Household Experiences Research Articles

Individual and Household Food Insecurity Reports by Adolescents and Parents Lack Agreement in Rural and Urban Mexican Settings

ObjectivesTo evaluate the degree of agreement between adolescents’ reported individual food insecurity (FI) with their parents reported household FI. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with 118 adolescents (15.76 ± 1.65 y) and their parents who were recruited from a rural area in Oaxaca (n = 60) and an urban area in Queretaro (n = 58), Mexico. Household FI was assessed in parents using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA), whereas individual adolescents’ FI was assessed with a scale specific for children/adolescents. Cohen’s Kappa estimates were calculated to measure agreement between parents’ and adolescents’ FI, and using Landis and Koch criteria for interpretation. ResultsHousehold FI reported by the parents was 47.5% (34.7% mild and 17.8% moderate + severe), compared to 83.1% (43.3% mild and 39.9% moderate + severe) among adolescents. In both Querétaro and Oaxaca, reported individual FI on the adolescents (75.9% and 90%, respectively) was higher than parents’ reported household FI (37.9% and 67%, respectively). Overall, the Kappa score showed a lack of agreement between the reported parents’ household FI and the adolescents’ individual FI (mild FI, κ = 0.04; moderate FI, κ = 0.02; severe FI κ = 0.16; p > 0.05). Similarly, a lack of agreement between the reported FI of the parents and the reported FI of the adolescents was found separately in Queretaro (mild FI, κ = 0.001; moderate FI, κ = .06; p > 0.05) and Oaxaca (mild FI κ = 0.10; moderate FI κ = –0.06; severe FI κ = 0.10; p > 0.05). ConclusionsThe findings of the present study suggest that the experience of FI in adolescents lacks agreement with the household experience, even when assessed in different contexts (rural/urban), and that adolescents FI experiences might be higher than their parents’. Funding SourcesNo funding sources.

Primary motivations for and experiences with paediatric minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) participation in Malawi: a qualitative study

ObjectiveTo understand family member consent decision-making influences and experiences in Malawi in order to inform future minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) studies.DesignQualitative study.SettingQueen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, Malawi,...

Micronutrient Status and Select Characteristics of Adolescents: Results From a School Nutrition Program in Bangladesh

ObjectivesTo describe select characteristics of adolescent girls and boys and micronutrient status of adolescent girls at baseline prior to starting a school nutrition intervention. MethodsGirls (n = 2244) and boys (n = 773) in grades 8–9 attending 74 schools participated in a baseline survey including questions on individual and household characteristics, nutrition knowledge and experience and dietary diversity. Venous blood was collected from girls for micronutrient status assessment. Iron status was assessed using inflammation-adjusted serum ferritin. Vitamin A status was based on retinol binding protein. Folate status was defined using serum and red blood cell folate (RBCF). In-school observations of WASH infrastructure resources and drinking water quality testing were conducted. All estimates accounted for clustering. ResultsGirls and boys, respectively, had ever heard of anemia 34% and 27%, iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets 31% and 14%, deworming tablets 84% and 85% and worm infestation 49% and 52%. Reported IFA use in the last month and deworming tablet intake in the last 6 months were 4% and 1% and 81% and 86%, among girls and boys, respectively. Mean dietary diversity score suggested adequacy among girls (5.2) and boys (5.3) with 63%–68% having scores > 5, and 36%–39% consuming rich sources of heme iron. Adolescents perceived the existence of iron in household tubewell (21%–24%), with 5–9% describing the taste, smell, or color of rust in drinking water. The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and severity varied: anemia 24.7%, iron deficiency 9.1%, iron deficiency anemia 3.9%, vitamin A deficiency 3.3%, RBCF insufficiency 76.1%, risk of RBCF deficiency 8.9%, RBCF deficiency 2.5%, and serum folate deficiency 9.5%. In schools, 70% met the sustainable development goals (SDG) indicator for basic drinking water service, 59% of all sampled drinking water sources complied with WHO standards for E. coli, 42% met the SDG indicator for basic sanitation service, and 3% met the SDG indicator for basic hygiene service. ConclusionsThe baseline results show variable awareness and coverage of interventions, adequate dietary diversity, micronutrient deficiencies among girls, and room for improvement to achieve SDG basic WASH services and reduce E coli. contamination of drinking water sources in schools. Funding SourcesNutrition International, Ottawa, Canada.

