AI Article Synopsis
- EcoSan sludge in Malawi contains helminths at levels exceeding WHO recommendations, making it unsafe for direct use on food crops. This study monitored EcoSan latrines over a year to examine pathogen survival post-sealing.
- A total of 51 latrines were initially enrolled, with 35 remaining by the end of the study; pathogen levels generally decreased over 12 months, although certain types increased at specific intervals.
- Findings indicate that the highest pathogen concentrations occurred within the first six months, suggesting a need for longer storage periods before potential agricultural use, with recommendations to revise current guidelines to reflect these findings.
Article Abstract
Introduction: In Malawi, EcoSan sludge from ecological sanitation (EcoSan) latrines has been found to contain helminths, and above WHO recommended levels making sludge unsuitable for direct handling and use on food crops. This research investigated survival of pathogens in EcoSan sludge with time after sealing the pit.
Method: An observational longitudinal follow-up study was conducted where EcoSan latrines were followed from August 2015 to July 2016 in Blantyre and Chikwawa in Southern Malawi. The study enrolled 51 latrines in total with 35 latrines [13 fossa alterna (FAs) and 22 urine diverting dry latrines (UDDLs)] remaining at the end of study. Samples were collected five times from each latrine and examined for helminths, in the laboratory. Poisson regression was employed to assess factors that significantly contribute to pathogen die off at p<0.05.
Results: Average concentrations of all pathogens investigated reduced over 12-month follow-up period except for which increased. , increased to 2.3 viable eggs during the second sampling and decreased to 0.4 viable eggs per gram after 12 months of follow-up. Time was the only consistent predictor for concentration of helminths. Type of latrine and location were not significant predictors of helminths concentration (p>0.05). However, and colonies were significantly higher in UDDLs (Blantyre) than FAs (Chikwawa) (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Pathogen concentration was highest after recommended six months of storage posing a public health risk to those handling and using it for agriculture purposes. It is therefore recommended that the current guidelines be reviewed to suit Malawi context. A storage period of one year or more is recommended.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6526351 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v31i1.3 | DOI Listing |
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