Author(s)

O. Ojo

Abstract

The study examines the status of rural water supply, demand management, and its implications for sustainable healthcare delivery in selected communities in South West Nigeria. The issue of water availability and accessibility on the one hand and water supply and sustainable healthcare delivery, particularly as related to sanitation and hygiene on the other, were also investigated. Basic data for the study were generated through the use of a questionnaire. Additional information and data were also obtained through pre-tested, qualitative and quantitative instruments and these were analyzed using relevant statistical techniques. The implications of the observed water supply, demand system on sanitation and hygiene practices in the study area were analysed. Some of the challenges facing rural water supply, demand management and their impacts on healthcare delivery in general, and sanitation, and hygiene practices in particular in the study area were also highlighted. The results showed that the present situation of water supply and demand system in the study area is characterized by a substantial water demand deficit with serious implications for effective healthcare delivery in general and sanitation and hygiene practices in particular. Arising from its findings, the study recommends a number of policy options for optimizing rural water supply and demand management for sustainable healthcare delivery in the area. These include the need to identify key variables that influence rural sanitation and hygiene practices, and mainstream such variables into the planning process. Keywords: rural water supply – demand system sustainable healthcare delivery.

Keywords

rural water supply – demand system sustainable healthcare delivery