Access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and associated factors in Ethiopia: evidence from demographics and health surveys

ABSTRACT

In low- and middle-income countries, ensuring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities for households remains a major public health concern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess households' access to WASH services and associated factors in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 16,650 and 8,663 households in the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) and 2019 Mini-EDHS, respectively. The households were selected using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with basic WASH services. Households' access to basic water services was 65.2% (95% CI 64.5–65.9%) and 68.7% (95% CI 68.01–69.4%) in the 2016 EDHS and 2019 Mini-EDHS, respectively. Only 25.9% (95% CI 25.2–26.62%) in the 2016 EDHS and 27.5% (95% CI 26.34–28.3%) in the 2019 Mini-EDHS households had access to basic sanitation services. Moreover, only 38% (95% CI 37.25–38.8%) of households had access to basic hygiene services in the 2016 EDHS. Female-headed households, urban residents, having education, family members ≥7, presence of soaps or detergents, and having a better wealth index were the most likely to have access to basic WASH services. The findings in general suggest the need for effective WASH interventions.