Attitudinal and relational factors predicting the use of solar water disinfection: a field study in Nicaragua.
Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is an uncomplicated and cheap technology providing individuals with safe drinking water by exposing water-filled plastic bottles to sunlight for 6 hours to kill waterborne pathogens. Two communities were visited, and 81 families (40 SODIS users and 41 nonusers) were interviewed. The relationship between several factors and the intention to use SODIS in the future and actual use were tested. The results showed that intention to use and actual use are mainly related to an overall positive attitude, intention to use is related to the use of SODIS by neighbors, and actual use is related to knowledge about SODIS; SODIS users reported a significantly lower incidence in diarrhea than SODIS nonusers. These results suggest that promotion activities should aim at creating a positive attitude, for example, by choosing a promoter that is able to inspire confidence in the new technology.
Altherr
Anne-Marie
AM
Faculté de Psychologie et des Sciences de l'Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Mosler
Hans-Joachim
HJ
Tobias
Robert
R
Butera
Fabrizio
F
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003906:Developing Countries; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009527:Nicaragua; D013472:Sunlight; D014871:Water Microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards