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Table 4 Design of the Composting Care Group Module and Enabling Technology, Organized by IBM-WASH Dimension

From: Formative research for the development of baby water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions for young children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (REDUCE program)

Dimension of IBM-WASH

Implications for Intervention Design

Contextual dimension

 Theft: Theft of animal feces is possible, given their value for fertilizer. Some households keep feces in bags inside the kitchen or living space to avoid theft.

Pictorial instructions included in module recommend creation of a compost heap far from where children play.

 Livelihood/crop productivity: Animal feces are highly valued as agricultural fertilizer, resulting in opposition to dispose of animal feces in the latrine.

Narrative illustration included in module emphasizes the benefits of composting animal feces for generating fertilizer.

Psychosocial dimension

 Existing habits: Some households make compost for fertilizer from animal feces and/or food waste; most households put animal feces directly into the field after sweeping/cleaning to remove feces from the living area.

Pictorial instructions included in module recommend that feces be put in a compost pile with other household waste.

Technological dimension

 Manufacturing/access: Small, inexpensive compost piles accessible to rural populations.

Candidate compost pile able to be built by household members from low-cost, locally available materials, used by some households currently.