LifeStraw® Family - User Acceptability*

Field study: Clasen, T. et al. 2010. Field assessment of a novel household-based water filtration device: a randomised controlled trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo (under publication)

Study Design: 12-month RCT among 240 households (1144 persons) in remote, rural Congo

Outcome:

• Very high acceptability
• 76% current users after 14 months
• 83% adults and 95% children reported drinking from LifeStraw^® Family the previous day
• 56% correct use (understood instructions of use)
• High flow-rate (12L/h)

Field study: Testing the efficiency of LifeStraw® Family in purifying drinking water

Study design: 3 months, 22 households in rural Cambodia (Pursat and Kandal Province)

Partner: Institute of Technology of Cambodia

Outcome: High user acceptability: All households liked the LifeStraw® Family and used it to purify their drinking water. The households found the filter easy to operate. The LifeStraw® Family produced enough water for their daily consumption, the average flow-rate of 12L/h was well accepted and was maintained throughout the study in a remarkable manner.

Field study: To investigate the functioning and acceptability of LifeStraw^® Family by its intended target group in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Partner: USAID-funded project AXxes (2007)

Outcome: After the purpose and usage of the product was explained and demonstrated, the product was greatly appreciated and accepted by all families. The products showed no malfunction or damage after a month's usage, and showed impressive flow rate of one litre in less than five minutes. The participants found them easy to use and maintain

LifeStraw^® Family pilot project in Ethiopia

Partner: Christian Children Fund of Canada

Outcome:

• Good product uptake: 50% same day or regular use
• High perception: 70% products hanging in house, product considered desirable/ prestigious
• Customers understood the instructions of use and found the product easy to use

Dye, T.D. 2009. “You can take water any place you are:” A qualitative assessment of water-related illness beliefs, behaviors, and community acceptance of novel personal water filtration devices (under publication)**

Partner: Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, New York

Outcome:

• High product uptake: 83% current users after 2 months
• Savings in firewood consumption

*based on self-reported data
**study included both LifeStraw® and LifeStraw® Family

LifeStraw^® Family Acceptability in Mexico

Partner: World Vision Mexico

Outcome:

• Of a sample size of 183 families in Oaxaca, Mexico, 98% displayed correct use and integrated the filter into their lives