Community Household Research Articles

Can dynamic normative feedback enhance household kitchen waste separation? evidence from two field intervention studies

Imagine if more and more households in your community started separating waste, would this trend inspire you to do the same? Previous research on social norms has been predominantly static, focusing on individual behavior and neglecting the potential of leveraging group dynamics. To address this gap, we conducted two field studies using group feedback to activate dynamic norms. Using an A-B-A time-series design in two communities, we collected 21,555 observations of waste disposal behavior. During the intervention period, we publicly displayed the weekly changing participation rates of household kitchen waste separation within the community, a strategy referred to as dynamic normative feedback. Both communities experienced a significant increase in participation in waste separation. Furthermore, the feedback effect persisted for up to three months after the intervention was removed. Our findings demonstrate that group dynamic normative feedback could be an effective strategy for promoting long-term separation behavior and have implications for waste management.

Manifestation and Management of Cultural Heritage: An Analysis of the Old Towns of Kenyan Coastal Region

The study examined the current manifestation of intangible and tangible cultural heritage of old towns of Lamu and Mombasa in the coastal region of Kenya, with a view of evaluating management efforts by heritage managers in the region. An exploratory research design with a mixed method approach was used to generate new ideas and assumptions regarding how cultural heritage is manifested. A sample size of 110 participants from both towns was selected through multistage cluster sampling, out of which 15 heritage managers, 40 community household leaders and 55 community elders were selected using purposive and snowball techniques. The study utilized semi structured interview guides, photography and observation as data collection methods. Descriptive analysis, content analysis-specifically attribution and designation analysis were used to analyze data. The study established that cultural heritage in the old towns is manifested through symbols, values and artefacts and architecture. Among the most evident manifestations in both old towns are in the form of wedding ceremonies, burial rituals, and limited cultural festivals especially during key religious practices Manifested architectural heritage undergoing shocks is restored for tourism purposes. However, intangible heritage is preserved, not for tourism purposes but as part of local’s way of life and as dictated by cultural values such as religion. Most organizations concerned with management of cultural heritage recognize its importance and have adapted reconstruction and restoration methods of tangible heritage especially old architecture. Among preferred recommendations were that tourism as the main economic activity in the region should be developed to benefit cultural heritage. The article advocates promoting resilience of heritage through gainful economic activities such as tourism to promote its posterity.

The value of indigenous knowledge for enhancing smallholders’ resilience to climate change and food insecurity: a case study of small-scale irrigation system in Niger

ABSTRACT The global south faces challenges in enhancing smallholder farmers' resilience to climate change and food insecurity. Indigenous knowledge and small-scale irrigation (SSI) systems are being promoted as a viable solution to address these challenges. This paper explores how smallholder farmers use local knowledge to establish informal and farmer-led SSI to enhance smallholders' resilience in agriculture and livelihoods. A qualitative research approach with 79 semi-structured interviews was carried out with farmers' households in Tamaske rural community in Southwest Niger, followed by thematic and statistical analysis. The results revealed that an alternative SSI strategy is mostly based on internal agencies rather than externally supported and it serves as a tool to enhance household food and income security amid climate change. The empirical case allows us to assess the value of indigenous knowledge in agriculture by asking how local people can bring together ideas and resources to enhance SSI and build resilience to climate change. The study suggests that the initiation and multiplication of SSI systems can be achieved by farmers' own agencies if appropriate technology and cooperation mechanisms are selected. The policy focus should promote simple, root-based technology as limited government financial support in the global south may hinder this progress.

Using Survey Data to Estimate Intergenerational Mobility in Income and Education in Portugal

AbstractPrevious studies about intergenerational mobility for the Portuguese economy find that education and income persistence is very high in comparison with other developed economies. We construct relative, absolute, global and local measures of mobility for Portugal, comparing them with existing evidence for this and other countries. These are the intergenerational income elasticity (computed using the two-sample two-stage least squares method), income correlation, rank-rank slope, bottom to top income level probability, the share of individuals earning more than their fathers and also the intergenerational education correlation, the low to high education level probability, and the share of individuals with a higher education level than their fathers. We consider the 1968–1988 cohorts and the 1995 and 2019 waves of the European Community Household Panel and the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions, respectively. Overall, based on the point estimates, women seem to present more mobility in income. Upward income mobility is verified at the bottom while persistence exists at the top. Women present a greater absolute educational mobility. More than 80% of individuals have a higher education than their fathers and full upward education mobility exists for children of low-educated fathers. Mobility in education is higher for the offspring of medium–high-income fathers. Individuals with a high education level, in the medium–high income level or with occupations requiring a higher education level show higher mobility.

