Socio-Economic Factors Related to Drinking Water Source and Sanitation in Malaysia.

Yuke-Lin Kong,Sondi Sararaks,M S Shakirah,Jailani Anis-Syakira,Weng Hong Fun,Nur Zahirah Balqis-Ali

doi:10.3390/ijerph17217933

Yuke-Lin Kong, Sondi Sararaks + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217933

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Abstract

Access to improved water and sanitation is essential. We describe these practices in Malaysia using data from a nationwide community survey and used logistic regression to assess the determinants. Of the 7978 living quarters (LQs), 58.3% were in urban areas. About 2.4%, 0.5% and 27.4% of LQs had non-improved water sources, non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal, respectively. Open burning was practiced by 26.1%. Water source was a problem for long houses (10.5%), squatters (8.5%) and shared houses (4.0%). Non-improved toilet types were 11.9% for squatters and 4.8% for shared houses. Improper domestic waste disposal practices were higher for occupants of village houses (64.2%), long houses (54.4%), single houses (45.8%) and squatters (35.6%). An increase in education or income level was associated with a decrease in improper domestic waste disposal methods. House type significantly affected water and sanitation after adjusting for the effects of other variables. Lower household income was associated with non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal. Lower education and rural location influenced domestic waste disposal. The water and toilet facilities in Malaysia were generally good, while domestic waste management practices could be improved. There remain pockets of communities with environmental challenges for the nation.

Highlights

Access to water and sanitation, a basic foundation of public health, was acknowledged as a human right by the United Nations General Assembly a decade ago [1], reinforcing the fundamental role of clean water and adequate sanitation in maintaining good public health
An increase in education or income level was associated with a decrease in improper domestic waste disposal methods
People living in squatter settlements had a higher likelihood of using a non-improved water source and non-improved toilet type, with an odds ratiowaste (OR) of 6.38 and OR of 24.86, respectively, as compared to single houses

Summary

Introduction

Access to water and sanitation, a basic foundation of public health, was acknowledged as a human right by the United Nations General Assembly a decade ago [1], reinforcing the fundamental role of clean water and adequate sanitation in maintaining good public health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines sanitation as the “provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces” [2]. This encompasses access to a safe system that considers a separation between human waste and human contact at all steps from waste collection, treatment and disposal. Access to proper domestic waste collection and disposal is of equal importance [2]. The importance of safe water and sanitation was translated into the Sustainable Development Goal 6, to ensure access to water and sanitation for all (UN) [4], a global commitment in reducing disparities towards ensuring fulfilment of basic human rights. Access to drinking water services has reached 1.6 billion people [5] and basic sanitation reached 2.1 billion people [6]

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Conclusion