Household Head Research Articles

Determinants of household income and livelihood sustainability of coastal regions: evidence from south-western Bangladesh

The coast of south-western Bangladesh has been facing an increasing severity of climate stressors, thereby affecting the livelihoods of households. This has necessitated the importance of understanding the complex aspects of their sustainability. This study investigates factors influencing household income and livelihood sustainability of coastal residents in southwestern Bangladesh. A survey was carried out among 300 heads of households from the Kailashganj and Laudubi villages under Dacope sub-district of Khulna district (a climate-sensitive region) in Bangladesh. We utilized the composite livelihood sustainability index (LSI) and multiple linear regression to identify the factors influencing coastal households’ income. Findings revealed that the overall LSI among the households was 0.663 (moderate sustainability). Additionally, the highest LSI was found in terms of social capital and the lowest LSI was identified in terms of financial capital. The findings of the regression analysis indicated that monthly household income was positively and significantly influenced by its close linkages to local leaders (p < 0.05) and association with non-governmental organizations (p < 0.01). Moreover, economically active members (p < 0.01), more accessibility of commuting transportation (p < 0.01), and availability of water for irrigation (p < 0.01) were positively and significantly derived the monthly household income. Policymakers can use these results as a basis for formulating policies (e.g., enhancing the training and skill development programs as well as prioritizing investment in expanding irrigation systems) that can address the essential livelihood and income requirements of the community that is affected by climate change.

Geospatial patterns, and individual and community levels factors of cesarean section deliveries in Ethiopia: A spatial and multilevel analysis.

Cesarean Section (CS) is the most popular surgery worldwide in obstetric care to save a mother's or the fetus's life. The prevalence of CS delivery in Ethiopia was 0.7% and 1.9% in 2000 and 2016 respectively and its spatial distribution and variation in Ethiopia are limited. This study provides evidence for healthcare providers and pregnant women on the national CS geospatial distribution and variation to promote evidence-based decision-making and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine geospatial patterns and individual and community-level factors of CS deliveries in Ethiopia. A secondary data analysis of 5,527 weighted samples of mothers using the 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey was conducted. The spatial hotspot analysis using Getis-Ord Gi* hot spot analysis of ArcGIS version 10.7.1 was used to show the spatial cluster of CS and multilevel mixed effect logistic regression analyses were employed. Statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05 and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported. The prevalence of CS delivery in Ethiopia was 5.4% with 95%CI (4.6%, 6.4%). The spatial autocorrelation shows CS was clustered in Ethiopia (global Moran's index = 1.009, and p-value<0.001). Spatial hotspot indicates CS was prevalent in Addis Ababa, Diredewa, Oromo, and Somali regions. The odds of CS delivery were higher among mothers aged 24-35: AOR = 1.98, 95% CI (1.3, 3.1), and 35-49: AOR = 3.7, 95% CI(2.2, 6.1), live with female household heads: AOR = 1.9, 95% CI (1.2, 3.1), mothers with primary AOR = 1.6, 95% CI (1.07, 2.7), secondary: AOR = 2.4, 95% CI (1.3, 4.25) and higher education: AOR = 2.06, 95% CI (1.03, 4.2), multiple births: AOR = 8.1, 95% CI (3.4, 19.74), mothers in Addis Ababa: AOR = 3.4, 95% CI (1.1, 11.9) and Diredewa: AOR = 7, 95% CI (1.23, 40.7) as compared to their counterparts. In Ethiopia, CS deliveries remain below the World Health Organization estimate with distinct geospatial variation. Geographically, CS delivery is concentrated in urban areas like Addis Ababa and Diredewa, as well as in parts of the Somali and Oromia regions. Maternal age, female household head, Muslim religion, higher educational status, and multiple births at the individual level, and region at the community level were factors of CS delivery in Ethiopia. Therefore, efforts should be geared towards strategies and interventions to ensure fair access to CS delivery in line with WHO recommendations, especially in the regions where the CS delivery rate is below WHO estimates in Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and Benishangul Gumze regions.

