Dissemination of drinking water contamination data to consumers: a systematic review of impact on consumer behaviors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Drinking water contaminated by chemicals or pathogens is a major public health threat in the developing world. Responses to this threat often require water consumers (households or communities) to improve their own management or treatment of water. One approach hypothesized to increase such positive behaviors is increasing knowledge of the risks of unsafe water through the dissemination of water contamination data. This paper reviews the evidence for this approach in changing behavior and subsequent health outcomes.

Methods/principal findings

A systematic review was conducted for studies where results of tests for contaminants in drinking water were disseminated to populations whose water supply posed a known health risk. Studies of any design were included where

SUBMITTER: Lucas PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3124476 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature