Household Ownership Research Articles

Predictors of Ownership/Utilisation Indicators of Long-lasting Insecticide Nets in the Bamendankwe Health Area of Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Long-lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) are effective in the prevention of malaria, but universal utilisation continues to be declining in parts of Cameroon. This study aimed to explore the predictors and incidences of LLINs ownership/ utilisation in a semi-urban community in the Bamenda Health District (BHD). . Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 448 randomly selected household heads was conducted between March and April 2018 in the BHD. Data on LLINs ownership and utilisation were collected with structured questionnaires. Multivariate analysis was used to establish the predictors of LLINs utilisation and ownership. Results: Household owner ship of at least one LLINs and universal usage was 93.3% and 43.1% respectively. Conclusion: The utilisation of LLINs was low and had no significant association with ownership. Continuous educational efforts and monitoring schemes with specific emphasis on vulnerable groups should be stepped up.

ANALYSING THE FACTOR INFLUENCING TRAVEL PATTERN AND MODE CHOICE BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INTERVIEW SURVEY DATA: A CASE STUDY OF DHAKA CITY, BANGLADESH

For transport planning and policy-making, visualising the relationship among attributes; gender, education, occupation, age with travel pattern and mode choice is important. Household Interview Survey (HIS) is one of the major inputs in transport study which contains information about travel and demographic characteristics. From the analysis of 28,235 households in Dhaka city, this study represents the social demographic characteristic of Dhaka city based on the household survey. It was found that 89.79% of dwellers make double trips in a day and the trip rate per trip maker is 2.16, where 14% of total trips are generated at morning peak time between 7 to 8 am. The bus is the most preferable mode share and its contribution is about 35%. The scenario changed in a multimodal trip case and walking was the domination mode share with about 45% of total trips. Vehicle ownership had a vital rule in particular mode choice, especially in car and motorcycle household ownership case. Significant impact on travel patterns and mode choice criteria was found with gender, education, occupation, age, household income, trip purpose and time and vehicle ownership, which can help to formulate the strategic plan to solve the transport-related problem in Dhaka.

A data-driven mobility–energy typology framework for New York State

Exploring multidimensional aspects of differences in technology adoption, travel, and vehicle ownership across settlement types can help inform energy-efficient and affordable mobility system goals. At the same time, mapping key enablers, barriers, and risks for successfully meeting ambitious goals and targets (e.g. by geography, age, income, education, population density) offer important explanatory power as to context-specific challenges and opportunities. This paper explores how a highly geographically resolved understanding of social, economic, techno-infrastructural, environmental, and governance (SET EG) factors shape variations in technology adoption and associated mobility and energy outcomes in diverse communities of New York State, in terms of electric vehicle adoption rates, alternative commute mode choices, vehicles per household, and vehicle fuel economy. Results indicate the range of two to three times higher adoption rates for electric vehicles by more highly educated, wealthier, “Core Urban” populations relative to the other identified typologies, given the labels “Rural”, “Suburban”, and “Urban” populations. Additionally, commute mode choice is closely linked with population and employment density—more than 89% of Core Urbanites use transit or active modes, compared with just 26% and 18% of Suburban and Rural residents, respectively. Household vehicle ownership varies from approximately 1.9 vehicles per household in Rural areas to only 0.6 in Core Urban settings. Findings on differences among the four settlement types, which go beyond simply rural to urban contexts, suggest an important need to explore how best to manage and anticipate very different types of services that may be supportive in achieving energy-efficient and affordable mobility systems statewide.

Understanding wealth transitions among households in urban slums of Nairobi: A multi-state transition modelling approach

Disparities in wealth are socially undesirable and may result in economic inequalities that have destabilizing effects on communities. Globally, more than 700 million people who live in extreme poverty still struggle for the most basic human needs. It is important to note that poverty is not static as households and individuals may transition from one wealth state to another with the passage of time. As such, the examination of poverty levels at one point does not offer a sufficiently complete picture of the dynamics in states of wealth through the dimension of time. In this paper, we study transitions in wealth status of households in two informal settlements (slums) in Nairobi, Kenya from 2006 to 2015. We employed the multistate transition model to assess the influence of potential risk factors on wealth transitions for households in urban slums. The results of the analysis indicate that slum areas, age of the household head, ethnicity, gender, household ownership type, food security, and household size have an effect on at least one transition between wealth states. A considerable proportion of households still remain in the lowest and middle wealth states. Households were found to easily transition forward, from the lowest to the highest wealth state than the reverse transition. The estimated mean sojourn times for the lowest, middle and highest wealth tertile were approximately 10, 7, and 14 months, respectively. These highlights the need for interventions that reduce the time spent in the lowest and middle wealth tertile while ensuring retention of households in the highest tertile. Our findings underscore the need for policy options around the provision of economic opportunities with targeted attention to households in vulnerable settings.