The Impact of Location of Labor Migration on Rural Households’ Income: Evidence from Jiangxi Province in China

With the increasing occurrence of labor migration (LM), off-farm employment has emerged as a crucial means to augment the income of agricultural households, bridge the urban-rural divide, and achieve rural regeneration. This study utilized a multiple linear regression model and quantile regression model to examine the effect of LM location on rural households’ income. The analysis is based on research data from Jiangxi Province in 2018. The outcomes reveal that both intra-country LM and outside-of-county LM could make a substantial contribution to the increase of overall household income. However, the coefficient of impact for outside-of-county LM is greater. The findings of this study successfully passed the rigorous tests for robustness and endogeneity. Furthermore, the quantile regression analysis indicates that the greatest income-generating impact of intra-county LM occurred at the 90% quantile, whereas the highest income-generating impact of outside-of-county LM appeared at the 75% quantile. The study aims to determine if there is a variation in the income impact of LM in samples with distinct features. Specifically, it investigated the scale of forestland management and the LM of the household head. The results show that the promotion effect of intra-county LM on the total income of rural households was only observed in the sample group with a forestland area larger than 50 mu. Additionally, outside-of-county LM could only promote the growth of the total income of rural households in the sample group in which the head of household has not experienced labor migration. Hence, to enhance the growth of income for rural households amidst China’s urbanization, policymakers should facilitate the controlled migration of labor from rural areas to urban areas while also encouraging the migration of labor within rural areas.

Single-Person Households: Insights from a Household Survey of Fruit and Vegetable Purchases.

Despite the efforts made to promote consumption, some countries are not increasing their fruit and vegetable intake, while household structures are undergoing relevant changes. Fruit and vegetable consumption is necessary but not sufficient for a healthy diet. Previous research has linked adequate fruit and vegetable consumption to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and some mental health conditions. Furthermore, millions of deaths are reported annually worldwide due to diets low in fruit and vegetables, highlighting their critical public health importance. This study aims to separately analyze the purchases of fruit and vegetables in single-person households. We used three waves of the Family Budget Survey, Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares, in Chile, which is nationally representative of urban areas and includes over 10,000 households in each wave. We employed descriptive statistics to examine the characteristics of the head of household and the food shopper as well as the structure, composition, and overall characteristics of households. Additionally, we performed separate analyses for fruit and vegetable purchases, using these variables to determine the marginal effect on the probability of purchasing fruit or vegetables through probit models. Results show that, from 2011-2012 to 2021-2022, the share of households not purchasing fruit and vegetables increased from 5.0% to 8.4% and that, in single-person households, it rose from 11.2% to 19.1%. Male-headed, single-person households with low education and income were more likely not to purchase fruit, and these households also have decreasing vegetable purchases. Additionally, household income significantly impacts fruit purchases but does not significantly affect vegetable purchases. Our findings highlight the importance of considering single-person households as a target population segment for future public policies to promote fruit and vegetable consumption.

The Influence of Family Leadership Style in Encouraging Awareness and Action on Household Waste Management

Family leadership style has an important role in encouraging concrete action regarding household waste management. Parents or heads of households who set a good example and provide active encouragement to family members to participate in environmentally friendly waste management practices can form positive and sustainable habits in the household environment. Thus, it is hoped that this research can make a significant contribution to the role of families in encouraging concrete actions related to household waste management. This research aims to analyze the role of family leadership style in encouraging awareness and action regarding household waste management in a community in Padang City. This research uses a quantitative approach with a causal associative type of research. The sampling method used was a saturated sample, with 63 participants from the local community. The data obtained was described, then a description of the research results was carried out using the TCR technique. The determination analysis technique uses simple linear regression to test the extent of the causal influence between variable (X) on the resulting variable (Y). The research results show that the family leadership style among the community is considered very good, with the respondent's achievement level reaching 90.66%. Meanwhile, awareness and action regarding household waste management is also considered high, with the respondent's achievement level reaching 92.11%. The family leadership style variable was proven to have an influence of 28.4% on community awareness and action regarding household waste management, while the rest was influenced by other factors such as motivation, education level and other environmental factors.

