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Socio-Economic Inequalities in Access to Drinking Water among Inhabitants of Informal Settlements in South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Marieke J. Oskam

    (Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Milena Pavlova

    (Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Charles Hongoro

    (Peace and Sustainable Security (PaSS), Developmental, Capable and Ethical State Division, Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Wim Groot

    (Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

While evidence from several developing countries suggests the existence of socio-economic inequalities in the access to safe drinking water, a limited number of studies have been conducted on this topic in informal settlements. This study assessed socio-economic inequalities in the use of drinking water among inhabitants of informal settlements in South Africa. The study used data from “The baseline study for future impact evaluation for informal settlements targeted for upgrading in South Africa.” Households eligible for participation were living in informal settlements targeted for upgrading in all nine provinces of South Africa. Socio-economic inequalities were assessed by means of multinomial logistic regression analyses, concentration indices, and concentration curves. The results showed that the use of a piped tap on the property was disproportionately concentrated among households with higher socio-economic status (concentration index: +0.17), while households with lower socio-economic status were often limited to the use of other inferior (less safe or distant) sources of drinking water (concentration index for nearby public tap: −0.21; distant public tap: −0.17; no-tap water: −0.33). The use of inferior types of drinking water was significantly associated with the age, the marital status, the education status, and the employment status of the household head. Our results demonstrate that reducing these inequalities requires installing new tap water points in informal settlements to assure a more equitable distribution of water points among households. Besides, it is recommended to invest in educational interventions aimed at creating awareness about the potential health risks associated with using unsafe drinking water.

Suggested Citation

  • Marieke J. Oskam & Milena Pavlova & Charles Hongoro & Wim Groot, 2021. "Socio-Economic Inequalities in Access to Drinking Water among Inhabitants of Informal Settlements in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10528-:d:651332
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    References listed on IDEAS

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