Factors Associated with Water Insecurity in Mexican Households Using Nationally Representative Survey Data

Abstract

Currently, the management, availability, and equitable access to water are some of the most critical environmental challenges in many countries, including Mexico. The Household Water Insecurity Experience Scale (HWISE) offers a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of water insecurity (WI) as well as its relationship to poverty, at the local, state, and national levels, than traditional usage indicators do. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the association between water insecurity and household wellbeing in Mexico, as well as the role of geographic factors. Methods: We analyzed data from 11,512 households that had previously participated in a representative survey at the national, regional, and urban/rural levels. We conducted descriptive and bivariate analyses on the variables of interest according to household WI status. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the association between WI and the geographic, household, and household head variables of interest. Results: The factors associated with a greater odds ratio of household WI were low wellbeing conditions (OR = 1.74, p < 0.01), no running water in the home (OR = 2.71, p < 0.01), a monthly household income less than 6000 Mexican pesos (less than 352 dollars) (OR = 2.31, p = 0.006), living in an urban area (OR = 1.93, p = 0.001), and living in the Mexico State (OR = 3.92, p < 0.01), Mexico City (OR = 3.19, p < 0.01), or Central Pacific (OR = 3.27, p < 0.01) regions. Conclusions: Currently, multiple factors threaten household water security. These findings can inform decision-makers about the driving factors behind gaps in water access, availability, and use in Mexican households, thereby ensuring the “availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.