Applying Fuzzy Logic to Assess Socio-Technical Transitions Shaping WASH Sustainability in Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Abstract:
This study applies a fuzzy logic modelling framework within a convergent mixed-methods design to assess the socio-technical determinants of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sustainability in Dassenech Woreda, South Omo Zone, Ethiopia. Sustainable WASH access remains a critical challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa due to environmental variability, weak governance systems, and socio-cultural complexity. To address these challenges, the study integrates quantitative data from 430 household surveys with qualitative insights derived from key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and ethnographic observation. A Mamdani-type fuzzy inference system was developed to model nonlinear interactions between technology appropriateness, community engagement, and institutional support. The results demonstrate that technology appropriateness is the most influential predictor of sustainability, although optimal outcomes occur only when all socio-technical variables interact synergistically. Defuzzification outputs reveal strong threshold effects, particularly when technology appropriateness exceeds 0.6. Qualitative findings further validate these results, emphasizing the critical role of indigenous governance systems in maintaining functionality and social legitimacy. This study contributes a novel methodological framework for analysing WASH sustainability under uncertainty and provides policy-relevant insights for climate-vulnerable pastoralist systems.References:
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