Inadequate Housing and Physical Health Impairment among Low-Income Households: Evidence from a Pre-Intervention Study in Guyana
Abstract:
Housing conditions are important determinants of physical health, yet evidence from rapidly developing settings with persistent housing deficits remains scarce. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the housing adequacy factors associated with physical health impairment (PHI) among low-income households targeted for relocation under Guyana’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP). We used pre-relocation data obtained from 127 applicants approved for the programme’s Core Home subsidy from July 2025 to April 2026. PHI was defined as a Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) score ≤ 50. Associations were evaluated through chi-square analyses and multivariable logistic regression using a hierarchical modeling approach. The prevalence of PHI was 66.1% (95% CI: 57.8–74.5), while mean PCS-12 score was 42.0 ± 11.9. Most socio-demographic factors were not significantly associated with PHI (p > 0.05). However, males had lower odds of impairment than females (AOR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.14–0.90; p = 0.028), while households with vulnerable members had higher odds (AOR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.10–6.44; p = 0.029). Lack of durable material and poor structure quality (AOR=3.67, 95% CI: 1.48–9.14; p = 0.005) and insecure tenure (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.15–6.66; p = 0.023) were independently associated with impairment. Lack of electricity showed a strong association but was excluded from the final multivariable model due to complete separation. These findings underscore the importance of structural housing quality, tenure security, and social vulnerability to physical health outcomes. Longitudinal research is warranted to evaluate changes following relocation.References:
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