Family Consumption Research Articles

Политика в отношении рождаемости и здорового образа жизни в России: особенности стимулирования граждан

Social and demographic problems associated with an increase in the birth rate and the number of citizens leading a healthy lifestyle have many intersection points both in the field of health and in the field of socio-economic relations. Projects to improve fertility indicators and healthy lifestyles, presented in strategic documents and relevant policies, reflect different attitudes of the authorities towards stimulating citizens. Unlike having children, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by citizens does not provide for material or non-material incentives from the state. At the same time, the currently existing material incentives for the birth rate show their insufficiency, which raises the question of additional or alternative ways to motivate citizens. The solution to this approach requires an integrated approach. On the one hand, the use of an information resource available through the education system and the media space opens up the opportunity for the authorities to influence the attitude of citizens towards issues of fertility, values and status of the family and health. In this context, the attitude of citizens towards the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, as one of the conditions for strengthening the family and maintaining reproductive health, would also change. On the other hand, the media must popularize the idea that individual unlimited consumption also has a limit in the form of health and life expectancy. Consumption can be expanded at the expense of families if the state stimulates family consumption, and not just distributes one-time cash incentives.

Assessment of Different Okra Varieties for Yield, Quality and, Economical Feasibility Cultivated in the Hadoti Region of South-East Rajasthan, India

The study focuses on the cultivation of okra, a prominent Indian vegetable with significance in both export and family consumption. Emphasizing the potential for increased okra production through the selection of high-yielding varieties, the research specifically targets the Hadoti region, aiming to identify varieties suitable for its agro-climatic conditions. The lack of such screening in the region prompted the study. The trial was conducted during the summer of 2022 and 2023 at the Instructional Farm of Career Point University, Kota, Rajasthan and the research evaluated 12 okra varieties using a randomized block design with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among all varieties for various traits, including yield, quality and economical feasibility. The study underscores the presence of a substantial varietal effect, offering insights into optimizing okra cultivation in the Southeast climatic conditions of Rajasthan's Hadoti region. The results showed the presence of a significant varietal effect. However, the present study demonstrated the superiority of Punjab Selection variety over other varieties in terms of maximum mean fruit length (13.07 cm), fruit diameter (3.77 cm) and fruit weight (15.56 g), minimum mean titratable acidity (0.22%), maximum TSS (3.18 °B), ascorbic acid (19.64 mg/100g) and mucilage content (0.91%), maximum mean fruit yield per plant (0.53 kg), fruit yield per plot (11.68 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (124.30 q). However, the net return of Rs. 248575 Rs./ha and 249325 Rs./ha along with benefit-cost ratio 5.02 and 5.05 in 2022 and 2023 respectively was also obtained from okra variety Punjab Selection.

Analysis of some variables affecting the marketable surplus of wheat production farms in Iraq

The change in the familiar features of the markets for selling the wheat crop in Iraq is one of the most important problems facing wheat farmers in Iraq. Where that surplus is sold among its various distribution channels in the country. The research aims to identify the most important economic and social factors affecting the marketable surplus of wheat farms in Baghdad governorate for the agricultural season 2023. The study was based mainly on the primary data of a simple random sample of a total of 50 wheat farmers in Baghdad governorate distributed among the various agricultural units of the governorate. The data required for the study were collected through a questionnaire prepared to achieve the research objective. The estimated results indicated that the marketable surplus of the wheat crop in the farms of the study sample is affected by each of the variables: the quantity of crop production, average selling price, in-kind deductions, harvest and collection loss, and family consumption, where the significance of these factors proved at different statistical levels, while there were no significant differences in the effect on the marketable surplus of wheat in relation to the cultivated area variable in all the estimated functional formulas.

