Household Socio-demographic Characteristics Research Articles

A framework to include socio-demographic characteristics in potential job accessibility levels in low-car and car-free development areas in the Netherlands

Car-free development has become popular in recent years due to concerns regarding transport-related health issues in urban areas as well as a growing trend toward sustainability and environmentally friendly living. Although car-free development is regarded as progress to promote active transport modes and healthier cities, the accessibility impacts for its residents remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, this paper proposes a job accessibility assessment framework that integrates individual and household socio-demographic characteristics into a job accessibility assessment, making it possible to account for commuting preferences of different population groups in accessibility analyses. For this purpose, a stated choice survey was conducted in existing low-car areas in the Netherlands to determine transport use and perception of public transport trip characteristics. Then, the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on trip perceptions was analyzed using a Latent Class Logit (LCL) regression model and Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, a multi-modal transport network combining walking and public transport trips was used to assess potential job accessibility levels of different population groups in a car-free development area. The proposed framework was implemented in a case study in the province of Utrecht (the Netherlands). Results show notable differences between the job accessibility levels within different population groups, reflecting distinct perceptions toward commuting trip characteristics based on socio-demographic characteristics and demonstrating the suitability of the applied approach to assess accessibility levels in car-free development areas. Compared to the sample average distribution, more than 15% lower accessibility levels were observed for starters (age 18-35) in some urban areas, indicating the aversion to longer and more expensive commuting trips. Contrarily, increased accessibility levels for families (>2 persons in household) were observed, demonstrating the acceptance to experience longer commuting travel times and additional costs. No differences were observed between accessibility levels of the sample average and senior adults (age >50).

Inequalities in Access to Diabetes Technologies in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: A Multicenter, Cross-sectional Study from Türkiye.

To determine inequalities in access to diabetes technologies and the effect of socioeconomic factors on families with children with type 1 diabetes. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, parents of children with type 1 diabetes completed a questionnaire about household sociodemographic characteristics, latest HbA1c values, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pump use of children, the education and working status of parents. These characteristics were compared between technology use (only-CGM, only-pump, CGM+pump, no technology use). Among 882 families, only-CGM users, only-pump users, and CGM+pump users compared with no technology users, adjusting for age, sex, region, education levels, number of working parents, and household income. Children living in the least developed region had lower odds of having only-CGM (OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.12-0.34) and having CGM+pump (OR=0.07, 95%CI 0.03-0.22) compared with those living in the most developed region. Children with parents who had not finished high school had lower odds of having only-CGM (Mothers: OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.19-0.66; fathers: OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.18-0.60) or both CGM+pump (OR=0.27, 95%CI 0.11-0.64; fathers: OR=0.34, 95%CI 0.15-0.79) rather than no-technology compared to children whose parents has a university degree. Every $840 increase in the household income increased the odds by 5% for having only-CGM (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.09) and CGM+pump (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08). Socioeconomic factors such as education, regions, and income were associated with inequality in access to technologies. The inequalities are more prominent in access to CGM while CGM had a bigger contribution to glycemic control.

An optimal threshold for over-indebtedness: a study on the discrepancy between subjective and objective debt burdens

