Abstract |
This study examines the association between water and sanitation infrastructure and diarrhea likelihood in Ghanaian children under age five. Previous research has shown that, while piped drinking water and sanitation infrastructure (including flush toilets and latrines) are frequently associated with lower diarrhea likelihood, the effect varies markedly by location. As such, this study contributes to the body of research on this topic by providing an analysis of the role of infrastructure in the Ghanaian context. Data from Ghana’s 2003 Household and Women’s Demographic Health Surveys were analyzed using logistic regression methods. Sanitation infrastructure in the household was found to be associated with a lower diarrhea likelihood than no sanitation infrastructure. However, piped drinking water was not found to be significantly associated with lower diarrhea likelihood in this study. Recommendations offered included creation of community-led rural and urban sanitation programs with funding from Ghana’s recently approved World Bank loan. |