Conditions Of Poverty Research Articles

Social inclusion and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa

PurposeThe poverty puzzle persists in sub-Saharan Africa decades after some other regional bodies have recorded substantial gains in their poverty reduction efforts. This study seeks to explore the extent to which social inclusion influences poverty outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe study constructs a social inclusion index and its sub-indices using principal component analysis and employs the Lewbel instrumental variable estimation method to test the impact of the computed social inclusion indices on poverty outcomes for 19 sub-Saharan African countries.FindingsThe results have shown that social inclusion reduces the proportion of the poor and the depth of poverty within sub-Saharan Africa significantly. We also observe a U-shaped relationship between social inclusion and poverty outcomes; thus, social inclusion’s poverty-reducing effect sees a reversal when it hits a certain threshold.Practical implicationsThe study provides the evidence needed to inform the policy discourse on the poverty problem, which continues to plague sub-Saharan Africa.Social implicationsWith sub-Saharan Africa’s position as the region with the worst poverty statistics, the results of this study will prove useful in tackling poverty to ensure improved quality of life.Originality/valueThis study presents original evidence on social inclusion and its relationship with poverty.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2023-0640

Culex quinquefasciatus Density Associated with Socioenvironmental Conditions in a Municipality with Indeterminate Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in Northeastern Brazil

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease associated with poverty and poor environmental conditions. With the inclusion of vector control activities in LF surveillance actions, there is a need to develop simple methods to identify areas with higher mosquito density and thus a higher consequent risk of W. bancrofti transmission. An ecological study was conducted in Igarassu, which is in the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The mosquitoes were captured in 2060 houses distributed across 117 census tracts. The vector density index (VDI), which measures the average number of lymphatic-filariasis-transmitting mosquitoes per number of houses collected in the risk stratum, was constructed. Moreover, the social deprivation indicator (SDI) was constructed and calculated through principal component factor analysis. An average of 242 female C. quinquefasciatus were found in the high-risk stratum, while the average in the low-risk stratum was 108. The overall VDI was 6.8 mosquitoes per household. The VDI for the high-risk stratum was 13.2 mosquitoes per household, while for the low/medium-risk stratum, it was 5.2. This study offers an SDI for the density of C. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, which can help reduce the costs associated with data collection and allows for identifying priority areas for vector control actions.

The effect of education level and unemployment rate on poverty in Deli Serdang regency

Poverty is a complex problem that is multidimensional and affects many people around the world, including Indonesia. In Indonesia, poverty is still high, especially in underdeveloped rural and urban areas. Low education levels and high unemployment exacerbate poverty conditions as they affect access to decent work and adequate income. In Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, despite having abundant natural resources, the poverty rate is still high. Expected solutions include improved access and quality of education, increased job opportunities, entrepreneurship promotion, access to better health and social services, and effective redistribution policies. This study aims to determine the influence of education, unemployment, HDI, and income on poverty in Deli Serdang Regency and to determine the influence of wages, consumption, and poverty on income simultaneously on income in Deli Serdang Regency. The approach used in this study is a quantitative approach sourced from secondary data in a time series, namely from 2013 to 2023. The data analysis model in this study uses a simultaneous equation model. The results of the simultaneity test showed that education had a positive and significant effect on poverty, while unemployment, HDI and income had a negative and insignificant effect on poverty. And poverty has a positive and significant effect on income, while consumption and wages have a negative and insignificant effect on income.

Space–Time Forecasting of Heating & Cooling Energy Needs as an Energy Poverty Measure in Romania

Lack of access to basic energy services, known as energy poverty, remains felt in the country, with seasonal changes and an economic divide. The frameworks to measure energy poverty differ spatially and temporally, with climate change and behavioral culture being the essential influencing factors. This paper is focused on heating and cooling energy demands, which can be defined as an energy poverty metric for the propensity to be at risk of energy poverty caused by climate regime. Employing sophisticated statistical space–time forecasting tools, we build a model incorporating spatial and temporal energy consumption volatility across Romanian regions at the NUTS3 level. The model considers climatic conditions and raw data from 45 years (1979–2023) of cooling and heating degree days to determine local trajectories for the next nine years. Identifying high-energy-poverty-risk areas in our research can provide valuable insights for policymakers, enabling them to develop targeted plans for eliminating energy poverty and ensuring equitable access to heating and cooling. The results underline the necessity of differentiated approaches in energy policies and add value to the general understanding of energy poverty issues and conditions, considering the Romanian climatic and socio-economic context.

