scholarly journals Exposure to Livestock Feces and Water Quality, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Conditions among Caregivers and Young Children: Formative Research in Rural Burkina Faso

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 998-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Ngure ◽  
Aulo Gelli ◽  
Elodie Becquey ◽  
Rasmané Ganaba ◽  
Derek Headey ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kuhl ◽  
Lucien Bisimwa ◽  
Elizabeth D. Thomas ◽  
Camille Williams ◽  
Joseph Ntakirutimana ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Research exploring the unique exposure pathways to fecal pathogens for young children and innovative water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions for susceptible pediatric populations is needed to reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases and stunting globally. The Reducing Enteropathy, Diarrhea, Undernutrition, and Contamination in the Environment (REDUCE) program seeks to 1) identify exposure pathways to fecal pathogens that are significant contributors to morbidity for young children in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and 2) develop and evaluate scalable interventions that reduce fecal contamination and exposure from these pathways. The formative research portion of the project sought to identify feasible and acceptable WASH interventions to modify behaviors found to be associated with diarrheal disease and impaired growth in our REDUCE cohort study. Methods Ninety-one semi-structured interviews, 6 focus group discussions, and a pilot study of 102 households were conducted during 24 months of formative research. Thirty-one interviews and six focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers, community health workers, and village leaders to explore existing WASH practices and to identify barriers and facilitators to WASH behaviors. Findings were organized using the Integrated Behavioral Model for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene to facilitate interpretation and identify determinants to Baby WASH behaviors in this setting. Care Group modules and enabling technology were developed based on exploratory findings and then revised during a two-part, iterative pilot study. Sixty interviews were conducted with participants in a pilot study of the REDUCE Baby WASH Care Group modules to learn about their experiences with the intervention. Results Six REDUCE Baby WASH Care Group modules were developed based on formative research findings and covered the following topics: 1) living with animals; 2) child mouthing of fomites and feces; 3) composting animal feces; 4) child feces disposal; 5) handwashing with soap; and 6) water treatment. Conclusion This study took a theory-driven and evidence-based approach to formative research and the development of the REDUCE Baby WASH Care Group modules. Intervention design focused on interrupting the exposure routes for infants and young children to fecal pathogens in the environment and promoting low-cost, low-burden Baby WASH behavioral recommendations and enabling technology. These developed REDUCE Baby WASH Care Group modules are currently being rolled out to over 1,000,000 beneficiaries in Democratic Republic of the Congo.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Carr ◽  
Marlies Barendrecht ◽  
Liza Debevec ◽  
Bedru Balana

<p>The variety of demands that people place on water resources, coupled with the dynamics of the natural system, make water resource management highly complex. Models that can integrate aspects of society such as institutions, perceptions and behaviors along with aspects of the natural system such as rainfall, runoff and water quality could offer a realistic approach to better understand and manage these complex systems. Much research progress in the development of such socio-hydrological models has been achieved in recent years. However, many gaps exist on how the decisions and actions of institutions and agencies, and their subsequent impacts on individuals, can be integrated within such models. In this study, a socio-hydrological model was developed using a set of empirical field data from the Black Volta (Mouhoun) watershed in south west Burkina Faso. Cultivation of the riparian zones and use of agrochemicals are commonly associated with increased sedimentation in the river and water pollution, respectively. The model aims to capture the relationships between agency support for water quality management, the capacity of local organizations to support farmers and land users, land use changes in the riparian zones, improved agricultural practices employed by farmers (e.g., reduced tillage, organic farming, or cultivating tree crops rather than vegetables), and suspended sediment concentration in the river as an indicator of water quality. The model is set up to reflect the current situation and scenarios are generated depicting plausible pathways to achieve improved water quality through riparian land management strategies. Comparison of the modelled scenarios shows that water quality could be improved if institutional support and public resource allocation for water management is raised, and the capacity of local level organizations is substantially increased compared to current levels. Semi-quantitative socio-hydrological models, such as the one developed in this study, may provide insights for the comparison and prioritization of different management strategies and guide interventions or support mechanisms that enable riparian land users to change their agricultural practices and lead to water quality improvements.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e001233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Hollowell ◽  
Mari Dumbaugh ◽  
Mireille Belem ◽  
Sylvain Kousse ◽  
Tessa Swigart ◽  
...  

IntroductionEffective stimulation and responsive caregiving during the first 2 years is crucial for children’s development. By age 3–4 years, over 40% of children in sub-Saharan Africa fail to meet basic cognitive or socioemotional milestones, but there are limited data on parenting and childcare practices. This study, conducted to inform the design of a mass media intervention, explored practices, perceptions, motivators and obstacles to childhood development-related practices among parents and caregivers of children aged 0–2 years in rural Burkina Faso.MethodsWe performed two rounds of six focus groups with 41 informants in two villages, using an adapted version of the Trials of Improved Practices methodology. These first explored beliefs and practices, then introduced participants to the principles and benefits of early childhood development (ECD) and provided illustrative examples of three practices (interactive ways of talking, playing and praising) to try with their children. One week later, further discussions explored participants’ experiences and reactions. Data were analysed inductively using thematic content analysis.ResultsExisting activities with young children were predominantly instructive with limited responsive interaction and stimulation. Participants were receptive to the practices introduced, noted positive changes in their children when they adopted these practices and found engagement with children personally rewarding.ConclusionInteractive, stimulating activities with young children did not appear to be widespread in the study area, but caregivers were receptive to information about the importance of early stimulation for children’s development. ECD messages should be tailored to the local sociocultural context and consider time limitations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document