 |
|
Biosand filter reduces diarrheal disease in Dominican Republic villages
March 20, 2007CHAPEL HILL - A simple, affordable household filtration device can reduce the incidence of diarrhea, one of the leading causes of disease and death in developing countries, by up to 40 percent, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have shown.
"This technology has the potential to bring safe drinking water to many people in developing countries around the world who don't have access to it now," said Mark Sobsey, Ph.D., professor of environmental sciences and engineering at UNC's School of Public Health. "We can tremendously improve people's health and quality of life if we can help them get a reliable source of clean drinking water. Our study shows that simple biosand filters actually do improve water quality and consequently improve the health of everyone in the home."
Sobsey and researchers in UNC's School of Public Health compared rates of diarrhea and the condition of drinking water in homes in two villages near Bonao, Dominican Republic. They monitored about 150 households without filters for four months, assessing the rate of illness. Then, about half the houses were given biosand filters - concrete containers that hold gravel and sand. All households were monitored for another six months. The team's initial analysis showed the filter reduced diarrheal disease among household members by an estimated 30 percent to 40 percent, including in highly vulnerable young children less than 5 years old. At the end of the study, filters were given to all participating homes.
"These kinds of filters have been used in the developing world since the 1990s, but there was only anecdotal evidence that they actually improved health," said Christine Stauber, a UNC doctoral candidate who helped direct the project in the Dominican Republic. "It was really exciting to collect scientific evidence in an objective study that showed the filters actually worked, at least in these communities."
Preliminary results of the study were presented in February 2007 at the third annual Thirsting to Serve Water Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich.. More detailed findings will be presented and published later this year.
"This kind of field evidence provides the basis for encouraging more widespread promotion and use of these filters to reduce the global burden of diarrheal disease," Sobsey said. "Diarrhea is one of the major causes of disease and death in developing countries."
Dr. Gloria Ortiz, a UNC postdoctoral fellow, also helped direct the project in the Dominican Republic. She recently visited the villages and said residents told her that the filters make a great difference in their lives.
"They told me they no longer need to worry about sick children who have to miss school, or about taking the children to the doctor or finding money to buy medications to treat diarrhea," she said. "Many told me that since they've been using the filters, no one in their house had gotten a single case of diarrhea. This is a tremendous step in improving their health and well-being."
International Aid, a non-profit humanitarian healthcare agency, cited the UNC study while announcing a major safe water initiative that focuses on the distribution and use of a filter that uses the gravel and sand technology, but is housed in a plastic, rather than concrete container. The new filter weighs about 15 pounds, compared to about 300 pounds for the concrete filters.
"We didn't use the lightweight filters in our research," Sobsey said, "but we're happy to know companies and agencies are embracing the proven technology of biosand filters and are looking for ways to improve and increase the usage. We know clean water not only improves, but saves lives."
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"These kinds of filters have been used in the developing world since the 1990s, but there was only anecdotal evidence that they actually improved health," said Christine Stauber, a UNC doctoral candidate who helped direct the project in the Dominican Republic. "It was really exciting to collect scientific evidence in an objective study that showed the filters actually worked, at least in these communities."
Preliminary results of the study were presented in February 2007 at the third annual Thirsting to Serve Water Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich.. More detailed findings will be presented and published later this year.
"This kind of field evidence provides the basis for encouraging more widespread promotion and use of these filters to reduce the global burden of diarrheal disease," Sobsey said. "Diarrhea is one of the major causes of disease and death in developing countries."
Dr. Gloria Ortiz, a UNC postdoctoral fellow, also helped direct the project in the Dominican Republic. She recently visited the villages and said residents told her that the filters make a great difference in their lives.
"They told me they no longer need to worry about sick children who have to miss school, or about taking the children to the doctor or finding money to buy medications to treat diarrhea," she said. "Many told me that since they've been using the filters, no one in their house had gotten a single case of diarrhea. This is a tremendous step in improving their health and well-being."
