How can sanitary infrastructures reduce child malnutrition and health inequalities? Evidence from Guatemala

Abstract

With the propensity score matching method, we carried out an average benefit incidence analysis that helps disclose those who really benefited from the sanitary services in Guatemala. Specifically, we tested the role of income, maternal education and social capital on how sanitary infrastructures affect child health. Results indicated that the child health benefits from infrastructure increase (decrease) with the household's socio-economic status when the infrastructure is a complement (substitute) of the private inputs provided by the household, and that the role of the infrastructure (complement or substitute) itself depends on the household's socio-economic status. Finally, results revealed that the battle against child malnutrition and health inequalities could be improved by combining sanitary infrastructure investments with effective public promotion of maternal education, social trust, and poverty reduction.