Poverty Assessment Research Articles

Estimating weight for multidimensional health poverty using Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process: a case of China

BackgroundTraditionally, poverty assessment has relied on a single income criterion, which is inadequate in contexts where absolute poverty has been mitigated. This study developed a weighting scheme for the Multidimensional Health Poverty Index (MHPI) based on sustainable livelihood framework (SLF), aimed at enhancing the accuracy of poverty identification in China.MethodsA two-round Delphi process was used to determine the indicators of the index system. The weight of each indicator was calculated using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The multidimensional poverty index incorporates SLF’s five dimensions: financial, natural, physical, social, and human capital.ResultsThe initial 46 indicators formed an indicator pool for the Delphi questionnaire. Based on the final consensus of the expert panel, the Delphi consultation resulted in an index system comprising six first-level and 23 second-level indicators. The weight values of the first-level indicators (economic security, health status, education, social capital, healthcare utilisation, and living conditions) were 0.2715, 0.2593, 0.0855, 0.0657, 0.1812, and 0.1363, respectively.ConclusionThis study established a scientific and effective index to evaluate generate weight for estimating multidimensional health poverty in China. Economic security, health status, and healthcare utilisation are the most crucial aspects of multidimensional health poverty. Moreover, the results indicated that vocational training and social capital should be emphasised.

Measuring Multidimensional Poverty of the Population of the Regions of Russia: A Hybrid Approach

The research paper is devoted to the measurement of poverty (and its depth) of the population of Russian regions on the basis of a hybrid approach. This approach involves both an objective assessment of the phenomenon under study (according to Rosstat data) and taking into account the subjective perception of poverty by the population. In the first case, the index method is used in combination with the method of self-organising maps by T. Kohonen and an ensemble of multilayer perseptrons of various configurations. Artificial intelligence allows not only to deepen the results of retrospective assessment of multidimensional poverty through cluster analysis, but also to realise the predictive function. In the second case, a sociological survey is conducted on the example of a certain region of Russia (the Republic of Bashkortostan). According to the results of the cluster analysis, taking into account the earlier retrospective assessment, we can conclude that there is a high degree of polarisation of Russian regions based on the actual level of ‘multidimensional poverty’. ‘Oases’ (St. Petersburg, Moscow and the Republic of Tatarstan) contrast with “centres” (the Republic of Ingushetia, the Republic of Tyva, the Karachay-Cherkess Republic and the Republic of Altai) of multidimensional poverty. At the same time, the Republic of Bashkortostan (one of the old-industrial regions with a rich mineral and raw material base) in the formed rating regularly occupied the median position among other constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The main (key) problems in the sphere of poverty for this region of Russia are specified based on the results of sociological research. Such a study also makes it possible to deepen the retrospective assessment of ‘multidimensional poverty’, since not all the necessary data for a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon under study are generated by Rosstat on a regular basis. The results obtained in the framework of the study can be used in the actualisation of the most important direction of the state social policy of modern Russia – the fight against poverty. In the long term, the top management of the country needs to ensure a significant reduction in the poverty level of the population regardless of the territorial factor (constituent entity of the Russian Federation).

Assessment of Energy Poverty and Alleviation Strategies in the Global South

The incidence of energy poverty in the Global South is identified by the lack of basic access to modern fuels and energy carriers. Impoverished people have traditional biomass and human power as their only sources of energy. This situation of deprivation of basic resources, in which (according to estimates of international agencies) almost one third of the world’s population lives, masks other relevant characteristics of energy poverty. Current assessments of energy poverty in impoverished areas and the mitigation strategies being implemented are derived from the development agenda and, with variations in detail and scope, highlight electricity connections and access to clean cooking fuels as guarantors of progress. However, a comprehensive understanding of energy poverty requires focusing beyond basic access, building on the interactions between the supply of energy sources and carriers, the provision of energy services, and their impact on decent living conditions. To deal with the effects of these interactions on the energy poor, several studies have attempted in the last decade to construct an assessment framework centred on energy services. This work discusses the relevant dimensions in the framework (supply, services, and impact on wellbeing), reviews the multidisciplinary work available in each aspect, presents a range of proposed taxonomies, and discusses the different issues. A detailed framework is proposed for the integrated assessment of the supply of energy carriers and energy equipment, the provision of relevant energy services, and the improvements obtained in living conditions.