The Influence of Household Refrigerator Ownership on Diets in Vietnam

Refrigerator ownership accompanies socio-economic development, with the potential to change human diets. Household refrigerator ownership in Vietnam has increased from 13% to 59% between 2004-2014. This study estimates changes in food consumption and diet linkages with household refrigerator ownership in Vietnam, while controlling for socioeconomic variables. We use a two-step instrumental variable regression model on two panels of the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey covering 2004-2014. Our study finds refrigerator ownership to be significantly associated with decreases in per-capita calorie intake over both periods. Refrigerator ownership may be connected with households substituting lower-nutrient foods with higher ones, with substantial decreases in starchy staple food consumption connected with refrigerator ownership in both panels. For both periods, refrigerator ownership is significantly connected with increased dairy consumption, potentially reflecting the refrigerator increasing a household’s ability to store dairy products.

Epidemiology of malaria as it relates to utilization of insecticide treated nets among pregnant women and under five years children in South-South Nigeria

Pregnant mothers and children under five years are exposed to malaria infection. One of the WHO recommendations on prevention of malaria is the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs). The use of ITNs is still low in Nigeria. Is to access challenges and improvement on use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and care givers of children under five in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers state respectively. Review of articles related to use of ITNs among pregnant mothers and under five years children were adopted using The American Journal of Human Genetics among 28 studies. Malaria is responsible for 30% childhood and 11% maternal mortality despite the availability on use of ITNs. ITNs were 62.8% effective in reducing febrile episodes and 84.1% effective in reducing marked levels of malaria parasitemia. Mass distribution of bed-nets has increase ownership of ITNs resulting to 81.5% in Nigeria. Free ITNs has resulted in universal household ownership but the use of the nets is still very low in Nigeria. Malaria interventions are threatened by pyrethroids used in all ITNs. Irritation and suffocation are challenges to utilization of ITNs. In health promotion on use of ITNs, manufacturers’ improvement on quality of ITNs is an epidemiological factor that could enhance the use among the vulnerable groups.

Individual and Community Factors Associated with Household Insecticide-Treated Bednet Usage in the Sunyani West District of Ghana Two Years after Mass Distribution.

Purpose In the year 2015, the Ghana Health Service launched a free mass insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution campaign in the Sunyani West district of Ghana with the aim of improving household ownership to increase usage. This study determined the level of ownership and usage of ITNs and associated factors among households in the Sunyani West district two years after the mass distribution campaign. Methods Study participants were identified using the systematic approach in all five subdistricts of the Sunyani West district and interviewed, and data were collected on household ITN ownership. Data were also collected on the source of the ITN and whether the respondent slept under an ITN the previous night. Data on individual and community factors associated with ITN ownership and usage were also collected. Pearson chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to determine factors significantly associated with ITN ownership and usage. Results The level of ITN ownership was 78.93% and usage was 55.93%. Most of the participants (73.62%) received their nets during the 2015 mass distribution campaign, 39 (11.96%) received their ITNs during antenatal care visits, whilst 27 (8.28%) bought the nets from the store. People who experience irritation (χ2 = 23.32; p < 0.001) and respondents who did not perceive themselves as likely to be beaten by mosquitoes or get malaria (χ2 = 26.61; p < 0.001) were less likely to use ITNs. Respondents who used other malaria/mosquito bite prevention methods were also less likely to use the ITNs (χ2 = 206.26; p = 0.001), but individuals who received free nets were likely to use them. Conclusion ITN ownership was high, but usage was low and far below the national target. Intense health education emphasizing the fact that everybody is susceptible to malaria may help improve usage.

