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Feet of a person with lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis. WHO

November 22, 2023

Patients’ beliefs about illness matter: the case of elephantiasis in rural Ghana

Kristi Heather Kenyon, University of Winnipeg; Alexander Kwarteng, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); Colleen McMillan, University of Waterloo; Mary Asirifi, MacEwan University, and Regiane Garcia, Simon Fraser University

In rural Ghana, only 18% of patients believe elephantiasis is a disease. Some others think it is caused by curses or even rain. Only by understanding local beliefs can it be treated effectively.

A member of the Syria Immunization Team holding cholera vaccinations. Anas Alkharboutli/picture alliance via Getty Images

June 27, 2023

Cholera: vaccines can stop the spread, but the biggest deterrent is clean water

Edina Amponsah-Dacosta, University of Cape Town and Julie Copelyn, University of Cape Town

The aim of vaccination is to prevent infection. In addition, vaccination is intended to reduce the risk of severe illness.

Access to clean water is essential in preventing a number of infections. Riccardo Mayer/shutterstock

May 10, 2022

Community dialogue can show the way to meeting water needs: a South African case

Jennifer Hove, University of the Witwatersrand; Kathleen Kahn, University of the Witwatersrand; Lucia D'Ambruoso, University of Aberdeen, and Rhian Twine, University of the Witwatersrand

Evidence suggests that involving marginalised communities in setting priorities and designing collective action can lead to improved health outcomes.

Governments must provide adequate sanitation and hygiene infrastructure. IUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images

September 27, 2021

My findings about the sanitation conditions in Nigeria’s Ile-Ife point to a bad situation

Seun Olowoporoku, Obafemi Awolowo University

Access to water and other sanitation infrastructure depended on income level.

A boy leaves mobile and portable public toilet at Ketu in Lagos. AFP via Getty Images/ Pius Utomi Ekpei

September 13, 2021

Lagos has a water and sanitation crisis: what the state and city can do

Oluwole Daramola, Obafemi Awolowo University

The government must shore up efforts to finance water and sanitation in Nigeria.

Water carriage is associated with pain, fatigue and violence against vulnerable people. shutterstock

December 10, 2020

Safe drinking water should mean safe collection too: how to reduce the risks

Dr Jo-Anne Geere, University of East Anglia

The importance of accessing water that’s safe to drink and enough for washing, cleaning and cooking is clear, but little attention has been given to the safety of water collection away from home.

A tightly packed and busy urban slum in Ajegunle, Lagos, Nigeria. shutterstock

October 29, 2020

Why African cities should have engaged non-state actors in the fight against COVID-19

Chidi Nzeadibe, University of Nigeria; Adaeze Ejike-Alieji, University of Nigeria; Casmir C. Mbaegbu, University of Nigeria; Chinedu Onyishi, University of Nigeria; Christian Ezeibe, University of Nigeria; Chukwuedozie Ajaero, University of Nigeria; Peter Mbah, University of Nigeria, and Victor Udemezue Onyebueke, University of Nigeria

Urban governance must include community groups, non-state and informal actors in the battle against COVID-19 in Africa.

Poor sanitation has a well documented effect on child health. ALEXANDER JOE/AFP via Getty Images

August 10, 2020

South African policy isn’t connecting child nutrition and sanitation

Doug Momberg, University of the Witwatersrand; Julian May, University of the Western Cape, and Rihlat Said Mohamed, University of Cambridge

There is no clear delineation of roles and responsibilities relating to the integration of clean water, sanitation, safe hygiene and nutritional status.

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