Journal Article

Ceramic water filters impregnated with silver nanoparticles as a point-of-use water-treatment intervention for HIV-positive individuals in Limpopo Province, South Africa: a pilot study of technological performance and human health benefits

Mojapelo, Paul, Brant, Julia, Narkiewicz, Sophia, Oyanedel-Craver, Vinka, Singo, Alukhethi, Conaway, Mark, Dillingham, Rebecca, Smith, James A., Amidou, Samie, Abebe, Lydia Shawel

2014

Overview

Waterborne pathogens present a significant threat to people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). This study presents a randomized, controlled trial that evaluates whether a household-level ceramic water filter (CWF) intervention can improve drinking water quality and decrease days of diarrhea in PLWH in rural South Africa. Seventy-four participants were randomized in an intervention group with CWFs and a control group without filters. Participants in the CWF arm received CWFs impregnated with silver nanoparticles and associated safe-storage containers. Water and stool samples were collected at baseline and 12 months. Diarrhea incidence was self-reported weekly for 12 months. The average diarrhea rate in the control group was 0.064 days/week compared to 0.015 days/week in the intervention group (p < 0.001, Mann–Whitney). Median reduction of total coliform bacteria was 100% at enrollment and final collection. CWFs are an acceptable technology that can significantly improve the quality of household water and decrease days of diarrhea for PLWH in rural South Africa.

• Publisher: IWA Publishing
• Subject: Adult / Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding / Applied sciences / Bacteria / Biological and medical sciences / Ceramics - therapeutic use / Coliforms / Cryptosporidiosis - epidemiology / Cryptosporidiosis - parasitology / Cryptosporidiosis - prevention & control / Cryptosporidium - isolation & purification / Diarrhea / Diarrhea - epidemiology / Diarrhea - microbiology / Diarrhea - parasitology / Diarrhea - prevention & control / Drinking water / Drinking Water - analysis / Drinking Water - microbiology / Drinking Water - parasitology / Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination / Enterobacteriaceae - isolation & purification / Enterobacteriaceae Infections - epidemiology / Enterobacteriaceae Infections - microbiology / Enterobacteriaceae Infections - prevention & control / Environment. Living conditions / Exact sciences and technology / Feces - microbiology / Feces - parasitology / Female / Filters / Filtration - methods / HIV / HIV Seropositivity - epidemiology / HIV Seropositivity - virology / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Male / Medical sciences / Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry / Middle Aged / Nanoparticles / Pathogens / Pilot Projects / Pollution / Public health. Hygiene / Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine / Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Rural Population / Silver / Silver - chemistry / South Africa - epidemiology / Storage containers / Water filters / Water purification / Water Purification - methods / Water Quality / Water treatment / Water treatment and pollution / Young Adult