Investigating the association between household firearm ownership and suicide rates in the United States using spatial regression models

Past studies have rather consistently shown a significant positive association between firearm ownership and suicide rates (particularly firearm-related) in the United States. However, the impact of spatial dependence of suicide rates has not been considered in the existing research that took an ecological studies approach. To bridge this gap in the literature, we estimated and compared the association using Ordinary Least Square (OLS), spatial autoregressive (SAR), and hierarchical spatial autoregressive (HSAR) regression models. The outcome variable was the average age-adjusted and smoothed suicide rate (all, firearm, and non-firearm) at the county level in the United States between 2008 and 2014. The covariates included the state-level firearm ownership and several key demographic, geographic, religious, psychopathological, and suicide-related variables at both the state and county levels. Our main findings were: 1) the spatially-informed models (SAR and HSAR) were significantly outperformed the OLS model. The SARlag model was a better choice than the SARerr model in fitting our data. However, the HSAR model was not statistically better than the SAR model; 2) based on the results from the three final SARlag models, firearm ownership was significantly associated with firearm suicide rates, but not with all or non-firearm suicide rates, and such relationships were also observed in the SARlag models using contiguity-based spatial weight matrix; and 3) The final SARlag models explained 82.6%, 84.9%, and 76.1% of the total variance in all, firearm, and non-firearm suicide rates, respectively. In conclusion, the SARlag model provided more robust evidence supporting the positive relationship between firearm suicide rate and firearm ownership. Results from this study confirmed that access to household firearms was a significant risk factor of firearm suicide in the United States and hence means reduction should be included in the suicide prevention strategy in the United States. In the future, the effect of state firearm laws and regulations on suicide rate should also be investigated using spatially informed models to gain insights on the connection among firearm ownership, firearm laws and regulations, and population-based suicide rates.

Separation From the Life Partner and Exit From Self-Employment.

The survival of businesses in the market often hinges on contributions of the business owner’s household members. Partners of the self-employed as well as their children may, for example, provide emotional support but also cheap and flexible labor. Although the household composition of self-employed individuals has been analyzed in many earlier studies, little is known about what happens to the self-employed individual and his or her business when one separates from a life partner. We argue that separation from a life partner has profound financial and social consequences for the business owner. Specifically, we propose that a decrease in household income and social functioning (which is the degree of interference with social activities due to mental and/or physical problems) after separation from the life partner may lead to an exit from self-employment. Our empirical analysis draws on data from the longitudinal HILDA (Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia) survey, for the period 2002–2017. Based on information from 4,044 self-employed individuals aged 18–64 years (18,053 individual-year observations), we find that separating from the life partner in the past year significantly increases the probability of exit from self-employment in the next year. Furthermore, we find that the positive association between separation from the life partner and exit from self-employment can be explained for 29.7% by a reduction in social functioning and for 10.7% by a reduction in household income. We study five exit routes out of self-employment and find that separation from the life partner mainly increases the probabilities of becoming a wage worker and of re-entering self-employment after experiencing an exit. For exit to unemployment or to a position outside the labor force (voluntarily inactive/retirement or any other non-labor force position), we find insignificant relationships with separation from the life partner. Furthermore, for all exit routes except retirement, we find significant indirect effects implying that decreased household income and levels of social functioning are important mechanisms through which separation from the life partner is related to exit from self-employment.

Cash value life insurance ownership among young adults: The role of self-discipline and risk tolerance

Cash value life insurance (CVLI) is a risk management tool that provides not only a life cycle protection but also a cash value accumulation potential. This study used the behavioral life cycle hypothesis as a theoretical framework and investigated the role of self-discipline and risk tolerance on CVLI ownership of young adult households aged 26–30. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) that surveyed Americans born between 1980 and 1984. The results showed that the likelihood of owning CVLI increased with self-discipline and decreased with risk tolerance.

