Distribution of Point of Use Water Treatment Product through Mutual Health Organizations in Rwanda: Baseline Survey Results
In Rwanda, MHOs (called mutuelles de santé) cover about 75 percent of the population. Diarrheal disease is one of the leading causes of death for Rwandan children. Unsafe water and poor hygiene and sanitation are major contributors to diarrhea prevalence. While there is overwhelming evidence that point-of-use (POU) water treatment reduces diarrhea prevalence, use of POU treatment in Rwanda is very low. Taking into account these factors, Health Systems 20/20 partnered with Population Services International (PSI)/Rwanda to implement a pilot project that aims to integrate the promotion and distribution of Sûr’Eau, a chlorine-based POU water disinfection product, through the mutuelles.
A baseline evaluation was conduced in December 2007, to assess knowledge, attitude, and use of the product and diarrhea prevalence among mutuelle families with children under five. The baseline evaluation was conducted in the two intervention districts and one control district, Karongi (where the pilot project will not be launched in 2008). A follow-up evaluation will be conducted in late 2008, to assess the impact of this pilot project on the use of Sûr’Eau and diarrhea prevalence among children under five.
This report presents the findings from the baseline survey, and the resulting recommendations for the pilot project implementation.
