds is recommended for eco-friendly, nontoxic, simplified water treatment where rural and peri-urban people living in extreme poverty.

A reactor for rapid water disinfection in rural areas and post disaster situations

March 20, 2012 · 1 comment

A reactor for rapid water disinfection in rural areas and post disaster situations, 2012.

S. Ali Shah

Solar Disinfection (SODIS) is the method usually applied internationally to purifying water in rural areas when pipe borne water is not available. Using Poly Ethylene Terephtalate (PET) bottles the process takes 4 hours under the environmental conditions of Trinidad and Tobago.

We have built and tested a portable reactor for decontamination on a larger scale than that possible with bottles. The active surface of this reactor is a coating of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on frosted glass or on a flexible plastic surface coated with glass ballotini of average diameter 0.5 mm. The plastic surface is more suitable for use in rural areas and post disasters situations. In each case Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (35nm) were deposited by a sedimentation process. E. coli contaminated water placed in the reservoir of the reactor was pumped over the active surface at a rate of 48 L/hr while it was exposed to sunlight.

E. coli degradation was rapid for the both surfaces, total elimination taking place within 10 to 30 minutes depending on the solar conditions.  The photocatalytic effect of titanium dioxide in the presence of ultraviolet light is the main contributor to the observed decrease in bacterial concentration. Titanium dioxide absorbs ultraviolet light from short wavelengths up to 385nm and is known to be effective in solar detoxification.

Enhanced disinfection efficiencies of solar irradiation by biogenic silver

March 20, 2012 · 0 comments

ANNALS OF MICROBIOLOGY Volume 62, Number 1, 2012

Enhanced disinfection efficiencies of solar irradiation by biogenic silver

Liesje Sintubin, Assayie Aymere Awoke, Yingying Wang, David Van der Ha and Willy Verstraete

Solar disinfection (SODIS) is a very inexpensive and easy-to-run water-treatment process that is widely used in third world countries to decrease the number of waterborne diseases and mortality. However, it does have a number of disadvantages, including the long time needed for complete disinfection, especially during cloudy days, and the possible regrowth of germs during subsequent storage of the water.

We tested whether the addition of low concentrations of biogenic silver, which is nanosilver produced on a bacterial scaffold of Lactobacillus fermentum, to the treatment process would improve the disinfection process in general and, more specifically, retard the growth of germs during water storage. Biogenic silver was found to accelerate the inactivation of Escherichia coli by SODIS by approximately twofold.

This effect was more pronounced during the first 3 h of the disinfection process and was better than when TiO2 was added. Biogenic silver which was immobilized on zeolite or polysulphone (PSF) to create a reusable formulation enhanced SODIS during the first 3 h, with the Ag–PSF formulation giving the best results. Ag–PSF released silver more slowly to the surrounding water, making it a more suitable formulation for drinking water disinfection, and it prevented germ regrowth during storage of the treated water.

Monitoring  “Affordability”  of  water  and  sanitation  services  after  2015

March 16, 2012 · 0 comments

Monitoring “Affordability” of water and sanitation services after 2015: Review of global indicator options, March 2012.

Guy Hutton, PhD

A paper submitted to the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights

The  paper  aim   is  to  review  the  concepts   and  evidence   on   the  affordability  of water  and sanitation  services,  from  a human  rights  perspective,  and  make recommendations  on  appropriate global  indicator(s)  for monitoring affordability.

Indicator  options  are  evaluated  for  four  key  criteria:  validity; relevance  and  likely  uptake;  data  requirements  and  availability; and resource needs for global monitoring. The paper draws on published literature on the affordability of water and sanitation services, human rights indicators, and water and sanitation indicators.

It reviews potential data sources for the proposed affordability indicators, including national surveys that could support global monitoring.

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