PSI

The challenge

Lack of access to basic water supply and sanitation is a major problem in both rural and urban Tanzania. Nationwide, only 7% of the population has water piped directly into their homes, and only 49% has access to improved water sources (for example, piped water nearby, public tap or borehole). Even when water is safe for drinking at the source, it is commonly re-contaminated during collection, storage and use at home. A 2004 national survey estimated that Tanzanian children suffer between 3-4 episodes of diarrhea per year, making it a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for children under five.

A 2009 survey found that WaterGuard was available in around 28% of wards nationally, a total 7% of rural and 12% of urban outlets across the country stocked the product.

The response

Treating water at the household level has been shown in multiple international studies to be around twice as effective at preventing diarrhea as interventions focused on improving water at the source (for example through improving wells, boreholes and communal standpipes). Using chlorine to treat water at the household level has been shown to be one of the most cost effective water quality interventions to prevent diarrhea.

Household water treatment in Tanzania

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, PSI/Tanzania promotes WaterGuard, a simple, safe, low cost chlorine based household water treatment that enables parents to easily and conveniently purify their family’s drinking water. WaterGuard comes in two forms, liquid and tablet, offering clear choices to mothers. WaterGuard liquid is more commonly found in urban areas, while the tablets are prefered in rural areas because of the ease of transportation and longer shelf life.

Mothers and caregivers of children under five have a growing awareness about WaterGuard, with a nationally representative survey in 2008 showing that 61% of mothers reported that they had seen or heard WaterGuard advertising. Over 20% had ever used the product, and 8% had treated their drinking water with WaterGuard in the week preceeding the survey.

Communications

WaterGuard is promoted mainly through local drama performances, using song, dance, poetry and drama, and clinic shows that target women during antenatal care visits in communities that are particularly exposed to the risk of unsafe water. The safe water program also conducts communication campaigns to encourage safe water storage practices and proper hygiene, including hand washing with soap. These communication activities are supported by local and national radio spots, and a video documentary shown on PSI/Tanzania’s network of mobile video units.

Community level approaches

With support from UNICEF and the irish Government, PSI/Tanzania is rolling out, PSI/Tanzania is supporting the development of a network of community agents in 12 disticts who will promote safer hygienic practices inclduing household water treatmement. These agents, selected by their communities, will have the opportunity to earn a small income from the sale of health products, thus making their communication activities more sustainable in the long run. Water purification products have also been deployed in many communities to respond to disease outbreaks, including cholera and flooding.

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PREVALENCE DIARRHOEA IN TANZANIA:pdf file

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