Peningkatan Efektifitas Pancing Ulur Kakintu Kindaeng di Desa Palahanaeng Kecamatan Tabukan Tengah, Sangihe, Sulawesi Utara

The problem with the fishermen group in Palahanaeng Village is the minimum number of fishing gear and the ineffectiveness of the fishing gear. This PMUP program provides education about the handline fishing gear or “Kakintu Kindaeng” fishing line, as well as counseling on the effectiveness of its use for fishermen groups. The service method that will be carried out is providing counseling and training, mentoring, and monitoring and evaluation for fishing fishermen groups in Palahanaeng Village. This community service helps fishermen groups in Palahaneng Village to increase catches, which has implications for increasing fishermen's income. Kakintu kindaeng is a common fishing gear used by fishermen in Palahanaeng Village. Kindaeng is the name of the local people for mackarel tuna fish, which is a type of pelagic fish that has economic value. The operation process is stretched out into the water by being pulled and jerked while the boat is being run using the engine. Some of these catches are sold and some are used for daily family consumption needs.

Os impactos da Pandemia causada pelo COVID – 19 na abertura e encerramento de empresas e na arrecadação de ICMS no Estado do Maranhão no período de 2019 a 2021

The objective of this scientific research is to identify the impacts of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 on the economy of the state of Maranhão (Brazil), aiming at this purpose, aiming at the evolution of ICMS revenues and the balance between the opening and closing of companies during the peak of the disease in the state. The variables were validated after a review of the existing literature that address the origins of COVID-19, originating from the Asian continent and spread around the world until arriving in Brazil, especially in Maranhão, and the ICMS was also conceptualized from the perspective of indirect tax and on the consumption of families and companies. The study will use data/documents made available in the official media of the national state and Maranhão, with a quantitative approach, using a statistical tool "R" and exploratory and descriptive purposes. Even early to determine precisely the real impacts of the pandemic on the Economy of Maranhão, it is possible to observe signs of negative trends both for the formal continuity of companies and for the collection of ICMS in Maranhão; when compared only the months "with" and "without" the pandemic in the years 2019/2020 can already extract statistically the first the direct effects caused by the paralizations both in the collection and in the opening and closing performance of new businesses. Given the information based on the research, the intention is not to exhaust the subject, but to have a study that will serve as an initial step for future surveys and thus contribute to the scientific and academic community that can better understand what is happening with the economies and effects of this virus.

The Impact of Online Shopping on Household Consumption Structure in China

Amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape and improved economic conditions, online shopping has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, subtly reshaping household spending patterns. This comprehensive study delves deep into the profound influence of online shopping on the structures of family consumption, drawing insights from theories encompassing online shopping, family consumption, and various consumption categories. The primary focal point of this research revolves around the transformative impact of online shopping on consumption behaviors within Chinese households. Leveraging data from the 2018 China Family Tracking Survey (CFPS) and carefully controlling for variables such as age, marital status, education level, and health status, which reflect both family and individual economic characteristics, the study unravels a compelling correlation between online shopping and the enrichment of household consumption structures. To address potential concerns regarding endogeneity, instrumental variables and propensity score matching techniques are adroitly applied, further fortifying the premise that online shopping plays a pivotal role in advancing household consumption. This robustness reinforces the initial regression findings, providing a nuanced understanding of the evolving dynamics of family consumption in the digital age.

