Disparities in access to Improved and Unimproved Sources of Drinking water and Toilet facilities in Nigeria: A Socioeconomic Dichotomy

Abstract

This empirical study was aimed at examining disparities in access to improved and unimproved sources of drinking water as well as sanitation infrastructure in Nigeria. Data were obtained from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Dataset (NDHS, 2013) and the WHO/UNICEF categorisation of improved and unimproved sources of drinking water and sanitation facilities (2006) was employed for the comparative analysis. Results revealed significant disparities in access to both facilities between the urban and rural sectors. Regression analyses were performed on both variables as dependent univariates with some independent variables to find out the effect of socioeconomic factors responsible for the disparities. At the significant level of P< 0.05, all tested independent variables were significant. Implicit in the result is the fact that level of education, wealth index, age and sex of household heads and distance to water sources are all germane to access in both facilities. Recommendations made among others are; water and sanitation issues be accorded more priority in governance; that the onus lies on the government to do more in the area of infrastructure especially water and sanitation as these facilities have serious implication for healthy environment and healthy living.

Keywords: Poverty, Sanitation, Water, Nigeria