Malawi (2010): An Assessment of Practices, Knowledge and Barriers to Point of Use Water Treatment among caregivers of under five children In Malawi.

Abstract

In 2008, a household survey was conducted to identify the determinants of point of use water treatment caretakers to children under the age of five. The household survey, as a follow-up study, also monitored the evaluated key behaviors. The results indicate that many positive behaviors regarding water treatment fell. Those who used WaterGuard in the last week fell from 14% to 11% between 2005 and 2008. Among those who used WaterGuard ever, 58% used in the last 24 hours in 2008. However, only 14% of households tested positively for the chlorine residual test. While WaterGuard use did fall, 9% more households in 2008 said they treated their drinking water in the past week with other chlorine products compared to 2005. Those who always treat their drinking water fell 8% between baseline and follow-up. Over one-third of respondents said they did not use WaterGuard because it was too expensive. Meanwhile, of those who used WaterGuard 35% used the correct number of capfuls but only 13% waited the correct among of time before using their drinking water. Among the OAM determinants, perceived availability increased, as did locus of control. Perceived threat fell. . The purpose of this study is to better understand the 2008 household survey results. As the findings are generally negative since WaterGuard use declines, we seek to understand several avenues in which the environment changed and may have contributed to lower WaterGuard use. </p