Household Energy Poverty in the Context of Socioeconomic Status and Area of Residence: A Comparison of Central and Southern Punjab

Researchers have increasingly focused on the impact of energy poverty across various sectors of the economy. This paper aims to identify the determinants of household energy poverty in Central and Southern Punjab, Pakistan, utilizing the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey Data from 2017-18. The analysis employs descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to assess the influence of various socioeconomic and demographic factors on multidimensional energy poverty. The survey results indicate a disparity between the two regions, with just over 50 percent of respondents reporting energy poverty. The education level of the household head, wealth status, and place of residence are critical factors influencing multidimensional energy poverty. The findings highlight the substantial influence of socioeconomic factors on household energy poverty and underscore the necessity for effective policies to address these challenges.

Land Rental Transactions in Ethiopian Peri-Urban Areas: Sex and Other Factors for Land Rent Transactions

The continuous reduction in peri-urban agricultural land due to spatial urban expansion forces subsistence farmers to seek arable land through different land access strategies. Among these, land rental transactions are crucial for accessing arable land across different regions. This study aimed to examine factors affecting land rental transactions in the peri-urban areas of the East Gojjam Administrative Zone in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 353 household heads of peri-urban areas, who were affected by expropriation. A total of 350 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and an econometrics model. The results indicated that 58% of the respondents participated in both renting and renting out land, which underlines the importance of land rental transactions in the peri-urban areas. Specifically, 60% of female-headed households were engaged in land rental transactions, with 14% renting in and 46% renting out land. In contrast, 38% of the male-headed respondents rented land, while only 19% rented out land. The model result identified sex, landholding size, number of oxen, participation in off-farm activities, and extension service as significant determinant variables for renting land. Households made land rental agreements both orally and in written documents, with oral agreements being more prevalent. Transaction dues were conducted through sharecropping and fixed rents, with sharecropping being the most common method. Thus, land rental transactions play pivotal roles to support the livelihoods of peri-urban subsistence farmers.

“A quantitative analysis on the adoption of soil, water, and forest conservation technologies in the upper Gelana watershed, Northeast Ethiopian highlands”

Globally, the degradation of soil, water, and forests has had a significant impact on both livelihoods and the environment. This issue is particularly severe in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Despite extensive efforts to implement conservation measures for soil, water, and forests in the highlands of Ethiopia, there has been a lack of thorough evaluation and documentation regarding the adoption of these practices by rural households. It is crucial to have scientific and up-to-date information at various spatial scales in order to effectively monitor existing practices, scale up successful initiatives, and promote sustainable regional development. Therefore, this paper focuses on analyzing the adoption of soil, water, and forest conservation activities by households in the upper Gelana watershed, South Wollo zone, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. The field data collection for this study took place from January to March 2022, from 150 rural household heads. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 23. Descriptive statistics, Pearson bivariate correlation, and multinomial logistic regression were used. The survey findings revealed that 69 % of the respondents had implemented various soil, water, and forest conservation measures at different stages. The Pearson correlation results indicated a positive relationship between the adoption of soil, water and forest conservation practices. The multinomial logistic regression analysis has revealed that age, gender, access to credit, and access to extension services, significantly influenced the households’ decision behaviour to adopt soil conservation practices. Age, access to extension service, and access to water resource were significant predictors of adoption of water conservation practices; whereas age, educational status, and access to extension service were significant predictors of adoption of forest conservation practices. This study underscores the significance of institutional factors in driving the adoption of technology in the research area. It further recommends policies that prioritize the dissemination of information on effective strategies, improvement of access to extension services, water resources, and credit facilities to promote sustainable watershed management. This study is exceptional in its innovative approach, which explores the convergence of these vital conservation domains within the distinct setting of the upper Gelana watershed. Studying the adoption of these technologies is crucial for informing policy-making and designing effective interventions that promote sustainable watershed practices. In this case, the Ministry of Agriculture, and development agents should scale up the adoption of these practices and take remedial actions for those not yet adopted.

