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THE JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES: THEORY AND PRACTICE, V.78, # 2, 2021, pp. 43-62

IMPLICATIONS OF ACCESS TO PORTABLE WATER FOR
CHILD HEALTH PRODUCTION IN CAMEROON

MBU DANIEL TAMBI , PETER ARUNG ETTA 2
1

1 Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Dschang, Cameroon
P O Box: 222 FASA, e-mail: [email protected]

2 Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Buea, Cameroon
e-mail: [email protected]

Received: February 26; accepted July 30, 2021; published online December 24, 2021

ABSTRACT:
This study attempts to quantify the effects of access to portable water on child health
outcome and to investigate potential heterogeneities in the effect of access to
portable water on child health by age distribution. Methodologically, we used the
2004/2011 Cameroon demographic and health survey via 2SLS and ivprobit models.
Results show that a positive marginal change in access to portable water will result
to a corresponding increase in child health, Child health of age 24-36 months is
strongly affected by access to portable water. Decision makers should intensify child
health – access to portable water campaigns, following the WHO standards.

Keywords: Implications, Access, Portable Water, Child Health Production,
Cameroon

Jel classification: Q53, J13, I14

1. INTRODUCTION
Contaminated source of water use for bathing, washing, drinking as well as in the
preparation of food and poor hygienic environment are a major nuance to human
health especially child health. A country’s productive capacity is strongly determine
by the health quality of the population, it’s therefore imperative to examine the
intricacies, determinants and issues surrounding this area of study (Tambi and
Atemnkeng, 2017). Fundamentally, countries located around the equator are heavily
characterize by: high irregular rainfall during the wet season; high rate of sun shine in
the dry season; many streams, lakes, rivers, stand-water, springs, swamps; forest and
savannah zones as well as irregular hamattan winds. All these may either make or mar
human health depending on the nature of the environment.

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