The Multidimensional Condition of Systemic Cooling Poverty Affecting Children's Health Worldwide

The Multidimensional Condition of Systemic Cooling Poverty Affecting Children's Health Worldwide

Usability of personalized thermal control systems by people with intellectual disabilities in energy poverty

This study assessed the usability of three readily available Personalized Thermal Control Systems (PECS)—an electric blanket, a small personal fan, and a large pedestal fan—among individuals with intellectual disabilities living independently in energy poverty conditions in Chile. The research aimed to identify the primary usability challenges that affect the adoption and operational effectiveness of these technologies and, consequently, their potential to enhance thermal comfort. Results indicated that devices with more advanced control features, i.e. the large pedestal fan, presented the most significant usability challenges, followed by the electric blanket and the small personal fan. Key usability issues included poor visibility, inadequate material choice, ineffective communication, bad affordance, and inadequate levels of touch sensitivity of the control interface in these PECS. The study also showed a large variance in the level of adoption of the PECS among participants, thereby indicating that users have different individual attitudes, ranging from passive acceptance to proactive exploration and use. To conclude, this study advocates for the necessity of developing easily operable PECS that cater to the specific needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, thereby supporting their autonomy and improving their quality of life in thermally comfortable environments.

RELEVANCE OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AS AN INCOME GENERATOR IN THE STATES WITH THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATES IN MEXICO

Mexico has undergone a transition from a predominantly agricultural society to one that is more diverse in terms of sources of income. Nevertheless, how this transition has affected the welfare of families and their members has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the study's objective was to analyze the effect of each source of income on the welfare of family units experiencing conditions of poverty in Mexico. The states studied were those with the highest poverty rates, such as Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz. An econometric model was used, and based on the results, elasticities were calculated to determine the impact of each income on welfare in percentage terms. Data from the National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure were used to generate the model. The sum of the expenses in the food and non-food baskets was considered as the dependent variable, whereas the income was taken as the independent variable. The results indicated that the income from subordinate work is the one that makes up the largest contribution, with an increase of 0.346%, followed by transfers, which presented an increase of 0.107%. On the other hand, remittances had better growth than agricultural and livestock income, with an increase of 0.008%. The current situation that shows a decrease in the relevance of the agricultural sector as a generator of welfare is reaffirmed, which has led to a high dependence on government transfers. Keywords: welfare, income, econometric model, elasticities, remittance.

The alleviating effect of household distributed photovoltaics on multidimensional relative poverty in rural areas

Relative poverty represents a major obstacle to China's rural revitalization efforts and necessitates enhanced policy support. This study aims to investigate the impact of household distributed photovoltaic (HDPV) on relative poverty conditions. Based on 337 questionnaire data from Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province in 2022, we construct a multidimensional relative poverty index using the Alkire-Foster method to assess the level of relative poverty. We employ fixed-effects models and mediation models to evaluate the effectiveness of HDPV in alleviating relative poverty. The results indicate that HDPV reduce the multidimensional relative poverty level of rural residents by approximately 0.058, demonstrating that installing HDPV can significantly alleviate multidimensional relative poverty. This effect is primarily achieved through increased investment in children's education. Additionally, we find that the alleviation effect varies by income level, with lower-income households experiencing greater improvements compared to higher-income households. Specifically, HDPV reduce the poverty level of the low-income group by approximately 0.0969, while the high-income group saw a reduction of about 0.0313. The findings of this study enrich the research on relative poverty in China by revealing the poverty-alleviating attributes of HDPV. It provides support for the development of renewable energy and regional development policies and has practical significance for advancing photovoltaic building integration.

