On-Site Sanitation Systems for Low-Income Countries

2015 ◽  
pp. 319-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Appiah Obeng ◽  
Sampson Oduro-Kwarteng ◽  
Bernard Keraita ◽  
Henrik Bregnhøj ◽  
Robert C. Abaidoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
Sanitation Systems ◽  
Technical Capacity ◽  
Pollute Groundwater ◽  
Selection Of

On-site sanitation systems, the commonest sanitation technologies in low-income countries, are central to the elimination of open defecation in such countries. Nevertheless, their selection and application in the physical and socio-economic environment of low-income settings could be a complex and challenging task. Poorly designed and constructed facilities could pollute groundwater resources and create nuisances to the user and the general public. Meanwhile, local authorities in these countries often lack the human resource with the requisite technical capacity to analyse situations and recommend appropriate solutions. This calls for guidance in the most crucial technical decisions that affect the safe usage and environmental sustainability of on-site sanitation technologies. This Chapter reviews salient standards and guidelines for the selection of appropriate technologies, prevention of groundwater pollution, control of odor and fly nuisance, structural stability and safety of the latrine user.

On-Site Sanitation Systems for Low-Income Countries

2020 ◽  
pp. 1055-1078
Author(s):  
Peter Appiah Obeng ◽  
Sampson Oduro-Kwarteng ◽  
Bernard Keraita ◽  
Henrik Bregnhøj ◽  
Robert C. Abaidoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
Sanitation Systems ◽  
Technical Capacity ◽  
Pollute Groundwater ◽  
Selection Of

On-site sanitation systems, the commonest sanitation technologies in low-income countries, are central to the elimination of open defecation in such countries. Nevertheless, their selection and application in the physical and socio-economic environment of low-income settings could be a complex and challenging task. Poorly designed and constructed facilities could pollute groundwater resources and create nuisances to the user and the general public. Meanwhile, local authorities in these countries often lack the human resource with the requisite technical capacity to analyse situations and recommend appropriate solutions. This calls for guidance in the most crucial technical decisions that affect the safe usage and environmental sustainability of on-site sanitation technologies. This Chapter reviews salient standards and guidelines for the selection of appropriate technologies, prevention of groundwater pollution, control of odor and fly nuisance, structural stability and safety of the latrine user.

scholarly journals Bias in the perceived prevalence of open defecation: evidence from Bihar, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyi Kuang ◽  
Erik Thulin ◽  
Sania Ashraf ◽  
Alex Shpenev ◽  
Upasak Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
False Consensus ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Consensus Bias ◽  
Actual Prevalence

People often form perceptions about how prevalent a behavior is in a social group. However, these perceptions can be inaccurate and biased. While persistent undesirable practices in low-income countries have drawn global attention, evidence regarding people’s perception of how prevalent these practices are is scarce. Among those harmful practices, open defecation in India remains a significant public health concern, where it perpetuates the vicious cycle of disease and poverty. In this study, we focus on measuring the perceived prevalence of open defecation among respondents in Bihar, India. We examined the bias in perceived prevalence, which is defined as a pattern of deviation from the actual prevalence of open defecation. Results showed that respondents who defecate in the open overestimate the prevalence of open defecation, whereas those who consistently use toilets underestimate it. This finding suggests a false consensus bias in the perceived prevalence of open defecation. Scholars, policymakers, and program implementers who seek to correct misperceptions about open defecation by broadcasting real prevalence should be aware of biases in the perceived prevalence and address them in behavior change interventions.

Formal and informal waste selective collection in developing megacities: Analysis of residents’ involvement in Bolivia

2020 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2093676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navarro Ferronato ◽  
Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo ◽  
Gabriela Edith Guisbert Lizarazu ◽  
Vincenzo Torretta
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Informal Recycling ◽  
Big City ◽  
Recycling Systems ◽  
Selective Collection

