Improved water and household water purification practices among orphans and vulnerable children in a multi-sectoral empowerment program in Eastern province, Kenya

Michael Goodman, Aleisha Elliott, Stanley Gitari, Philip H. Keiser, Lauren A. Raimer-Goodman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Water quality is an important determinant of diarrheal illnesses, especially affecting children in sub-Saharan Africa. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in sub-Saharan Africa are at increased risk of poor quality drinking water, and therefore of diarrheal illness. The present study assesses primary drinking water source and typical household water purification among OVC households involved in a multi-sectoral empowerment program in semi-rural Kenya. Findings show water purification practices, but not water source, significantly increase with more time in the program. Other factors associated with safer water include household income, orphan type, food consumption and security, school completion, psychological resilience, engaging in sexual intercourse with more than one partner in the past 12 months, and previous year's financial status. Incorporating water quality improvements in a community-based empowerment program such as the one described may be one method of improving water quality and decreasing diarrheal illnesses among OVCs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)513-527
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Water and Health
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2016

Keywords

  • Empowerment program
  • Kenya
  • OVC
  • Orphans and vulnerable children
  • Water
  • Water purification

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Improved water and household water purification practices among orphans and vulnerable children in a multi-sectoral empowerment program in Eastern province, Kenya'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this