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A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
How do we sell the hygiene message? With dollars, dong or excreta?
Peter Kjaer Mackie Jensen1, Pham Duc Phuc, Line Gram Knudsen West
1Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5 PO Box 2099,1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark. petkj@sund.ku.dk
Vietnamese farmers prioritize the economic value of human excreta (fertilizer) over strict composting guidelines due to livelihood constraints. Health authorities must integrate economic considerations into hygiene messages for effective adoption of safe excreta reuse practices.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Agricultural economics
- Public health policy
Background:
- Farmers in North and Central Vietnam commonly use human excreta from double vault composting latrines (DVC) as fertilizer.
- Official Vietnamese health guidelines mandate a six-month composting period before application, which is often unaffordable for farmers.
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