scholarly journals Redesigning the ventilated improved pit latrine for use in built-up low-income settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 374-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Obeng ◽  
Sampson Oduro-Kwarteng ◽  
Bernard Keraita ◽  
Henrik Bregnhøj ◽  
Robert C. Abaidoo ◽  
...  

Abstract The ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine has the potential to address the challenge of access to improved sanitation in built-up low-income settings. However, its conventional technical design fails to address the needs and preferences of some users. The objective of this paper was to test the technical performance of modified engineering designs of the technology to respond to some preferences of toilet users. The entry of air from multiple windows in the superstructure and installation of insect screens in windows were tested in an experimental VIP latrine. The modified design achieved the recommended ventilation rate of 20 m3/h when a vent pipe diameter of 150 mm was used. The study concludes that adopting a multidirectional airflow design leads to a lower ventilation rate as compared to the conventional design. However, when fitted with the recommended size of vent pipe, this modified design achieves more than twice the recommended ventilation rate with or without an insect screen installed in the windows. Nevertheless, the practice in which 100 mm diameter vent pipes are used with insect screens installed in windows is likely to lead to odour problems due to inadequate ventilation through the vent pipe.

Author(s):  
Rachel Peletz ◽  
Caroline Delaire ◽  
Joan Kones ◽  
Clara MacLeod ◽  
Edinah Samuel ◽  
...  

Unsafe sanitation is an increasing public health concern for rapidly expanding cities in low-income countries. Understanding household demand for improved sanitation infrastructure is critical for planning effective sanitation investments. In this study, we compared the stated and revealed willingness to pay (WTP) for high-quality, pour-flush latrines among households in low-income areas in the city of Nakuru, Kenya. We found that stated WTP for high-quality, pour-flush latrines was much lower than market prices: less than 5% of households were willing to pay the full costs, which we estimated between 87,100–82,900 Kenyan Shillings (KES), or 871–829 USD. In addition, we found large discrepancies between stated and revealed WTP. For example, 90% of households stated that they would be willing to pay a discounted amount of 10,000 KES (100 USD) for a high-quality, pour-flush latrine, but only 10% of households redeemed vouchers at this price point (paid via six installment payments). Households reported that financial constraints (i.e., lack of cash, other spending priorities) were the main barriers to voucher redemption, even at highly discounted prices. Our results emphasize the importance of financial interventions that address the sizable gaps between the costs of sanitation products and customer demand among low-income populations.


Author(s):  
Drew Capone ◽  
Helen Buxton ◽  
Oliver Cumming ◽  
Robert Dreibelbis ◽  
Jackie Knee ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Chiposa ◽  
Rochelle H. Holm ◽  
Chimuleke Munthali ◽  
Russel C. G. Chidya ◽  
Francis L. de los Reyes

The urban areas of many low-income countries must balance a rising demand for pit latrines for household sanitation provision against limitations in space, resulting in a need for pit latrine emptying services. This study was undertaken in the peri-urban neighborhood of Area 1B in the city of Mzuzu, Malawi, to examine the characteristics of household pit latrines for designing and selecting pit latrine emptying tools. We used 150 structured household surveys and field observations. From this, a subset was selected and 30 manual cone penetrometer tests were conducted at full latrines. Chemical oxygen demand analysis was also performed for 14 pit latrines. The results indicated that in addition to serving as a disposal for fecal matter, 90% of households also used pit latrines for domestic waste. Only 10% of the studied pit latrines were lined. The filling rate in the study area is calculated to be about three years, and no respondents reported previous emptying. It is suggested pit latrine emptying technology development focuses on a maximum tool diameter of 10 cm to fit through the keyhole (squat hole) and height of 146 cm to fit inside the superstructure, as well as supporting unlined pits and the ability to pump trash.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Okurut ◽  
R. N. Kulabako ◽  
P. Abbott ◽  
J. M. Adogo ◽  
J. Chenoweth ◽  
...  

Throughout Africa, the population in urban areas is increasing rapidly, often exceeding the capacity and the resources of the cities and towns to accommodate the people. In sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of urban dwellers live in informal settlements served by inadequate sanitation facilities. These settlements present unique challenges to the provision of sustainable and hygienic sanitation, and there is insufficient information on access to improved facilities. This paper reports findings of a study undertaken in low-income informal settlements using a mixed methods approach to assess access to sanitation and identify the barriers to household uptake of improved sanitation facilities. More than half of the respondents (59.7%) reported using sanitation facilities that are included in the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme definition of improved sanitation. However, a high proportion of these facilities did not provide access to basic sanitation. Less than 5% of all the respondents did not report problems related to sustainable access to basic sanitation. The findings highlight the urgent need to develop specific and strategic interventions for each low-income informal settlement, to upscale the sustainable access and use of improved sanitation in urban centres.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Chunga ◽  
M. W. Jenkins ◽  
Jeroen Ensink ◽  
Joe Brown

Abstract We carried out a stated preference survey in Malawi to examine whether access to microfinance for sanitation would significantly increase the proportion of households upgrading to improved pit latrines or alternative improved sanitation technologies (urine diverting dry toilet, fossa alterna, pour flush). We presented a range of sanitation options at local market prices, initially without and then with a real microfinance option, to 1,300 households sampled across 27 low-income urban settlements in the two largest cities, Lilongwe and Blantyre. When we gave respondents a microfinance option, the proportion of households stating an intention to install improved and unimproved pit latrines decreased significantly, while the proportion stating an intention to upgrade to alternative improved sanitation technologies increased significantly. However, households in the lowest wealth quintile were more likely to state a preference for unimproved pit latrines, suggesting that the benefits of microfinance for sanitation may not accrue equally across wealth strata. Organisations seeking to improve access to safely managed sanitation by promoting alternative sanitation technologies would succeed if households have access to affordable alternative sanitation technologies and microfinance for sanitation. However, poorer households would need more affordable improved sanitation technologies, flexible microfinance options and possibly targeted subsidies to gain access to safely managed sanitation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 528-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Mariwah ◽  
Kate Hampshire ◽  
Constance Owusu-Antwi