Food Insecurity and Nutritional Inadequacy in Children and Adolescents of Basic Education Schools of Cantagalo District in São Tomé and Príncipe, Central Africa.

Food insecurity (FI) is a critical socioeconomic and public health problem globally, particularly affecting children's nutritional status and development. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of nutritional inadequacy among children and adolescents in the Cantagalo district of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP), in Central Africa. It also assessed their households' FI situation and examined sociodemographic, anthropometric, and nutritional characteristics associated with severe FI. Data included 546 children/adolescents (51.8% males, aged 9-15 years) from the eight public basic education schools. A structured questionnaire provided sociodemographic data, while anthropometric measurements assessed nutritional status. Dietary intake data were gathered using a single 24 h dietary recall, and the adjusted prevalences of nutritional inadequacy were obtained using version 2.0 of the PC-Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC-SIDE®). The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used to assess FI, and households were classified as severely or non-severely food insecure. Multivariable binary logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders identified factors related to FI. Children's/adolescents' thinness was exhibited in 34.1% of participants, and over 95% had inadequate intake of essential micronutrients, including iron. Notably, 73.7% were severely food insecure. A higher severity of FI was positively associated with a lower intake of iron and certain household head characteristics, such as being female or older, and negatively associated with having a home garden.

Socioeconomic Status and Rate of Poverty in Overweight and Obesity among Spanish Children and Adolescents.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), poverty rate, and the prevalence of overweight/obesity or obesity in children and adolescents aged 2-14. Parents or guardians reported the weight and height of participants, used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and BMI z-scores according to the International Obesity Task Force standards. Participants were categorized into "overweight/obesity" and "no overweight/obesity" and further into "obesity" and "no obesity". The rate of poverty rate was determined using data from the National Statistics Institute of Spain, defining it as the percentage of people with income below 60% of the national median. SES was based on the head of household's occupation and categorized into low, medium, and high levels. Adjusted multilevel models showed participants with medium or high SES had lower odds of overweight/obesity compared to those with low SES (medium SES: odds ratio [OR]: 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54-0.73; high SES: OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.49-0.70). Participants in the high-poverty group had higher odds of having overweight/obesity (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.13-1.74) compared to the low-poverty group. The study highlights significant socioeconomic disparities in childhood overweight/obesity, emphasizing the potential impact of SES and poverty on health outcomes in Spanish children and adolescents.

Drivers of land use land cover change and livelihood coping strategies in Sheka biosphere reserve; a case of Shato forest, Southwest Ethiopia

It is evident that the means of subsistence of the community have a significant impact on the management of natural resources. This study examined the socio-economic drivers of LULCC and assessed the impacts of such changes on rural livelihoods in Shato forest, southwest Ethiopia. To map the land use and land cover, supervised classifications were used. The data were collected from 358 household heads through semi-structured questionnaires. A logistic regression model was employed to investigate the dependence of rural households on forest resources. LULC analysis results showed that about 308.29 ha of wetland and 3215.6 ha of natural forest were converted to other land use types during the last 30 years. The findings reveal that a household’s education level, household size, distance from the market, total land owned, skills and social network significantly affect their dependency on forest resources. Respondents gave high rankings to covariates such as erratic rainfall (1.70), market price (1.53), low crop output (1.28), and inadequate infrastructure (1.24). These covariates force rural communities of the study area into two major livelihood diversification strategies. These were crop and income diversification. The study comes to conclude that, the extensive and imprudent use of natural resources is a result of changes in livelihood strategies to cope up with the aforementioned shocks. Thus, the decreasing nature of forest resources results in covariate shocks in the study area and needs serious intervention mechanisms to tackle this trajectory of catastrophe.

