In the early stages of this project, it was established that water kept in pans, pots and buckets for anal ablution after defecation was replete with diarrhea causing pathogens. Hands used for anal ablution were definitely contaminated with pathogens through the contaminated water. Individuals taking no measures to disinfect their hands were carrying and spreading the pathogens to members of their households and others through hand shaking and in their various duties such as cooks in hotels and as vendors of food items. The plant S. lyratus (lyratipartitus)could be used to disinfect hands and thus stop or reduce incidences of diarrhea which causes about 2 million deaths worldwide among children below the age of five.
More plant materials are required to test this hypothesis on a wider scale and also mount campaigns to educate people of the findings.
Behaviour changeHealth and hygieneGlobalOtherSanitation systems and technology options (WG4)OtherBill & Melinda Gates FoundationUniversity, education or research institution
Kenya
Project location