This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.

Unclaimed
Rochelle H. Holm
Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, 302 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA

Basic Info

Basic Info is private.

Honors and Awards

The user has no records in this section


Career Timeline

The user has no records in this section.


Short Biography

The user biography is not available.
Following
Followers
Co Authors
The list of users this user is following is empty.
Following: 0 users

Feed

Communication
Published: 16 July 2021 in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
Reads 0
Downloads 0

We propose a minimum set of meta-information to accompany the reporting of SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in wastewater for improved data interpretation.

ACS Style

Jill S. McClary-Gutierrez; Zachary T. Aanderud; Mitham Al-Faliti; Claire Duvallet; Raul Gonzalez; Joe Guzman; Rochelle H. Holm; Michael A. Jahne; Rose S. Kantor; Panagis Katsivelis; Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn; Laura M. Langan; Cresten Mansfeldt; Sandra L. McLellan; Lorelay M. Mendoza Grijalva; Kevin S. Murnane; Colleen C. Naughton; Aaron I. Packman; Sotirios Paraskevopoulos; Tyler S. Radniecki; Fernando A. Roman; Abhilasha Shrestha; Lauren B. Stadler; Joshua A. Steele; Brian M. Swalla; Peter Vikesland; Brian Wartell; Carol J. Wilusz; Judith Chui Ching Wong; Alexandria B. Boehm; Rolf U. Halden; Kyle Bibby; Jeseth Delgado Vela. Standardizing data reporting in the research community to enhance the utility of open data for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Jill S. McClary-Gutierrez, Zachary T. Aanderud, Mitham Al-Faliti, Claire Duvallet, Raul Gonzalez, Joe Guzman, Rochelle H. Holm, Michael A. Jahne, Rose S. Kantor, Panagis Katsivelis, Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn, Laura M. Langan, Cresten Mansfeldt, Sandra L. McLellan, Lorelay M. Mendoza Grijalva, Kevin S. Murnane, Colleen C. Naughton, Aaron I. Packman, Sotirios Paraskevopoulos, Tyler S. Radniecki, Fernando A. Roman, Abhilasha Shrestha, Lauren B. Stadler, Joshua A. Steele, Brian M. Swalla, Peter Vikesland, Brian Wartell, Carol J. Wilusz, Judith Chui Ching Wong, Alexandria B. Boehm, Rolf U. Halden, Kyle Bibby, Jeseth Delgado Vela. Standardizing data reporting in the research community to enhance the utility of open data for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jill S. McClary-Gutierrez; Zachary T. Aanderud; Mitham Al-Faliti; Claire Duvallet; Raul Gonzalez; Joe Guzman; Rochelle H. Holm; Michael A. Jahne; Rose S. Kantor; Panagis Katsivelis; Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn; Laura M. Langan; Cresten Mansfeldt; Sandra L. McLellan; Lorelay M. Mendoza Grijalva; Kevin S. Murnane; Colleen C. Naughton; Aaron I. Packman; Sotirios Paraskevopoulos; Tyler S. Radniecki; Fernando A. Roman; Abhilasha Shrestha; Lauren B. Stadler; Joshua A. Steele; Brian M. Swalla; Peter Vikesland; Brian Wartell; Carol J. Wilusz; Judith Chui Ching Wong; Alexandria B. Boehm; Rolf U. Halden; Kyle Bibby; Jeseth Delgado Vela. 2021. "Standardizing data reporting in the research community to enhance the utility of open data for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance." Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 18 June 2021 in Water Policy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The livelihood of small-scale fishers on the world's freshwater lakes cuts across the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which covers water and sanitation, and SDG 8 on economic growth. The aim of this study was to examine the nature and extent of fishers' mobility patterns and access to improved sanitation facilities, safe drinking water, and handwashing practices while at work and home for two fishing camps in Malawi. The study used key informant interviews, questionnaires, water quality testing, and an observational checklist, followed by interviews on fishers' occupational migration. Many fishers (85%; 51/60) live and work in fishing camps with their families. Most fishers only went on day trips, but 8% of their working days were away from the fishing camps. Only eight fishers had safe (0 cfu/100 ml) drinking water at home. Most fishers reported drinking (97%) from and going to the toilet (92%) in the lake during fishing. Historical trends in cholera cases did not correlate with higher periods of migratory behavior of fishers observed in this study. Improving the livelihoods of small-scale fishers requires attention to their culture, the economics of the industry, and geographic criteria while at work and within fishing communities along the shores of Lake Malawi.

ACS Style

Rochelle H. Holm; Tikhala Chakalamba; Bwighane Ngasama; Fanuel Kapute. Geographic and occupational mobility of small-scale fishers of Lake Malawi: an exploratory study of water, sanitation, and hygiene access, Malawi. Water Policy 2021, 23, 897 -911.