Exercising Time Geography in gender and disaster. Discourse through Women Headed Household experience during drought

Exercising Time Geography in gender and disaster. Discourse through Women Headed Household experience during drought

Contextualities of gender in Eritrean immigrant households: Exploring empowerment through integration in Norwegian society

ABSTRACT The article presents a contextual understanding of immigration and integration in Norwegian society from a gender perspective by capturing the experiences of Eritrean immigrant households when adapting to social change and an unfamiliar gender regime. Theories of empowerment and social integration are used to interpret the gender dimensions, and to examine Eritrean families’ post-migration gender relations and the interaction between conventional and egalitarian norms in expectations regarding the roles and social participation of women and men. A qualitative research design was used, involving in-depth interviews, participant observation, and informal discussions. The findings revealed that Eritrean immigrants’ gender relations in Norwegian society were dynamic, due to the opportunities and constraints they faced in the private and public spheres. Women’s ability to challenge patriarchal power relations was due to their adoption of Norwegian mainstream norms that determined their agency and empowerment in society. Also, social inclusion for Eritrean immigrants wes often dependent on social networks that aided their integration into society and was differentiated by gender. The authors conclude that the realities of women’s empowerment were heterogeneous and subjectively influenced by male gender ideologies, relevant education and language skills, access to desirable social networks, satisfactory paid work, and decisive welfare regulations.

Impact of out-of-pocket expenses for surgical care on households in rural Haiti: a mixed-methods study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to report household catastrophic spending on surgery and the experiences of patients and families seeking surgical care in rural Haiti.DesignThe study used an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods approach....

Determinants of Production Efficiency of Maize-Dominated Farmers in Western Parts of Ethiopia in Gudeya Bila District: Evidence under Shifting Cultivation Area

Background In Ethiopia, maize is produced as major food crop that is based on traditional methods of production, and there exists inefficiency in the use of available scarce resources. Thus, poor people are failing to achieve rapid economic growth, development, and food security still today in the country. Hence, the best possible means of achieving development is through increasing the production efficiency of farmers. Thus, to estimate the levels of production efficiency, this study specifically used only data of farmers who are producing without ploughing by oxen and without using fertilizers in the study area under shifting cultivation. Method Stochastic frontier production is used to estimate the technical efficiency score, and the cost frontier model is used to estimate production efficiency. To determine the determinants of production efficiency, the Tobit model was used in this study. Result The Tobit model results show that loss due to wild animals, experience of household, and off-farm income had a negative impact on production efficiency of farmers. Regarding the positive determinants of production efficiency, land conservation practice and mobile use have a positive influence. Conclusion and recommendation. The farmers in the study area are inefficient in the production of maize. Since the loss of maize products is high due to wild animals such as pigs, apes, and monkeys that results in production inefficiency, the agricultural policies and strategies of Ethiopian governments should be directed toward providing tourism to protect those wild animals. Additionally, to increase the production efficiency, construction of terraces and soil bunds to conserve land and supporting the farmers by providing network facilities for mobile usage that boost maize production efficiency of farmers is essential for policymakers.

Climate and hydrological seasonal effects on household water insecurity: A systematic review

AbstractHousehold water insecurity (HWI) can have far‐reaching consequences for human health and well‐being, yet little is known about how environmental seasonality contributes to HWI variation. Using a systematic literature review, we examined the following questions: (1) How does environmental seasonality affect HWI? and (2) How do the effects vary over time? We also highlighted strategic areas for future research. We conducted the search using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCO Academic Search Complete, with an end search date of February 3, 2021; only English‐language studies were included. Articles were included in the review if analysis studied seasonal temperature, precipitation, or freshwater variation and individual or household experiences with household water adequacy, water reliability, water affordability, or water safety. Bias was evaluated via hand assessment, and articles of poor quality were excluded. Studies that focused on extreme weather events or water insecurity at community or watershed levels were omitted. We identified 67 articles, the majority of which were cross‐sectional (n = 46, 68.7%). Among longitudinal studies (n = 21, 31.3%), only one used a quantitative HWI scale, while the rest relied on proxies (n = 20, 95.2%). Our review also revealed literature gaps related to unequal coverage of freshwater ecosystem habitat types and forms of environmental seasonality. There is a need for more attention to extreme climate events, such as a prolonged multiyear drought. With changing climate expected to exacerbate weather patterns with serious implications, especially for vulnerable populations, understanding seasonality in HWI is important for crafting sustainable engineering and policy responses to water insecurity.This article is categorized under: Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water

