A Probit Model Version of Water and Sanitation as Predictors of Child Diarrhoea in Ghana

Abstract

Diarrhoea has been recognized as one of the causes of child mortality globally. As in other developing countries, diarrhoea incidence among children is worrisome as 13 percent of children in Ghana do suffer from such according to 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey report. Despite this knowledge about child diarrhoea, researchers passively discuss issues relating to child diarrhoea in Ghana. The paper analyzes the effect of water and sanitation on diarrhoea incidence in the Ghanaian context using 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data set. The study employed the probit model in estimating the incidence of diarrhoea among Ghanaian children. Even though previous studies in Ghana on this issue showed that drinking improved water source was not associated with child diarrhoea incidence, the econometric analysis of 4925 households in Ghana showed that access to improved water and improved toilet facility reduces diarrhoea among children. Recommendations that were offered included community based urban and rural sanitation and water project as well as educating mothers on the importance of using improved water source.