Farm Household Head Characteristics and Perceptions of Factors Related to Sustainable Management of Fogera Wetlands in Five Kebeles of South Gondar, Ethiopia

Policies regulating common-pool resources (CPR), such as wetlands, should take into account community socio-economic realities and community perceptions. The study aims to examine whether policies regulating common-pool resources, such as wetlands, should take into account community socio-economic realities and community perceptions. Specifically, it characterized Ethiopian farm households in the Amhara Region and household-head perceptions of six factors related to sustainable wetland management. Surveys were given to 385 respondents from five administrative units or kebeles (kebele is the smallest administrative unit). Focus-group discussions followed. All respondents were Orthodox Christians, and men constituted 93% of household heads. Kebeles differed significantly for household-head age and education, but overall education level was low. Most households had three or four children. Overall, the mean farm area was 0.89 ha, but within kebeles, mean areas ranged from 1.35 to 0.80 ha. Kidest Hana was the most successful kebele for farm size and yield. Significant differences existed among kebele farms for percentages of harvested crops sold, suggesting some were less food-secure. Data suggested male household-head farms had twice the area of female-head farms, older household heads had more land than younger ones, heads with more education had more children, and married heads had more land than divorced or unmarried heads. None felt that people outside their kebele should access their natural resources. Overall, 85% thought land ownership was communal, and 15% thought it was private. A plurality (44%) did not know who oversaw land management. None knew of any organizations working on sustainable wetland management, but most (75%) wanted to attend meetings on the subject. No farm used mechanized agriculture. Most (87%) had not abandoned alternative crops to produce more rice. Therefore, as a conclusion, every effort needs to be taken to address this socio-ecological and development challenge that faces Fogera wetlands and larger national and international impacts to achieve balanced and sustainable development. Hence, our study highlights the need for better education, leadership, and policies regarding sustainable wetland management.

How does financial literacy affect households’ financial fragility? The role of insurance awareness

This paper investigates the impact of household heads' financial literacy on households' financial fragility. We estimate a panel probit model by employing panel data from four waves (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021) of the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) with 58,802 observations. We focus on the mediating role of insurance awareness. First, enhanced financial literacy significantly mitigates households’ financial fragility, with insurance participation emerging as a crucial mechanism. Second, our cross-sectional analyses show that the beneficial effects of financial literacy are more pronounced in households not constrained by wealth or cognitive skills, as well as households with lower health risks and those located in the central and western regions of China. Third, we identify that financial literacy, through its distinctive financial knowledge attributes, offers unique contributions to reducing household financial fragility, separate from general cognitive abilities. Last, we highlight peer effects in the influence of financial literacy on financial fragility, predominantly driven by social norms.

Factors associated with the rabies vaccination status of dogs in households in Beni City, D.R. Congo.

Human rabies transmitted by dogs still kills thousands of people each year worldwide. Dog bites are common in the city of Beni (Democratic Republic of Congo), which shows low rabies vaccination coverage. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the rabies vaccination status of dogs. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the town of Beni among dog owners, during a household survey selected using a multistage sampling. The information sought concerned the knowledge and characteristics of the dog owners as well as the vaccination status of these dogs. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between the vaccination status of the dogs and the main independent factors. Rabies vaccination coverage in Beni was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22% - 30%). The main factors associated with the rabies vaccination status of the dog were primary education level of household head (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:4.8; 95% CI: 1.2- 19.8); university education level of household head (aOR: 5.9; 95% CI: 1.6-22); perceived rabies severity (aOR: 44. 4; 95% CI: 10.4-188), having more than one dog in the household (aOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6-4.3); age range 7-12 months (aOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.6) and confined dog breeding (aOR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.1-14.9). The low vaccination coverage in Beni requires mass vaccination campaigns against canine rabies targeting the dog owners with low education levels, those raising more than one dog, with stray dogs or dogs less than 12 months old.