Cultural Representation of Dalits in Nepali Literature Written by Dalit and Non-Dalit Writers

The major objective of this paper is to explore the cultural representation of Dalits in Nepali literature written by both Dalit and non-Dalit writers. To meet its objective, Likhe (2073) by Sarad Paudel and Itihāsko Ek Paikā (The brave person in the history, 2066) by Ranendra Barali have been selected purposively as primary texts for analysis. Stuart Hall’s (1997) “discursive approach” has been used as an approach for textual analysis. The findings of the study concluded that both types of writers have raised the issue of class struggle commonly based on socio-cultural factors. Dalit characters in both novels live in poverty and miserable condition whereas non-Dalit characters are presented as dominant and in better conditions in society. Similarly, Likhe and Mansingh are presented as major characters whereas non-Dalit characters are given the minor roles. Dalit characters are presented as underprivileged whereas non-Dalits belong to privileged group of people in society. Both writers raise the issues of inter-caste and intra-caste untouchable practices equally. Finally the paper is significant due to the comparative study on the socio-cultural issue of Dalit community presented by Dalit and non-Dalit writers.

Yoksulluk ve Afetlerin İnsan Güvenliği ve Refahı Üzerindeki Etkileri: Türkiye Örneği

Poverty and disasters are complex issues that directly impact the quality of life and security of people worldwide. Poverty makes communities more vulnerable to disasters, thereby increasing the risks of catastrophes. Factors such as inadequate infrastructure, unplanned urbanization, and resource limitations exacerbate the effects of poverty, potentially escalating the frequency and severity of disasters. Moreover, low educational attainment and insufficient pre-disaster risk management can adversely affect post-disaster crisis management, hindering swift recovery efforts for communities. Impoverished communities often struggle to access essential services such as emergency medical assistance in the aftermath of disasters. This difficulty significantly impairs post-disaster response and recovery efforts, deepening the impact of disasters on impoverished societies and prolonging the return to normalcy. Economic losses, asset depletion, and decreased labor productivity further push already impoverished populations into long-term cycles of poverty. Restrictions in accessing basic necessities also pose significant barriers during post-disaster recovery processes; challenges in transportation, housing, and nutrition can contribute to worsening poverty conditions. In this context, the role of poverty in disaster preparedness is crucial. It is vital for countries like Turkey to strengthen the capacities of all local communities and develop effective disaster strategies. Integrating poverty alleviation strategies with disaster management systems is essential to mitigate disaster risks, minimize post-disaster impacts, and facilitate faster community recovery. This study aims to underscore the importance of poverty in disaster preparedness processes and develop strategic recommendations by focusing on the relationship between poverty and disasters in Turkey. Keywords: Disaster, Disaster Management, Poverty, Security, Turkey

LEMBAGA FILANTROPI ISLAM DALAM MENINGKATAN EKONOMI UMMAT

Islamic philanthropy has an important role in community economic empowerment. The conditions of poverty and injustice felt, especially by Muslims, will cause separate and ongoing problems, so it is necessary to make strategic and relevant efforts to unravel the gap in conditions, namely through commendable da'wah activities. That this commendable da'wah is not just to spread religion and call for truth. But da'wah is about how we can see what we can do for our surroundings. This study aims to determine and analyze the potential, role and opportunities of Islamic philanthropy to alleviate poverty and injustice. The results of the study explain that da'wah regarding the problems of poverty and injustice that occur in society need to be unraveled through Islamic da'wah. Islamic philanthropy is a manifestation of our love and care as fellow human beings raising ethical values. The Islamic da'wah agenda through zakat, infaq, shadaqah, and waqaf should be able to unravel domestic problems. With effective activities, well-targeted da'wah, and support from government agencies and institutions, the implementation of Islamic philanthropy provides a solution to the problem of poverty and injustice in Indonesia.

Identity Construction in Conditions of Poverty: How Necessity Entrepreneurs Shape Who They Are

Identity Construction in Conditions of Poverty: How Necessity Entrepreneurs Shape Who They Are

