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An improved tool for household faeces management in rural Bangladeshi communities
Rebeca Sultana1, Utpal K Mondal, Nadia Ali Rimi
1Center for Communicable Diseases, icddr, b, Dhaka, Bangladesh. rebeca@icddrb.org
Objective:
To explore child defecation and faeces management practices in rural Bangladesh with the aim to redesign and pilot a tool to facilitate removal and disposal of faeces.
Methods:
We conducted six group discussions, six short interviews and three observations of practices and designed the new tool. We piloted the new tool and elicited feedback through two in-depth interviews and two observations.
Results:
Until three years of age, a child commonly defecates in the courtyard and occasionally inside the house. A heavy digging hoe was commonly used to remove child faeces. Mothers preferred a redesigned 'mini-hoe' and found it easier to use for removal and disposal of liquid faeces.
Conclusions:
Promoting modified local tools may contribute to improving environmental sanitation and health.