Multidimensional poverty among farming households in Katsina state, northwestern Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the multidimensional poverty status of farming households in Katsina state, northwestern Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to elicit primary data from 480 farming households. Descriptive statistics and the multidimensional poverty assessment tool (MPAT-14) were used to analyze the data. The socio-demographic analysis showed that the mean age of respondents was 43 years while the average household size was 9 persons. The majority (86%) of respondents were male, and they were mostly married (85%) and educated (51.3%). The MPAT results showed that farmers in the study area experienced a high level of deprivation according to the majority of the fundamental human needs indicators, such as food and nutrition security (27.7%), domestic water supply (28.9%), health care (22.9), sanitation and hygiene (28.1%), housing, clothing, and energy (33.9%), and education (27.7%). The results indicate that the majority (60.6%) of the households are living in multidimensional poverty and that there is a higher level of multidimensional poverty among farming households. The government should upscale appropriate healthcare delivery systems to improve the healthcare services rendered.

A multimodal framework for extraction and fusion of satellite images and public health data

In low- and middle-income countries, the substantial costs associated with traditional data collection pose an obstacle to facilitating decision-making in the field of public health. Satellite imagery offers a potential solution, but the image extraction and analysis can be costly and requires specialized expertise. We introduce SatelliteBench, a scalable framework for satellite image extraction and vector embeddings generation. We also propose a novel multimodal fusion pipeline that utilizes a series of satellite imagery and metadata. The framework was evaluated generating a dataset with a collection of 12,636 images and embeddings accompanied by comprehensive metadata, from 81 municipalities in Colombia between 2016 and 2018. The dataset was then evaluated in 3 tasks: including dengue case prediction, poverty assessment, and access to education. The performance showcases the versatility and practicality of SatelliteBench, offering a reproducible, accessible and open tool to enhance decision-making in public health.

Assessment of energy poverty in EU countries in 2010-2022

Assessment of energy poverty in EU countries in 2010-2022

Measuring human settlement wealth index at 10-km resolution in low- and middle-income countries from 2005 to 2020 using multi-source remote sensing data

Measuring human settlement wealth index at 10-km resolution in low- and middle-income countries from 2005 to 2020 using multi-source remote sensing data

Unveiling and modelling: Land degradation, poverty nexus in Nigeria's semi-arid (jigawa state) using cloud-based geospatial data

Land degradation and multidimensional poverty represent global challenges whose interconnected dynamics are poorly understood and hinder effective interventions. The aim of this study was to address these issues by integrating the RULSE model, the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Using high-resolution geospatial data from Sentinel-2 via the Google Earth Engine, land-use changes were identified as indicators of degradation, with VCI critical for assessing vegetation health. A holistic poverty assessment using MPI data from the Nigerian National Bureau found strong evidence of land degradation in these regions, with approximately 60–75% experiencing multidimensional poverty. Spatial overlap highlights the close connection between severe land degradation and high multidimensional poverty rates. The correlation analysis provided insights into the relationships between land degradation variables (vegetation status, soil loss, and digital elevation) and poverty patterns (population dynamics). This study highlights how soil erosion negatively impacts agriculture and perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty. This study illuminates the complex relationship between land degradation and poverty, and argues for further exploration, technological integration, and a nuanced understanding of the components of poverty. Advanced assessments can guide targeted policies and interventions to break the cycle of land degradation and poverty.

Energy poverty assessment: Indicators and implications for developing and developed countries

Energy poverty represents a considerable challenge that is difficult to quantify, monitor, and effectively address through policy measures. Efforts to tackle this problem have proven unsatisfactory for many reasons, including insufficient data on who is experiencing energy poverty to a poor definition of what this concept entails. This study examines methods for measuring energy poverty considering spatial, household preferences, home standards, and cultural differences among countries. The focus is on two commonly used indicators to communicate energy poverty issues at the local, national, and global levels: single indicators and multidimensional indices. The advantages and disadvantages of these indicators will be thoroughly examined. A dedicated study is provided to investigate the mechanism through which energy poverty affects the quality of life. The analysis reveals the limitations of single indicators in capturing the nuances of energy poverty across diverse contexts. Multidimensional indices offer a more comprehensive approach but require careful design and data availability. A framework is proposed for selecting appropriate indicators considering local needs and cultural specificities. By integrating insights from quality-of-life studies, the recommendations guide policymakers in designing effective interventions and targeting resources to maximize the impact on populations experiencing energy poverty.

