Socio-Economic Inequalities in Access to Drinking Water among Inhabitants of Informal Settlements in South Africa

Abstract

While evidence from several developing countries suggests the existence of socio-economic inequalities in the access to safe drinking water, a limited number of studies have been conducted on this topic in informal settlements. This study assessed socio-economic inequalities in the use of drinking water among inhabitants of informal settlements in South Africa. The study used data from “The baseline study for future impact evaluation for informal settlements targeted for upgrading in South Africa.” Households eligible for participation were living in informal settlements targeted for upgrading in all nine provinces of South Africa. Socio-economic inequalities were assessed by means of multinomial logistic regression analyses, concentration indices, and concentration curves. The results showed that the use of a piped tap on the property was disproportionately concentrated among households with higher socio-economic status (concentration index: +0.17), while households with lower socio-economic status were often limited to the use of other inferior (less safe or distant) sources of drinking water (concentration index for nearby public tap: −0.21; distant public tap: −0.17; no-tap water: −0.33). The use of inferior types of drinking water was significantly associated with the age, the marital status, the education status, and the employment status of the household head. Our results demonstrate that reducing these inequalities requires installing new tap water points in informal settlements to assure a more equitable distribution of water points among households. Besides, it is recommended to invest in educational interventions aimed at creating awareness about the potential health risks associated with using unsafe drinking water.

Factors that influence safe water drinking practices among older persons in slums of Kampala: Analyzing disparities in boiling water

“…This housing condition is an indicator of the low socio-economic status of older persons who were probably, limited in terms of resources, to help them afford sufficient energy for boiling of water, or, treating it using any other appropriate technology such as chlorination. This finding is in consonance with a study done in South Africa [64], which found that unsafely managed drinking water is associated with people's socio-economic status in slums. Similarly, a study done in Kenya [65] shows quality water for drinking is determined by an individual's socio-economic status.…”

Prevalence of Antibiotic Use and Disposal at Household Level in Informal Settlements of Kisumu, Kenya

“…An estimated 60% of Kisumu inhabitants live in informal settlements, where they face deficiencies such as a lack of access to services such as clean water and good sanitation [38]. The environment harbours resources such as groundwater, which serves as a complement to intermittent water supply for residential use, and it is critical that initiatives aimed at educating people living in informal settlements about the dangers of consuming unclean water are implemented [58]. As a result of knowing the HIV burden in the study region, knowing it follows that protecting the environment from antibiotic contamination is a key step in promoting human well-being in the one health setting.…”

Sustainability of drinking water and sanitation delivery systems in rural communities of the Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality, South Africa

“…In South Africa, 93% of the population has access to water supply services and 76% have access to basic sanitation. However, the proportion of the population using improved water sources remains substantially lower in rural than in urban areas (Oskam et al, 2021 ). This clearly indicates that there is a wide disparity between urban and rural communities with respect to safe drinking water supply.…”

“…The topography, logistics, funding, and capacity constraints account for inequity in water and sanitation services in these municipalities (Hemson, 2016 ). Decades of neglect by duty bearers and low investments in water and sanitation facilities have resulted in a mismatch between facility access and population increase, and thus, outstretched service delivery beyond sustainability levels (Oskam et al, 2021 ). The adverse impacts account for low water access and facility maintenance by the municipalities.…”