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Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with 83% of ARI mortality occurring in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) before the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to estimate the effect of interventions promoting handwashing with soap on ARI in LMICs.

Household-specific feedback on the microbiological safety of drinking water may result in changes to water management practices that reduce exposure risks. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial in India to determine if information on household drinking water quality could change behavior and improve microbiological quality as indicated by Escherichia colicounts. We randomly assigned 589 participating households to one of three arms: (1) a messaging-only armreceiving messaging on safe water management (n= 237); (2) a standard testing armreceiving the same messaging plus laboratory E. colitesting results specific to that household’s drinking water (n= 173); and (3) a test kit armreceiving messaging plus low-cost E. colitests that could be used at the household’s discretion (n= 179). Self-reported water treatment increased significantly in both the standard testing armand the test kit armbetween baseline and follow-up one month later. Mean log10E. colicounts per 100 mL in household stored drinking water increased in the messaging-only armfrom 1.42 to 1.87, while decreasing in the standard testing arm (1.38 to 0.89, 65% relative reduction) and the test kit arm (1.08 to 0.65, 76% relative reduction). Findings indicate that household-specific water quality information can improve both behaviors and drinking water quality.

A key challenge for achieving universal water access in Sub-Saharan Africa is poor sustainability of water schemes. Previous studies have posited factors that may lead to failed schemes; however, empirical data are lacking. We conducted direct observations of water sources and interviewed water committee members about governance in two regions of Ethiopia. Based on direct observation at each water point, and harmonizing previous research in the sector, we developed an ordinal measure of functionality. Among functional systems, linear regression models were used to assess changes in score or level of functionality against governance characteristics. Of 89 water schemes over 5 years old, 82 had sufficient data to receive a score. Higher functionality scores were associated with having good records, meeting regularly, financial audits, higher monthly fees, a paid caretaker and water committees with capacity to perform minor repairs. Our continuous measure of functionality was simple to derive, objective and may be widely applicable for further studies assessing key indicators of sustainability.

The article focuses on the Water Technologies for Emerging Regions Center (WaTER) manage by the University of Oklahama (OU), and talks of education of water, sanitation and health (WASH), establishment of OU International Water Prize, and research on improving water quality in Bolivia.