PurposeThe study aims to explore the discrepancy between the subjective and objective debt burdens across various household socio-demographic and debt characteristics. Additionally, it seeks to establish an optimal debt service-to-income ratio (DSTI) threshold for identifying over-indebtedness.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized a sample of 1,004 respondents from a nationwide survey conducted among Polish indebted households. A discrepancy ratio (DR) measure was proposed to evaluate the divergence between subjective and objective over-indebtedness. Binary logistic regression was employed to estimate the probability of being subjectively and objectively over-indebted, as well as the discrepancy between the two measures of over-indebtedness. The study also employed numerical simulations to determine the optimal DSTI threshold for identifying over-indebted households in general and based on their socio-economic characteristics.FindingsThe study established a debt service-to-income ratio (DSTI) threshold of 20% to minimize the discrepancy between subjective and objective debt burden, which is lower than thresholds found in other studies aimed at identifying over-indebted households. Age, number of loans, self-perceived needs satisfaction and type of debt were identified as significant socio-economic and debt-related determinants of over-indebtedness. Household socio-economic and debt-related characteristics significantly influence the threshold for identifying over-indebtedness using DSTI. It can vary widely, ranging from as low as 11% for well-educated women with multiple loan commitments to 43.7% for young males with vocational education, high incomes and originating from households with four or more members.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a more comprehensive approach to debt burden analysis by introducing a new methodology for determining a debt service-to-income (DSTI) threshold that could serve as a measure of over-indebtedness based on the discrepancy between subjective and objective over-indebtedness. It also emphasizes the significance of socio-economic and debt-related factors in evaluating subjective and objective over-indebtedness.

Caste and class interactions in inequality in access to sanitation and hygiene services in India

ABSTRACT Given moderate access to WASH services at the national level, widespread socio-economic inequality still exists in India. This study assesses the status of access to different types of sanitation and hygiene services in India and how the caste and class interactions are associated with them. We use nationally representative household survey data and the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) sanitation and hygiene framework. For descriptive analysis, frequency distribution is used. Multivariable logistic regression is applied, and caste interactions are used to estimate the probabilities. Overall, 51.2 and 71.8% of the households have access to safe sanitation and hygiene services. However, among the Scheduled Tribe households, only 36.6 and 58.7% have access to safe sanitation and hygiene. Findings show that class and caste interactions are strongly associated with WASH services. The probability of access to safe sanitation and hygiene is 16 and 15% points lower for the poorest Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes compared to ‘Other’ socially privileged but economically poor, after adjusting for other household sociodemographic characteristics. The finding suggests that an upscaling of the existing policies and programs alongside considering the caste and class intersectionality is required for equitable access to sanitation and hygiene services and to achieve SDG-6.

Food insecurity, inflammation, and immune function among older US adults: Findings from the health and Retirement study

BackgroundFood insecurity (FI) is a pressing public health concern among older adults and has been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Greater systemic inflammation may provide a pathway to explain these associations, but few studies have examined the link between FI and markers of inflammation. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the associations between FI and multiple inflammatory and immune functioning biomarkers using a nationally representative study of US adults aged > 50 years. MethodParticipants (n = 3,924) were drawn from the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Household FI was assessed using the six-item Short Form Food Security Survey Module from the 2013 HRS Health Care and Nutrition Study. Markers of inflammation (neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, albumin, hs-CRP, IL6, IL10, IL-1Ra, sTNFR-1, and TGFβ-1) and immune functioning (CMV) were collected during the 2016 HRS Venous Blood Study. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between household FI and inflammatory and immune functioning biomarkers, adjusting for individual and household sociodemographic characteristics. ResultsThe weighted prevalence of FI was 18.8 %. Age and sex-adjusted mean showed that FI was associated with higher levels of inflammation and impaired immune functioning (Ps-value < 0.05). Older adults with FI had higher mean levels of albumin, hs-CRP, IL6, IL10, IL-1Ra, TGFß-1, and CMV seronegative and borderline (Ps-value < 0.05). Multivariate-adjusted regression model showed that FI was associated with high-risk categories of hs-CRP (OR 1.34, 95 % CI 1.06, 1.68), IL-6 (OR 1.66, 95 % CI 1.28, 2.14), IL-1Ra (OR 0.67, 95 % CI 0.48, 0.93), TGFß-1 (OR 1.87, 95 % CI 1.45, 2.42), seronegativity for CMV (OR 0.48, 95 % CI 0.35, 0.64). ConclusionIn this nationally representative sample of older adults, FI was positively associated with multiple markers of systemic inflammation and impaired immune functioning. Public health efforts that directly work to reduce FI among older adults are warranted and may result in further improvements in their health and well-being.