The consumption of Brazilian families: a look at gender and race

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar o padrão de consumo das famílias brasileiras com ênfase no gênero e na raça do responsável da família. A depender do responsável pela família, gasta-se mais ou menos em determinados bens e serviços, não somente devido às preferências individuais, mas igualmente devido às percepções diversas sobre prioridades dentro da própria família. No que tange ao gênero, a literatura enfatiza que, para as mulheres, o maior peso dos gastos é no bem-estar de filhos, e, em termos de raça, há ainda uma discussão incipiente sobre gastos direcionados a questões identitárias, mas chama a atenção que grande parte dos gastos é dedicado à sobrevivência, dadas as piores condições de vida de pretos e pardos na sociedade brasileira. Para entender estas diferenças sobre o padrão de consumo de famílias cujos responsáveis são homens ou mulheres, com distintas cores/raças, este artigo analisa os determinantes das categorias de consumo das famílias separadamente para cada um destes grupos. Para tanto, foi estimado um sistema de demanda de forma simultânea para seis categorias agregadas de consumo (alimentação, habitação, transporte, saúde, educação e outras despesas). A análise foi feita com a Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares de 2017-2018. Os resultados mostram que as mulheres gastam mais em habitação do que os homens, enquanto estes investem seus recursos mais nas despesas de transporte. Os gastos com alimentação são maiores entre os negros do que brancos, independente do sexo da pessoa de referência. Nas despesas com saúde e educação, brancos gastam mais do que negros, sendo que, com relação à saúde, mulheres brancas tendem a gastar mais do que homens. Renda, educação, idade e filhos são importantes fatores que podem explicar diferenças destes resultados.

The Impact of Social Health Insurance on Household Catastrophic Healthcare Expenditures Associated with Chronic Diseases in Sundarharaincha Municipality, Morang

Introduction: Catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) is the condition of paying for health care that exceeds a defined family income or consumption level. Households who spend CHE may have to forego the consumption of other goods essential to their well-being. Chronic diseases require ongoing and often expensive healthcare services and treatments, which can be financially devastating for households without adequate health insurance coverage. Social health insurance programs can provide financial protection and access to healthcare services for individuals and families with chronic diseases. This study aims to assess the impact of the social health insurance program on household catastrophic healthcare expenditures associated with chronic diseases in Sundarharaincha Municipality, Morang.
 Method: A Retrospective Cross-sectional research design was adopted to collect the data from 424 households by cluster and probability simple random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed based on an intensive literature review. The investigator himself after the approval of the PUSHS- IRC (Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences Institutional review committee) collected data. Before data collection, formal permission was obtained from the Municipality office of Sundarharaincha. Written and verbal consent was obtained from each literate and illiterate household respondent respectively before the interview and observation. The findings were described in descriptive and inferential statistics.
 Results: The data show that various socio-demographic characteristics are associated with catastrophic healthcare expenditures. A significant impact is seen between social health insurance and catastrophic healthcare expenditures associated with chronic diseases. The majority of the respondents (93.4%) stated that health insurance protects their financial crisis from catastrophic healthcare expenditure. Most (93.7%) of the respondents who expressed reduced economic burden and others as benefits of the enrolment, were compared to health service from specialized hospitals (92.9%) among those who were protected from catastrophic healthcare expenditures by the health insurance program. Similarly, 94.7 % of the respondents said the economic burden was a problem if not enrolled in the health insurance program and 83.3 percent said tension and others as problems if not enrolled. This study also shows that 87.8 percent of the insured respondents who were protected against CHE by the health insurance program had less than 5000 NPR costs per visit (<0.001). Out of the total respondents who were protected against CHE by the health insurance program, 93.6 percent were satisfied with health insurance and 92.9 percent want to continue health insurance in the coming days.
 Conclusion: By providing adequate coverage and support for households with chronic illnesses, social health insurance could significantly reduce the incidence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure, contributing to poverty reduction and improved health outcomes. Policymakers related to social health insurance program and the concerned government should implement measures to increase health insurance coverage among households having chronic diseases to reduce the burden of healthcare expenditure.

Social networks and household consumption

This paper analyzes the impact of social networks on household consumption by selecting data from Peking University's China Family Tracking Survey (CFPS) as a research sample. It is found that there is a pronounced circle effect in social networks among families, which makes social networks show convergence and modeling effects, thus increasing the consumption level of families. In addition, social networks can increase the motivation of families to borrow money from relatives and friends. In contrast, social networks bring rich human resources to families and improve the ability of families to resist risks, thus increasing the level of family consumption.