Making Ends Meet: Experiences of Older Women Heading Households in Rural Domboshava, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Most ethnographies still pay little attention to the subsistence experiences of older adult women heading household in Africa. Drawing from nineteen months of ethnographic research in Domboshava communal lands, this article addresses this gap in knowledge by discussing the position of older women heading households in rural Zimbabwe and the impact of historical and current challenges on their subsistence activities. In this article, I argue that there is no typical African widow. I further argue that these older adult women’s historical and present experiences have led to the visible reversals in the remittance flows, poor social networks, changing gender relations, ill health, the impact of HIV and AIDS, changing household structures, as well as multiple and competing responsibilities. All these factors are coalescing together to affect the older adult women’s subsistence activities and their capacity to take care of themselves, their immediate and extended families.

How do rural households accept straw returning in Northeast China?

The straw returning technology has emerged to fill gaps in today's agricultural waste recycling and reuse. The goals of straw returning technology are to enable crop straw to decompose in soil to increase soil fertility and reduce air pollution. While the concept of straw returning has the potential to promote environmental sustainability, the successful implementation of straw returning highly depends on the satisfaction of rural households' motivational needs towards technology acceptance. This study posits a novel theoretical acceptance model for straw returning technology that integrated the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Norm Activation Model and systematically examines the factors affecting the acceptance of straw returning technology. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey among rural households was conducted for data collection in Northeast China, China's important grain production base. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to test the effectiveness of the proposed acceptance model. Multi-group analyses were performed to examine whether the results were different or equivalent across different factors (e.g., education level, usage experience, and crop type). The results show that our model explains 83.2% of the variance in behavioral intention to use straw returning technology. Intention to use was positively affected by performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, personal norms, the ascription of responsibility directly, and effort expectancy indirectly. No significant effects of awareness of consequences on intention to use were found, and personal norms presented the largest total effects on behavioral intention. In addition, several hypothesized relations differed across rural households' characteristics and experience.

Flood risk public perception in flash flood-prone areas of Punjab, Pakistan.

Floods due to higher severity of destruction are considered the most destructive natural hazards in the world. Initiating the appropriate strategies of disaster risk reduction is necessary to understand risk perception. This study attempted to examine the flood risk public perception in flash flood-prone areas of Punjab, Pakistan. A simple random sampling technique was used for collecting the data of 560 household respondents, and a logistic regression model was employed to make out the factors of flood risk perception. In classification of low and high perceived risk of relevant indicators, flood risk perception index was constructed. Risk perception is significantly influenced by socioeconomic factors which have a direct impact on disaster preparedness and potential adaptive capacities. After that, potential correlation of risk perception with the demographic status of respondents was investigated in this study. Empirical estimates indicated as respondents' schooling, ownership of house, size of household, employment status and past flood experience significantly influence flood risk perception. Risk perception determinants also diverse among both communities portray spatial differences. Inadequate protection measures from public authorities and institutions, limited preparedness regarding actions of private mitigation, reduced intensity of reliance in institutions and authorities are major reasons for high risk and lower mitigation in these flash flood-prone areas. The outcomes of this research can facilitate to understand flood risk perception and its factors for conniving appropriate management plan of flood risk and communication strategies. Furthermore, this research can help consider multidimensional flood risks and its spatial vibrancy from the perspective of social science.

Regional variations in child and mother's characteristics influencing the use of insecticide treated net in Nigeria.

