Coping with water insecurity in urban Ghana: patterns, determinants and consequences. (25th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Achore, Meshack; Bisung, Elijah
• Is Part Of: Journal of water, sanitation, and hygiene for development. Volume 13:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 150
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2023-01-25
• Subjects: coping strategies -- Ghana -- Sub-Saharan Africa -- water insecurity; Drinking water -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Water-supply -- Periodicals; Drinking Water; Hygiene; Health Planning; Water-supply; Health planning; Hygiene; Drinking water -- Quality; Sanitation; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 363.6105
• DOI: 10.2166/washdev.2023.203
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2043-9083

Abstract

Abstract: In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), rapid urbanization poses unprecedented challenges in terms of water security and associated health risks. Like most SSA countries, many Ghanaian households lack access to safely managed drinking water sources and resort to a patchwork of alternative sources for their water needs. This paper examines determinants and implications of water insecurity coping strategies in resource-constrained neighborhoods in Ghana, using a survey ( n = 1192) of adult active water collectors within households in Accra and Tamale. Findings suggest that water insecure households were more likely to adopt behavioral, physical and a mix of behavioral and physical coping strategies. Households were more likely to use behavioral (OR = 5.64, p = 0.00), physical (OR = 3.18, p = 0.00) and behavioral and physical (OR = 4.20, p = 0.00) coping strategies in the dry season. Compared with the wealthy, the less wealthy (OR = 0.27, p = 0.00) were less likely to employ a mix of physical and behavioral coping strategies. Likewise, males were less likely (OR = 0.64, p = 0.03) to employ a behavioral coping strategy. The findings can help practitioners identify vulnerable groups and provide targeted interventions that seek to build or strengthen coping strategies in the short term. HIGHLIGHTS: Water security among urban poor residents is a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. Water insecure households are likely to use a variety of coping strategies to meet their daily water needs. The use of water packaged in sachets is prevalent in urban Ghana. Water insecurity, seasonality, wealth and gender significantly predict the type of coping strategy. Graphical Abstract