Panic Buying and Hoarding of Medicine During the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Perspective of Islamic Ethics

This study aims to analyze Islamic ethics towards panic buying and hoarding of medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Queues at pharmacies were seen in June-July 2021 as a phenomenon of public panic against Covid-19. This study uses an interpretive descriptive qualitative approach. Research data were collected through literature study. The results show that there are Islamic ethics for sellers and buyers so as not to harm the community. Islamic ethics for sellers are (1) Fear of Allah so as not to be punished sinful; (2) Not taking advantage of the community's distress during the Pandemic; (3) Be qanaah by not refusing a small profit. Islamic ethics for buyers are : (1) Fear of Allah in order to accept disaster as Allah's will; (2) The rationality of consumption of Muslim families during the pandemic; (3) Prioritizing at-ta'awun or helping each other in emergency situations; (4) Be satified so that someone doesn't buy more than his need. This research is expected to be useful for sellers and consumers to behave Islamic ethics in responding to panic buying and ihtikar.

Keberlanjutan Program Pekarangan Pangan Lestari Anggota Kelompok Wanita Tani di Provinsi Lampung

ABSTRACT
 
 Development engaged in the food sector is one of the country's needs in increasing production and meeting needs, especially food. The Sustainable Food Yard Program (P2L) is one of the programs that is expected to be able to provide an increase in food production, especially for family consumption needs. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the sustainability of the sustainable food garden program of women farmer groups in Lampung Province. The research method used is a quantitative method. The population in this study are members of the women's farmer group and stakeholders (stakeholders). Respondents studied amounted to 85 people. Data collection was carried out in June 2022. The data analysis method used was linear logistic regression analysis to determine the factors that influence program sustainability. The results showed that the level of sustainability of sustainable food gardens in Lampung Province was influenced by internal and external factors. Formal education, non-formal education, cosmopolitan level, number of family dependents, infrastructure, government support, market institutions and village nurseries and product marketing influence the level of sustainability of P2L in Lampung Province. Suggestions in this study are expected by certain parties, especially stakeholders and the government to be able to provide a forum and education for farmer women's groups in increasing knowledge and skills in managing and developing P2L programs.
 
 Keywords: farmer women's group, sustainable food yard, sustainability

The impacts of caterpillar fungus income on grazing pressure in Tibetan regions: a tale of income diversification

PurposeThis research examined the impacts of diversified income from trading caterpillar fungus on pastoral households' livestock production and income. The specific objectives were to identify the main factors underlying participation in caterpillar fungus trade and to explore the impacts of a diversified income from trading fungus on livestock production activities and income.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a pastoral household survey (n = 503) in five Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures. The authors employed propensity score matching (PSM) procedures to estimate the effects of participation in trading caterpillar fungus.FindingsPastoral households participating in caterpillar fungus activities maintain smaller herds, sell fewer animals for profit, slaughter more livestock for family consumption and experience fewer livestock deaths compared to nonparticipants. There is also some evidence that pastoral households participating in caterpillar fungus activities have a higher annual income compared to nonparticipants.Research limitations/implicationsA direct measure of grassland degradation was not included due to the data limitation. The estimated average treatment effects could differ under different observed households' characteristics.Originality/valueThis study fills a gap in the literature on the impacts of diversified income on livestock production activities. The authors provide a new perspective on the controversy over the extraction of caterpillar fungus. This study contributes to exploring the dual role of income diversification in addressing poverty and grassland resource degradation for Tibetan pastoral communities.