Prevalence of food insecurity amid COVID-19 lockdowns and sociodemographic indicators of household vulnerability in Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic was associated with widespread social disruptions, as governments implemented lockdowns to quell disease spread. To advance knowledge of consequences for households in resource-limited countries, we examine food insecurity during the pandemic period.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study and used logistic regression to examine factors associated with food insecurity. Data were collected between August and September of 2021 through a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) using a survey instrument focused on knowledge regarding the spread of COVID-19; food availability; COVID-19 related shocks/coping; under-five child healthcare services; and healthcare services for pregnant women. The study is set in two communities in Eastern Ethiopia, one rural (Kersa) and one urban (Harar), and included a random sample of 880 households.ResultsRoughly 16% of households reported not having enough food to eat during the pandemic, an increase of 6% since before the pandemic. After adjusting for other variables, households were more likely to report food insecurity if they were living in an urban area, were a larger household, had a family member lose employment, reported an increase in food prices, or were food insecure before the pandemic. Households were less likely to report food insecurity if they were wealthier or had higher household income.ConclusionsAfter taking individual and household level sociodemographic characteristics into consideration, households in urban areas were at higher risk for food insecurity. These findings suggest a need for expanding food assistance programs to more urban areas to help mitigate the impact of lockdowns on more vulnerable households.

The urgency of an early warning system for social conflict by using WhatsApp

The purpose of the study is to use integrated information technology to demonstrate the importance of the Early Warning System (EWS) for social conflicts that involve public participation. This study used a mixed-methods approach. A total of 267 respondents were involved. Data were collected using a questionnaire covering household socio-demographic characteristics, smartphone use, religious tolerance, inter-ethnic tolerance, social cohesion, social capital and participation in conflict prevention. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was carried out in four villages involving 12 people. The majority of respondents in this survey fall into the medium and high category when it comes to the respondents' inclination in the five variables: smartphone use, social capital, inter-ethnic tolerance, religious tolerance and social cohesion. It was found that participation in conflict prevention in society is in a low category. Enhancing public engagement in conflict prevention needs the immediate implementation of EWS for social conflict early detection through public involvement. The Android application particularly WhatsApp group can be used to create EWS at the village level at a low cost. Village leaders who serve to assess the village's vulnerability level can be involved in this process. Finally, all stakeholders can use the study's findings as a basis for developing policies related to the use of WhatsApp to reduce disputes in places susceptible to conflict.

Ishrana i globalna sigurnost hrane za očuvanje zdravlja

Every individual deserves access to healthy, affordable, and quality nutrition. Such access is hindered by deep inequalities stemming from unjust systems that structure everyday living conditions. The transformation of the food system into safe, improved, and healthy nutrition accessible to all is a crucial global issue. Healthy nutrition can play a significant role in the sustainability of the food system. Childhood obesity is a significant health problem in the developed world and affects many countries with low and middle incomes, particularly in urban areas. Unfortunately, obese children often remain obese in adulthood, increasing the likelihood of developing numerous chronic non-communicable diseases at a younger age. There is a clear link between infant and young child feeding practices and the socio-demographic characteristics of households. Breastfeeding up to the age of one is less common in wealthier households, urban environments, or among highly educated mothers. Combating malnutrition requires political dedication and simultaneous actions across multiple sectors, along with significant investments in program implementation and monitoring progress towards sustainable healthy nutrition.

Factors Associated with Household Headship in Nepal. Does Policy Matter in Female Household Headship?

This study entitled ‘Factors associated with household headship in Nepal. Does policy matter in female household headship?’ It aims to find out the association between household headship and socio-demographic characteristics. While, household head/headship allows for socio-economic mobility that results in economic growth, leadership ability, socially, politically and economically productive life, and ultimately satisfaction. We used a cross-sectional design using secondary data from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016. We considered household headship as the dependent variable and socio-demographic characteristics such as age, occupation, residence setting, and provinces as the independent variables. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to find out the association between the independent variables and the dependent variable. It was observed that nearly one-fourth of the respondents were household heads. Of the respondents, more than half were from male-headed households while less than half were females. It was noticed that, the higher the educational achievement the lower the chances of being in household headship concerning females. It can be concluded that higher educational attainment was not a predictor for household headship, but female-headed households were observed as prosperous households. These facts could be considered account by policymakers while planning.

