Evaluation of a Water and Hygiene Project in Health-Care Facilities in Siaya County, Kenya, 2016

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Sep;101(3):576-579. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0945.

Abstract

To address water and hygiene infrastructure deficiencies in health-care facilities (HCFs) in Siaya County, Kenya, portable water stations, soap, and water treatment products were provided to 109 HCFs in 2005. In 2011 and again in 2016, we interviewed staff in 26 randomly selected HCFs, observed water sources, water stations, and tested source and stored water for chlorine residual and Escherichia coli. Of 26 HCFs, 22 (85%) had improved water supplies, and 22 (85%) had functioning handwashing and drinking water stations, but < 50% provided soap or water treatment. Thirteen (50%) of 26 source water samples yielded E. coli; 24 (92%) of 26 stored water samples yielded no E. coli, including nine with residual chlorine and nine untreated samples from sources yielding no E. coli. Eleven years after implementation, 85% of HCFs continued to use water stations that protected water from recontamination. Sustainable provision of soap and water treatment products could optimize intervention use.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chlorine / analysis
  • Drinking Water / analysis
  • Drinking Water / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Health Facilities / standards*
  • Health Facilities / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Hygiene / standards*
  • Kenya
  • Water Purification / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Water Purification / standards*
  • Water Supply / standards*

Substances

  • Drinking Water
  • Chlorine