Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Facilities and Economic Well-Being: A Multilevel and Spatial Analysis in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This study meticulously explores the intricate relationship between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and economic well-being in Punjab, employing a comprehensive approach that utilizes Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) data. Existing research lacks comprehensive multilevel and spatial analyses of the effect of WASH facilities on economic well-being. Addressing a gap in existing research, this study employs both linear and multilevel regression models to analyse household and district-level factors. The study finds significant associations between improved sanitation, hygiene practices and economic well-being. A 1% increase in WASH facilities is associated with approximately a 0.52% increase in economic well-being. Moreover, the enduring influence of parental education and the socio-economic dynamics within households play pivotal roles. At the district level, factors such as healthcare institutions, a lower multidimensional poverty index and enhanced access to water and sanitation infrastructure emerge as crucial contributors to economic well-being. The spatial analysis, utilizing Moran's I, further enriches the geographical understanding of these intricate connections. The results suggest a positive spatial correlation of WASH facilities within Punjab. This study attempts to unravel this complex relationship of WASH facilities with economic well-being, which is very important for further understanding the broader dimensions of socio-economic factors forming these dynamics. The insights gleaned from this research hold pivotal implications for policymaking, guiding interventions toward inclusive and sustainable socio-economic well-being.