Disaster risk perception and preparedness of households in Yangon, Myanmar: Disaster experiences, socio-demographic factors and spatial variation

In disaster-prone countries, it is of great concern that societies as a whole, as well as households and individuals, should become as resilient to disasters as possible. In Myanmar, with its frequent natural hazards like floods, cyclones and droughts and its high probability of earthquakes, raising awareness of and preparedness for disasters is of eminent importance in order to increase the resilience of society, households and individuals. Disaster research shows that the awareness and perception of people regarding disasters and thus also their risk preparedness can vary substantially. This seems to stem from various sources: the socio-demographic characteristics of households and people as well as former experiences of disaster seem to play a crucial role. Information of such variables and understanding how they influence the disaster risk perception and preparedness of households and people can provide an important background against which to improve individual disaster risk awareness and preparedness – with the final aim of making society, households and individuals more resilient. In this paper, the results of a household survey carried out in eight townships of Yangon (Myanmar) are presented. The analysis investigates how socio-demographic characteristics and the previous experiences of disaster of the respondents and their households influence their disaster risk perception and preparedness in different areas of Yangon City. The results show strong differences in disaster risk perception and preparedness according to socio-demographic characteristics and previous experiences of disaster in different areas of Yangon City. Finally, the findings feed into and inform about successful disaster management.

Estimation and Analysis of Food Demand Patterns in North Kalimantan

North Kalimantan Province is in the top five provinces with Indonesia's highest percentage of food-insecure populations in 2018. Meanwhile, of the five provinces, only North Kalimantan Province has the status of a newly expanded province. As a province that is still relatively new, this is a challenge for the local government to ensure the availability of food for its people. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the factors that influence patterns and changes in food consumption due to prices, income, and socio-demographic characteristics of households in North Kalimantan Province. This study uses A Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) for 13 food commodity groups using Susenas data in 2018. The results show that the prices of each commodity group and other commodities significantly influence the proportion of food expenditure. In addition, the number of household members, household residences, and head of household education substantially affects the pattern of household food consumption. Price elasticity provides a positive value for 11 commodity groups, and only two commodities are negative, namely vegetables and fruits, while cross elasticity is quite varied. The policy implications that the government can carry out are to ensure food availability by using this research information to create work programs and strategic policies to ensure the fulfillment of food needs

Association between consumption of edible insects with dietary diversity, and household food and nutrition security in Southern Zimbabwe

Edible insects are nutritious with potential to improve nutritional outcomes and livelihoods in low-income countries. However, it is not clear whether consumption of edible insects is positively correlated with improved dietary diversity and food security indicators. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the relationship between consumption of edible insects and diet diversity and food security indicators among children and adults from Gwanda district, Matabeleland province in Southern Zimbabwe. The survey collected data on the following; household sociodemographic characteristics, household dietary diversity score (HDDS), food consumption score (FCS), and child dietary diversity score (CDDS). Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between edible insect consumption and food security indicators. A total of 303 households were surveyed. A high proportion were edible insect consumers (80.9%) and the rest non-consumers (19.1%). The most consumed insect was mopani worms (Gonimbrasia belina, madora, amacimbi) (74.8%). The consumption of mopani worms was highest in the age group 20-49 years (34.4%) and significantly associated with being married and age of the household head. There was no difference between the mean CDDS for consumers (5.9±1.7) and for non-consumers (6.0±2.0) (p=0.802). The median (IQR) FCS for consumers was lower at 49 (35, 65) than for non-consumers 53 (36.5, 64). This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.526). There also was no difference between the average HDDS for consuming households (6.2±1.7) and for non-consuming households 6.2±1.5 (p=0.866). There was no significant association between consumption of edible insects and CDDS (p=0.802), HDDS (p=0.866), and FCS (p=0.585). In conclusion, this study showed that Gonimbrasia belina (mopani worms, madora, amacimbi) were the commonly consumed insect mostly as relish due to their palatable taste. Overall, the consumption of edible insects did not seem to improve diet diversity and food security indicators in this setting. National level studies with bigger sample sizes that investigate the contribution of edible insects to overall nutrient intake and dietary diversity are required. Furthermore, interventions to promote the consumption of edible insects, including their commercialization should adopt a social ecological approach to maximise impact. Key words: Entomophagy, food security, mopani worms, stunting, gender, Zimbabwe

