Authors : G.O. Ogunsola and B.T. Omonona
Abstract: This study examined the effect of access to potable water on the health of under-five children in rural Nigeria employing the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2008 data. Exactly 13.571 households were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression. The results showed that while the mean age of child is, more than half of the mothers had no formal education and 63.67% had access to improved water source. The probit regression results reveal that access to improved water source reduces the probability of a child being stunted, wasted, underweight and having diarrhoea. Other factors include access to improved toilet facility, sex of child, age of mother and mother’s education. The age of child and household size were significant and positively related to the probability of a child being stunted, wasted, underweight and diarrhea prevalence. More definite steps to improving access to portable water should be considered. This will also aid the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
G.O. Ogunsola and B.T. Omonona, 2019. Effect of Access to Potable Water and Sanitation on Health of Under-5 Children among Rural Households in Nigeria. Research Journal of Agronomy, 13: 12-20.