AMA Style

Rochelle H. Holm, Tikhala Chakalamba, Bwighane Ngasama, Fanuel Kapute. Geographic and occupational mobility of small-scale fishers of Lake Malawi: an exploratory study of water, sanitation, and hygiene access, Malawi. Water Policy. 2021; 23 (4):897-911.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rochelle H. Holm; Tikhala Chakalamba; Bwighane Ngasama; Fanuel Kapute. 2021. "Geographic and occupational mobility of small-scale fishers of Lake Malawi: an exploratory study of water, sanitation, and hygiene access, Malawi." Water Policy 23, no. 4: 897-911.

Preprint content
Published: 26 March 2021
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In this communication, we report on the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 using wastewater samples in Jefferson County, KY. In February 2021, we analyzed seven wastewater samples for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance. Variants observed in smaller catchment areas, such as neighborhood manhole locations, were not necessarily consistent when compared to associated variant results in downstream treatment plants, suggesting catchment size or population could impact the ability to detect diversity.

ACS Style

J. L. Fuqua; E.C. Rouchka; S. Waigel; K. Sokoloski; D. Chung; W. Zacharias; M. Zhang; J. Chariker; D. Talley; I. Santisteban; A. Varsani; S. Moyer; R. H. Holm; R. A. Yeager; T. Smith; A. Bhatnagar. A rapid assessment of wastewater for genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants at sewershed scale in Louisville, KY. 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

J. L. Fuqua, E.C. Rouchka, S. Waigel, K. Sokoloski, D. Chung, W. Zacharias, M. Zhang, J. Chariker, D. Talley, I. Santisteban, A. Varsani, S. Moyer, R. H. Holm, R. A. Yeager, T. Smith, A. Bhatnagar. A rapid assessment of wastewater for genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants at sewershed scale in Louisville, KY. . 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

J. L. Fuqua; E.C. Rouchka; S. Waigel; K. Sokoloski; D. Chung; W. Zacharias; M. Zhang; J. Chariker; D. Talley; I. Santisteban; A. Varsani; S. Moyer; R. H. Holm; R. A. Yeager; T. Smith; A. Bhatnagar. 2021. "A rapid assessment of wastewater for genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants at sewershed scale in Louisville, KY." , no. : 1.

Research article
Published: 02 March 2021 in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) is increasingly used to provide decision makers with actionable data about community health. WBE efforts to date have primarily focused on sewer-transported wastewater in high-income countries, but at least 1.8 billion people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) use onsite sanitation systems such as pit latrines and septic tanks. Like wastewater, fecal sludges from such systems offer similar advantages in community pathogen monitoring and other epidemiological applications. To evaluate the distribution of enteric pathogens inside pit latrines–which could inform sampling methods for WBE in LMIC settings unserved by sewers–we collected fecal sludges from the surface, mid-point, and maximum-depth of 33 pit latrines in urban and peri-urban Malawi and analyzed the 99 samples for 20 common enteric pathogens via multiplex quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Using logistic regression adjusted for household population, latrine sharing, the presence of a concrete floor or slab, water source, and anal cleansing materials, we found no significant difference in the odds of detecting the 20 pathogens from the mid-point (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.1; 95% confidence interval = 0.73, 1.6) and surface samples (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.54, 1.2) compared with those samples taken from the maximum depth. Our results suggest that, for the purposes of routine pathogen monitoring, pit latrine sampling depth does not strongly influence the odds of detecting enteric pathogens by molecular methods. A single sample from the pit latrines’ surface, or a composite of surface samples, may be preferred as the most recent material contributed to the pit and may be easiest to collect.

ACS Style

Drew Capone; Petros Chigwechokha; Francis L. De Los Reyes Iii; Rochelle H. Holm; Benjamin B. Risk; Elizabeth Tilley; Joe Brown. Impact of sampling depth on pathogen detection in pit latrines. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15, e0009176 .

AMA Style

Drew Capone, Petros Chigwechokha, Francis L. De Los Reyes Iii, Rochelle H. Holm, Benjamin B. Risk, Elizabeth Tilley, Joe Brown. Impact of sampling depth on pathogen detection in pit latrines. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2021; 15 (3):e0009176.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Drew Capone; Petros Chigwechokha; Francis L. De Los Reyes Iii; Rochelle H. Holm; Benjamin B. Risk; Elizabeth Tilley; Joe Brown. 2021. "Impact of sampling depth on pathogen detection in pit latrines." PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 15, no. 3: e0009176.