Nigeria accounts for a quarter of malaria cases worldwide, which can be prevented with the use of insecticide treated nets (ITN). While studies have documented mother-related characteristics influencing use of ITN, regional variations in the influence of those factors are not well known. This study investigated nine factors (age, place of residence, education, religion, wealth, number of children in the household, sex of child, age of child and previous experience of child mortality) as possible predictors of use of ITN for children and how the associations vary across northern and southern parts of the country. The study utilised the 2015 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey, which comprised 6524 mothers (4009 from the north and 2151 from the south) aged 15-49. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. It was found that, less than half (47.9%) of the respondents reported no access to a mosquito net in the north compared to 70.8% in the south. More than half (51.4%) of the northern respondents used insecticide treated net (ITN) for the child compared to 27.1% of southern mothers. When the variables are fitted together in the same model, place of residence, mother's age, mother's education, wealth, religion, number of children in the household and previous experience of child mortality were associated with the use of ITN. Regional variations exist in the influence of mother's age, number of children in the household and previous experience of child mortality. It was submitted that mother's characteristics are more important than the child's factors in the use of ITN, and that, contrary to the theory of poor utilisation of health-related facilities in the north compared to the south, residents in the former have access to and use ITN more than their counterparts from the latter.

Income Insecurity and the Relational Coping Strategies of Low-Income Households in the UK

AbstractChanges in the labour market, high rates of working age poverty, major welfare reforms and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic have drawn renewed attention to income security. Existing research has identified the important role of relational support in helping people cope with low income, but less is known about the role of support for those coping with the potentially destabilising effects of income change which can affect people over relatively short periods of time. This article focuses on how relational coping strategies are utilised by those experiencing such income change. The data are drawn from a qualitative longitudinal study of the experience of income change and insecurity in 15 low-income households in the UK which included repeated in-depth interviews and weekly financial diaries completed in periods of up to five months. The article explores the relational strategies adopted by participants to ‘get by’ as well as examining how strategies are adopted by those on different levels of low income and with differing networks. The article argues that these strategies illuminate the importance of income change in the experience of low-income households, develop the concept of income insecurity, and provide lessons for policy in providing flexible and responsive support when income changes.

Determinants of Health Preferences Using Data from the Egyptian EQ-5D-5L Valuation Study.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the impact of sociodemographic characteristics and illness experience on time trade-off (TTO)-based utility scores using data from the EQ-5D-5L Egyptian valuation study.MethodsData were from the Egyptian valuation study that was conducted using the adapted translated version of the EQ-VT to develop the Egyptian Tariff for the EQ-5D-5L based on preferences of the Egyptian population. Data were analysed using a series of univariate and multivariable censored linear regression models adjusted for severity of health states where the dependent variable was the TTO scores and the independent variables included age, sex, education, geographical region, dwelling, marital status, number of people in the household, employment status, having health insurance, number of chronic conditions, previous experience with illness, and self-rated health.ResultsAge, sex, education, marital status, dwelling, region of residence, health insurance and multimorbidity were significantly associated with health state valuations, while employment status, number of people in a household, religion, and previous experience with illness had non-significant associations.ConclusionAge, sex and marital status are the main determinants of health state valuation in the Egyptian population, a finding consistent with those from other countries. Knowing these factors will help tailor health services provided and improve patient-centered care.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40271-022-00572-0.

Floridian bankruptcies and local property damage in the United States

PurposeThis study aims to examine the linkage between bankruptcy filings and hurricane events. Several independent variables related to local district court bankruptcy filings are examined. The primary question posed is whether Category 3,4 and 5 hurricanes result in personal bankruptcy filings due to the real property and other damage that ensures.Design/methodology/approachLandfall hurricanes in Florida from 2001 through 2018 were examined by using the fully modified least square regression model. Descriptive statistics include elasticity measures that show statistics prior and post the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse and Prevent and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA).FindingsThe elasticity of housing prices was a useful statistic in explaining bankruptcy filings. Regression results indicate that bankruptcy filing occur within one year of a serious hurricane. The regression model found hurricane events and housing price trends were significant variable when predicting district court bankruptcy filings.Practical implicationsBAPCPA targets fraud under Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings. Unfortunately, this also had the unintended consequence of discouraging legitimated filings due to the lowering of the marginal benefit associated with filing when the “means test” is applied.Social implicationsLack of flood insurance coverage and stagnant real estate prices could limit the desirability of filing under Chapter 13 resulting in an inventory of damaged properties being foreclosed.Originality/valuePrior researchers relied on a descriptive approach by using percentage rates to quantify the association between hurricane damage and bankruptcy filings. By using the fully modified regression-based approach, the study herein establishes that filings occur approximately a year after the household experiences the real property loss and identifies other casual factors that influence the decision to file.