Participation in land rental and labor markets and agricultural economic performance of banana farmers in China

The emerging marketization of agricultural factors allows farmers to expand agricultural production by renting in farmland from land rental market or purchasing services through labor market. Farmers’ transactions in the two markets can stimulate the agricultural transformation in developing countries, but may increase their financial burden in agriculture. Based on the primary data collected from banana farmers in China, this study attempts to clarify farmers categories based on their different choices regarding participation in land rental and labor markets for agricultural production, analyze the determinants of farmers’ simultaneous participation in the two markets, and explore heterogenous effects of farmers’ market participation on agricultural economic performances using the multinomial endogenous switching treatment regression model. The results show that farmer’s tie to retailers is highlighted as an important driving force behind farmers’ simultaneous participation in the two markets, while their participation choices are also varying due to different household head characteristics and family resource endowments. Farmers who participated in the two markets significantly reduce the cost of material input in agricultural production, but the total production cost of participants is higher than that of non-participants due to the high rent of land resource and cost of hired labor for production services. Interestingly, farmers’ participation in land rental market increases the yield of their farms, while participation in labor market has a negative impact on the yield. Farmers’ participation in both land rental and labor markets can significantly increase farm net income by nearly 67 %. In contrast, participation in labor market decreased farm net income by 22 %, whilst participation in land rental market increased farm net income by 186 %, though without statistical significance. The findings underscore the important role of land rental markets in boosting farm economic performance. Policymakers can facilitate land transfer among smallholder farmers in the land rental market and promote agricultural technologies to substitute labor force so as to reduce the adverse effect of labor market, thereby improving agricultural economic performances in developing regions.

Analyzing child health and water, sanitation, hygiene facilities in Punjab, Pakistan: A multilevel and spatial approach

AbstractThe health and well‐being of children can be achieved through access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices. The current study investigates the effect of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) on health outcomes using the multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS) data. The household‐level and district‐level determinants of child health are analyzed using logistic regression models and multilevel logistic regression models. The results indicate that there are significant relationships between water availability, sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, and health outcomes. Access to clean water, an increase in sanitation facilities, and proper hygiene have a significant positive relationship with child health. Better access to clean water enhances children's well‐being. The level of parental education, household head dynamics, and WASH indicators at the district level also have a significant relationship with child health. The bivariate Local Moran's I analysis of child health and WASH facilities shows positive spatial autocorrelation (0.441). It also identifies the districts with significant high–high and low–low clustering patterns. This study contributes to achieving SDGs 3 and 6 to develop policies, programs, and future‐based solutions to promote the health and well‐being of children in Punjab and other similar areas.

Spatial Pattern and Distribution of Malaria Cases in Owo Local Government Area, Nigeria

This study investigates the spatial pattern and distribution of malaria cases in Owo Local Government Area, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, such that 50% of the 7 urban political wards were selected. The selected 4 urban political wards comprise of 12,466 household heads. Also, 10% of the 127 rural settlements were randomly selected making 14 rural settlements with 9,095 household heads. In all, 1.5% of the total household heads, comprising 187 in the urban areas and 136 in the rural settlements were interviewed using systematic random sampling techniques. A secondary data source obtained from relevant healthcare facilities was used for spatial analysis. Specifically, 59 selected residential settlements were used as the input feature class, while the records on malaria cases in each residential settlement during the reviewed year serve as the input field for the analyses. Spatial statistical functions provided by ArcGIS 10.8 and Geospatial tool are utilized for data analysis. Findings revealed preponderance of malaria within the urban core area of Owo. This can be attributed to inadequate wastewater management, poor waste disposal methods, and inadequate environmental education and awareness. On the other hand, malaria cases in rural areas were relatively low due to the use of alternative disease treatment methods. To ameliorate these challenges, there is a need for improved access to a safe and high-quality environment, implement suitable sanitation facilities and solid waste disposal methods, promote community-based educational initiatives and awareness campaigns, and encouraging hygienic behaviors. Through these, the health challenges of malaria can be mitigated.