Cardiovascular disease prevention knowledge and associated factors among adults in Mukono and Buikwe districts in Uganda

BackgroundWith the growing epidemic of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in sub-Saharan Africa, behavioural change interventions are critical in supporting populations to achieve better cardiovascular health. Population knowledge regarding CVD is an important first step for any such interventions. This study examined CVD prevention knowledge and associated factors among adults in Mukono and Buikwe districts in Uganda.MethodsThe study was cross-sectional in design conducted among adults aged 25 to 70 years as part of the baseline assessment by the Scaling-up Packages of Interventions for Cardiovascular disease prevention in selected sites in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa (SPICES) – project. Data were collected using pretested semi-structured questionnaires, and respondents categorized as knowledgeable if they scored at least five out of six in the knowledge questions. Data were exported into STATA version 15.0 statistical software for analysis conducted using mixed-effects Poisson regression with fixed and random effects and robust standard errors.ResultsAmong the 4372 study respondents, only 776 (17.7%) were knowledgeable on CVD prevention. Most respondents were knowledgeable about foods high in calories 2981 (68.2%), 2892 (66.1%) low fruit and vegetable intake and high salt consumption 2752 (62.9%) as CVD risk factors. However, majority 3325 (76.1%) thought the recommended weekly moderate physical activity was 30 min and half 2262 (51.7%) disagreed or did not know that it was possible to have hypertension without any symptoms. Factors associated with high CVD knowledge were: post-primary education [APR = 1.55 (95% CI: 1.18–2.02), p = 0.002], formal employment [APR = 1.69 (95% CI: 1.40–2.06), p < 0.001] and high socio-economic index [APR = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.09–1.67), p = 0.004]. Other factors were: household ownership of a mobile phone [APR = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.07–1.70), p = 0.012] and ever receiving advice on healthy lifestyles [APR = 1.38 (95% CI: 1.15–1.67), p = 0.001].ConclusionsThis study found very low CVD knowledge with major gaps around recommended physical activity duration, diet and whether hypertension is asymptomatic. Observed knowledge gaps should inform suitable interventions and strategies to equip and empower communities with sufficient information for CVD prevention.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN15848572, January 2019, retrospectively registered.

Digital Health and Inequalities in Access to Health Services in Bangladesh: Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundGlobally, the rapid growth of technology and its use as a development solution has generated much interest in digital health. In line with global trends, Bangladesh is also integrating technology into its health system to address disparities. Strong political endorsement and uptake of digital platforms by the government has influenced the rapid proliferation of such initiatives in the country. This paper aims to examine the implications of digital health on access to health care in Bangladesh, considering who uses electronic devices to access health information and services and why.ObjectiveThis study aims to understand how access to health care and related information through electronic means (digital health) is affected by sociodemographic determinants (ie, age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and personal and household ownership of mobile phones) in a semiurban community in Bangladesh.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 854 households (between October 2013 and February 2014) and 20 focus group discussions (between February 2017 and March 2017) were conducted to understand (1) who owns electronic devices; (2) who, among the owners, uses these to access health information and services and why; (3) the awareness of electronic sources of health information; and (4) the role of intermediaries (family members or peers who helped to look for health information using electronic devices).ResultsA total of 90.3% (771/854) of households (471/854, 55.2% of respondents) owned electronic devices, mostly mobile phones. Among these, 7.2% (34/471) used them to access health information or services. Middle-aged (35-54 years), female, less (or not) educated, and poorer people used these devices the least (α=.05, α is the level of significance). The lack of awareness, discomfort, differences with regular care-seeking habits, lack of understanding and skills, and proximity to a health facility were the main reasons for not using devices to access digital health.ConclusionsAlthough influenced by sociodemographic traits, access to digital health is not merely related to device ownership and technical skill. Rather, it is a combination of general health literacy, phone ownership, material resources, and technical skill as well as social recognition of health needs and inequity. This study’s findings should serve as a basis for better integrating technology within the health system and ensuring equitable access to health care.

The effects of rural electrification in India: An instrumental variable approach at the household level

Governments in developing countries are investing billions of dollars to increase electricity access in rural areas, but the literature on the impact of these investments has produced mixed results. We leverage a unique characteristic of household electrification policy in Uttar Pradesh, India, whereby only households within 40 m of an electricity pole are eligible for a legal electrical connection, to estimate the causal impact of electrification using a pre-registered instrumental variable design. With an original survey of 686 households across 120 habitations in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, we find that legal electrification has a positive impact on household expenditures, adult household activities, and ownership and usage of appliances. The results suggest a more optimistic picture about the impact of rural electrification than some previous studies.

Household motor vehicle ownership and obesity among Indian females and males: 2005-2016.