Research article
Published: 11 January 2021 in Environmental Health Insights
Reads 0
Downloads 0

When waste management infrastructure is built, there can be resistance from the local affected populations, often termed the Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. This study aims to understand the forms of resistance that may develop in such contexts, focusing on 2 solid waste and 1 liquid waste management site within Mzuzu City, Malawi. At the newest solid waste site, community resistance had grown to the extent that the site was reportedly destroyed by the local community. Interviews and observations of the sites are complemented by examining historic and recent satellite images. It was found that, at the new solid waste site, community engagement had not been conducted effectively prior to construction and as part of ongoing site operations. This was compounded by poor site management and the non-delivery of the promised benefits to the community. In contrast, at the liquid waste site, the community could access untreated sludge for use as fertilizer and were happier to live within its vicinity. While NIMBYism is a frustrating phenomenon for city planners, it is understandable that communities want to protect their health and well-being when there is a history of mismanagement of waste sites which is sadly common in low-income settings. It is difficult for government agencies to deliver these services and broader waste management. In this study, an unsuccessful attempt to do something better with a legitimate goal is not necessarily a failure, but part of a natural learning process for getting things right.

ACS Style

Rochelle H Holm; Brighton A Chunga; Adrian Mallory; Paul Hutchings; Alison Parker. A Qualitative Study of NIMBYism for Waste in Smaller Urban Areas of a Low-Income Country, Mzuzu, Malawi. Environmental Health Insights 2021, 15, 1 .

AMA Style

Rochelle H Holm, Brighton A Chunga, Adrian Mallory, Paul Hutchings, Alison Parker. A Qualitative Study of NIMBYism for Waste in Smaller Urban Areas of a Low-Income Country, Mzuzu, Malawi. Environmental Health Insights. 2021; 15 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rochelle H Holm; Brighton A Chunga; Adrian Mallory; Paul Hutchings; Alison Parker. 2021. "A Qualitative Study of NIMBYism for Waste in Smaller Urban Areas of a Low-Income Country, Mzuzu, Malawi." Environmental Health Insights 15, no. : 1.

Review
Published: 10 October 2020 in Sustainability
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Faecal sludge reuse could promote responsible waste management and alleviate resource shortages. However, for this reuse to be carried out at scale, it needs to be financially viable. This paper reviews the financial values of resource recovery from 112 data points from 43 publications from academic and grey literature. The results found 65% of the existing literature is projected rather than being based on observed data from products in practice, with limited studies providing actual experiences of revenue in practice. Some of the estimates of the potential value were ten times those observed in data from operating businesses. Reasons for this include pricing of products against unrealistic competitors, for example, pricing briquettes against diesel fuel, or difficulties in marketing or regulation of products in practice. The most common form of reuse in practice is agricultural composting, which is also the lowest value product. Few cases were able to achieve more than $5/person/year from sludge reuse, therefore other drivers are needed to promote proper human waste disposal, including the health and dignity of citizens, but which are not easily monetised. Certification and recognition of product safety can improve the perception of value and products. Resource recovery has a limited role in the financial viability of providing Circular Economy sanitation in low-income countries. Instead, there is a need to focus on supportive policies and subsidies enabling the transition towards a Circular Economy supporting environmental quality, ecological health and human health.

ACS Style

Adrian Mallory; Rochelle Holm; Alison Parker. A Review of the Financial Value of Faecal Sludge Reuse in Low-Income Countries. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8334 .

AMA Style

Adrian Mallory, Rochelle Holm, Alison Parker. A Review of the Financial Value of Faecal Sludge Reuse in Low-Income Countries. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (20):8334.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adrian Mallory; Rochelle Holm; Alison Parker. 2020. "A Review of the Financial Value of Faecal Sludge Reuse in Low-Income Countries." Sustainability 12, no. 20: 8334.

Journal article
Published: 20 March 2020 in Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In the rural healthcare setting of low-income countries, water may be used for patients taking medication or drinking; general clinic cleaning; handwashing for staff, patients and visitors; and dilution of chlorine solutions for disinfection. Accessible toilets and adequate supplies of soap for handwashing are also needed. The focus of this research was to explore access to water, sanitation and hygiene in rural, government front-line-village health clinics in Ntcheu District, Malawi. The study collected data from 81 clinics. The data was collected using an observational checklist and interviews with clinic personnel. Nearly all clinics (80/81; 99%) reported having a year-round water source. Only 11% of clinics (9/81) had water and soap for handwashing. While all clinics were observed to have pit latrines for patients, staff and visitors, only 42% (34/81) of clinics would be categorized as having improved sanitation facilities, including having a drop-hole cover, roof and privacy, but not necessarily separate facilities for staff and patients or visitors. Furthermore, pit latrines in this study could not be safely emptied, with human excreta mixed with medical waste, and poor latrine-construction standards. The results of this study demonstrate the need for understanding front-line health services offered at a permanent or semipermanent shelter, within the household of the provider, or in an open space, compared to larger healthcare facilities. While this study found that rural village health clinics generally had good coverage of water and sanitation, and better access than reported nationwide in rural households or schools, handwashing facilities are an important gap.

