Behavioral Adaptation to Improved Environmental Quality: Evidence from a Sanitation Intervention

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Table of Contents

• Abstract 4
• 1 Introduction 5
• 2 Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS) with Randomized Financial Incentives 8
• 3 Data 9
• 4 Empirical Strategy 10
• 4.1 The Relationship between Sanitation Coverage and Water Boiling (OLS) 10
• 4.2 Effect of Sanitation on Water Boiling Behavior (IV estimates 10
• 5 Results 11
• 5.1 Summary Statistics, Balance Tests and Attrition 11
• 5.2 OLS and IV Estimates of the Relationship between Village Sanitation Coverage and Water Boiling 12
• 6 Costs and Benefits Associated with Reductions in Water Boiling 13
• 6.1 Water Boiling and Child Growth 13
• 6.2 Time Savings from Water Boiling Reduction 15
• 6.3 Other Benefits of Reduced Water Boiling 16
• 7 Conclusion 17
• Figures and Tables 18
• Figure 1: Drinking Water Sources in the Lao PDR Survey Sample 18
• Figure 2: Trends in Village Latrine Coverage and Boiling Water for Drinking 19
• Figure 3: The Relationship Between Water Boiling and Child Growth (height-for-age zscore) as a Function of Village Latrine Coverage 20
• Figure 4: Partial Linear Regression of Water Boiling at Endline on Village Latrine Coverage at Endline 21
• Table 1: Balance on Baseline Household Characteristics 22
• Table 2: Balance on Baseline Village Characteristics 24
• Table 3: Testing for Differential Attrition 26
• Table 4: The Relationship Between Village Latrine Coverage and Water Boiling 27
• Table 5: OLS Estimates of the Relationship Between Water Boiling and Child Growth at Baseline 28
• Table 6: Sub-Sample Analysis of the Relationship Between Water Boiling and Child Growth 29
• Table 7: Opportunity Costs of Collecting Firewood 30
• Appendix Tables 31
• Table A.1: Comparison of LECS Data and Survey Data 31
• Table A.2: Correlates of Household Firewood Collection 32
• Table A.3: Who Collects Firewood 33
• Table A.4: Associations Between Using Firewood for Cooking and Children’s Respiratory Illness 34
• References 35