Influence of Consumption Decisions of Rural Residents in the Context of Rapid Urbanization: Evidence from Sichuan, China

Background: Promoting the transformation and upgrading of China’s rural consumer market is of strategic significance for maintaining sustainable economic development in the process of urbanization. Research objects and methods: Our objectives were to explore the influencing factors of rural residents’ consumption decision making and to provide reference for formulating relevant policies. This study adopted the questionnaire survey method and collected 300 valid questionnaires. Through statistical analysis of questionnaire data and multiple linear regression analysis, the key factors affecting rural residents’ consumption decision making were determined. Results: Education level, family income, consumption view and sociocultural factors are the main factors affecting the consumption decision of rural residents. In addition, personal cognition and attitude are also important factors affecting rural residents’ consumption decisions. In addition, social influence also has a certain positive impact on consumer decisions. Conclusion: The key factors affecting rural residents’ consumption decision making are external factors, including education level and sociocultural factors, and internal factors, namely family income and family consumption concept. At the same time, personal cognition and attitude also play an important role in consumption decisions. The purpose of this study is to provide objective suggestions for improving and expanding the rural consumption market at the policy level, so as to promote the upgrading of rural consumption in China. The influence of rural residents’ consumption decisions on local economic stability was investigated. The economic stability of farmers’ consumption can be understood by analyzing their consumption tendency and consumption pattern.

POLA PENGELUARAN MAKANAN DAN NON MAKANAN PADA KELUARGA PRA-SEJAHTERA DAN SEJAHTERA 1 DI KECAMATAN FATULEU KABUPATEN KUPANG

This study aims to determine the Expenditures and differences in the Pattern of Food and Non-Food Expenditures in Pre-Prosperous and Prosperous 1 Families in Fatuleu District, Kupang Regency. To find out food and non-food consumption expenditures, descriptive methods were used, while to find out differences in food and non-food expenditure patterns in Pre-Prosperous and Prosperous 1 Families, data analysis techniques were carried out using Chi Square Two Independent Samples. The results of the study show that (1) the average spending on food and non-food consumption in pre-prosperous families: food expenditure is Rp. 759,000 and non-food expenditure amounted to Rp. 587,000. While the average for food and non-food expenditure in the Prosperous Family 1: food expenditure amounts to Rp. 1,178,920 and non-food expenditure amounted to Rp. 898,480. Thus the Pre-Prosperous and Prosperous 1 families prioritize spending on food compared to non-food. (2) There is a difference in the pattern of food expenditure for Pre-Prosperous and Prosperous 1 families with a food value of 1,000 and a non-food value of 0.728. Thus there are significant differences in the pattern of food and non-food expenditure in Pre-Prosperous and Prosperous 1 families. The existence of significant differences in the pattern of food and non-food expenditure in Pre-Prosperous and Prosperous 1 families shows that people prioritize spending on food consumption compared to non-food consumption

Living in a large family and low daily water consumption substantially expose for human scabies in rural Ethiopia: a matched analysis

BackgroundScabies has been added to the neglected tropical diseases portfolio for large-scale disease control action since 2017 and is part of the WHO roadmap for NTDs 2021–2030, targeted at ending the neglect to achieve the sustainable development goals. Previous studies have not fitted matched analysis to identify predictors of scabies infestation in Ethiopia. Information is also scarce about predictors of scabies infestation in this area. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of scabies infestation in rural Aneded District, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based matched case–control study involving 183 cases and 549 controls was undertaken from March 1 to May 31, 2021, in rural Aneded District. A two-stage sampling technique with a house-to-house census for the screening of scabies cases was employed. A structured questionnaire with questions on sociodemographics, behavior, water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, and delivery of scabies-specific interventions was used. Pretesting, training of data collectors and supervisors, and supervision were applied to keep the data quality. A multivariable conditional logistic regression model was fitted to identify predictors of scabies.ResultsUnmarried individuals or those in separated families (adjusted matched odds ratio (AmOR = 2.71; 95% CI 1.30–5.65); those unable to read and write or in illiterate families (AmOR = 5.10; 95% CI 1.81–14.36); those in large families (AmOR = 6.67; 95% CI 2.83–15.73); households that had longer travel times for water collection (AmOR = 2.27; 95% CI 1.08–4.76); those that had low daily water consumption (AmOR = 6.69; 95% CI 2.91–15.37); households that disposed of solid wastes in open fields (AmOR = 5.60; 95% CI 2.53–12.40); and households that did not receive scabies-specific interventions (AmOR = 2.98; 95% CI 1.39–6.39) had increased odds of scabies.ConclusionsBeing unmarried, illiteracy, large family, long travel time for water collection, low daily water consumption, open dumping of solid wastes, and inaccessibility of scabies-specific interventions are predictors of scabies. This information is instrumental for redesigning improved scabies-specific interventions that consider educational status, marital status, family size, water collection time, daily water consumption, solid waste disposal, and equity and optimization in delivering existing interventions in rural Ethiopia.

