SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLDS’ ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER IN NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA: A BINOMIAL LOGISTIC REGRESSION APPROACH

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water is a critical factor in determining public health and socioeconomic 
development, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study examines the 
socioeconomic determinants of household access to safe drinking water in Northeastern Nigeria, 
using data from the 2021 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Employing a binomial 
logistic regression model, the research identifies the influence of factors such as, educational level, 
geographical location, wealth index, gender and age of household heads, location of water source, 
time spent getting water and household size on access to safe drinking water. Descriptive statistics 
reveal that 65% of households have access to safe drinking water while 35% do not have access, 
91.16% of households are male-headed, with the majority (82.93%) having no formal education. 
Rural households constitute 67.56% of the sample, and nearly two-thirds of the population fall 
within the poorest and poor economic categories. The logistic regression analysis indicates that 
higher education level, urban residency, middle-age and water located on-premises significantly 
increase the likelihood of accessing improved water sources, while lower wealth index and male 
headed households reduce this likelihood. The findings highlight critical disparities in access to safe 
drinking water, emphasizing the need for targeted policies that prioritize rural and low-income 
households, encourage educational empowerment, and promote infrastructure development to 
ensure equitable water access. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the 
determinants of water access and provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in 
Nigeria’s water and sanitation sector.