Evaluating filter functionality and user competence after a hollow fiber membrane filter intervention in Liberia

Autor: Kristen R. Alford, Katherine D. Rosendale, Abdul Hafiz Koroma, Stacy L. DeRuiter, Randall Pruim, Jason E. VanHorn, Matthew Bone, Jared Deighton, Adam DenHaan, Jamison Koeman, Sadie Kornoelje, Blerta Lika, Abigail Stratton, Lydia Walls, Nathan Wang
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, Vol 12, Iss 12, Pp 851-861 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2043-9083
2408-9362
DOI: 10.2166/washdev.2022.075
Popis: In Liberia, access to safe water is not universal, and waterborne diseases like diarrhea run rampant. As part of a larger border-to-border clean water project in Liberia, hollow membrane fiber filters were distributed to households in remote and/or small villages across Liberia. While filter efficacy has been demonstrated in the laboratory, studies of filter efficacy in real-world settings yield more mixed results. Intervention efficacy in Liberia was evaluated by assessing (1) user ability to correctly filter and backwash and (2) filter functioning at follow-up visits approximately 2 and 8 weeks post-intervention. Ultimately, the results supported the efficacy of this intervention. At arrival of both follow-ups, over 95% of filters were functioning properly and the majority of issues were resolved during visits. This supported the short-term durability of the filters and the importance of follow-up visits for repairs. Furthermore, the vast majority of households were able to correctly demonstrate filtering and backwashing: 88.47% at the first follow-up and 91.79% at the second. This slight increase may indicate the value of follow-up visits as educational tools. The widescale distribution of point-of-use filters as a mechanism for clean water should include on-going education and affordable filter repair and replacement opportunities. HIGHLIGHTS Describes a border-to-border clean water filtration intervention in Liberia.; Results demonstrate that point-of-use filters are easy to use.; Results demonstrate high rates of filter durability in the short-term.;
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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