The implementation of waste selective collection (SC) schemes in low-income countries is a challenge although it is one important way for improving environmental sustainability. The inclusion of the population is necessary for gaining effective results, and social surveys are support methods for understanding citizens’ involvement and behaviour. The aim of the research is to assess the support of the citizens concerning the formal and informal recycling in a low–middle income country. The study presents a questionnaire survey conducted in 2018 in La Paz, Bolivia, where 774 citizens were interviewed for evaluating their support to the formal and informal SC systems. Two questionnaires were submitted to two different users’ categories: users of the formal recyclable waste gathering points; and citizens of the neighbourhoods. Evidence of the survey shows that about 8% of the population supports the formal SC while about 48% are used to selecting their waste at home. About 79.2% of them bring the waste to the informal recycling shops or provide it to waste pickers, throwing the waste into or nearby the mixed containers in order to facilitate their collection. This research demonstrates how social inclusion is important for planning recycling systems within a developing big city, starting from the SC. Results suggest that the informal sector can be an effective means for improving the recycling behaviour of the citizens. The study can be of interest to stakeholders involved in introducing recycling policies in developing cities where the SC rate is still low, and informal waste collection exists.

scholarly journals Physical and Social Demographic Factors Affecting Utilization of Pit Latrine in Tigania East, Meru County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
pp. 122-132
Author(s):  
Sylvia M. Nkatha ◽  
Eric M. Muchiri ◽  
Patrick Kubai ◽  
Jane Rutto
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pit Latrine ◽  
Social Demographic

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.

scholarly journals Allogenous Selection of Mutational Collateral Resistance: Old Drugs Select for New Resistances Within Antibiotic Families

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Baquero ◽  
Jose-Luis martínez ◽  
Angela Silva-Novais ◽  
Jerónimo Rodríguez-Beltrán ◽  
Laura Martínez-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽  
The Family ◽  
Old Drugs ◽  
Selection Of

Allogeneous selection occurs when an antibiotic selects for resistance to more advanced members of the same family. The mechanisms of allogenous selection are (a) collateral expansion, when the antibiotic expands the gene and gene-containing bacterial populations favoring the emergence of other mutations, inactivating the more advanced antibiotics; (b) collateral selection, when the old antibiotic selects its own resistance but also resistances to more modern drugs; (c) collateral hyper-resistance, when resistance to the old antibiotic selects in higher degree for populations resistant to other antibiotics of the family than to itself; and (d) collateral evolution, when the simultaneous or sequential use of antibiotics of the same family selects for new mutational combinations with novel phenotypes, generally with higher activity or broader spectrum. Note that in some cases, collateral selection derives from collateral evolution. In this study, examples of allogenous selection are provided for the major families of antibiotics. Improvements in minimal inhibitory concentrations with the newest drugs do not necessarily exclude “old” antibiotics of the same family of retaining some selective power for resistance to the newest agents. If this were true, the use of older members of the same drug family would facilitate the emergence of mutational resistance to the younger drugs of the family, which is frequently based on previously established resistance traits. The extensive use of old drugs (particularly in low-income countries and in farming) might be significant for the emergence and selection of resistances to the novel members of the family, becoming a growing source of variation and selection of resistance to the whole family. In terms of future research, it could be advisable to focus antimicrobial drug discovery more on the identification of new targets and new (unique) classes of antimicrobial agents, than on the perpetual chemical exploitation of classic existing ones.

scholarly journals Raising Awareness on Solid Waste Management through Formal Education for Sustainability: A Developing Countries Evidence Review

Recycling ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justice Kofi Debrah ◽  
Diogo Guedes Vidal ◽  
Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Environmental Knowledge ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Low Income Countries

Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a multifaceted problem comprising political, socioeconomic, institutional, and environmental aspects. Due to exponential urban growth, it has become one of the most significant issues faced by urban spaces in developing countries. The gap in environmental knowledge among the youth and the old within developing countries contribute to ecological issues or waste management problems, resulting in unsustainable development, with important consequences in low-income countries. For that matter, a systematic review was conducted aiming to identify and analyse environmental knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practice studies on SWM from 2010 to 2019 in developing countries. The evidence suggests that students at both secondary and tertiary levels have positive environmental attitudes, and high awareness of environmental issues, but there is a lack of practical education of teachers to guide students to put SWM into practice. Student’s low environmental knowledge is related to a deficiency in teachers’ practical experience in SWM for environmental sustainability. A relationship between teachers’ and students’ knowledge and attitudes towards SWM, as well as differences in awareness, attitude, and practices of SWM linked with education and age, were also found. This review also revealed that the lack of environmental education in most developing countries is caused by fragilities in practical environmental curricula of teachers to respond to modern-day environmental issues for sustainable development and cleaner production (CP). To bridge the knowledge gap between the youth and older people in SWM, environmental sustainability education should be integrated into schools at all levels within developing countries.

