Grantee Research Project Results
Using an integrated approach of rapid microbial detection technology and community education to reduce waterborne illness in Dar es Salaam Tanzania
EPA Grant Number: SU834299Title: Using an integrated approach of rapid microbial detection technology and community education to reduce waterborne illness in Dar es Salaam Tanzania
Investigators: Jay, Jennifer , Boehm, Alexandria , Lee, Christine , Mika, Kathryn
Institution: University of California - Los Angeles
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2009 through August 14, 2010
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Summary:Our objective is to use rapid detection methods and community education to promote better health and hygiene practices that will ultimately reduce waterborne illnesses in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania target population.
Approach:
We rapidly quantify bacterial contamination on hands and water storage units before/after sanitation or treatment practices with community members and use this immediate knowledge to promote better hygiene (e.g. hand-washing with alcohol-based sanitizers). These measurements will be conducted during sanitation workshops that are organized by our collaborators.
Expected Results:
We hypothesize that the community members will feel more empowered and connected to their behavior as it relates to health when the results are near real-time in comparison to traditional, culture-based assays that require a minimum turnaround time of 24 hours.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.