Project Title: Assessing Health Impacts of Small Reservoirs in Burkina Faso: collecting health data for improved planning and management of small multi-purpose reservoirs

IWMI Theme: Basin Water Management - understanding water productivity

Project Duration: 

2005-2006

Geographical Focus: 

Kaya and Koubri in Burkina Faso (under Ghana office)

The impact of small dams on human health is poorly documented, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Both health benefits and health hazards may be substantial and could, respectively, be enhanced and mitigated by better management of these reservoirs. The project collects primary and secondary information on various health impacts of small reservoirs in Burkina Faso to better understand the impacts and help identify tools for improved management. In two selected clusters or small reservoirs, Kaya and Koubri, detailed information on malaria, schistosomiasis and geo-helminthes are collected through school questionnaires and examination of blood, urine and stool samples. Vector population studies, water quality sampling and participatory assessments will provide more insight into contextual determinants of water-related ill health, hygiene behavior and the different domestic and productive uses of water and their benefits. The data will be analyzed in spatial databases to help compare findings from different areas and derive generic findings. In addition to scientific papers, the results will be used in the development of a policy health risk tool and a community health tool for better planning and management of small reservoir clusters under the CPWF Small Reservoirs Project (www.smallreservoirs.org).

Partners 

• Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS),

• Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)
  

Donors

The project is funded by World Health Organization (WHO), Regional office for Africa, Brazaville, Congo.