Unequal access to improved water and sanitation in a post-conflict context of Liberia: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Public health and wellbeing in Liberia have been compromised by a lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), compounded by 14 years of civil unrest. After almost two decades of relative peace and stability, disparities in WASH access persist and diseases linked to WASH such as Ebola, cholera, and COVID-19 have posed major public health challenges. Yet, there is nascent research in the context of post-war Liberia examining the determinants of access to WASH. To contribute to WASH policy in Liberia, this study examined the predictors of improved water and sanitation using the 2019–20 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey. Using the complementary log-log link function, we found that some socioeconomic and geographical factors were associated with access to improved water and sanitation. For example, poorer and rural households were less likely to have access to improved water and sanitation compared to their wealthier and urban counterparts, respectively. Based on these findings, we discussed policy implications and potential directions for future research.