Role of improving water supply and sanitation

Water and sanitation play a substantial role in preventing child mortality. Esrey et al. performed a study in which it was found that child mortality was reduced by 55% after water supply and sanitation facilities were improved. Diarrhoea was reduced approximately 26%. It was also found that sanitation and hygiene were more influential in reducing diarrhoea than water quality. These results were consistent with Tumwine et al. 2002 findings.

 The results  are both unsurprising and  shocking. It is well known that sanitation affects the spread of waterborne disease, however, the knowledge that simply improving sanitation can reduce child mortality rates in Africa by 55% and yet many areas still lack these basic facilities is disturbing.