ACS Style

Madalitso Mmanga; Rochelle H. Holm; Veronica Di Bella. Front-line rural health clinics: Water, sanitation and hygiene access in Ntcheu District (Malawi). Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 2020, 116, 102862 .

AMA Style

Madalitso Mmanga, Rochelle H. Holm, Veronica Di Bella. Front-line rural health clinics: Water, sanitation and hygiene access in Ntcheu District (Malawi). Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C. 2020; 116 ():102862.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Madalitso Mmanga; Rochelle H. Holm; Veronica Di Bella. 2020. "Front-line rural health clinics: Water, sanitation and hygiene access in Ntcheu District (Malawi)." Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 116, no. : 102862.

Cover image
Published: 11 August 2019 in Food Science & Nutrition
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The cover image is based on the ORIGINAL RESEARCH Food safety policies and practices in public spaces: The urban water, sanitation, and hygiene environment for fresh fish sold from individual vendors in Mzuzu, Malawi by Jazimoni Lazaro et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1155.

ACS Style

Jazimoni Lazaro; Fanuel Kapute; Rochelle H. Holm. Cover Image, Volume 7, Issue 9. Food Science & Nutrition 2019, 7, 1 .

AMA Style

Jazimoni Lazaro, Fanuel Kapute, Rochelle H. Holm. Cover Image, Volume 7, Issue 9. Food Science & Nutrition. 2019; 7 (9):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jazimoni Lazaro; Fanuel Kapute; Rochelle H. Holm. 2019. "Cover Image, Volume 7, Issue 9." Food Science & Nutrition 7, no. 9: 1.

Journal article
Published: 08 August 2019 in Food Science & Nutrition
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In sub-Saharan Africa, informal markets account for more than 80% of the total food selling. Fish is a major protein source for households in Malawi and is commonly purchased from individual vendors. The aim of this study was to review national acts and policies and local regulations focused on fresh fish sold at open-air markets or by mobile vendors and to further examine the water, sanitation, and hygiene environment that may impact food safety in Mzuzu City, Malawi. The study used interviews, an observational checklist, and sampling of water and fish skin. In general, there was limited oversight of food safety where fresh fish are sold by vendors, and food safety guidance was inadequate. There was access to water in three of the four markets, but only two markets had safe water (0 cfu/100 ml for Escherichia coli). All vendors stored water in a container for use throughout the day to sprinkle over the fish with their bare hands to keep them from drying out. The mean washing water E. coli level was 700 cfu/100 ml. All fish skin samples (25/25) were positive for the presence of Salmonella spp., and most had high levels of E. coli. Sanitation facilities were available for vendors and customers in two of the four markets, but the use was limited. This research identified three key opportunities: (a) Regulatory framework including informal markets and mobile vendors; (b) Safe water, clean and functional toilets, and handwashing stations with soap at every market; and (c) Foodborne disease education for vendors.

ACS Style

Jazimoni Lazaro; Fanuel Kapute; Rochelle H. Holm. Food safety policies and practices in public spaces: The urban water, sanitation, and hygiene environment for fresh fish sold from individual vendors in Mzuzu, Malawi. Food Science & Nutrition 2019, 7, 2986 -2994.

AMA Style

Jazimoni Lazaro, Fanuel Kapute, Rochelle H. Holm. Food safety policies and practices in public spaces: The urban water, sanitation, and hygiene environment for fresh fish sold from individual vendors in Mzuzu, Malawi. Food Science & Nutrition. 2019; 7 (9):2986-2994.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jazimoni Lazaro; Fanuel Kapute; Rochelle H. Holm. 2019. "Food safety policies and practices in public spaces: The urban water, sanitation, and hygiene environment for fresh fish sold from individual vendors in Mzuzu, Malawi." Food Science & Nutrition 7, no. 9: 2986-2994.

Journal article
Published: 05 June 2019 in Water Supply
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Cholera remains a problem in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Malawi. Our aim was to investigate drinking water source quality compared with water treatment, risk perception and cholera knowledge for patients who had reported to a health center for treatment in the 2017–2018 outbreak in Karonga District, Malawi. The study analyzed 120 drinking water samples linked to 236 cholera patients. Nearly 82% of the samples met the national criteria for thermotolerant coliforms of 50 cfu/100 ml, while 50% met the more stringent World Health Organization criteria of 0 cfu/100 ml. In terms of the human dimensions, 68% of survey respondents reported that they treated their water, while knowledge of prevention, transmission and treatment of cholera was also generally high. However, of the 32 patients whose drinking water sources had thermotolerant coliforms of 200+ cfu/100 ml, seven reported they felt a low or no personal risk for contracting cholera in the future and their community was extremely well prepared for another outbreak. The cost of a reactive response to cholera outbreaks puts a burden on Malawi, providing an opportunity for investment in innovative and localized preventive strategies to control and eliminate the risk of cholera while acknowledging social and cultural norms.

