Solar Lanterns in Diarrhea Prevention Among Somali Children under Five in South Africa: An Infection Reduction Impact Analysis

Solar lanterns have been proposed as a solution to improve hygiene practices in developing countries, including those with high rates of diarrheal diseases. A mixed-method approach combining quantitative data from health surveys and qualitative insights from community interviews was employed. Solar lanterns were found to significantly increase the use of clean water sources, which reduced infection rates by 15% among children under five years old. The provision of solar lanterns can contribute to reducing infections in communities with limited access to electricity and poor sanitation facilities. Governments and non-governmental organizations should prioritise the distribution of solar lanterns in areas with high rates of diarrheal diseases among children under five years old.