Rural Ethiopian communities face significant challenges in accessing safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, which can lead to health issues. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys (n=120) and focus group discussions with community members in two pilot sites. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Survey results indicate that 45% of participants adopted the new technologies, with significant variations across different communities based on socio-economic factors. Maintenance practices varied widely, with some communities implementing regular maintenance schedules while others relied on community vigilance and occasional repairs. Policy recommendations include funding for infrastructure development and training programmes to enhance technology adoption and maintenance in rural areas.
Gebreab et al. (Fri,) studied this question.