research
Indonesia
For decades, Indonesians have relied on boiling as a method to purify their drinking water. Nevertheless, contaminates like E-coli, the bacterial indicator of fecal contamination, continue to find their way into household drinking water. Diarrhea is the number two killer of children in Indonesia under the age of 5, representing 20 percent of all deaths among these children.
Discussion groups with men and women in Binjai, North Sumatra.
Additionally, the price of kerosene continues to rise, which has made it costly for households to continue to boil their water. Responding to the need for a more economical solution as well as a program that will improve the quality of drinking water and contribute to improved health outcomes among the Indonesian people, a new water treatment product, known as Air RahMat, was introduced in Binjai in May, 2006. Air Rahmat, which translates to Blessed Water, offers an economical alternative to the boiling method as well as added protection from recontamination due to residual chlorine in the water.
Mrs. Lubis’s warung (shop) in Deli Sedang, North Sumatra.
Ms. Ani A. Gani is a non-traditional retailer from the Community Health Committee in Keluarahan Pasar Baru Kota Tangerang.
Air RahMat is a safe water product produced and distributed by USAID’s Aman Tirta program. The Aman Tirta partnership brings the private and public sectors together to increase access to safe water in Indonesia. Air RahMat is a point-of-use water purifier that comes in a 100 ml bottle shaped like a water drop. One bottle provides enough solution to treat 660 liters of water, more or less the amount a family uses in a month. Registered with DepKes (the Ministry of Health) and certified Halal (approved by Muslim officials), it is also affordable at an equivalent of $0.40 per bottle.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) developed the sodium hypochlorite solution used in Air RahMat. With a grant from IPWR, Johns Hopkins University and CDC are studying the health and economic impact of Air RahMat in selected districts. The research design uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand people's perceptions of the new product, perceived benefits compared to boiling and motivations for consistent use. Though group discussions with men and women in the areas where the product has been promoted, as well as household interviews and monitoring of product awareness and trial, the research is identifying motivation and barriers to consistent use.
A mother and her baby at the same measles immunization promotion event in Kelurahan Cideng also try Air RahMat.
In February, 2007, children getting out of school stumble upon a measles immunization promotion event at a health center where Air Rahmat was being distributed.
Results from the first round of surveys in the first study district (Binjai, North Sumatra) indicated that product awareness grew from 5.1% at product launch to 51% six months later in September, 2006. Use of the product is still low in this district. One of the reasons for low use, as reported by survey respondents in 2006 was that the product was not easy to find. As result, the program has improved distribution, which is expected to increase product use. Currently Air RahMat is available in 6 provinces, including the most populated areas of Indonesia, and its availability will increase as the program continues to scale up.
The Air Rahmat product has been successful among these orphan children in Indonesia.
Research results have also been used to refine the communication and education messages of the program to address concerns expressed by survey respondents. The second phase of the program will cover a larger area of Indonesia and research activities will continue to explore behaviors related to safe water and in particular product use. A final evaluation survey to assess the health and economic impact of Air RahMat is planned for 2008.
Elementary school students in Kampung Wangkal participate in a “Safe Water Day,” where they had the opportunity to test the microbiological quality of different waters (treated and non-treated) to determine the effectiveness of treatment technologies.
Mrs. K. Siti Halimah Sadijah runs an orphanage in Indonesia. She is constantly looking for ways to stretch her monthly budget and make ends meet. Before she was introduced to Air RahMat, the orphanage was spending close to Rp. 270,000 per month ($27.00 USD) in drinking water alone. With Air RahMat, she has saved Rp. 250,000 per month. She reports not having had any problems with the new water purification system.
"With 25 children living here, this savings goes a long way," she said. "The kids are healthy, and I also don’t need to worry about the kids getting into accidents boiling the water." Sadijah also uses Air RahMat in the school canteen across the street. She finds the product economical, practical and easy to use. "I don’t need to bother with all the hassle," she said, "especially when making ice. No more boiling and cooling and then packing. Just add Air RahMat and then pack and put into the freezer."
Safe Water Days in Schools – Elementary school students in Kampung Wangkal and their parents participate in a "Safe Water Day," where they had the opportunity to test the microbiological quality of different waters (treated and non-treated) to determine the effectiveness of treatment technologies. The children learn the importance of treating the water they drink. Currently about 20% of the households in Wangkal use Air RahMat as their main water treatment method.