Are populations of postpartum women differentially served by community health worker programs: an observational cohort study from Zanzibar, Tanzania

BackgroundAlthough community health worker (CHW) programs focus on improving access to healthcare, some individuals may not receive the intended quality or quantity of an intervention. The objective of this research was to examine if certain populations of pregnant women differentially experience the implementation of a community health worker-led maternal health intervention in Zanzibar.MethodsWe included pregnant women enrolled in the Safer Deliveries (Uzazi Salama) program, which operated in 10 of 11 districts in Zanzibar, Tanzania between January 1, 2017, and June 19, 2019 (N = 33,914). The outcomes of interest were receipt of the entire postpartum intervention (three CHW visits) and time to first postpartum CHW visit (days). Visits by CHWs were done at the women’s home, however, a telehealth option existed for women who were unable to be reached in-person. We conducted statistical tests to investigate the bivariate associations between our outcomes and each demographic and health characteristic. We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate the relationships between covariates and the outcomes and multivariate linear regression to estimate the association between covariates and the average time until first postpartum visit.ResultsHigher parity (OR = 0.85; P = 0.014; 95%CI: 0.75–0.97), unknown or unreported HIV status (OR = 0.64; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.53–0.78), and receipt of phone consultations (OR = 0.77; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.69–0.87) were associated with a lower odds of receiving all postpartum visits. Similarly, women with an unknown or unreported HIV status (estimated mean difference of 1.81 days; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 1.03–2.59) and those who received a phone consultation (estimated mean difference of 0.83 days; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.43–1.23), on average, experienced delays to first visit. In addition, current delivery at a referral hospital was associated with lower odds of receiving a postpartum visit and longer time to first visit compared to delivery at home, cottage hospital, PHCU + , or district hospital. Women from all other districts received their first visit earlier than women from Kaskazini B. There were no differences in the odds of receiving the entire postpartum intervention by sociodemographic variables, including age, education, and poverty assessment indicators.ConclusionThe results indicate no differences in intervention contact across wealth and education levels, suggesting that the program is effectively reaching women regardless of SES. However, women with other characteristics (e.g., higher parity, unknown or unreported HIV status) had lower odds of receiving the complete intervention. Overall, this work generates knowledge on existing disparities in intervention coverage and enables future programs to develop approaches to achieve equity in health care utilization and outcomes.

Comparison of TOPSIS Method and AHP Method in Determining Poor Households in Koto Baru Simalanggang

Every year, some social assistance is distributed by the Ministry of Social Affairs to each village/Nagari aimed at low-income families. The problem of poverty data almost occurs in all village/Nagari governments. In Koto Baru Simalanggang, several issues arose, including social assistance being mistargeted, poverty assessment being very complex, no system helped in DTKS, and no empowerment/system was carried out in reducing social problems; thus, all were put into DTKS without being able to see the details. Thus far, for the examination of the data of the proposer of assistance, the Nagari government still uses manual methods; therefore, it takes a long time and is subjective to the settlement of low-income families. Posdaya Bundo Saiyo is assisting in Koto Baru Simalanggang for the poor beneficiaries. There needs to be a decision support system to determine people with low incomes in this Nagari; using the method to determine people with low incomes is more objective. The results of this study are in the form of a decision support system for the determination of people with low incomes, which is used as a reference for the Bundo Saiyo Posdaya to make recommendations for the determination of people with low incomes to the Mayor of Koto Baru Simalanggang using Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods. Based on the comparisons made in this research, the AHP and TOPSIS methods have the same ranking results

Dynamical assessment of multi-dimensional energy poverty at the national and sub-national levels in Pakistan

Dynamical assessment of multi-dimensional energy poverty at the national and sub-national levels in Pakistan

Floods, Poverty, and Happiness of Rural Farmers in Northern Benin

Floods destroy crop production; nevertheless, the extent of their impact on farmers’ livelihoods in developing countries has been poorly investigated. This paper contributes to the growing evidence-based assessment of the impacts of shocks on communities. It assessed the post-disaster livelihood of farmers affected by the 2012 flooding in the semi-arid zone of Benin. To this end, a survey was conducted on 228 farmers in two municipalities of the flood-prone part of the semi-arid zone of Benin (Malanville, Karimama). Information on the well-being of households was collected using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using income and consumption approaches focusing on poverty and on subjective assessment using happiness approach. Additionally, a probit model was used for a poverty assessment. The survey revealed that flooded farmers were amongst the poorest in the study system. Seven variables determined poverty in this study: household size, location, the percentage of the farm size that was flooded, fishing, the farmer’s gender, farm size, and “holding a secondary activity”. Regarding happiness, 99% of the flooded farmers were unhappier after the flood in 2012. The results clearly show that being subjected to floods increases the incidence of poverty. The capacity of flood risk management and governance should be strengthened in the study system.

