Association between rural sanitation and under five survival in China: Evidence from World Bank development indicators

Xuan Lu, Yan Mao

Abstract

This study analysed the relationship between rural sanitation and survival rates of children less than five years in China. The data from the World Bank for the period 2000 to 2020 were obtained via the World Development Indicators (WDI). The central theme was to determine the correlation between access to basic rural sanitation and two essential child survival indicators: stunting heights and under-five mortality. The study used graphical trend analysis and statistical correlation to determine trends and correlations across time. Findings showed a high negative correlation between under-five mortality, and rural sanitation and between stunting and rural sanitation. The results indicate that with improved access to sanitation, there is reduced stunted growth and mortality among the children. Reduction in stunting growth was attributed to limited exposure to sanitation-related diseases such as diarrhoea, the common culprits of malnutrition and mortality among under five children. We conclude that increased access to rural sanitation is associated with increased child survival and should receive priority in health and development policy. Integration of sanitation efforts into maternal and child health programs and further investments in rural sanitation infrastructure can also improve health outcomes and support the attainment of global development targets.

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