Water Scarcity and Risk of Acute Gastrointestinal Infections in Mexican Households: A Latent Class Analysis

Lack of access to piped water, as well as inadequate quantity and quality of water, are risk factors for acute gastrointestinal infections. In 2022, 4.9% of households in Mexico did not have piped water; 19.3% lacked, at some point, sufficient water for hygiene; and 18.9% perceived that the water was unfit for human consumption. During the same year, at least 1,441,226 people suffered from a gastrointestinal infection. Households without access to piped water and with insufficient water for hygiene were 27% more likely to suffer from a gastrointestinal infection than households with piped water and a sufficient supply for hygiene (odds ratio: 1.27; CI 95%: 1.26–1.28). The latent class analysis shows that 22% of households belong to the high-risk class of suffering gastrointestinal infections associated with a lack of piped water, insufficient quantity, and poor quality of water. These results provide elements for the design of public health programs through the supply of water for consumption and sanitation services.