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Water system unreliability and diarrhea incidence among children in Guatemala

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Trudeau

    (Sacred Heart University)

  • Anna-Maria Aksan

    (Fairfield University)

  • William F. Vásquez

    (Fairfield University)

Abstract

Objectives This article examines the effect of water system unreliability on diarrhea incidence among children aged 0–5 in Guatemala. Methods We use secondary data from a nationally representative sample of 7579 children to estimate the effects of uninterrupted and interrupted water services on diarrhea incidence. The national scope of this study imposes some methodological challenges due to unobserved geographical heterogeneity. To address this issue, we estimate mixed-effects logit models that control for unobserved heterogeneity by estimating random effects of selected covariates that can vary across geographical areas (i.e. water system reliability). Results Compared to children without access to piped water, children with uninterrupted water services have a lower probability of diarrhea incidence by approximately 33 percentage points. Conversely, there is no differential effect between children without access and those with at least one day of service interruptions in the previous month. Results also confirm negative effects of age, female gender, spanish language, and garbage disposal on diarrhea incidence. Conclusions Public health benefits of piped water are realized through uninterrupted provision of service, not merely access. Policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Trudeau & Anna-Maria Aksan & William F. Vásquez, 2018. "Water system unreliability and diarrhea incidence among children in Guatemala," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(2), pages 241-250, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:63:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s00038-017-1054-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-017-1054-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Isabel Günther & Youdi Schipper, 2013. "Pumps, Germs And Storage: The Impact Of Improved Water Containers On Water Quality And Health," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(7), pages 757-774, July.
    2. Aiello, A.E. & Coulborn, R.M. & Perez, V. & Larson, E.L., 2008. "Effect of hand hygiene on infectious disease risk in the community setting: A meta-analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(8), pages 1372-1381.
    3. Kelly Alexander & Yihenew Tesfaye & Robert Dreibelbis & Bekele Abaire & Matthew Freeman, 2015. "Governance and functionality of community water schemes in rural Ethiopia," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(8), pages 977-986, December.
    4. Robert Adams & Natasha Howard & Graeme Tucker & Sarah Appleton & Anne Taylor & Catherine Chittleborough & Tiffany Gill & Richard Ruffin & David Wilson, 2009. "Effects of area deprivation on health risks and outcomes: a multilevel, cross-sectional, Australian population study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(3), pages 183-192, May.
    5. Case, Anne & Fertig, Angela & Paxson, Christina, 2005. "The lasting impact of childhood health and circumstance," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 365-389, March.
    6. Sarah L. Smiley, 2016. "Water Availability and Reliability in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(9), pages 1320-1334, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Smith, Daniel W. & Atwii Ongom, Stephen & Davis, Jennifer, 2023. "Does professionalizing maintenance unlock demand for more reliable water supply? Experimental evidence from rural Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    2. Leiva, Benjamin & Van Houtven, George & Vásquez, William F. & Nájera, Andrea, 2023. "Valuing water service reliability and in-home water storage: A hedonic price model from Guatemala," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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