Predicting Sanitation Behaviors: Comparison of Willingness to Pay Techniques for Sanitation Services in Urban Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Improving urban sanitation requires understanding user preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for sewer connections. This study evaluates WTP for sanitation attributes in low-income communities (LICs) of Dhaka, Bangladesh, comparing contingent valuation (CVM) and hedonic pricing (HPM) methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 LICs, surveying 1000 households and conducting spot checks of toilet facilities. WTP was analyzed using logistic regression models for CVM and generalized linear models (GLM) for HPM, adjusting for socioeconomic factors and cluster-level correlations. The estimated WTP for a sewerage connection varied substantially between the valuation methods. The CVM produced a mean WTP of BDT 87 (95% CI: 79, 95), while the HPM yielded a significantly lower mean WTP of BDT 74 (95% CI: -223, 226). CVM assessments revealed key differences between landlords and tenants. Higher-income individuals were more willing to pay a monthly sewerage bill, but this willingness sharply declines as the bill amount increases, especially among tenants. Over 90% of respondents were willing to pay, considering their neighbors' agreements and the health benefits for their families. Results from the HPM showed that significant determinants of monthly rental costs included the number of rooms in the household, where each additional room increased WTP by 1549 units (P < .001). Household roof materials also played a crucial role, with significant positive impacts observed for roofs made of kaccha/bamboo/jute/wood (400 units, P < .001), and cement/concrete/tiled (461 units, P < .001). Additionally, specific toilet attributes such as concrete pan materials significantly increased tenant WTP (1002 units, P < .001). Findings highlight that socioeconomic factors influence WTP, emphasizing the need for data-driven urban sanitation policies. Policymakers should integrate these insights to design affordable, inclusive, and sustainable sanitation interventions for LICs.