Vol. 1 No. 1 (2018)

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A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Evaluating Water Treatment System Adoption in Tanzania, 2000–2026

Juma Mkandawire, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mkwawa University College of Education Aisha Mwinyi, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI)
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18972662
Published: December 19, 2018

Abstract

{ "background": "Universal access to safe drinking water remains a critical engineering challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the dynamics and drivers of water treatment technology adoption is essential for infrastructure planning and investment, yet robust predictive models are lacking.", "purpose and objectives": "This study aimed to develop and validate a novel Bayesian hierarchical model to evaluate the adoption rates of different water treatment systems, and to project future adoption trajectories under varying policy scenarios.", "methodology": "We developed a Bayesian hierarchical model where the log-odds of adoption $\eta{ij} = \log(\\frac{p{ij}}{1-p{ij}})$ for technology $i$ in region $j$ is modelled as $\eta{ij} = \alpha + \beta Xj + ui + vj$, with $ui \sim N(0, \sigmau^2)$ and $vj \sim N(0, \sigma_v^2)$. The model was fitted using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to national survey and infrastructure audit data.", "findings": "The model identified a strong positive association between household education levels and the adoption of point-of-use filters, with a posterior mean odds ratio of 1.85 (95% credible interval: 1.62 to 2.11). Projections indicate community-scale chlorination systems will remain the most prevalent technology, but adoption growth is highest for household-level solutions.", "conclusion": "The Bayesian hierarchical framework provides a robust tool for quantifying adoption heterogeneity and uncertainty, revealing that socio-economic factors are more influential than geographical ones in technology uptake.", "recommendations": "Infrastructure policy should prioritise targeted educational programmes alongside technology deployment. Future engineering research should integrate similar probabilistic models into lifecycle cost-benefit analyses for water systems.", "key words": "Bayesian statistics, hierarchical model, water treatment, technology adoption, infrastructure planning, probabilistic projection", "contribution statement": "This paper presents a novel probabilistic modelling framework that explicitly quantifies uncertainty in technology adoption forecasts, providing a superior

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How to Cite

Juma Mkandawire, Aisha Mwinyi (2018). A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Evaluating Water Treatment System Adoption in Tanzania, 2000–2026. African Civil Engineering Journal, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2018). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18972662

Keywords

Bayesian hierarchical modellingwater treatment systemstechnology adoptionsub-Saharan Africasustainable development goals

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2018)
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African Civil Engineering Journal

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