Aducabe Bancessi1,2, Rosa Teodósio3,4, Elizabeth Duarte5, Aladje Baldé6, Luís Catarino7, Teresa Nazareth8,9. 1. Nova School of Business and Economics, Nova University of Lisbon, Campus de Carcavelos, Rua da Holanda, n.1, 2775-405, Carcavelos, Portugal. aducabe.bancessi@novasbe.pt. 2. Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), & Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. aducabe.bancessi@novasbe.pt. 3. Unidade Clínica Tropical, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, R. da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal. 4. Centro de Malária e Doenças Tropicais, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, R. da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal. 5. Department of Sciences and Engineering of Biosystems, Institute of Agronomy, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal. 6. Universidade Jean Piaget Guiné-Bissau, Campus de Antula, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. 7. Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), & Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. 8. Unidade de Parasitologia Médica, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, R. da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal. 9. Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Campus de Sintra, Estr. Octávio Pato, 2635-631, Rio de Mouro, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Public perceptions of water-related issues are still under-researched topics. The current paper intends to explore a local community's perceptions regarding household water purification (HWP) strategies, namely before and after trying a new method: moringa seeds powder (moringa-teabag). METHODS: In September 2020, six focus group discussions (N = 65) assessing perceptions about the usefulness of Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) as a HWP method (before moringa-based HWP trials), and questionnaires (N = 104) evaluating successes and identifying difficulties (after one week of moringa-based HWP trials). Participants were all women aged over 18 years, living in Ondame, Biombo region, Guinea-Bissau. Data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approaches. RESULTS: The focus group discussions revealed that people are aware of the fact that water can transmit diseases. Although certain persons showed concern about shallow well water safety, people generally underestimate the risk, as they trust tubewell water. Not everyone had an understanding of what water contamination is, or the concept of medical importance. Some respondents declared they use traditional methods such as boiling and bleach to treat water before drinking. However, those who reported no kind of treatment indicated reasons such as lack of time, cost, and bleach's taste and smell. In the questionnaire, more than half of the participants (68%) reported treating water before consumption. Nevertheless, these results are not consistent with our field notes. Participants demonstrated a strong belief in the capacity of moringa-teabags to purify water and even consider them better or much better (81%) than other methods. Participants asked for more information on moringa-teabag for household water purification. CONCLUSION: More information on water treatment and water safety would help to raise public awareness about waterborne diseases. These findings could be used to promote greater adherence to moringa-based HWP as an alternative to household water treatment.
BACKGROUND: Public perceptions of water-related issues are still under-researched topics. The current paper intends to explore a local community's perceptions regarding household water purification (HWP) strategies, namely before and after trying a new method: moringa seeds powder (moringa-teabag). METHODS: In September 2020, six focus group discussions (N = 65) assessing perceptions about the usefulness of Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) as a HWP method (before moringa-based HWP trials), and questionnaires (N = 104) evaluating successes and identifying difficulties (after one week of moringa-based HWP trials). Participants were all women aged over 18 years, living in Ondame, Biombo region, Guinea-Bissau. Data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approaches. RESULTS: The focus group discussions revealed that people are aware of the fact that water can transmit diseases. Although certain persons showed concern about shallow well water safety, people generally underestimate the risk, as they trust tubewell water. Not everyone had an understanding of what water contamination is, or the concept of medical importance. Some respondents declared they use traditional methods such as boiling and bleach to treat water before drinking. However, those who reported no kind of treatment indicated reasons such as lack of time, cost, and bleach's taste and smell. In the questionnaire, more than half of the participants (68%) reported treating water before consumption. Nevertheless, these results are not consistent with our field notes. Participants demonstrated a strong belief in the capacity of moringa-teabags to purify water and even consider them better or much better (81%) than other methods. Participants asked for more information on moringa-teabag for household water purification. CONCLUSION: More information on water treatment and water safety would help to raise public awareness about waterborne diseases. These findings could be used to promote greater adherence to moringa-based HWP as an alternative to household water treatment.
Authors: Nyamai Mutono; James Wright; Henry Mutembei; Josphat Muema; Mair Thomas; Mumbua Mutunga; Samuel Mwangi Thumbi Journal: AAS Open Res Date: 2020-05-05