BackgroundTo determine associations between household motor vehicle ownership and obesity among Indian adults.MethodsBivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using the 2005–2006 and 2015–2016 Indian Demographic and Health surveys, with over 800 000 respondents.ResultsObesity prevalence (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) rose in females (16.87% to 20.35%) and in males (12.55% to 18.74%). In 2005, having both types of vehicles (motorcycle/motor scooter and car) significantly increased the odds of obesity in females (OR, 1.63; 95% CI 1.50 to 1.76) and males (OR, 2.49; 95% CI 2.24 to 2.77) as well as in 2015 (OR, 1.10; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.13 and OR, 1.56; 95% CI 1.45 to 1.68, respectively). The wealthiest were more likely to be obese in 2005 (OR, 14.95; 95% CI 16.06 to 17.12 for females; OR, 12.69; 95% CI 10.17 to 15.70 for males) and in 2015 (OR, 7.69; 95% CI 7.43 to 7.95 for females and OR, 6.40; 95% CI 5.40 to 7.01 for males). Higher education levels, being younger and rural residence were significant protective factors in 2005 and 2015.ConclusionsAfter adjusting for confounders, motor vehicle ownership was significantly associated with obesity at both time points, but the effect of vehicle ownership presents differently by gender. With obesity prevalence increasing in India, policies promoting active vs motorized transport could attenuate this problem.

The Effects of Rural Electrification in India: An Instrumental Variable Approach at the Household Level

Governments in developing countries are investing billions of dollars to increase electricity access in rural areas, but the literature on the impact of these investments has produced mixed results. We leverage a unique characteristic of household electrification policy in Uttar Pradesh, India, whereby only households within 40 meters of an electricity pole are eligible for a legal electrical connection, to estimate the causal impact of electrification using a pre-registered instrumental variable design. With an original survey of 686 households across 120 habitations in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, we find that legal electrification has a positive impact on household expenditures, adult household activities, and ownership and usage of appliances. The results suggest a more optimistic picture about the impact of rural electrification than some previous studies.

Prevalence of Anemia Amongst School Going Adolescent Girls Residing in Rural Block of Haryana, India

Abstract Objectives To assess the prevalence of anemia amongst school going adolescent girls residing in rural villages of Haryana, India. Methods A community-based cluster-randomized trial was conducted in the rural block of Faridabad District, Haryana, India in the year 2017. A total of 904 adolescent girls in the age group of 12–19 years, studying in class 6–12th standard were screened for hemoglobin estimation. Wealth index was calculated using data on a household's ownership of selected assets. Hemoglobin estimation was undertaken by cyanmethemoglobin method. The WHO cut off (2011) for Hemoglobin of &amp;lt;12 g/dl was utilized to assess the status of anemia. Results The mean age and hemoglobin level of the adolescent girls was 14.9 ± 1.9 years and 10.4 ± 0.9 g/dl, respectively. A total of 904 adolescent girls Anemia was found amongst 88.3% (n = 798) of the subjects. Mild, moderate and severe anemia was reported amongst 25.7% (n = 232), 58.4% (n = 528) and 4.2% (n = 38) subjects, respectively. Prevalence of severe (2.6%) and moderate anemia (42.9%) was seen highest in the poorest households. Conclusions High prevalence of anemia exists amongst rural adolescent girls of India. There is a need to implement effective strategies for management and treatment of anemia amongst children. Funding Sources No funding was received.

The Water, Soap, Sanitation, and Handwashing Facilities are Associated with COVID-19 Transmission in 44 Countries

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a global pandemic. Public awareness about washing hands is important in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between increased water sources, basic water services, improved sanitation facilities, basic hand washing facilities, soap and water availability with COVID-19 transmission in 44 countries. Using Demographic and Health Survey Data in 44 countries including data on populations living in households using improved water sources, basic water services, improved sanitation facilities, hand washing practices, basic hand washing facilities with soap and water availability, ownership of electricity, television, cellphones , and households consisting of only those aged&gt; 65 years. Data is downloaded in the form of Excel. The COVID-19 case was reported by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Science and Systems Engineering (CSSE) on April 28, 2020 in 44 countries. DHS program data from 44 countries that are relevant to the CSSE Johns Hopkins University data are carried out linear regression tests and alternatives (spearman test) using SPSS 22. Relationships between variables by looking at the correlation coefficient and p value for each variable. The results of the study are presented in tabular form. Results: Increased water sources, basic water services, improved sanitation facilities, basic hand washing facilities, soap and water available in relation to COVID-19 transmission, with each correlation coefficient of 0.421, 0.506, 0.374, 0.243 and 0.399.