Examination of Housing Quality in The Peri-Urban Areas of Akure, Nigeria

Rapid urban population expansion, high living costs, and a need for affordable housing all encourage migration to Akure’s peri-urban districts. This drive has led to increased land utilization for housing development in peri-urban areas. This study evaluated housing quality in the peri-urban areas of Oba-Ile, Oda, and Ibule-Soro in Akure. Households were the unit of analysis, with one household head per building selected for questionnaire administration. Based on an average household size of five people per family and five households per building in Ondo State, the total number of households in the three locations was 47,110. From the 47,110 households, 800 households (1.7%) were randomly selected for the questionnaire administration. Data from the field survey were subjected to statistical analysis. The results revealed that some buildings were structurally unsound; most buildings had corrugated iron roofs and lacked sanitation infrastructure; and open defecation was commonplace, particularly in Ibule-Soro. These findings call for better urban planning and investment in basic amenities to improve housing quality and living standards in peri-urban areas.

Do male and female heads of households have different beliefs about gender equity among young people in Nigeria?

Gender-transformative approaches (GTAs) have been successfully carried out to address harmful gender norms and power imbalances to promote more gender equitability. However, to improve the health and wellbeing of young people, it is necessary to involve household heads by positively transforming their beliefs on gender equity and norms. This study was cross-sectional quantitative research undertaken in six local government areas in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study population consisted of household heads in households with young people aged 15-24 years. Data were collected for 15 days using paper and electronic copies of the questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were performed using Stata. The results showed that 46.32% of male and 62.81% of female heads of households disagreed with the statement "a good woman never questions her husband's opinions, even if she is not sure she agrees with them." Female heads of households aged 50 years and below with an odds ratio of 0.47 (p-value = 0.02) suggest they were 0.47 times more likely to have a positive attitude toward the rights and privileges of young girls. Male heads of households aged 50 years and below with an odds ratio of 1.05 (p-value = 0.84) suggest that they were 1.05 times more likely to have a positive attitude toward the rights and privileges of young girls. This paper provides new knowledge on the gender norm attitude of male and female heads of households on the rights, privileges, and equity promotion of young boys and young girls, as well as its associated factors.

Transitioning towards sustainable agriculture: analysing the factors and impact of adopting multiple sustainable inputs by paddy farmers in India

IntroductionThere is a global priority to ensure food security, environmental conservation and sustainability. The adoption of inputs such as organic manures, biofertilisers, and biopesticides has been widely promoted as a way to enhance agricultural sustainability, yet their adoption rates remain notably low. The study examines the determinants and impact of the adoption of multiple sustainable inputs by paddy farmers in India. The study also examines the drivers behind the intensity of their adoption and their technical efficiency.MethodsThe study utilises the survey dataset on paddy farmers from “Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households in Rural India” of the 77th National Sample Survey (NSSO) round. The reference period for data collection was the agricultural year from July 2018 to June 2019. The analytical methods employed include the Multivariate Probit and Ordered Probit models, Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Regression Adjustment model, and Stochastic Frontier method.ResultsThe empirical findings reveal that the adoption and intensity of sustainable inputs depend significantly on factors such as the household head’s age and education, household size, and access to extension services. Adopting sustainable inputs has significant benefits, such as increased harvest value. However, the currently available technical advisory services are limited in effectively promoting the expenditure on sustainable inputs. Technical efficiency analysis underscores the potential for improvement and the importance of utilising optimal input levels. The research findings provide strong evidence in favour of advocating for the use of sustainable inputs in paddy farming.