International Aid, a non-profit humanitarian healthcare agency, cited the UNC study while announcing a major safe water initiative that focuses on the distribution and use of a filter that uses the gravel and sand technology, but is housed in a plastic, rather than concrete container. The new filter weighs about 15 pounds, compared to about 300 pounds for the concrete filters.
"We didn't use the lightweight filters in our research," Sobsey said, "but we're happy to know companies and agencies are embracing the proven technology of biosand filters and are looking for ways to improve and increase the usage. We know clean water not only improves, but saves lives."
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Diarrhea Current Events and Diarrhea News RSSAsthma a significant risk factor for complications in children with H1N1
A new study on pediatric H1N1 influenza admissions has found that asthma is a significant risk factor for severe disease in children with pandemic H1N1 compared with the seasonal flu.
Prioritizing low-cost, simple health measures would save 2.5 million child lives a year
Almost a third of the children under age five who die each year could be saved if governments rebalance health spending to ensure low-cost, simple interventions such as safe water and hygiene, bed nets and basic maternal and newborn care, leading aid agency World Vision said today. Currently, 8.8 million children a year die before age five, most of preventable causes.
Commentary warns of unexpected consequences of proton pump inhibitor use in reflux disease
Despite being highly effective and beneficial for many patients, unexpected consequences are emerging in patients who are prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for reflux diseases.
Deadly stomach infection rising in community settings, Mayo Clinic study finds
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that a sometimes deadly stomach bug, Clostridium difficile is on the rise in outpatient settings.
Probiotic Found to Be Effective Treatment for Colitis In Mice
The probiotic, Bacillus polyfermenticus, can help mice recover from colitis, a new study has found.
Eating right, not supplements, is best at keeping your good bacteria healthy, dietitian says
Healthy eating, not supplements, is the best way to keep the good bacteria in your gut healthy, says a dietitian and researcher.
The bowels of infection
Current research suggests that latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The related report by Onyeagocha et al, "Latent cytomegalovirus infection exacerbates experimental colitis," appears in the November 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
3-day course of antibiotics may be sufficient following tonsillectomy
Children who receive a three-day course of antibiotics following tonsillectomy rather than a seven-day course appear to have no differences in pain or how quickly they return to a normal diet and activity level.
Countries slow to use lifesaving diarrhea treatments for children
Despite evidence that low-cost diarrhea treatments such as lower osmolarity oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc supplements could drastically reduce the number of deaths among children, little progress has been made in implementing these life-saving techniques.
Frozen assets: NIAID researchers turn to unique resource for clues to norovirus evolution
A search through decades-old frozen infant stool samples has yielded rich dividends for scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.
More Diarrhea Current Events and Diarrhea News Articles
 |
Kirkland Signiture Anti-Diarrheal - 400 Caplets by Kirkland Controls the symptoms of diarrhea, including Travelers' Diarrhea. Every Kirkland Signature product is guaranteed to meet or exceed the quality standards of the leading national brands. If you are not completely satisfied, your money will be refunded. Directions: Drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration, which may accompany diarrhea. Find right dose on chart. If possible, use weight to dose; otherwise, use age. Adults and children 12 years and over: 2 caplets after the first loose stool; 1 caplet after each subsequent loose stool; but no more than 4 caplets a day. Children 9-11 years (60-95 lbs.): 1 caplet after the first loose stool; 1/2 caplet after each subsequent loose stool; but no more than 3caplets a day. Children 6-8 years (48-59 lbs.): 1 caplet after the first... |
 |