Dampak Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) terhadap Peningkatan Kesejahteraan Keluarga Miskin di Kelurahan Kerasaan I Kecamatan Pematang Bandar Kabupaten Simalungun

The Family Hope Program (PKH) is a conditional cash transfer program for low-income families. The requirement is to be actively involved in education and health. The Family Hope Program in Indonesia was implemented in 2007 to alleviate poverty and prosper low-income families. This research and journal article aims to determine the impact of PKH on family welfare and see if there is a reduction in the poverty rate after the government realizes the Family Hope Program. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Collecting research data in the form of observations, interviews and documentation with PKH Facilitators and PKH beneficiary families (KPM) Kerasaan I Village, Pematang Bandar District, Simalungun Regency. The results of the study show that the impact of PKH on beneficiary families, including the cash provided, can meet family consumption or needs and help the economy of PKH beneficiary families. Program implementation can reduce poverty in Kerasaan I Village. The percentage of poor people in September 2021 was 0.14% and decreased in March 2022 to 0.02%. The limitation of the research is the impact of PKH on family welfare and wanting to examine whether there is a decrease in the percentage of poverty in Pematang Bandar District or more precisely in the Kerasaan I Village. The practical implication of this research is to provide information to the government that PKH can increase the welfare of low-income families. Its social meaning is to provide an overview to the government and the community that the implementation of social assistance programs, one of which is the Family Hope Program, can reduce the poverty rate in Kerasaan I Village, Pematang Bandar District. The purity of this research is supported by the Kerasaan I Kelurahan PKH Facilitator who helps the community get out of poverty through a family capacity building meeting program (P2K2) which is held every month

Dampak Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) terhadap Peningkatan Kesejahteraan Keluarga Miskin di Kelurahan Kerasaan I Kecamatan Pematang Bandar Kabupaten Simalungun

The Family Hope Program (PKH) is a conditional cash transfer program for low-income families. The requirement is to be actively involved in education and health. The Family Hope Program in Indonesia was implemented in 2007 to alleviate poverty and prosper low-income families. This research and journal article aims to determine the impact of PKH on family welfare and see if there is a reduction in the poverty rate after the government realizes the Family Hope Program. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Collecting research data in the form of observations, interviews and documentation with PKH Facilitators and PKH beneficiary families (KPM) Kerasaan I Village, Pematang Bandar District, Simalungun Regency. The results of the study show that the impact of PKH on beneficiary families, including the cash provided, can meet family consumption or needs and help the economy of PKH beneficiary families. Program implementation can reduce poverty in Kerasaan I Village. The percentage of poor people in September 2021 was 0.14% and decreased in March 2022 to 0.02%. The limitation of the research is the impact of PKH on family welfare and wanting to examine whether there is a decrease in the percentage of poverty in Pematang Bandar District or more precisely in the Kerasaan I Village. The practical implication of this research is to provide information to the government that PKH can increase the welfare of low-income families. Its social meaning is to provide an overview to the government and the community that the implementation of social assistance programs, one of which is the Family Hope Program, can reduce the poverty rate in Kerasaan I Village, Pematang Bandar District. The purity of this research is supported by the Kerasaan I Kelurahan PKH Facilitator who helps the community get out of poverty through a family capacity building meeting program (P2K2) which is held every month.

