Resumen

CRUZ M, Rollin; AREVALO M, Heriberto; CHAMORRO R, Freddy  y  FERNANDEZ V, Freddy. Efecto del uso de un método artesanal para el tratamiento de agua en comunidades rurales de la región San Martín, Perú. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2005, vol.22, n.2, pp.117-122. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objectives: To assess efficacy and acceptability of a chloride microdosing device as a drinking water treatment system in rural communities in San Martin region, Peru. Materials and methods: This is a study performed in five rural communities (four underwent the intervention and one served as control). Meetings were held in order to make people aware with respect to handling and use of the chloride microdosing system, and materials necessary for implementing the intervention were given to the population. Follow-up was performed measuring the amount of residual chloride in drinking water, and also water contamination levels were measured. Results: After a 17-week follow up period, 75.9% of 1281 participants were using the system. Water contamination before the intervention was 800 CFU (colony-forming units) of coliform bacteria/50 mL in all five communities. The coliform CFU count was reduced to zero in three of the four communities undergoing the intervention. Residual chloride concentrations in drinking water in the communities were within the normal range. Conclusions: The use of chloride micro-dosing system and community participation in order to have good quality in drinking water are satisfactorily accepted in rural communities assessed, and there is a significant reduction in drinking water contamination.

Palabras clave : Water Supply, Rural; Water Quality; Diarrhea; Water Treatment; Clorination.

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