Access to safe water consumption among households in Yineesa and Yibab Kebele administrations in Bahir Dar City Ethiopia

Abstract

Access to safe water is essential for public health. However, in Ethiopia, reliable access to this crucial resource is hindered by insufficient infrastructure and limited resources. This study aimed to assess access to daily water consumption among households in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional research design was used to gather data from 392 respondents, employing both descriptive and inferential analysis methods. The results showed that 11% and 33% of respondents use water from rivers and unprotected groundwater, respectively, and both of them are sources of health risks. Water treatment methods varied with education levels: 83.3% of respondents with a certificate or higher used chemical treatments, like adding chlorine, compared to only 24% of illiterate respondents. Multiple linear regression results identified several significant variables associated with daily water consumption, including age (β = 1.203, p = 0.001), household size (β = 5.125, p = 0.001), yearly income (β = 0.02694, p = 0.000), educational level (secondary education β = 27.043, p = 0.016; certificate and above β = 26.382, p = 0.049), water source (rivers β = 36.626, p = 0.000), and religion (Muslim β = 53.262, p = 0.001). The study highlights that yearly income and educational level significantly influence daily water consumption. Therefore, local government and educational authorities should focus on improving households’ educational levels. Likewise, efforts must be made to diversify household income sources within the community.