Diarrhea (Telford Press Series) by Michael Gracey (Editor) This book helps bring the busy practitioner up to date with recent developments in research on diarrhea that has taken place over the past 10 years. The causes of diarrhea are very diverse and include infections, allergies, chronic inflammatory diseases, tumors and inborn errors of intestinal digestion and transport. The global importance of diarrheal deaths and illnessess, as well as the rapid technical advances that have occurred in this field, have generated a vast amount of literature that is not easily accessible to most practicing doctors. This single volume brings this literature together in a logical, concise and clear manner that puts diarrhea and its management into a clinical perspective. Practicing physicians, pediatricians, internists and senior students will find this book... |
 |
Imodium A-D Anti-Diarrhea, 72-Count Caplets by Imodium Take control with Imodium A-D Anti-Diarrhea Caplets. Imodium works with your body to get it back to normal when you have diarrhea. |
 |
Ask Me About My Explosive Diarrhea Funny Womens Babydoll tee Shirt in 6 Colors Small thru XL by 99 Volts |
 |
Diarrhea by Brandy Lynn McDevitt (Author) Diarrhea. When you see this word on a book's cover, your view of the book may be a little distorted. When you open this book and read, you will learn about Brandy through the ups and downs of her life. Then you will see that the human mind can conquer anything. Brandy grew up without a mother. She had a father who worked nonstop to give her everything she desired. She has matured into a happy, well-rounded, artistic and gifted human...or so it seems. Emotional roller coaster rides in her heart have turned Brandy's mind grey and black with hatred. But she still has light in her soul...a source of energy that she holds...energy that is very beneficial for her. |
 |
NaturVet Cat Anti-Diarrhea Aid 8 fl. oz. by NaturVet 8 oz. NaturVet Cat Anti-Diarrhea Aid is a pleasant tasting liquid suspension for use as an aid for simple diarrhea. Main ingredient is an anti-diarrheal ingredient for the absorption of toxins. This absorbent action helps alleviate the irritation, discomfort and cramping associated with diarrhea. NaturVet Cat Anti-Diarrhea AidNaturVet Cat Anti-Diarrhea Aid is a pleasant tasting liquid suspension for use as an aid for simple diarrhea. NaturVet Cat Anti-Diarrhea contains kaolin, an anti-diarrheal ingredient for the absorption of toxins. This absorbent action helps alleviate the irritation, discomfort and cramping associated with diarrhea. cat diarrhea supplement cat |
 |
Diarrhea of a Madman by Dave Brockie Experience |
 |
Isomil DF Soy Formula For Diarrhea, Ready to Feed, Case of Six Bottles- each 32 Fluid Ounces by Isomil For firming loose, watery stools, Isomil DF is for the dietary management of diarrhea in infants older than 6 months and toddlers. Isomil DF should not be fed to infants or toddlers with constipation. |
 |
Washington Homeopathic Products Combination Remedy for Diarrhea (#10) by Washington Homeopathic Products About Washington Homeopathics (WHP) Washington Homeopathic Pharmacy (WHP) is the world leader in homeopathic and began in 1873 in Washington, DC. In 1991, Joe and Linda Lillard bought the pharmacy. In less than 20 years Washington Homeopathic Products has grown from a storefront pharmacy to one that is now serving over 65,000 customers in more than twenty countries. Today, WHP is the oldest full line homeopathic manufacturer in the nation offering a selection of over 1700 homeopathic medicines. They strive to make just about every product they offer. All plant materials used to manufacture homeopathic medicine must be organically grown. Over 50 species of plants used to process remedies are grown on the Lillards West Virginia farm. Sourcing local botanical materials... |
 |
Constipation and Diarrhea Also With: Guangzhou Beauty Culture Communication Co.Ltd (Producer) Constipation means people relieve nature once for three to five days or even more than five days due to the fact that stool is dry and rough, dejecta stays in the bowels for more than 48 hours. This kind of chronic constipation becomes a very important factor for causing miocardial infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. At present the incidence of a disease of colon cancer has ranked the third cancer. Diarrhea is a phenomena of dysfunction of stomach and bowel.The techniques of treating constipation and hiarrhea by massage of TCM are simple and have actual effects. The speciality theory of this program is clear, and it is paying attention to actual manipulations. It has vivid introductions to the common points, basic techniques and prevention and health care of constipation and diarrhea... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |