Determinants of Safe Water Consumption among Households in Numan Local Government Area, Adamawa State

Abstract

The importance of water to man and economic growth is a yet to be exhausted in academic literature. Water can be defined as a colorless, tasteless and finite substance. A healthy population will produce a healthy workforce. A healthy work force will therefore positively contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP)in a country. It is against this backdrop, this study underscores the determinants of household water consumption and also, to examine the relationship between factors that determine household water consumption in Numan Local Government Area (LGA)of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study sourced data using primary method of data collection through administering structured questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion. Data collected was analyzed using Ordinary Least square (OLS) model and descriptive statistics like bar charts. The study anchored on the Absolute income hypothesis introduced by Keynes. Determinants considered in the model includes income, age, expenditure on water, family size and education. The OLS result show the coefficient of income being -0.000739 suggests that a 1 unit increase in Income will lead to a 0.000739 units decrease in average quantity of water consumed, and it is statistically significant in explaining average quantity of water consumed at 5% level of significance. The coefficient of age being -1.634210 suggests that 1 unit increase in age will lead to a 1.634210 units decrease in average quantity of water consumed for the family. The coefficient of family size being 15.44506 suggests that a 1 unit increase in family size will lead to a 15.44 units increase in average quantity of water consumed. The results from the study reveal that occupation of households in the study area showing that most households are business men and women (42.7%),famers(35.4%) and civil servants(8.3%). The study concludes that water-borne disease is a major cause of death in Numan (LGA) and most LGAs in Adamawa state. The study recommends an increase in budgetary allocation to the water ministry by the state government. Furthermore, the study also, recommends sensitization to households in Numan Local Government Area and Adamawa State at large by government and stakeholders on the need to consume clean water and avoid vandalizing water infrastructures in the state.