Abstract
BackgroundPeru is one of the countries with the lowest percentage of population with access to safe drinking water in the Latin American region. This study aimed to describe and estimate, according to city size, socioeconomic inequalities in access to safe drinking water in Peruvian households from 2008 to 2018.MethodsSecondary analysis of cross-sectional data using data from the 2008–2018 ENAHO survey. Access to safe drinking water, determined based on the presence of chlorinated water supplied by the public network, as well as socioeconomic variables were analyzed. A trend analysis from 2008 to 2018, and comparisons between 2008 versus 2018 were performed to understand and describe changes in access to safe drinking water, according to city size. Concentration curves and Erreygers concentration index (ECI) were estimated to measure inequalities in access to safe drinking water.ResultsIn 2008, 47% of Peruvian households had access to safe drinking water, increasing to 52% by 2018 (p for trend < 0.001). For small cities, access to safe drinking water did not show changes between 2018 and 2008 (difference in proportions − 0.2 percentage points, p = 0.741); however, there was an increase in access to safe drinking water in medium (difference in proportions 3.3 percentage points, p < 0.001) and large cities (difference in proportions 12.8 percentage points, p < 0.001). The poorest households showed a decreasing trend in access to safe drinking water, while the wealthiest households showed an increasing trend. In small cities, socioeconomic inequalities showed an increase between 2008 and 2018 (ECI 0.045 and 0.140, p < 0.001), while in larger cities, socioeconomic inequality reduced in the same period (ECI: 0.087 and 0.018, p = 0.036).ConclusionsWe report a widening gap in the access to safe drinking water between the wealthiest and the poorest households over the study period. Progress in access to safe drinking water has not been equally distributed throughout the Peruvian population. Promoting and supporting effective implementation of policies and strategies to safe drinking water, including equity-oriented infrastructure development and resource allocation for most vulnerable settings, including emerging small cities, is a priority.
Highlights
Peru is one of the countries with the lowest percentage of population with access to safe drinking water in the Latin American region
A multi-country study found income inequalities in access to and the use of drinking water services in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC), and found that access to household water disinfection methods is very limited among poor families due to its relatively high cost, which results in poorer quality of drinking water in the lower-income groups [8]
The aim of this study is to describe and estimate, according to city size, socioeconomic inequalities in access to safe drinking water in Peruvian households from 2008 to 2018
Summary
Peru is one of the countries with the lowest percentage of population with access to safe drinking water in the Latin American region. In addition to the health-related burden, there are additional costs linked to collecting water, impaired productivity and economic losses, among others [2, 4, 5] In response to this phenomena, achieving universal and equitable access to safe drinking water for all is reflected in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation [6]. Large gaps in access to improved sanitation and drinking water exist between rich and poor and between geographic regions and across countries [7]. A multi-country study found income inequalities in access to and the use of drinking water services in LAC, and found that access to household water disinfection methods is very limited among poor families due to its relatively high cost, which results in poorer quality of drinking water in the lower-income groups [8]
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