Spatial Patterns of Piped Water and Sanitation in Rural Vietnam: An Application of Small Area Estimation

Abstract

Diarrhea is one of the main causes of mortality for under five-year-old children, and this disease can be attributed to deficient hygiene, sanitation, and water supply. Detailed data on piped water and sanitation is very important for targeting, monitoring, and evaluating antipoverty programs. In this study, using a small area estimation method, we estimate per capita expenditure, the poverty rate, and the rates of households with piped water, improved latrines, and hand washing with soap at the provincial and district level in rural Vietnam. It shows that poorer provinces and districts tend to have remarkably lower access to piped water and improved latrine. Provinces in the Northern Mountain and Central Highlands have the lowest proportion of access to piped water and sanitation. There is a great spatial variation in poverty and access to water and sanitation. Within the same provinces, the level of poverty and access to water and sanitation varies largely across districts.