abstract

• In the rural environment, the health promotion approach is a necessity to cope with feces-related diseases. In this regard, the improvement of the environment can reduce mortality, morbidity, hospitalization costs and treatment expenses at the different levels of medical care. The epidemiological basis that prevailed in the design and construction of a dry ecological toilet, as a suitable technology for the disposal and treatment of feces in this context, was described in this paper. The environmental and social sustainability of toilet from two types of barriers, i.e. physical or primary and behavioral or secondary, was also dealt with. In the isolation chambers (primary barrier), there take place the mechanisms of isolation, storing and dehydration of feces. Hand washing and primary treatment of feces (secondary barrier) are part of the health culture associated to hygiene practices of the people using these toilets. It was concluded that a dry ecological toilet is a healthy option since it transforms human feces into a harmless product for individual and community health. © 2006 1999, Editorial Ciencias Médicas.

authors

• Fritche Tamiset J.
• Guerrero Hernández M.T.
• Hernández Molinar Yolanda
• Martínez Zúñiga R.

publication date

• 2006-01-01

published in

• Revista Cubana de Salud Publica  Journal

keywords

• Dry ecological toilets; Environment; Feces disposal; Health promotion; Sanitation

start page

end page

volume

• 32

issue

• 3