ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE
TABLE 2
Results Analysis of Poisson and Logit Regression Models
Variable
Model 1: Poisson Regression
Marginal Effect of Model 1
Model 2: Logit Regression
Marginal Effect of Model 2
-1.075 *
-0.069 *
-0.095
-0.087
CAG
CSX
1.007
0.098
0.008
0.065
-1.877 **
1.072 **
-0.987 *
0.829 *
PED
SLY
-0.897
-0.005
0.012
0.017
-0.010 *
-0.075 *
PYI
0.001
0.001
HFM
-2.690
-1.890
-0.026
-1.850
-0.215 ***
-0.113 ***
-0.372
-0.269
HNP
RNT
-1.065
-0.789
0.143
0.088
FWA
-1.98 *
0.94 *
0.56
0.06
PLF
0.098
0.478
0.036
0.019
NNC
-0.165
-1.890
0.045
-0.069
-2.265 **
-1.894 **
-0.169 **
-0.132 **
HWB
CCW
1.198
1.067
0.158
0.174
Constant
-0.012
0.000
Observations
300
300
Log-likelihood ratio
-16.08
-24.56
Probability > Χ 2
0.02
0.05
* p < .10. ** p < .05. *** p < .01. Note. The dependent variable is the number of waterborne diseases in 2024. See Table 1 for descriptions of the variable abbreviations.
(2025), poor hygiene including inadequate handwashing significantly raises the risk of communicable diseases. In their study, 24.1% of participants had communicable diseases, primarily driven by WASH-related factors. We found that many children in these poorer areas are severely affected by unsafe drinking water. Policy Recommendations By improving water quality according to parental preferences, authorities can boost efficiency and profitability, because par- ents express WTP to protect their children’s health. Such improvements support the util- ity provider and enhance social welfare by reducing childhood illnesses tied to poor water quality. Therefore, prioritizing child health through water quality enhancement is essential. Investment in upgrades is economi- cally sound because it offers substantial bene- fits for both households and authorities. Poli- cymakers can use WTP estimates to inform
practical policy decisions. The methods we used are broadly applicable across the social sciences and other interdisciplinary fields, regardless of geographic context. In addition to the benefits of WTP, house- hold behavior plays a vital role in reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases in chil- dren by maintaining good hygiene practices. Poor hygiene practices can result in water- borne illnesses. WHO estimates that 94% of waterborne diarrheal cases are preventable through changes to the environment, which includes interventions to increase the avail- ability of clean water for drinking and to improve sanitation and hygiene practices (Manetu & Karanja, 2021). Moreover, sanitation interventions have been found necessary in preventing the occurrence of waterborne diseases. Sanitation facilities such as latrines (toilets or a simpler facility) with effective drainage are crucial in keeping human feces and other waste prod-
ucts from contaminating drinking water. Hence, the behavioral approaches of house- holds regarding the practice of drinking clean water by purifying or boiling water first and the use of proper sanitation by maintaining hygiene can reduce the incidence of water- borne diseases for both parents and children. Inadequate water facilities and sanitation facilities account for different socioeconomic and health consequences for residents in these poorer areas. Given the limited access to a safe water supply in the study area, more initiative should be taken by both government agencies and NGOs, which play a crucial role in improving the health and sanitation con- ditions of children living in poverty. NGOs frequently organize focus group discussions and awareness campaigns on hygiene and sanitation practices, and government agen- cies provide essential services such as safe drinking water, healthcare, and electricity in these communities.
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Volume 89 • Number 3
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