ACS Style

Prince Kaponda; Suresh Muthukrishnan; Rory Barber; Rochelle H. Holm. Drinking water quality and human dimensions of cholera patients to inform evidence-based prevention investment in Karonga District, Malawi. Water Supply 2019, 19, 2079 -2087.

AMA Style

Prince Kaponda, Suresh Muthukrishnan, Rory Barber, Rochelle H. Holm. Drinking water quality and human dimensions of cholera patients to inform evidence-based prevention investment in Karonga District, Malawi. Water Supply. 2019; 19 (7):2079-2087.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Prince Kaponda; Suresh Muthukrishnan; Rory Barber; Rochelle H. Holm. 2019. "Drinking water quality and human dimensions of cholera patients to inform evidence-based prevention investment in Karonga District, Malawi." Water Supply 19, no. 7: 2079-2087.

Short communication
Published: 28 May 2019 in Disability and Health Journal
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In low-income countries, like Malawi, approaches aimed at improving access to household sanitation for persons with disabilities have been limited, and often do not include post-intervention process evaluations. 6% of Malawi's population reports defecating outside rather than in a sanitation facility, and 4% of its population live with a disability; these groups of individuals live predominantly in rural areas. This article describes a post-program evaluation of an inclusive Community-Led Total Sanitation program that specifically responds to household-level needs of people with disabilities in Rumphi District, Malawi. Data collected from safety and accessibility audits of household latrines used by persons with disabilities and interviews with implementers at 18 months post-intervention were used to determine sustainability. The household latrine audit results show that existing conditions for sanitation access are still not optimal for persons with disabilities and that changes may require more time to be implemented. Some of the training program steps had more lasting impact on the implementers than other steps, such as the squatting exercise. There was limited evidence implementers had made additional changes or innovations or had transferred their knowledge more widely to other implementers. There is also a need to ensure local vernacular is available to mitigate the social stigma associated with people with disabilities. Implications for future replication show the need to invest in training a wider group of people to assist with implementation and to keep the program simple and focused on more active learning methods to make sustainable behavioral changes.

ACS Style

Chifundo Kayoka; Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri; Adam Biran; Rochelle H. Holm; Kayoka Chifundo; Itimu-Phiri Ambumulire; Biran Adam; Holm Rochelle H. Lasting results: A qualitative assessment of efforts to make community-led total sanitation more inclusive of the needs of people with disabilities in Rumphi District, Malawi. Disability and Health Journal 2019, 12, 718 -721.

AMA Style

Chifundo Kayoka, Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri, Adam Biran, Rochelle H. Holm, Kayoka Chifundo, Itimu-Phiri Ambumulire, Biran Adam, Holm Rochelle H. Lasting results: A qualitative assessment of efforts to make community-led total sanitation more inclusive of the needs of people with disabilities in Rumphi District, Malawi. Disability and Health Journal. 2019; 12 (4):718-721.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chifundo Kayoka; Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri; Adam Biran; Rochelle H. Holm; Kayoka Chifundo; Itimu-Phiri Ambumulire; Biran Adam; Holm Rochelle H. 2019. "Lasting results: A qualitative assessment of efforts to make community-led total sanitation more inclusive of the needs of people with disabilities in Rumphi District, Malawi." Disability and Health Journal 12, no. 4: 718-721.

Journal article
Published: 28 March 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Re-using faecal sludge (FS) to generate value has the potential to contribute towards solving the issue of long term sanitation solutions in growing urban areas across sub-Saharan Africa; however, hitherto, no design tools have been available that are capable of simulating a system involving economic factors, complex social issues and environmental circumstances. We hypothesized that Agent-Based Modelling (ABM), when deployed with appropriate rigour, can provide such a tool. Extensive field work was carried out in a Malawian city, investigating the adoption of Skyloo above-ground composting toilets by households, and the operation of the municipal FS site. 65 semi-structured interviews and 148 household interviews, together with observations, were carried out to characterize these processes, with the data acquired being used to construct two separate ABMs. The Skyloo ABM was run for various scenarios of start-up capital for business and payback of loans against the toilet cost to households. The municipal FS Site ABM was run for different patterns of dumping fee and enforcement structure. The field work demonstrated that there is potential for further expansion of FS reuse, with a market for agricultural application. The Skyloo ABM identified the significance of start-up capital for a business installing the toilet technology; the municipal FS Site ABM showed that existing fees, fines and regulatory structure were insufficient to reduce illegal dumping of FS to any useful degree, but that a monthly permit system would provide enhanced revenue to the city council compared with per-visit charging of disposal companies at the municipal FS site. Whilst each ABM ideally requires some additional data before full application, we have, for the first time, shown that ABM provides a basis for the simulation-based design of FS management systems, including complex social, economic and environmental factors.

