The Health And Social Impacts Of Water Development Projects Within Three Rural Communities In Cambodia

Degree Name

MA in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management

First Advisor

Ken Williams

Abstract

Sustainable Cambodia is a rural development organization operating in the communities of Pursat Province. Among their various development programs are the water projects which include wells, latrines and biosand water filters.

The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of the water programs within the communities of Sthany, Osdau, and Tnort Trat. The water projects were introduced to these villages in late 2006 at which time a survey was conducted to collect baseline data. This was followed by a second survey in May 2007. This research is a continuation of that process in order to assess the effectiveness of the water projects and if they affected the rates of illness within the three communities. Data was collected through a structured survey administered in April 2008 within the three communities.

The research concluded that the implementation of the water projects has positively affected some areas of illness – primarily incidents of diarrhea. However the research also showed that illness among young children and rates of typhoid have not shown the same improvements. Additionally, the research also showed that the sanitation sector of the projects is not operating at full capacity.

The findings of this research conclude the importance of community education is paramount in the water projects operating at their full potential as well as maintaining the functional integrity of a safe water system. The better the training for those using the water projects, the more effective the projects are at fulfilling their designed purpose.

Disciplines

Public Health | Social Welfare

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