Social capital and structural disadvantages: A case of Community‐Driven Development program in Afghanistan

AbstractThis paper analyzes and uses the National Solidarity Program (NSP) Afghanistan as a case study to question the idea of social capital building for poverty reduction. Specifically, it explores how development policy has been decoupled from its intended objectives as it hit the existing friction in the ground. The data draws from poor household experience in three different provinces of Afghanistan to assess how poor household is integrated into NSP and how existing social structure and relational dynamics shape the NSP outcomes. The finding reveals that household is experiencing a cluster of interlink disadvantages that make it impossible for them to draw on social capital to reduce their poverty. However, NSP failed to eliminate the asymmetrical relations which created poverty in rural society; instead, it boosted Neopatrimonialism culture.

Household Financial Capability and Economic Hardship: An Empirical Examination of the Financial Capability Framework.

This study investigates the components and mechanisms of the financial capability framework using national representative data from the 2015 National Financial Capability Study with the structural equation modeling approach. We find financial socialization and financial education are significantly associated with both financial access and financial literacy, which are associated with positive financial behavior and negatively associated with economic hardship. We further find that financial access plays a more pronounced role in the mediation effects decomposition compared to financial literacy. Our findings demonstrate that financial capability lies in both the opportunity to act and the ability to act—with opportunity relatively more important than ability—and that financial capability is strongly associated with household experiences of economic hardship. Policies and programs should provide accessible and affordable financial products as well as enhance effective financial education and guidance to promote financial inclusion.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10834-022-09816-5.

Food insecurity, food insecurity determinants and coping strategies in the urban space – The experience of low income households of Msunduza in Mbabane

Food security remains central in the United Nation Development Agenda (2030) as highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs 2). Nonetheless, there is still limited literature on food security in African countries and the drivers of urban food insecurity remain less understood, especially in Eswatini where urban food insecurity continues to rise. This study investigated the levels of food insecurity in the low income households of Msunduza in Mbabane and the coping strategies employed by Msunduza residents to deal with food shortages. The study sought to respond to the following research questions: What are the levels of food insecurity in Msunduza? What are the determinants of food insecurity in Msunduza? How do Msunduza residents cope with food insecurity challenges? To respond to the research questions, the study adopted a quantitative approach based on a case study research design. Data was collected from 91 heads of households, selected through systematic sampling procedure. The results reveal that majority of households in Msunduza are food insecure, with a larger proportion in the mildly food insecure category. Household income, household size, employment status and gender of the household head were found to be among the key determinants of food (in)security in the area. In cases of food shortages, households in the informal settlement of Msunduza employ different coping strategies which include reducing food intake (size of meals), begging, selling of household assets and skipping of meals, among others. The paper recommended that food security interventions be considered for low income urban households, more particularly, female headed households which tend to be more vulnerable to food insecurity.

Experiences of Vulnerable Households in Low-Attention Disasters: Marshalltown, Iowa after the Ef3 Tornado

Experiences of Vulnerable Households in Low-Attention Disasters: Marshalltown, Iowa after the Ef3 Tornado

Analysis of determinants and profitability of cassava production in Enugu state, Nigeria

This study assessed the determinant and profitability of cassava production in Enugu State of Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to 120 respondents for the study. A structured questionnaires, was used to collect the primary data. Percentage response and gross margin analysis were used to capture the objectives of the study. Results of Table 1showed that most respondents are aged, well-educated and had poor extension contact. Also, cassava farming is profitable in the study area. The determinants to the profitability of cassava in the study area were household size, extension services and farming experience. Major constraints to cassava production were access to credit, poor access to extension contact and high cost of labour. The need to enhance farmers’ access to credit, extension and labour saving devices should be encouraged.