A STUDY REGARDING NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND AWARENESS DURING 1000 DAYS OF MOTHERHOOD

Pregnancy and lactation are among the most stressful periods in the life of a woman, particularly under conditions of poverty and mal nutrition, since the mother has to provide nutrition for her and the rapidly growing fetus. Pregnancy period is crucial for baby if proper care should not taken. Health of mothers directly depends on diet and nutrition which they consume. Knowledge of nutrition and nutrients must help to maintain good health during 1000 days. Present study was aimed to study about nutritional status and awareness during 1000 days of motherhood and nutritional status. For the study, total 152 urban area’s pregnant women were randomly selected from Mehsana city. The present study was conducted with a descriptive, and survey method research design for the assessment of the nutritional status of mothers. An ideal pre structured questionnaire was prepared with suggestions of experts and used for the data collection. The blood haemoglobin data was obtained from secondary data which mentioned in Mamata card of selected mothers. Suitable statistical test was applied. 61.18 % mothers were home makers. 57.14 % mothers consumed vegetarian diet.78 % had 11-12 g/dl i.e. normal level of haemoglobin. Majority of mothers were aware and had a knowledge regarding health and nutrition for pregnancy but less aware about good weaning practices.

A STUDY REGARDING NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND AWARENESS DURING 1000 DAYS OF MOTHERHOOD

Pregnancy and lactation are among the most stressful periods in the life of a woman, particularly under conditions of poverty and mal nutrition, since the mother has to provide nutrition for her and the rapidly growing fetus. Pregnancy period is crucial for baby if proper care should not taken. Health of mothers directly depends on diet and nutrition which they consume. Knowledge of nutrition and nutrients must help to maintain good health during 1000 days. Present study was aimed to study about nutritional status and awareness during 1000 days of motherhood and nutritional status. For the study, total 152 urban area’s pregnant women were randomly selected from Mehsana city. The present study was conducted with a descriptive, and survey method research design for the assessment of the nutritional status of mothers. An ideal pre structured questionnaire was prepared with suggestions of experts and used for the data collection. The blood haemoglobin data was obtained from secondary data which mentioned in Mamata card of selected mothers. Suitable statistical test was applied. 61.18 % mothers were home makers. 57.14 % mothers consumed vegetarian diet.78 % had 11-12 g/dl i.e. normal level of haemoglobin. Majority of mothers were aware and had a knowledge regarding health and nutrition for pregnancy but less aware about good weaning practices.

Addressing the Syndemic Relationship between Lymphatic Filariasis and Mental Distress in Malawi: The Potential of Enhanced Self-Care.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) causes disfiguring and disabling lymphoedema, which can lead to mental distress and requires life-long self-care treatment. This study applies syndemic theory to understand the biosocial relationship between LF and mental distress in Malawi. Using in-depth qualitative methods, we critically evaluate experiences of mental distress and LF through 21 life-history interviews, to narrate experiences from the perspective of persons affected by LF, and to understand how enhanced self-care (ESC) for lymphoedema management disrupts the syndemic relationship. Complementary key informant interviews with Ministry of Health LF programme staff were conducted to further understand intervention and health system delivery. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated, and then subject to thematic analysis. Our findings suggest that for persons affected by LF in Malawi, before being trained in ESC, absent referral pathways, inequalities in healthcare provision or available treatment, and limited knowledge of the condition (LF) drove the syndemic of LF and mental distress. Distress was often exacerbated by stigma and social exclusion, and shaped by intersections of gender, generation, poverty, and extreme climate conditions. We argue that addressing the syndemic suffering associated with LF and mental distress through interventions which center the needs of persons affected is critical in effective and equitable LF care delivery.

Large and/or single‐parent families: Public attitudes towards pronatalist and anti‐poverty family policies in Hungary

AbstractIn the 2010s, new family benefits were introduced in Hungary, focusing on large families to halt population decline. However, poverty reduction became sidelined, as these schemes benefited higher‐income earners. Based on poverty statistics, the article investigates how two family types associated with a higher risk of poverty—large families and single‐parent families—fare under this new selective pronatalist system. Furthermore, based on new representative national survey data, the article explores public support for the reforms. Although the income poverty rate for large families significantly decreased during the 2010s, it remained persistently high for single‐parent families, especially large single‐parent families. The findings indicate strong public support for state assistance to large, single‐parent and poor families and state pronatalism. However, the public prioritises support for poor, single‐parent families. This underscores a partial mismatch between public attitudes and government policy. Nonetheless, this policy probably secured public legitimacy, chiefly due to the general support for state pronatalism and large families, which were vigorously implemented in family policies, albeit selectively.