Analysis of Diversity of Food Consumption in Families of Stunting Toddlers

The nutritional status of toddlers is an indicator of the diversity of family food consumption. This research aims to determine the diversity of food consumption in families of stunted toddlers and its relationship to the incidence of stunting in toddlers in Batang Alai Selatan District, Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, South Kalimantan. This type of associative research uses primary and secondary data sourced from respondents and BPS data from Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency. This research uses analysis of food consumption patterns with the help of 24-hour food recall. The relationship between diversity in family food consumption and the incidence of stunting in children under five using Chi-square analysis. The research results show that the DDP score for food diversity for toddlers in Batang Alai Selatan District reached 77.3. The criteria for food consumption for families of children under five in the research area it still needs to be more diverse because it is still dominated by the grain food group (52.8%) and animal food (38.3%). The Chi-Square test results show that the relationship between food consumption diversity and the incidence of stunting in toddlers has an Asymp value. Sig. (2-sided) 0.000 < 0.05, the calculated Chi-Square value is 20.17 > Chi-square table 3.841, so it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between the diversity of family food consumption and the incidence of stunting in toddlers

The presence of wild edible plants and determinants influencing their harvest, consumption, and conservation in south eastern Bhutan.

Wild edible plants (WEPs) grow naturally in self-maintaining ecosystems. WEPs are harvested for consumption, sale, and medicinal uses. We hypothesize that WEPs play a major role in supplying food and generating income for the rural people in a world that is increasingly recognising its emerging conservation issues. We tested this hypothesis by identifying the reasons for harvest, consumption, and conservation of WEPs using focus group discussion, field observations and questionnaire surveys in south eastern Bhutan in late 2019. Focused group discussions were held with the local people to identify reasons for harvest and consumption of WEPs. Data on the identified reasons for harvest, consumption, and conserving WEPs were determined using a questionnaire survey with ranking scales for a set of 76 randomly selected households. Representative field-observations and questionnaire surveys were carried out in villages close to forests. Parts of the plant used, how these were consumed, harvest season, and plant (life form) were recorded. The data was subjected to a Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and weighted averages calculated. A total of 120 WEPs belonging to 63 families (including Agaricaceae) were reported. Most of the WEPs recorded were trees (45.0%) then herbs (25.8%), vines (13.3%) and shrubs (10.8%). The commonly consumed plant parts were the fruit (43.3%), shoots (28.3%) and leaves (20.8%). The purposes for harvesting and consumption, conservation of WEPs were significantly (P<0.001) different, while the motivations for collecting WEPs were not. The motivation for collecting WEPs were family consumption > sale > medicinal uses > preservation for future use > insufficient food from cultivated source's. The two most important strategies for conservation were to domesticate the WEPs and cultivate in forests. The findings reveal valuable lessons and insights about the reasons for harvesting, collection, consumption, and conservation of WEPs.

Family characteristics, consumption patterns, food security and nutritional status of under-fives, before and during COVID-19 pandemic in Banten Province, Indonesia

Food security during the COVID-19 pandemic is vital for every family, especially regarding under-five consumption patterns and nutritional status. This study aimed to analyze the dietary pattern, food security, and nutritional status of under-fives before and during the implementation of Large-Scale Social Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Banten Province. A total of 178 respondents from four regions in Banten Province (e.g., Pandeglang, Lebak, Tangerang, and Serang) participated in this crosssectional study. The data was collected through interviews using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The underfive nutritional status was assessed using WAZ, WHZ, and BAZ. The paired t-test was performed to analyze the differences in food security and the under-five nutritional status. There was a significant difference (p = 0.000) in food security scores before and during the Large-Scale Social Restrictions. Significant differences were also found in the WAZ (p = 0.000), WHZ (p = 0.000), and BAZ (p = 0.000) of under-fives before and during the Large-Scale Social Restrictions. It is suggested that families should strive for adequate nutrition for the under-fives during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid malnutrition problems that may result in health problems in the next life.