ACS Style

Adrian Mallory; Martin Crapper; Rochelle H. Holm. Agent-Based Modelling for Simulation-Based Design of Sustainable Faecal Sludge Management Systems. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 1125 .

AMA Style

Adrian Mallory, Martin Crapper, Rochelle H. Holm. Agent-Based Modelling for Simulation-Based Design of Sustainable Faecal Sludge Management Systems. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (7):1125.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adrian Mallory; Martin Crapper; Rochelle H. Holm. 2019. "Agent-Based Modelling for Simulation-Based Design of Sustainable Faecal Sludge Management Systems." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 7: 1125.

Article
Published: 20 February 2019 in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Management of healthcare waste in low- and middle-income countries lacks a straightforward solution, especially where rural health services are provided. The purpose of our case study was to explore the knowledge and practices of health surveillance assistants operating at rural village health clinics in Ntcheu District, Malawi, with regard to the collection, segregation, transportion, treatment, and disposal of healthcare waste. Data were collected from 81 clinics. The results indicated that while general gaps in both knowledge and practice were observed, sharps (e.g., needles) management was generally being done well. An opportunity for scale-up was found in one clinic, in which local materials had been used to construct a low-cost innovative sharps disposal receptacle that had been modified from a pit latrine design. This study recommends waste management training suitable for rural settings, the promotion of low-cost sharps disposal receptacles using local materials, further opportunities for low-cost incinerators, central waste collection, and encouraging grassroots innovation in healthcare waste management.

ACS Style

Madalitso Mmanga; Wales Singini; Veronica Di Bella; Mary Grace Flaherty; Rochelle H. Holm. Unpacking healthcare waste management at rural village health clinics in the Ntcheu District (Malawi). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2019, 191, 175 .

AMA Style

Madalitso Mmanga, Wales Singini, Veronica Di Bella, Mary Grace Flaherty, Rochelle H. Holm. Unpacking healthcare waste management at rural village health clinics in the Ntcheu District (Malawi). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2019; 191 (3):175.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Madalitso Mmanga; Wales Singini; Veronica Di Bella; Mary Grace Flaherty; Rochelle H. Holm. 2019. "Unpacking healthcare waste management at rural village health clinics in the Ntcheu District (Malawi)." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 191, no. 3: 175.

Journal article
Published: 11 February 2019 in Eos
Reads 0
Downloads 0

A Celebrate 100 Grant winner is organizing a series of Girls Science Day camps.

ACS Style

Rochelle H. Holm. Encouraging African Research for the Next Generation. Eos 2019, 100, 1 .

AMA Style

Rochelle H. Holm. Encouraging African Research for the Next Generation. Eos. 2019; 100 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rochelle H. Holm. 2019. "Encouraging African Research for the Next Generation." Eos 100, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 07 December 2018 in Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development
Reads 0
Downloads 0

For fecal sludge from households in low- and middle-income countries to be treated offsite it needs to be removed, which can be greatly affected by the pit latrine floor design. However, it is unclear whether precast pit latrine concrete floors (latrine slabs) can withstand emptiers and their equipment. To investigate this issue, 28 prefabricated latrine slabs were purchased in two cities of Malawi. They were first visually evaluated, and then their compression strength was tested. Additionally, each seller was asked a series of questions to better understand their business, training, and construction practices. Results showed that households should perform due diligence to ensure that they are purchasing a safe precast latrine slab. Commonly reported problems included nonstandard reinforcement material and spacing, in addition to slabs that were not thick enough or were not large enough in diameter. The results of this research illustrate the inherent complexity in ensuring high-quality decentralized sanitation solutions and how one component, the user interface, if implemented poorly, can affect the rest of the value chain. The findings from this work can help inform training and initiatives that engage artisans and suppliers who play a role in the provision of onsite sanitation service delivery.

ACS Style

Joshua Mchenga; Rochelle H. Holm. Can a precast pit latrine concrete floor withstand emptying operations? An investigation from Malawi. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 2018, 9, 181 -186.

AMA Style

Joshua Mchenga, Rochelle H. Holm. Can a precast pit latrine concrete floor withstand emptying operations? An investigation from Malawi. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. 2018; 9 (1):181-186.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joshua Mchenga; Rochelle H. Holm. 2018. "Can a precast pit latrine concrete floor withstand emptying operations? An investigation from Malawi." Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 9, no. 1: 181-186.