Dietary patterns derived using principal component analysis and associations with sociodemographic characteristics and overweight and obesity: A cross-sectional analysis of Iranian adults.

This study examined the cross-sectional association between household dietary patterns and sociodemographic characteristics and BMI in a nationally representative sample of Iranian adults. Data on 6,833 households (n = 17,824 adults) from the National Comprehensive Study on Household Food Consumption Pattern and Nutritional Status 2001-2003 were used. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to extract dietary patterns from three household 24-h dietary recalls. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between dietary patterns and sociodemographic characteristics and BMI. Three dietary patterns were identified: the first was characterized by high citrus fruit intake, the second by high hydrogenated fats intake and the third by high non-leafy vegetables intake. The first and third patterns were associated with household heads with higher education and living in urban areas, while the second was associated with household heads with lower education and living in rural areas. All dietary patterns were positively associated with BMI. The strongest association was found with the first dietary pattern (β: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.55). While all three dietary patterns were positively associated with BMI, the sociodemographic characteristics of Iranian adults who consumed them differed. These findings inform the design of population-level dietary interventions to address rising obesity rates in Iran.

Dietary diversity of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households in rural Zambia

IntroductionSoybean farming in Zambia is promoted to increase farm productivity and diversification away from maize, and improve cash income and livelihoods for farmers. However, the impact of soybean farming on women's dietary intake is not clear. This study compares the dietary diversity of women from soybean (S) and non-soybean (NS) farming households as a pathway to understanding policy efficacy.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving 268 women of reproductive age from 401 rural households was conducted in two soybean-producing districts of Central Province, Zambia. Data from a qualitative 7-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to calculate dietary diversity scores (DDS), women's dietary diversity scores (WDDS-10) and assess dietary patterns. Information on household sociodemographic and agricultural characteristics was used to explore determinants of dietary diversity.ResultsResults show there were no significant differences in the mean DDS (S: 10.3 ± 2.4; NS:10.3 ± 2.6) and WDDS-10 (S:6.27 ± 1.55; NS:6.27 ± 1.57) of women from soybean and non-soybean farming households. Both cohorts had similar dietary patterns, plant-based food groups with additional fats and oils. Agricultural diversity was not associated with dietary diversity. Household wealth status was the most important determinant of dietary diversity, as women from wealthier households were more likely to have higher DDS (β = 0.262, 95% CI = 0.26 to 0.70, P &amp;lt; 0.001) and WDDS-10 (β = 0.222, 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.37, P &amp;lt; 0.003) compared to those from poorer households. Women from households that spent more on food had a higher DDS (β = 0.182, 95% CI = 0.002 to 0.07), but not WDDS-10 (β = 0.120, 95% CI = −0.01 to 0.03); for every additional dollar spent on food in the past 7 days, the DDS increased by 0.18. Meanwhile, soyabean farming was not statistically associated with higher wealth.ConclusionsPolicymakers and promoters of agricultural diversification and nutrition-sensitive agriculture need to consider how women can benefit directly or indirectly from soybean farming or other interventions aimed at smallholder farmers.

