Survey-weighted logistic regression analysis of socioeconomic factors associated with access to improved sanitation

Abstract

Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is essential for preventing waterborne diseases and promoting public health. This study investigated the factors associated with improved sanitation in Sudan using data from the 2014 Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which included 98,883 individuals. Survey logistic regression was used to identify the key determinants of improved sanitation facilities. The results revealed significant disparities across social, educational, and geographic groups, with only 40.9% of Sudanese households having access to improved sanitation. Households with higher education levels were 1.77 times more likely to have improved sanitation than those without formal education, while urban households were 5.73 times more likely to have access than rural ones. Wealth showed the strongest effect, with the richest households being 208 times more likely to have improved sanitation than the poorest. Compared to countries like Oman and Egypt, Sudan’s sanitation coverage remains low, particularly in rural areas. The findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted policies that prioritize rural, low-income, and less-educated populations to reduce inequalities in sanitation access.