Rapid urban growth in developing countries has led to an increase in unplanned, high-density settlements dependent on public toilets for sanitation, yet we know relatively little about users' perceptions and concerns about such facilities. This paper seeks to explore user satisfaction and willingness to pay for improved sanitation services in Accra. Utilising a questionnaire, data were gathered from 245 users of public toilets in two low-income communities of Accra. 80.8% of users expressed overall dissatisfaction with the public toilets, the main areas of concern being: long queues and waiting times, unpleasant smells, dirtiness, concerns about security and lack of running water and soap. The majority of the respondents said that they would be willing to pay higher fees for improved services. Operators should take note of this and explore the potential market for building and maintaining high-quality public toilet facilities as a means to ending open defecation and getting on the first step on the sanitation ladder.


Author(s):  
Sylvia M. Nkatha ◽  
Eric M. Muchiri ◽  
Patrick Kubai ◽  
Jane Rutto

Introduction: Globally, poor sanitation is the cause of childhood diseases. Annually, more than 19,500 people die from diarrhea of which 17,100 are children. Diarrhea, which accounts for 16% of deaths among the children below 5 years, is highly linked to open defecation (OD). Poor excreta disposal remains a major challenge to improved sanitation and hygiene in many communities of Kenya and therefore they continue to practice open defecation. Construction and utilization of a latrine at home is a protective factor for communicable diseases.  About 52% of the population practice proper utilization of latrine in low-income countries. Improper utilization of latrines leads to the contamination of the water sources. Availability of a pit latrine does not guarantee utilization because other factors like functionality and distance influence its use. Furthermore, the availability and use of the latrine depends on maintenance practices of the latrines and cleanliness as well as the quality of housing and household compound. Aims: To analyze the physical and social demographic factors influencing the utilization of pit latrines in Tigania East Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. Study Design:  The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Tigania East Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya shown in Fig. 3. Household survey was carried out between June 2018 and December 2019. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 369 respondents selected by systematic random sampling from different households across the sub-county was utilized. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire administered in English and a spot observation checklist. All data generated was entered, validated and analyzed using SPSS using SPSS Software Version 23.  Descriptive analysis was done during the calculation of measures of central tendency and proportions. Regression analysis was used in the determination of any association between the socio-demographic factors and the utilization of latrines. Results: Ownership, location and functionality of the pit latrine were positively associated with utilization (OR=2.127, OR=1.53, OR=4.36, P=.00). Households that owned pit latrines were 2 times likely to utilize the pit latrines than those without a pit latrine. Moreover, household size, gender, and employment were positively related to utilization (R=0.502, P=.00). High construction costs challenges were 7 times linked to open defecation practices. Households with less than 6 members were 2.35 times more likely to utilize the pit latrine compared to those with 7-12 members (OR=2.35, X²=13.573, P=.00). Conclusion: Interventions should target households with more than 7 members. A call for partnerships between government and donors to improve household income, water sources, and sanitation practices in Tigania East Sub-County is necessary. A call for funding projects related to pour-flush pit latrines and wet technologies to enhance utilization.


2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Steen Jensen ◽  
Rune Nilsen ◽  
John Zeffer

Based on four series of patients (N = 141) participating in clinical field testing of prosthetic feet and all provided with trans-tibial prostheses in accordance with the polypropylene component and assembly system developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) a series of quality benchmarks was developed and tested against historical data. The patient compliance demands were set for walking > 1km at 90 ± 10%, non-users at 5 ± 5%, discomfort at 10 ± 10%, pain at 10 ± 10%, and patient satisfaction at 90 ± 10%. The technical performance demands were set for good socket fit at 60 ± 10%, misalignment at 15 ± 10%, insufficient craftsmanship at 10 ± 10%, and requirements for socket change at 10 ± 10%.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muchaneta Munamati ◽  
Innocent Nhapi ◽  
Shepherd N. Misi

Access to improved sanitation technologies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is very low. Despite the importance of improved sanitation technologies in sanitation monitoring, little attention has been given towards the types and distributions of improved sanitation technologies used in SSA. This paper presents an analysis of the distribution of improved sanitation technologies in SSA, with particular emphasis on factors influencing their distribution. Study data were derived from demographic health surveys, multiple indicator cluster surveys and World Bank Development Indicators. Results showed that the pit latrine with slab was the most prevalent technology (21%), while the composting toilet had the least coverage (0.6%). Multiple regression analysis results showed positive significant relationships between the following: income and flush toilets connected to sewer (p = 0.000), urban population and flush toilets connected to septic tanks (p = 0.000), development assistance and pit latrine with slab (p = 0.035) and a negative relationship between population and flush toilets connected to pit latrines (p = 0.030). The paper concluded that selection of sanitation technologies is influenced by different factors. In addition, prevailing socio-economic conditions can result in selection of inappropriate technologies. Technology selection, however, should strive to strike a balance between the economic, environmental, human health and socio-cultural sustainability aspects of sanitation.


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