Solar disinfection of water reduces diarrhoeal disease: an update

349 Maasai children younger than 6 years old were randomised by alternate h ousehold to drink water either left in plastic bottles exposed to sunlight on the roof of the house or kept indoors (control). The trial was run in Ma asai by Maasai community elders. Children drinking solar disinfected water had a significantly lower risk of severe diarrhoeal disease over 8705 two w eekly follow up visits; two week period prevalence was 48.8% compared with 58.1% in controls, corresponding to an attributable fraction of 16.0%. Whil e this reduction is modest, it was sustained over a year in free living chi ldren. It confirms solar disinfection as effective in vivo as a free, low t echnology, point of consumption method of improving water quality. The cont inuing use of solar disinfection by the community underlines the value of c ommunity participation in research.