Rapid economic growth is not always followed by improved child nutrition status. Village income has greater effect than household income on sanitation facilities, hygiene behaviours of caretakers, and child nutrition status. This is the main conclusion from a recent study in a rural cross border area of Yunnan [1], China. It aimed to examine the effect of village income and household income on sanitation facilities, hygiene behaviours and child undernutrition during rapid economic growth. Data on village income in 2002-2006 and household income in 2002-2007 were obtained from an official report and a household survey, respectively.

Households with incomes below the national poverty line decreased from 22% in 2002 to less than 8% in 2007. The coverage of safe drinking water and water-sealed latrines gradually increased but was still inadequate. The prevalence of stunting and underweight of children were 37% and 17.5%, respectively. Village income had a greater positive effect than household income on exclusive breastfeeding, drinking boiled water, handwashing with soap, as well as, reducing in prevalence of stunting. Village income at one lag year had the greatest effect on availability of basic sanitation than other lag years, while household income had small but significant effect through all lag years.

[1] Cangjiang, Y. … [et al]. (2009). Effect of village income and household income on sanitation facilities, hygiene behaviours and child undernutrition during rapid economic growth in a rural cross border area, Yunnan, China. Journal of epidemiology and community health ; published online: 02 Feb 2009. doi:10.1136/jech.2008.078246

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Contact: Yang Cangjiang, Yunnan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China, ycj99@hotmail.com

Tags: east asia & pacific, hygiene promotion, sanitation, water and livelihoods