Impact of services on quality of life An Empirical Study of Poor Communities

Good health is a major resource for social, economic and personal development, thus an important dimension of quality of life. Quality of life is increasingly influenced by access to the goods and services provided by the State. Access to infrastructure and services such as water and sanitation, has direct effects on health. Thus, the delivery of health, water and sanitation services ensure improved access to basic needs, enhance the health profile of poor communities and their access to employment opportunities. Safe clean water supplies and adequate sanitation services therefore are among the major determinants of health. Health-related services such as water and sanitation should ensure a certain average life expectancy and eliminate mass disease and ill health. Improved sanitation facilities will only achieve a parallel reduction in diarrhoeal diseases if they are developed alongside hygiene programmes