Abstract
BackgroundWater, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are essential for a healthy and dignified life. International targets to reduce inadequate WASH coverage were set under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 1990–2015) and now the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2016–2030). The MDGs called for halving the proportion of the population without access to adequate water and sanitation, whereas the SDGs call for universal access, require the progressive reduction of inequalities, and include hygiene in addition to water and sanitation. Estimating access to complete WASH coverage provides a baseline for monitoring during the SDG period. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has among the lowest rates of WASH coverage globally.MethodsThe most recent available Demographic Household Survey (DHS) or Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data for 25 countries in SSA were analysed to estimate national and regional coverage for combined water and sanitation (a combined MDG indicator for ‘improved’ access) and combined water with collection time within 30 minutes plus sanitation and hygiene (a combined SDG indicator for ‘basic’ access). Coverage rates were estimated separately for urban and rural populations and for wealth quintiles. Frequency ratios and percentage point differences for urban and rural coverage were calculated to give both relative and absolute measures of urban-rural inequality. Wealth inequalities were assessed by visual examination of coverage across wealth quintiles in urban and rural populations and by calculating concentration indices as standard measures of relative wealth related inequality that give an indication of how unevenly a health indicator is distributed across the wealth distribution.ResultsCombined MDG coverage in SSA was 20%, and combined basic SDG coverage was 4%; an estimated 921 million people lacked basic SDG coverage. Relative measures of inequality were higher for combined basic SDG coverage than combined MDG coverage, but absolute inequality was lower. Rural combined basic SDG coverage was close to zero in many countries.ConclusionsOur estimates help to quantify the scale of progress required to achieve universal WASH access in low-income countries, as envisaged under the water and sanitation SDG. Monitoring and reporting changes in the proportion of the national population with access to water, sanitation and hygiene may be useful in focusing WASH policy and investments towards the areas of greatest need.
Highlights
In 2015 the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) period (1990–2015) came to an end
Sanitation and hygiene coverage in sub-Saharan Africa inequality were higher for combined basic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) coverage than combined MDG coverage, but absolute inequality was lower
Our estimates help to quantify the scale of progress required to achieve universal WASH access in low-income countries, as envisaged under the water and sanitation SDG
Summary
In 2015 the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) period (1990–2015) came to an end. The MDG target for water and sanitation (7c), ‘to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking-water and basic sanitation’ was declared to have been met in 2010 for drinking water, while the target for sanitation was missed [1]. SDG goal 6, to ‘ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’ reflects substantially increased ambition for improving access to the unserved as it is a goal of universal access, requiring the progressive reduction of inequalities and including hygiene in addition to water and sanitation [2]. The inclusion of such targets reflects a recognition of central importance of basic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for a healthy and dignified life, and the ratification of the human right to drinking water and sanitation in 2010 [3].
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.