A statistical quantitative analysis of the correlations between socio-demographic characteristics and household occupancy patterns in residential buildings in China

Occupancy patterns that describe occupant presence or absence can result in a significant impact in energy use of residential buildings; thus, they are critical to the energy modeling of residential buildings. Occupancy patterns currently embedded in building energy simulation tools or recommended in the standards are uniform, ignoring that different occupancy patterns exist for households with different socio-demographic characteristics. Consequently, this study objective is to extract the typical occupancy patterns of households and quantify the correlations between household occupancy patterns and socio-demographic characteristics based on statistical approaches. Clustering analysis was used to identify representative types of occupancy patterns based on the occupancy profiles of daily occupant presence data. Then, correlations between occupancy patterns and household characteristics were identified by investigating three statistical methods: nonparametric analysis, decision trees, and association rule mining. To illustrate the quantitative analysis, datasets collected by a large-scale questionnaire survey in two Chinese cities were used for the case study. The results revealed that socio-demographic characteristics, such as occupant age, employment status and household composition, have statistically significantly associated with occupancy patterns. The statistical quantitative analysis can be used to estimate household occupancy patterns to further reduce the performance gap between the simulation and actual energy consumption of residential buildings.

Local indicators of climate change impacts described by indigenous peoples and local communities: Study protocol.

In the quest to improve the understanding of climate change impacts on elements of the atmospheric, physical, and life systems, scientists are challenged by the scarcity and uneven distribution of grounded data. Through their long history of interaction with the environment, Indigenous Peoples and local communities have developed complex knowledge systems that allow them to detect impacts of climate change in the local environment. The study protocol presented here is designed 1) to inventory climate change impacts on the atmospheric, physical, and life systems based on local knowledge and 2) to test hypotheses on the global spatial, socioeconomic, and demographic distribution of reported impacts. The protocol has been developed within the framework of a project aiming to bring insights from Indigenous and local knowledge systems to climate research (https://licci.eu). Data collection uses a mixed-method approach and relies on the collaboration of a team of 50 trained partners working in sites where people's livelihood directly depend on nature. The data collection protocol consists of two steps. Step 1 includes the collection of secondary data (e.g., spatial and meteorological data) and site contextual information (e.g., village infrastructure, services). Step 1 also includes the use of 1) semi-structured interviews (n = 20-30/site) to document observations of environmental change and their drivers and 2) focus group discussions to identify consensus in the information gathered. Step 2 consist in the application of a household (n from 75 to 125) and individual survey (n from 125 to 175) using a standardized but locally adapted instrument. The survey includes information on 1) individual and household socio-demographic characteristics, 2) direct dependence on nature, 3) household's vulnerability, and 4) individual perceptions of climate change impacts. Survey data are entered in a specifically designed database. This protocol allows the systematic documentation and analysis of the patterned distribution of local indicators of climate change impacts across climate types and livelihood activities. Data collected with this protocol helps fill important gaps on local climate change impacts research and can provide tangible outcomes for local people who will be able to better reflect on how climate change impacts them.

Socio-demographic factors associated with hunger among food pantry users in Eastern Massachusetts.

To assess the determinants of hunger among food pantry users, the present study used a cross-sectional survey that included a modified Household Hunger Scale to quantify hunger. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between hunger categories and various household socio-demographic and economic characteristics, such as age, race, household size, marital status and experience of any economic hardship. The survey was administered to food pantry users from June 2018 to August 2018 at various food pantries across Eastern Massachusetts with 611 food pantry users completing the questionnaire at any of the 10 food pantry sites. One-fifth (20⋅13 %) of food pantry users experienced moderate hunger and 19⋅14 % experienced severe hunger. Food pantry users who were single, divorced or separated; had less than a high school education; working part-time, unemployed or retired; or, who earned incomes less than $1000 per month were most likely to experience severe or moderate hunger. Pantry users who experienced any economic hardship had 4⋅78 the adjusted odds of severe hunger (95 % CI 2⋅49, 9⋅19), which was much larger than the odds of moderate hunger (AOR 1⋅95; 95 % CI 1⋅10, 3⋅48). Younger age and participation in WIC (AOR 0⋅20; 95 % CI 0⋅05-0⋅78) and SNAP (AOR 0⋅53; 95 % CI 0⋅32-0⋅88) were protective against severe hunger. The present study illustrates factors affecting hunger in food pantry users, which can help inform public health programmes and policies for people in need of additional resources. This is essential particularly in times of increasing economic hardships recently exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Household Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Out of Pocket Educational Expenditure in Pakistan

