Reducing diarrhea through community-based distribution of household ceramic water filters in rural Honduras

Background: Ceramic, silver-impregnated water filters have been shown to reduce diarrhea, but reporting on the effectiveness of community-based implementation is limited. We report on the effectiveness of implementing a filter protocol in a remote, rural community setting and present an innovative strategy for initiating such a project.

Methods: After need-based sampling informed by a local health committee, 24 households were provided discounted ceramic filters. At 0, 1, and 6-month visits, total coliform counts were assessed for both the usual water sources and ceramic filters. Participants reported the frequency of filter use, episodes of diarrhea in the youngest child living in the house, and satisfaction with the project.

Results: After 6 months of use, 91.6% (22 of 24) of water samples from the filters demonstrated 0 total coliforms per 100 mL while only 12.5% (3 of 24) of water samples from usual water sources demonstrated 0 total coliforms per 100 mL. Of all the households queried, 95% (19 of 20) continued to use the filter daily after 6 months. The mean number of episodes of diarrhea for the youngest child over the past year in households prior to using the filter was 3.4 compared to 0.2 episodes during the 6-month period that the filter was being used.

Conclusion: The distribution of ceramic water filters through community-based planning can effectively reduce total coliforms in drinking water and household diarrhea.