Promising Strategies to Enhance the Sustainability of Community Seed Banks

Community seed banks are farmer-managed organizations that conserve and sustainably manage local crop and tree diversity. They are found in many countries of the Global South and increasingly in the Global North. Altogether, they maintain hundreds of crop and tree species and thousands of mostly local varieties and distribute tons of quality seed per year. Through their activities, they share and safeguard the world’s agrobiodiversity, contribute to seed security, and allow farming households in local communities to produce and consume more affordable, secure, diverse, and nutritious foods. However, community seed banks are knowledge-, resource-, and time-intensive organizations that operate through their members’ voluntary contributions. The purpose of this article is to analyze the sustainability challenge of community seed banks and identify strategies that address it. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used, complemented by secondary data analysis of research reports and other deliverables, resulting in five case study countries in Africa and Asia. Five promising sustainability strategies can support viable community seed bank development: value addition; nature-positive agriculture; enabling environment and national genebank partnership; networking and digitalization; and modern, low-cost seed quality technologies. Sustainable community seed banks can make important contributions to national seed sector development but they need stronger policy and legal support to maintain their sustainability.

Data-Driven Technology Applications in Planning, Demand-Side Management, and Cybersecurity for Smart Household Community

Data-Driven Technology Applications in Planning, Demand-Side Management, and Cybersecurity for Smart Household Community

Conceptualising climate change vulnerability across the agrarian transition: The example of Egypt

In this study, we explore the relationship between Egypt's agrarian transition and farmers’ perceptions of environmental risks and opportunities for climate change adaptation. Drawing from agrarian studies and rural development pathways in Egypt, we highlight structural challenges in addressing vulnerabilities of households in agrarian communities to environmental change. Our evidence comes from 350 landholders and agricultural labourers in rural Damietta, a governorate in the northeast of the Egyptian Nile Delta Region. We categorize households into three groups based on their reliance on agriculture for income, corresponding to different agrarian transition models. We find that vulnerabilities and capacities for climate change adaptation vary among these groups, with those heavily dependent on agriculture being the most vulnerable, despite having greater awareness of agricultural risks. They exhibit limited capacity to respond effectively – both in and ex situ, indicating a need for targeted support as environmental pressures increase due to climate change.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EDUCATION ON THE PROCESSING OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE INTO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

Community empowerment and household waste processing are two issues that need to be resolved by the government. An independent and educated society is an important pillar to support the development of country. Meanwhile, waste that continues to accumulate without processing has a negative impact on health and the environment. Public education about household waste processing can be a solution to the two problems above. Education was carried out at Junior High School YBPK Surabaya and residents of Dukuh Kupang Surabaya, and other participants who joined in a hibrid meeting with a total of 116 participants. Activities at YBPK Surabaya took place on 25 March and 5 August 2023 and activities at Dukuh Kupang Surabaya took place on 27 May and 26 August 2023. The types of waste processed are organic waste and used cooking oil, which are then converted into eco-enzymes and used cooking oil Activities are divided into 2 stages. there are community education activities and program sustainability monitoring activities. The community education activities includes presentation and workshop were hold in March 2023 at YBPK Surabaya Middle School and May 2023 at Dukuh Kupang Surabaya. The evaluation of sustainability program including individual practice and monitoring of activities was carried out in August 2023 at Dukuh Kupang Surabaya. Methods for implementing activities include presentation, practice accompanied by a mentor, individual practice, and monitoring program sustainability. Based on the analysis of participants' ability, the participant scores before and after the activity was increase. It means that this training succeeded in increasing participants' knowledge and skills in processing waste, especially organic waste and used cooking oil waste. A total of 72 out of 116 participants (62%) had processed household waste either individually or in groups. Activity evaluation data shows that these activities are necessary and on target to create an independent and creative society.