Household Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Out of Pocket Educational Expenditure in Pakistan

Knowledge of and access to frontline workers among poor, rural households in Amhara region, Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundSocial protection programmes have effectively reduced poverty and improved food security. However, the effects of poverty require an intersectoral approach to adequately address poor nutrition and health. Identifying gaps in knowledge and access to frontline workers who oversee these integrations is critical for understanding the potential for integrated social protection programming to improve these outcomes. We measured levels of social protection programme participants’ knowledge of and interaction with social workers (SWs) and health extension workers (HEWs) in rural Ethiopia.MethodsThis mixed-methods study uses cross-sectional data from the baseline survey of a quasi-experimental impact evaluation among a sample of 5,036 households participating in Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme. Qualitative interviews include key informant interviews, in depth interviews and focus group discussions with caregivers, community members, frontline agents, and stakeholders. Using data from household questionnaires administered to household heads, quantitative analyses include univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics as well as mutually-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for household sociodemographic characteristics associated with 1) knowledge of SWs and HEWs and 2) interaction with SWs and HEWs in their communities. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis combining both a fluid and more structured coding processes to unpack the important topics within the data supported by illustrative quotes.ResultsOur results show that knowledge of and interaction with SWs is limited while many knew of and interacted with HEWs quite regularly. Interactions with SWs were negatively associated with increased household size and living in Dewa Chefa. Factors associated with increased knowledge of and interaction with HEWs include having children under the age of 5 years in the household, having health insurance, and having a formal education. Qualitative analyses suggest that SWs are limited by overwhelming caseloads, limited resources to carry out their work, and high staff turnover. However, SWs are considered highly valuable in the communities where they work.ConclusionsWhile most of the participants reported knowing their HEW, there is room for improvement, especially around household engagement with HEWs. Although SWs support the ISNP in the treatment districts only and not formally incorporated into the structure in the region, our findings highlight a need to provide greater support to SWs to effectively facilitate improvements in health and nutritional outcomes among vulnerable households.Trial registrationPan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201902876946874) and the Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations (RIDIE-STUDY-ID-5bf27eb0404a0).

Families, Parenting and Aggressive Preschoolers: A Scoping Review of Studies Examining Family Variables Related to Preschool Aggression.

A growing body of research has shown that children behave aggressively from an early age. In recent decades, such behaviour has become a focus of scientific interest, not only because of the adverse consequences of these interactions, but also because high levels of aggression, especially at an early age, may be a risk factor for the use of other forms of aggression, such as bullying, later on during their development. These behaviours are related not only to individual characteristics, but also to peer relationships, teacher behaviours, school variables, family factors and cultural influences. In order to find out which family variables have been researched in relation to preschool aggression and which family variables are associated with perpetration and victimisation, a scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and PsycINFO) were used to map the studies published between 2000 and 2022. This scoping review included 39 peer-reviewed articles from an initial sample of 2002 of them. The majority of studies looked only at perpetration behaviours. The main family variables covered in the articles concern parental behaviours, adverse childhood experiences in the family environment, and the household structural and sociodemographic characteristics. This scoping review shows that different factors within the family environment increase the risk of developing aggressive and victimising behaviours in the preschool setting. However, the relationship between the family variables and preschool aggression is complex, and it may be mediated by other factors such as gender, child-teacher closeness or parent-child dyads.