Climate information access and use in East and Southern Africa: identifying linkages between smallholder household characteristics and climate change adaptation

ABSTRACT Climate change adversely impacts the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across East and Southern Africa. Climate-related information is assumed to support smallholder farmer decision-making and use of adaptive practices as a means to improve livelihoods, resiliency and levels of food security. However, the value of climate information provision and its role in promoting adaptive practices remains poorly understood. We examined smallholder household access to, and use of, climate information. Survey data was collected from 5322 households across Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania and Zimbabwe using the Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Tool. Overall, the majority of households regularly accessed at least one source of climate information, primarily via radio (64.9%, n = 3453). Our statistical models showed that households with relatively better access to credit and land tenure were more likely to receive climate information (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively, n = 1421), and of those, households who reported observing past climate-related changes were more likely to actually use climate information (p < 0.05, n = 1097). Secure land tenure was positively associated with information use, though not statistically significant. Findings from our study offer guidance for improving the targeting and delivery of climate information programmes and policies, and indicate that the assumed benefits of climate information provision should be more rigorously evaluated.

Perceptions of poverty: Evaluating Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Tool derived rankings and global development indicators in five African nations

AbstractThis study assessed an array of indicators for rural poverty assessments and evaluated use of the Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Tool (MPAT) as a proxy for commonly used indicators, such as the Human Development Index, Gross National Income, Global Hunger Index, and the Gender Inequality Index. MPAT data from 5322 rural households across five countries in Africa were analyzed. While MPAT aligned well with development indicators for Kenya, Lesotho, and Tanzania, this was not the case for Eswatini and Zimbabwe. Overall, MPAT‐based rankings correlated well with hunger, food security, and gender equality indicators. Our findings highlight the use of MPAT‐derived indices as valuable supplements for commonly used development indicators.

A copula formulation for multivariate latent Markov models

AbstractWe specify a general formulation for multivariate latent Markov models for panel data, where outcomes are possibly of mixed-type (categorical, discrete, continuous). Conditionally on a time-varying discrete latent variable and covariates, the joint distribution of outcomes simultaneously observed is expressed through a parametric copula. We therefore do not make any conditional independence assumption. The observed likelihood is maximized by means of an expectation–maximization algorithm. In a simulation study, we argue how modeling the residual contemporary dependence might be crucial in order to avoid bias in the parameter estimates. We illustrate through an original application to assessment of poverty through direct and indirect indicators in a cohort of Italian households.

A Framework for Assessment of Water Poverty in Iran

The water shortage crisis is one of the main concerns that is threatening the biological security in Iran. According to available data and information, providing a framework for the assessment of water poverty in Iran seems crucial. The land-dividing unit in Iran is the province, and most of the governmental information is gathered based on this unit. In this sense, Isfahan province, which is one of the central provinces in Iran that is suffering from water crises, has been selected. The water poverty index (WPI), which is adopted in accordance with Iran’s situation, including five components of resources, access, capacity, use, and environment, has been used for each of Isfahan’s cities. “Capacity” and “use” has the greatest correlation, and it seems any advancement in water utilization for economic purposes might result in increased capacity, and vice versa. Also, there is a positive correlation between WPI and components of access, capacity, use, and environment. It can be interpreted that the lack of access to water services may be due to a lack of income or education. Finally, access, capacity, and use showed the strongest relationships between WPI and its subcategories. Therefore, these three elements should be the main focus of any initiative to manage the water poverty in Isfahan province.

An assessment of multidimensional water poverty in India: an application of Alkire–Foster dual cut-off approach

An assessment of multidimensional water poverty in India: an application of Alkire–Foster dual cut-off approach

The Energy Poverty Status of Off-Grid Rural Households: A Case of the Upper Blinkwater Community in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

This paper analyses the energy poverty status in off-grid rural households and its underlying socioeconomic factors. Employing the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke Technique and Probit regression on data from 53 households, the study uncovers a diverse array of energy sources in use, including firewood, paraffin, LPG, candles, and generators. Despite this energy source diversity, the poverty line threshold, as measured by the per capita energy expenditure line (92.40 ZAR) (1 US Dollar = ZAR 18.20), reveals the prevalence of energy poverty. Approximately 15% of respondents are experiencing severe energy poverty and 22% are facing moderate vulnerability to energy poverty, while over 50% are not energy poor. This indicates that, although they may lack access to electricity, their energy usage and expenditure in other forms might still be sufficient to meet their basic energy needs. This distinction highlights the importance of assessing energy poverty, extending beyond a simplistic assessment of absolute poverty but taking into account the dynamic nature of income levels. Gender, household size, formal education, and social grants emerge as key indicators shaping the energy landscape in the area. The results clearly indicate that male-headed households and larger households are less susceptible to energy poverty, while increasing formal education and social grants increases the risk of households being exposed to energy poverty. These findings suggest that the problem of energy poverty in the area is uniquely linked to social, economic, and cultural issues. Therefore, interventions targeted at addressing energy poverty problems must address the underlying social, economic, and cultural factors.

An assessment of energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa: the role of financial inclusion and education

An assessment of energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa: the role of financial inclusion and education