Assessing Water Filtration and Safe Storage in Households with Young Children of HIV-Positive Mothers: A Randomized, Controlled Trial in Zambia

BackgroundUnsafe drinking water presents a particular threat to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) due to the increased risk of opportunistic infections, diarrhea-associated malabsorption of essential nutrients, and increased exposure to untreated water for children of HIV-positive mothers who use replacement feeding to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. This population may particularly benefit from an intervention to improve water quality in the home. Methods and FindingsWe conducted a 12-month randomized, controlled field trial in Zambia among 120 households with children pp = 0.001) and 54% among all household members (LPR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.30–0.70, pp ConclusionIn this population living with HIV/AIDS, a water filter combined with safe storage was used correctly and consistently, was highly effective in improving drinking water quality, and was protective against diarrhea. Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01116908