Analysis of Public Facilities, Village Funds and Social Infrastructure on Community Welfare in Pematang Serai Village, Langkat Regency

This research is based on the analysis of public facilities, village funds and social infrastructure on the welfare of the community in Pematang Serai village. Pematang Serai village, Langkat Regency is dominated by people who earn a living as fruit and vegetable farmers, but with the location of the village far from the city, there is a need for attention to public facilities for the community, Good management of village funds and infrastructure to be a benchmark for community welfare and household productivity is important for the people who live in the village. This research was conducted in Pematang Serai Village. The thing being studied is the influence between the variables of public facilities, village funds, and social infrastructure, on community welfare and household productivity. The purpose of the research is to find out and analyze the welfare of the community in Cingkes Village, Dolok Silau District by analyzing through public facilities, management and villages for the community and social infrastructure to facilitate daily community activities. The number of samples used was 200 data families collected by distributing questionnaires and data management using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) using Amos software version 20. Based on the results of the test conducted with a hypothesis test, social infrastructure variables have a significant effect on community productivity. Then the variables of public facilities, village funds and social infrastructure have an insignificant effect on the welfare of the community and the variables of facilities and village funds also have no significant effect on household productivity. In this study, it is hoped that the village government will pay more attention to the things that the community needs in the village.

Design of a Digital Platform for Carbon Generalized System of Preferences Communities Based on the TAO Model of Three-Way Decisions

The increasing carbon dioxide emissions from human activities present a significant global concern, with approximately two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions attributed to household activities. The Carbon Generalized System of Preferences (CGSP) has emerged as a pivotal mechanism to incentivize voluntary carbon reduction in community households. This paper examines the development of a community digital management platform designed to incentivize voluntary carbon reduction at the community level, highlighting the critical role of reducing emissions in urban community life to meet carbon peak and neutrality targets. This study employs the TAO model of Three-Way Decision to establish a closed-loop operational framework for the CGSP digital platform. The platform features a Trisection mechanism to record and quantify low-carbon behaviors, an Action mechanism to classify and reward community members, and an Outcome mechanism to assess overall community carbon reduction achievements. Additionally, a user interface tailored for community users is developed to enhance platform accessibility. The proposed platform presents a practical and innovative solution for exploring emission reduction potential in urban communities. By systematically recording low-carbon behaviors, providing targeted rewards, and conducting comprehensive assessments, the platform aims to guide community residents in adopting sustainable practices. This study offers a valuable reference for the digital transformation, intelligent system construction, and development of new urban functional units within communities.

Promoting State Training Strategies on Socio-Economic Wellbeing of Community Soapstone Carvers in Gucha South Sub-County, Kenya

Soapstone, a valuable mineral rock, has been utilized for centuries, contributing significantly to the livelihoods of community carvers and households near mines. Despite its economic potential, recent years have seen diminishing benefits for these local artisans. While the Kenyan government has implemented various training programs aimed at enhancing the skills of soapstone carvers, these initiatives have not fully addressed the needs of the community. This study investigates how state-sponsored training strategies can improve the socio-economic well-being of soapstone carvers in Gucha South Sub-County, Kenya. Utilizing empowerment and resource-based theories as a framework, the research employs a case study design, focusing on a sample of 244 respondents drawn from a population of 626, including carvers, mining site owners, and local administrators. The findings reveal that 52.8% of respondents prefer on-the-job training as a means to enhance their skills. This preference suggests that tailored training strategies can significantly improve the socio-economic conditions of soapstone carvers. The study concludes that effective state training programs can lead to notable improvements in carvers' socio-economic well-being and recommends the implementation of continuous on-the-job training conducted by experienced instructors to maximize skill development and economic outcomes

Tactics for Creating Tree Bank for Community Environment and Household Economy in Thailand