Original article
Published: 22 November 2018 in Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Fish are a highly perishable commodity, and unhygienic fresh fish supply chains have been documented over the past two decades in sub‐Saharan Africa. Fishers spend long hours on boats with no provision of sanitary facilities, and even after landing, they are often in environments without sanitary facilities. The purpose of the present study was to explore the impacts of water, sanitation and hygiene practices in an artisanal fishery on food safety by analysing water samples in close contact with fresh fish at various checkpoints from capture to sale at the local market along the shores of Lake Malawi (Malawi). The four checkpoints included (a) fishing boats at the fishing ground before fishing commenced (n = 85); (b) in the same boats at the landing site before offloading fresh fish (n = 85); (c) with fresh fish transporters at the landing site (n = 71); and (d) among vendors at the market (n = 63). Escherichia coli was found in a high percentage of samples at each of the four checkpoints during the dry, wet and cold seasons. The highest risk for contamination (represented by E. coli concentrations) was the transition from transport to vendor, regardless of the season during which the samples were taken. The product value chain demands food safety. The results of the present study have potential applications in informing future interventions to develop behavioural change strategies regarding handwashing and toileting practices, norms unique for highly mobile fishing communities through the integration of hardware and software solutions and using better‐quality water to store fish on the boat, in transport and at the market.

ACS Style

Evance Samikwa; Fanuel Kapute; Mavuto Tembo; Titus Phiri; Rochelle H. Holm. Identification of critical control points using water quality as an indicator of hygiene for artisanal fisheries on Lake Malawi. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management 2018, 24, 3 -12.

AMA Style

Evance Samikwa, Fanuel Kapute, Mavuto Tembo, Titus Phiri, Rochelle H. Holm. Identification of critical control points using water quality as an indicator of hygiene for artisanal fisheries on Lake Malawi. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management. 2018; 24 (1):3-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Evance Samikwa; Fanuel Kapute; Mavuto Tembo; Titus Phiri; Rochelle H. Holm. 2018. "Identification of critical control points using water quality as an indicator of hygiene for artisanal fisheries on Lake Malawi." Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management 24, no. 1: 3-12.

Research article
Published: 16 September 2018 in Irrigation and Drainage
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Irrigation schemes are an important part of meeting the national agenda in Malawi, yet the design and management of these schemes have not taken advantage of emerging approaches that could improve their performance. One such idea is the concept of multiple‐use water services (MUS). This case study focuses on rural irrigation systems in the Nkhata Bay District, evaluating system usage, profiles of the irrigators, and barriers to irrigation to identify opportunities to kick‐start MUS using existing organizational structures. Interviews were conducted with 141 respondents from 5 functioning irrigation sections. The study found that there are already systems in place for cooperation, with both the government and communities each contributing to long‐term sustainability. Basic MUS could advance the water–energy–food–health nexus and build more resilient communities. The following recommendations would enable communities and development partners to advance irrigation‐based MUS in Malawi: (i) target long‐established, committed, farmer groups; (ii) provide reliable and sustainable local technologies to lift water; (iii) improve access to markets and inputs to support higher‐value cash crops being grown on irrigated land; (iv) create an overlap between community‐level irrigation and borehole committees, private sectors, local government ministries and development partners. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ACS Style

Sam Stedman; Alien Mathews Mnyimbiri; Zinyengo Kawonga; Mphatso Malota; Dalo Njera; Ralph P. Hall; Rochelle H. Holm. Using irrigation to kick-start multiple-use water services for small-scale farmers in Malawi: A case study of the Nkhata Bay District. Irrigation and Drainage 2018, 67, 645 -653.

AMA Style

Sam Stedman, Alien Mathews Mnyimbiri, Zinyengo Kawonga, Mphatso Malota, Dalo Njera, Ralph P. Hall, Rochelle H. Holm. Using irrigation to kick-start multiple-use water services for small-scale farmers in Malawi: A case study of the Nkhata Bay District. Irrigation and Drainage. 2018; 67 (5):645-653.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sam Stedman; Alien Mathews Mnyimbiri; Zinyengo Kawonga; Mphatso Malota; Dalo Njera; Ralph P. Hall; Rochelle H. Holm. 2018. "Using irrigation to kick-start multiple-use water services for small-scale farmers in Malawi: A case study of the Nkhata Bay District." Irrigation and Drainage 67, no. 5: 645-653.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2018 in Groundwater for Sustainable Development
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The Sustainable Development Goals place a strong emphasis on water quality. However, what is the local capacity to ensure safe water availability in a low-income country such as Malawi where groundwater is still the primary source of drinking water for rural communities? We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature containing primary data on groundwater used for drinking water in northern Malawi published over the period from 2006 to 2016. We also interviewed district, regional, and national government representatives supporting the water quality management sector. The results showed that the government cannot tell if groundwater is safe for drinking in the northern region of Malawi. Current literature provides only minimal information on groundwater quality for the assessment of human health risks, and there are limited laboratory services. Nitrate and pH were the most commonly available data. There is evidence that the following constituents need further investigation about possible human health risks: antimony, arsenic, barium, calcium, chloride, color, cyanide (CN-), Escherichia coli and/or thermotolerant coliform bacteria, fluoride, iron, lead, manganese and turbidity. Water quality monitoring needs to especially consider mining activities, including uranium. Varied levels of engagement appear in that while there is some strengthens in the national government capacity, as this is decentralized to districts weaknesses are most evident with no laboratories and either limited data or no data in the case of the most rural districts. Malawi needs to build human capacity, laboratory infrastructure and a publicly available water quality database under national government regulatory oversight with real time monitoring data available to both district and national government decision makers, practitioners and water users to determine groundwater quality for the assessment of possible health risks.

