Environmental Health and Household Demographics Impacting Biosand Filter Maintenance and Diarrhea in Guatemala: An Application of Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

In rural health development practice, engineers and scientists must recognize the complex interactions that influence individuals' contact with disease-causing pathogens and understand how household habits may impact the adoption and long-term sustainability of new technology. The goal of this study was to measure the effect of various environmental health factors and household demographics on the operation and maintenance of the Biosand filter (Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and diarrhea health burden in the region. In July and August 2010, randomized household surveys (n = 286) were completed in rural Guatemala detailing water access, sanitation availability, hygiene practice, socio-economic status, education level, filter operation and maintenance, and diarrhea health burden of the home. A hypothesized structural equation model was developed based on a review of published research and tested using the surveyed data. Model-derived parameter estimates indicated that: (a) proper personal hygiene practices significantly promote proper filter operation and maintenance; and (b) higher household education level, proper filter operation and maintenance, and improved water supply significantly reduce diarrhea health burden. Additionally, a high level of unexplained variance in diarrhea indicated the filter, though protective of health, is not the only factor influencing diarrhea.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Sponsor(s)

National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Keywords and Phrases

Alberta; Canada; Biosand Filter; Calgary; Complex Interaction; Development Practices; Environmental Health; Filter Operations; Guatemala; Household Surveys; Long-Term Sustainability; Operation and Maintenance; Parameter Estimate; Personal Hygiene; Rural Health; Socio-Economic Status; Structural Equation Modeling; Structural Equation Models; Environmental Engineering; Parameter Estimation; Population Statistics; Surveys; Water Supply; Health; Data Set; Demography; Diarrheal Disease; Environmental Impact; Filter; Host-Pathogen Interaction; Household Survey; Hygiene; Numerical Model; Sanitation; Socioeconomic Status; Sustainability; Water Supply; Article; Biofilter; Diarrhea; Educational Status; Environmental Health; Environmental Sanitation; Household; Human; Hygiene; Rural Area; Social Status; Structural Equation Modeling; Water Supply; Water Treatment; Demography; Diarrhea; Environmental Health; Family Characteristics; Filtration; Guatemala; Humans; Models; Biological; Silicon Dioxide; Guatemala [Central America]

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0013-936X

Electronic OCLC #

568038142

Print OCLC #

1568096

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2013 American Chemical Society (ACS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Feb 2013

Link to Full Text

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