The applications of the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework were reviewed for several Social-Ecological Systems (SES), with an emphasis on the coastal environment. The evolution of DPSIR was traced from the Stress-Response framework to its present form. Discrepancies in the definitions of the DPSIR's information categories are presented. The application of the framework was explored both as a discrete tool and combined with other methods for different coastal and estuarine systems and biodiversity. The overall merits and limitations of the DPSIR framework are discussed in a critique. Several recommendations are suggested for refining the framework to overcome its limitations. Finally it is concluded that an updated DPSIR framework is a useful adaptive management tool for analyzing and identifying solutions to environmental problems

There are a number of gaps in reviews relating Ostrom’s design principles (DPs) to common-pool resource (CPR) institutions. These include the geographical distribution of CPRs, the performance of young CPRs relative to the DPs, and the relationship between robustness and success in adherence to the DPs. to This research aims to: (i) explicitly analyze the geographical distribution of the case studies that have used the DPs, (ii) explore the relationship between the DPs and young CPR institutions, (iii) examine the relationship between robustness and success of CPR institutions based on the DPs, and (iv) identify additional factors contributing to the performance of CPR institutions. In relation to Ostrom’s DPs, the CPRs under review involve management only by the community, co-management between the community and the state, and co-management between the community and non-governmental organizations. The results show that: DPs have been applied in all the inhabited continents; the expression of the DPs is affected by the geographical settings; the DPs do not conclusively diagnose the functionality of young and viable CPR institutions, whereas they may do so for either the short-lived (failed) or the long-lasting institutions; the relationship between robustness and success appears weak; and there are additional factors that contribute to the outcomes of CPR management.

Safety of improved water supplies using enterotoxins as a molecular marker is evaluated. Water samples were collected from 248 households and tested for enterotoxins using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The relationships between the presence of at least one enterotoxin and independent variables were investigated using Chi-square (χ2), Fisher's exact test and binary logistic regression. Some 156 enterotoxin biomarkers were detected, 39% of samples had at least one, and 17% had multiple varieties. EAST1 was detected in the highest proportion of samples (33%) and Sta in the lowest (2%). Shallow groundwater sources yielded 18% less enterotoxins than water from piped systems, a statistically significant result (P=0.031). A lower proportion of enterotoxins was detected in relation to those who did not know and use cloth filters than those with knowledge of them, and the negative association is statistically significant (P=0.017). It was shown that water samples in which total coliform (TC) colonies were detected were more likely to contain enterotoxins than those without (P=0.001). It is concluded that enterotoxin molecular markers can be used to monitor water safety.

The threat of healthcare-associated infections is significantly heightened when caused by drug-resistant pathogens. This study evaluates water management practices and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water systems of two tertiary hospitals of Ethiopia. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining the qualitative data thematic analysis with quantitative microbiological results from 120 potable water samples. P. aeruginosa isolates were identified and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data collection was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. The findings indicate that neither hospital had a dedicated water management programme for preventive maintenance. Microbial analysis revealed a 16% prevalence of P. aeruginosa in the water samples, with 26.3% of isolates demonstrating resistant to at least one antibiotic class. Notably, two isolates from the maternity ward of Hospital A exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and imipenem. Overall, the structural and operational standard of the water management programmes in both hospitals were found to be non-conformant to international standards. A higher rate of Pseudomonas positivity, including resistant and MDR strains, indicates persistent hospital water contamination and a tangible risk for HAIs. These results underscore the critical need for the formation of multidisciplinary water safety team to optimize water quality management in these hospitals.