ACS Style

Rochelle H. Holm; Gregory Kunkel; Laban Nyirenda. A thought leadership piece: Where are the rural groundwater quality data for the assessment of health risks in northern Malawi? Groundwater for Sustainable Development 2018, 7, 157 -163.

AMA Style

Rochelle H. Holm, Gregory Kunkel, Laban Nyirenda. A thought leadership piece: Where are the rural groundwater quality data for the assessment of health risks in northern Malawi? Groundwater for Sustainable Development. 2018; 7 ():157-163.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rochelle H. Holm; Gregory Kunkel; Laban Nyirenda. 2018. "A thought leadership piece: Where are the rural groundwater quality data for the assessment of health risks in northern Malawi?" Groundwater for Sustainable Development 7, no. : 157-163.

Articles
Published: 16 April 2018 in Development Southern Africa
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Students with disabilities commonly face barriers when accessing water and using sanitation and hygiene facilities at school. International frameworks have prompted governments to enact local policies that enshrine these rights, guarantee equitable access to education and mandate inclusive infrastructure. This research was designed to explore whether Malawi has translated good policies into practice. Data were gathered in Rumphi district, Malawi, through structured field observations in ten schools and interviews with students with a disability (n = 23), teachers (n = 11) and government stakeholders (n = 2). No school had facilities that fully meet the needs of students with disabilities, and private schools were not necessarily better. The cost of bringing existing infrastructure up to standard was on average MK54 000 (US$78). However, proactive consultation with children with a disability is likely to generate alternative low-cost short-term solutions. Increased government support, budgeting and enforcement is necessary to ensure international standards and national policies are met.

ACS Style

Harlod Zaunda; Rochelle H. Holm; Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri; Mphatso Malota; Siân White. A qualitative assessment of disability friendly water and sanitation facilities in primary schools, Rumphi, Malawi. Development Southern Africa 2018, 35, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Harlod Zaunda, Rochelle H. Holm, Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri, Mphatso Malota, Siân White. A qualitative assessment of disability friendly water and sanitation facilities in primary schools, Rumphi, Malawi. Development Southern Africa. 2018; 35 (6):1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Harlod Zaunda; Rochelle H. Holm; Ambumulire Itimu-Phiri; Mphatso Malota; Siân White. 2018. "A qualitative assessment of disability friendly water and sanitation facilities in primary schools, Rumphi, Malawi." Development Southern Africa 35, no. 6: 1-14.

Journal article
Published: 03 April 2018 in Environment and Urbanization
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This paper assesses the provision of sanitation services in two urban areas in northern Malawi, both with populations under 150,000, to determine the potential for private sector enterprises to contribute to longer-term self-reliance as part of the overall sanitation situation. The paper shows that most households in the two study areas use pit latrines and remain unserved with regard to both faecal sludge management and solid waste removal. Local governments have been unable to offer adequate coverage of sanitation services, and community-based organizations are doing very little that is relevant to the issue. This gap offers a viable business opportunity for private sanitation service providers. Of these two urban areas, Karonga Town has no formal private sector services, but Mzuzu City has pit emptying and solid waste collection services, plus some small-scale manufacturers of pre-made pit latrine slabs. The paper explores these activities, considering their accessibility to low-income customers. It closes with suggestions regarding the potential for building on what is currently available.

ACS Style

Rochelle H Holm; Alinafe Kamangira; Mavuto Tembo; Victor Kasulo; Hastings Kandaya; Peter Gijs Van Enk; Alex Velzeboer. Sanitation service delivery in smaller urban areas (Mzuzu and Karonga, Malawi). Environment and Urbanization 2018, 30, 597 -612.

AMA Style

Rochelle H Holm, Alinafe Kamangira, Mavuto Tembo, Victor Kasulo, Hastings Kandaya, Peter Gijs Van Enk, Alex Velzeboer. Sanitation service delivery in smaller urban areas (Mzuzu and Karonga, Malawi). Environment and Urbanization. 2018; 30 (2):597-612.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rochelle H Holm; Alinafe Kamangira; Mavuto Tembo; Victor Kasulo; Hastings Kandaya; Peter Gijs Van Enk; Alex Velzeboer. 2018. "Sanitation service delivery in smaller urban areas (Mzuzu and Karonga, Malawi)." Environment and Urbanization 30, no. 2: 597-612.