Stress-testing the international poverty line and the official global poverty statistics

We investigate the current method of derivation of the international poverty line used for monitoring SDG 1 in two key directions: (a) we ask whether the official method used by the World Bank is fit for the purpose of measuring extreme poverty and if their method is defensibly valid both internally and externally; and (b) we ask whether the resulting statistics perform acceptably well in terms of accuracy and precision. Using comparative analysis, error accounting methods, and minimization criteria, on key poverty indicators, our investigation gathers compelling evidence that leans towards a negative answer to both questions. We conclude that the adoption of alternative methods for monitoring global poverty should be considered in an official capacity with urgency.

Mobile caringscapes. Walking as an infrastructure of care in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Sweden

The welfare state planning of the Nordic countries can be said to have been carried out as political acts of state care and concern of (some of) their citizens, to tackle poverty and poor housing conditions, and provide more equal living conditions for the whole population. The Million Programme Housing Project (MP) was an ambitious project carried out to combat housing shortage in Sweden in the 1960s and 1970s, which also resulted in traffic separation, car-free courtyards and housing blocks, and recreational green infrastructure. By analysing accounts of walking in 47 interviews around the everyday mobilities of 31 families living in three disadvantaged MP areas in three cities in Sweden, we suggest that the walking practices can be regarded as ‘caringscapes’. The narratives of the participants illuminate how walking is both self-care, other-care, and neighbourhood-care. Taken together, these different facets of ‘caringscapes’ of walking are further discussed in relation to walking as an enacted and practiced infrastructure of care. This conceptual framework of care captures the different experiential facets of walking and highlights the embodied, interdependent, and relational aspects of walking.

Investigation of Oral Health in Children from Urban Slums of Nairobi, Kenya.

For children living in the urban slums of Nairobi (Kenya), primary health conditions are not guaranteed, and oral diseases add further concern at social and institutional levels beyond the general poverty conditions. This study aims at determining the factors that influence the oral health status of children living in Nairobi slums. A cross-sectional study on school-aged subjects was conducted in June 2022 in three urban slum areas of Nairobi through a pediatric dental screening. The PI (Plaque Index), CPITN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs), and dmft (decayed, missing, and filled teeth index-deciduous) were considered as primary outcomes of dental health. Multivariate statistical analysis, based on ordinal and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models, was conducted to identify determinants of the oral outcomes in a wide set of potential predictors. A sample of 359 children aged 2-17 was examined. The PI was significantly associated with age, the type of bite, and the use of a toothbrush. The CPITN is influenced by different types of malocclusions, abnormal frenulum, dental trauma, and fluorosis. Dietary habits were found to significantly impact the susceptibility to dental caries. Fluorosis and a dental visit in the last year were highlighted as risk and protective factors, respectively, against higher rates of caries. The oral health features of children living in Nairobi slums are differently affected by socio-demographic conditions, dietary habits, dental characteristics, and oral care practices.

A Reassessment of Ignorance from the Perspective of the New Meanings of Rationality

In this article, we take a view of ignorance in relation to the new meaning of rationality, including the specific perspectives of limited rationality. We begin by suggesting that the problem of ignorance is far from the implied clarity of everyday expression, and there is a risk of inappropriate use of the concept. We show that not understanding what ignorance is, is part of ignorance, trying to avoid the situation of ignorance over ignorance. We propose a definition of ignorance by reference to the possible accessible and useful knowledge at a given time, suggesting that the understanding of ignorance is dependent on three variables: time, knowledge accessible at each moment of the present and utility. We analyze some asymmetries, including the one caused by the fact that we are often rigorous (but, nevertheless, interested) judges of others ignorance and very biased (that is, somewhat ignorant) about ourselves. We assess responsibility for our own ignorance by suggesting some limitations to the forms of ignorance for which we are responsible. We suggest that some variants of the unknown meet the definition of ignorance, and if we consider that most human decisions are made in conditions of information poverty, we can find that ignorance is frequently part of our cognitive strategies. Ignorance can be intentionally included in some of our cognitive strategies, one of which is provided by the principle of cognitive economics. The article can be one of the starting points for a set of recommendations on what can be ignored, what should and should not be ignored, when we are ignorant with no considerable effect and where/when we should not be