Impact of the conditional cash transfer program’ on the monthly food expenditure of household beneficiaries

Philippines is among the many countries which has a perennial problem on poverty. The country has made various ways to reduce its poverty rate; one is through conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme. This study measured the impact of CCT Program, particularly on food consumption among its household beneficiaries using Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Impact is measured in terms of the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) using four matching algorithms: Nearest Neighbor Matching, Caliper (Radius) Matching, Kernel Matching, and Local Linear Regression matching. Binary logistic regression was used to identify covariates influencing program participation which include having children who are 6-12 years old, education of the household heads’ spouses, marital status and sex of the household head, housing tenure, and ownership of household assets. Balance test indicates nonsignificant difference between 4Ps and non-4Ps beneficiaries across these covariates. Of the four matching algorithms, the Caliper (radius) matching generated ATT estimate with the least standard error. On the average, using the Caliper matching method, the monthly food expenditure of the household beneficiaries have significantly increased by PHP501.39, Thus, the CCT program of the government has brought significant improvement on the household beneficiaries, not only on education, health, and nutrition but also on their monthly food expenditure. It is recommended that the implementation of the CCT program should be strengthened, sustained, and maintained properly and orderly to gradually alleviate the current poverty conditions in the identified poor barangays around the nation. Moreover, the implementing agencies should consistently monitor the proper and synchronized implementation of the program in order to wholly purge the intergenerational transmission of poverty which is a perennial experience of the households who belong to the poorest populace in the country.

Insufficient Ratio of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets to Household Members Limited Universal Usage in Western Kenya: A 2015 Cross-Sectional Study.

Universal “coverage” with long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is recommended for malaria control in endemic areas, but ownership does not ensure usage. We evaluated relationships between household-level ownership and individual-level usage in western Kenya in 2015. Low-prevalence highland (> 1,500 m) and highly endemic lowland (< 1,200 m) sites were surveyed from July to August 2015. Household members reported long-lasting insecticidal net ownership, use, and barriers to use. Net ownership was categorized as sufficient (≤ 2 people/net), insufficient (> 2 people/net), or none. Each LLIN was assumed to provide access to two people. We surveyed 574 lowland and 643 highland households, with 1,677 and 2,742 members, respectively. More than 98% of lowland households owned LLIN(s); 72.1% owned a sufficient number. Only 37.5% of highland households had sufficient nets. More people used LLINs than were estimated to have access in the lowlands (94.2% versus 85.3%), but proportions were similar in the highlands (54.3% versus 53.3%). Insufficient ownership was most common for larger households in both areas and strongly predicted LLIN usage. In households with insufficient nets, men, school-age children (aged 5–15 years), and nonnuclear family members were less likely to use LLINs; only relationship to the head of the household significantly predicted use in households with sufficient nets. Long-lasting insecticidal nets were widespread in western Kenya in 2015, but insufficient household ownership remained common in the epidemic highlands and in large households. Access seemed to be the primary driver of individual use. To interrupt transmission, LLIN campaigns should improve distribution to large households and promote use among men, school-age children, and nonnuclear family members.

Household assets and food security in and around medium-sized towns: some insights from Morogoro and Iringa, Tanzania

ABSTRACT This paper examines the extent to which household assets ownership vary along the urban-rural continuum, and assess the influence of these assets on household food accessibility. A cross-sectional research design using a stratified random sample of 279 households was sampled along the urban-rural continuum in Morogoro and Iringa, Tanzania. The results show that household assets ownership varies significantly in areas regarded as urban, peri-urban and rural. Using binary logistic regression, household food accessibility improves as household head's education and the number of household members earning income increase. Conversely, food accessibility worsens as household size, the proportion of consumption expenditure on food, and reliance on aid increase. It is concluded that although household assets ownership varies greatly along the urban-rural continuum, its food accessibility status is influenced by factors such as household head's education level, number of members earning an income, household size, the proportion of consumption expenditure on food and reliance on aid. Household's location does not affect its food accessibility. Therefore, household's heads should be given appropriate technical skills to enable them to improve their household food accessibility. More job opportunities should be created mostly in rural areas and people should be sensitised to practice family planning.