scholarly journals The Impact of Renewable Energy, Urbanization and Environmental Sustainability Ratings on the Environmental Kuznets Curve and the Pollution Haven Hypothesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13747
Author(s):  
Chi-Hui Wang ◽  
Prasad Padmanabhan ◽  
Chia-Hsing Huang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Kuznets Curve ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Per Capita

The impacts of renewable energy adoption and environmental sustainability ratings on the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve and the pollution haven hypothesis are examined using annual balanced panel data from 64 middle and low-income countries and spanning the 2005 –2014 period. We show that the GDP per capita/CO2 emissions per capita relationship is an inverse S curve for the full sample of low and middle-income countries and for each subsample. The renewable energy/CO2 emissions per capita relationship is an inverse N curve for the full and the middle-income samples, but a V curve for the low-income sample. The foreign direct investment net inflows/CO2 emissions per capita relationship is an N curve for the full and the middle-income samples, and a positive relationship in the low-income subsample. High levels of government environmental sustainability ratings in low-income countries with relatively higher incomes can attract foreign direct investment net inflows while reducing pollution. In contrast, middle-income countries with high environmental sustainability ratings can attract foreign direct investment net inflows only if they allow small increases in pollution.

scholarly journals Can open-defecation free (ODF) communities be sustained? A cross-sectional study in rural Ghana

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0261674
Author(s):  
Caroline Delaire ◽  
Joyce Kisiangani ◽  
Kara Stuart ◽  
Prince Antwi-Agyei ◽  
Ranjiv Khush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural Ghana

Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) is a widely used approach to reduce open defecation in rural areas of low-income countries. Following CLTS programs, communities are designated as open defecation free (ODF) when household-level toilet coverage reaches the threshold specified by national guidelines (e.g., 80% in Ghana). However, because sanitation conditions are rarely monitored after communities are declared ODF, the ability of CLTS to generate lasting reductions in open defecation is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the extent to which levels of toilet ownership and use were sustained in 109 communities in rural Northern Ghana up to two and a half years after they had obtained ODF status. We found that the majority of communities (75%) did not meet Ghana’s ODF requirements. Over a third of households had either never owned (16%) or no longer owned (24%) a functional toilet, and 25% reported practicing open defecation regularly. Toilet pit and superstructure collapse were the primary causes of reversion to open defecation. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that communities had higher toilet coverage when they were located further from major roads, were not located on rocky soil, reported having a system of fines to punish open defecation, and when less time had elapsed since ODF status achievement. Households were more likely to own a functional toilet if they were larger, wealthier, had a male household head who had not completed primary education, had no children under the age of five, and benefitted from the national Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program. Wealthier households were also more likely to use a toilet for defecation and to rebuild their toilet when it collapsed. Our findings suggest that interventions that address toilet collapse and the difficulty of rebuilding, particularly among the poorest and most vulnerable households, will improve the longevity of CLTS-driven sanitation improvements in rural Ghana.

scholarly journals Food Supply without Risk: Multicriteria Analysis of Institutional Conditions of Exporters

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Puertas ◽  
Luisa Marti ◽  
Jose-Maria Garcia-Alvarez-Coque
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Multicriteria Analysis ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Production Volume ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Institutional Conditions ◽  
Sourcing Strategies ◽  
Order Preference ◽  
Safety Considerations

International trade in food knows no borders, hence the need for prevention systems to avoid the consumption of products that are harmful to health. This paper proposes the use of multicriteria risk prevention tools that consider the socioeconomic and institutional conditions of food exporters. We propose the use of three decision-making methods—Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Elimination et Choix Traduisant la Realité (ELECTRE), and Cross-Efficiency (CE)—to establish a ranking of countries that export cereals to the European Union, based on structural criteria related to the detection of potential associated risks (notifications, food quality, corruption, environmental sustainability in agriculture, and logistics). In addition, the analysis examines whether the wealth and institutional capacity of supplier countries influence their position in the ranking. The research was carried out biannually over the period from 2012–2016, allowing an assessment to be made of the possible stability of the markets. The results reveal that suppliers’ rankings based exclusively on aspects related to food risk differ from importers’ actual choices determined by micro/macroeconomic features (price, production volume, and economic growth). The rankings obtained by the three proposed methods are not the same, but present certain similarities, with the ability to discern countries according to their level of food risk. The proposed methodology can be applied to support sourcing strategies. In the future, food safety considerations could have increased influence in importing decisions, which would involve further difficulties for low-income countries.

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