Morse, Tracy and Luwe, Kondwani and Lungu, Kingsley and Harlow, Richard and Fagan, Honor and McGuigan, Kevin (2020) A Transdisciplinary Methodology for Introducing Solar Water Disinfection to Rural Communities in Malawi—Formative Research Findings. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 16. pp. 871-874. ISSN 1551-3793

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Abstract

Despite the increasing volume of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of solar water disinfection (SODIS) as a household water treatment technology, there still appear to be significant barriers to uptake in developing countries. The potential of SODIS is often treated with skepticism in terms of effective treatment, volume, and safety, and is dismissed in preference for more accepted technologies such as ceramic filters and dose chlorination. As part of WATERSPOUTT (EU H2020 688928), our study used a transdisciplinary methodology to cocreate an innovative SODIS system in rural Malawi. The formative work focused on the design of 1) an appropriate and acceptable system and 2) a context-specific intervention delivery program using a behavior-centered design. Initial research identified specific water needs and challenges, which were discussed along with a cocreation process with potential end users, through a series of shared dialogue workshops (SDWs). Specifications from end users outlined a desire for higher volume systems (20 L) that were “familiar” and could be manufactured locally. Development of the “SODIS bucket” was then undertaken by design experts and local manufacturers, with input from end users and subject to controlled testing to ensure efficacy and safety. Concurrent data were collated using questionnaires (n = 777 households), water point mapping (n = 121), water quality testing (n = 46), and behavior change modeling (n = 100 households). These identified specific contextual issues (hydrogeology, water access, gender roles, social capital, and socioeconomic status), and behavioral determinants (normative, ability, and self-regulation factors) that informed the development and delivery mechanism for the implementation toolkit.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Cite as: Morse, T., Luwe, K., Lungu, K., Chiwaula, L., Mulwafu, W., Buck, L., Harlow, R., Fagan, G.H. and McGuigan, K. (2020), A Transdisciplinary Methodology for Introducing Solar Water Disinfection to Rural Communities in Malawi—Formative Research Findings. Integr Environ Assess Manag, 16: 871-884. https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4249
Keywords:	Solar water disinfection; Transdisciplinary; Household water treatment; Behavior change; Codesign;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute, MUSSI
Item ID:	14851
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4249
Depositing User:	Honor Fagan
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2021 15:45
Journal or Publication Title:	Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
Publisher:	Wiley
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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