PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: REUSABLE DIAPER

Abstract Product development is usually a response to an existing problem in a product, or it is identifying users' needs in order to ameliorate the living conditions of people or to enhance life in general. Some patients with certain ailments and geriatrics in general usually have an incontinence problem. Disposable products are available at relatively expensive price and not easily available for certain people or for financially marginalized people, and yet there is need for these products. This research was done to develop an affordable, re-usable product for adults who have an incontinence challenge. Terry cloth was used as an absorbent fabric for the future product and three water repellent fabrics were tested for water repellency and bleaching, prior to designing and evaluating the product. All three fabrics were water repellent and only one was resistant to chlorine bleach used in the development of this product. The chlorine resistant fabric was used in constructing the adult washable nappy. When the prototype was evaluated from user trials, it received approval when used with durable laundry gloves and machine washed. Generally, the design was approved for use by individuals with an incontinence problem and thus recommended for public use.