This article aimed to present strategies for creating a tree bank. Activities in tree bank plots for sustainable community environmental management and raising the household economy according to the new economic model were studied. The research area is a community that has successfully managed a tree bank and has been praised as a model in 3 regions, including 3 locations: Ban Tham Suea tree bank in Phetchaburi province, Khao Chakan agroforestry tree bank in Sa Kaeo province and Ban Khlong Ruea tree bank in Chumphon province. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. Group interviews were conducted and tree survey plots in the field were prepared. Committee members of the Tree Bank and representatives of the 3 Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), 11 people each, totaling 33 people were purposive sampling. Content analysis and the abundance of plant species were analyzed using the Menhinick (1964). The research results showed that the strategy for creating a tree bank involved group forming of household members with their own land by planting trees in agroforestry plots. The group acquire wood as an asset and use trees as collateral to guarantee loans from financial institutions that are guaranteed by the state. Environmental activities were organized by planting trees of at least 25 perennial trees per rai. 58 plant species as specified by the BAAC were chosen. Nourish the soil with compost made from scraps of leaves and branches. The richness index (R2) analysis showed that the abundance of tree species in all plots was at a high level (R2 =2.5-4.5). In terms of upgrading the household economy, knowledge of the production of firewood and burn charcoal, wood vinegar from trees, wood processing for house construction and furniture products was disseminated by the tree bank by organizing learning center and eco-tourism. Collaborative networks with organizations and educational institutions were built in order to use the tree bank for sustainable development.

Greed or Grievance? Linking Revenue Sharing Implementation to Unauthorised Resource Use and Conservation Support at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Revenue sharing is considered a major incentive to promote Community Based Approaches to conservation of protected areas. The sharing of revenue from Protected Area resources is supported by conservationists to promote strong partnerships between protected area management and local communities to address unauthorised resource use for better conservation outcomes. This is premised on the ability of the shared revenue to translate into people’s livelihood improvement and minimize their dependency on resources from protected areas. However, empirical realities indicate that the practice of the Revenue Sharing policy barely addresses the initial objectives of human livelihood improvement to gain support for conservation. This study examined the Revenue Sharing Implementation, Data was collected from 715 respondents who included Local community members (including the unauthorised resource users), staff from conservation organisations in Bwindi and local council leaders. Data was collected using household survey questionnaires, key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Results showed that most beneficiaries of the Revenue Sharing policy were random community households not the unauthorized resource users. The revenue sharing projects allocated to community members were majorly livelihood projects compared to common good projects. Projects included; livestock, passion fruit growing, poultry, provision of land and water projects. Unauthorised resource use was largely motivated by the need for bush meat, minor timber forest products especially firewood, collection of basketry materials and medicinal plants. Protected area managers ought to consider greater involvement of poachers in Revenue Sharing activities. Reducing unauthorized resource use requires systematic but also a combination of factors to mitigate the most driving forces that compel community members to engage in unauthorized forest resource use

Farmers Participation in Community-Based Extension Organizations

This study investigated the involvement of farmers in community-based extension organizations as a new approach to alleviating rural poverty in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The research included 437 respondents from 18 communities across 6 local government areas, randomly selected from two agricultural zones. Descriptive statistics were utilized to address the study's objectives, while inferential statistics, including multiple regression, t-tests, and binomial statistics, were employed for data analysis. Findings indicated that the respondents had an average residence duration of 14 years, an average age of 45 years, an average household size of 7 persons, average farm size of 3 hectares, and 11.7 average years of farming experience. A majority (81.5%) of the respondents exhibited a moderate level of participation in their community-based extension organizations, which led to a significant increase in farm income, averaging N92,907.18 after becoming members of CBEOs. Respondents showed a favourable attitude (82%) to participation in the groups they belong with particular interest in the areas of: participation in the group has enhanced my farm output and participation in the group has improved my income, amongst other issues of consideration. Socio-economic characteristics that significantly affect farmers income are; participation score (b = 0.029; t = 1.992), length of community residence (b = 0.078; t = 1.964), age (b = -0.029; t = -2.584), educational status (b = 0.125; t = 2.610), household size (b = 0.054; t = 1.979), farm size (b = 0.068; 3.184) and farming experience (b = 0.068; t = 1.999). It was recommended that respondents’ interest should be jacked up to reflect more interest in the groups they belong by improving on their level of participation.

Evaluating the Performance of Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation Technology: An On-farm Rice Case Study in An Giang Province, the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

Alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) is a promising technique that has been tried across Southeast Asia to reduce water consumption and methane emissions in irrigated rice cultivation. The study conducted in the upper Vietnamese Mekong Delta compared the effectiveness of plant growth, yield components, and yield under three different water application regimes: the treatments of community AWD (AWD_C), household individually (AWD_H), and continuous flooding (CF) with the expectation to explore the ability to use water effectively in rice cultivation. The results showed no significant difference in water use between the three treatments. However, there was a considerable difference in coefficient of variation value (CV); the CV value of the water column in the AWD_C (1.32%) was a significant difference from that of AWD_H (0.87%) and CF (0.89%). The mean chlorophyll content, the yield, and the weight of 1,000 grains of the AWD_H treatment were significantly higher than that of the other two treatments. In another aspect, the water productivity of the AWD_H treatment was the highest (0.66 kg/m3), a statistically significant difference compared to the AWD_C and CF (0.37; 0.33 kg/m3). In conclusion, the AWD_H shows efficiency in leaf chlorophyll content, 1,000-grain weight, yield, and water productivity. The AWD_C is inferior to the AWD_H due to the large variation of field elevation. It is noted that field elevation is critical to the technique’s success in being applied on a large scale.

ANALYSIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM IN PKH PROGRAM AT NTT PROVINCE USING RETROSPECTIVE APPROACH

The government in efforts to eradicate poverty, always seek concrete step’s to maximize welfare especially for poor household communities (RTM). One of the efforts being implemented is The Family Hope Program (PKH). However in implementation of this program, it often face substansial problem in implementing activities like in implementation of PKH program in Humusu Village, Insana District, North Central Timor regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This research trying to restructure the PKH work program by tracing the composition of the problem using problem tree analysis and then finding out the potential that can be use as a renewal step in implementation the PKH program with using a potential analysis with problem that have been previously justified using a retrospective approach and problem tree analysis. Total respondent in this research is 355 which consisted the RTM community including non-RTM community group who had information about implementation the PKH program in Humusu village. The result show that the concrete problem in implementating the PKH program in Humusu Village is lies in the less of distribution information via online media such a social media or similiar devices the PKH program. It’s have the implications for RTM community’s to ignorance the procedures to participate in this program and this is a concrete factor in the lack of interest to participating in this program. The result also show that there is an oportunity for the government to intensifying use the social media to massively distribute information about the realization of the PKH program in Humusu Village so that increase the significant level of effectiveness of work program and the effectiveness of objectives can be well realized in this village.

Household economic costs of norovirus gastroenteritis in two community cohorts in Peru, 2012-2019.

While costs of norovirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE) to healthcare systems have been estimated, out-of-pocket and indirect costs incurred by households are not well documented in community settings, particularly in developing countries. We conducted active surveillance for AGE in two communities in Peru: Puerto Maldonado (October 2012-August 2015) and San Jeronimo (April 2015-April 2019). Norovirus AGE events with PCR-positive stool specimens were included. Data collected in follow-up interviews included event-related medical resource utilization, associated out-of-pocket costs, and indirect costs. There were 330 norovirus-associated AGE events among 3,438 participants from 685 households. Approximately 49% of norovirus events occurred among children <5 years of age and total cost to the household per episode was highest in this age group. Norovirus events cost a median of US $2.95 (IQR $1.04-7.85) in out-of-pocket costs and $12.58 (IQR $6.39-25.16) in indirect costs. Medication expenses accounted for 53% of out-of-pocket costs, and productivity losses accounted for 59% of the total financial burden on households. The frequency and associated costs of norovirus events to households in Peruvian communities support the need for prevention strategies including vaccines. Norovirus interventions targeting children <5 years of age and their households may have the greatest economic benefit.

Effects of Refugee Settlements on the Host Community Around Dadaab Refugee Camps in Northern Kenya

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of refugee settlements on the host community around Dadaab refugee camps in northern Kenya. The study objectives included establishing the effect of camp social facilities and infrastructure projects on the host community. The study was anchored by two theories: refugee aid and development theory. The study used a descriptive research approach. The unit of observation was comprised of the host community within the Dadaab refugee camps of Dagahaley, Ifo, and Hagadera in northern Kenya. The unit of analysis was community leaders, public administrators, and household heads. The study used the census technique due to the small size of the population to sample all 177 participants to be included in the study. The collection of primary data involved direct engagement with both the host community and refugees to fill out the questionnaire. The data analysis techniques used on the collected data were descriptive and inferential statistics. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) tool aided in data analysis. The analyzed data were presented in the form of means and standard deviations for ease of interpretation. Results revealed that each predictor variable, which is camp social facilities and infrastructure projects, had a significant impact on the host community; for instance, holding other factors, the host community will improve by 1.108 units. Moreover, a unit increase in the camp social facility will improve the host community by 0.718, while a unit increment in the infrastructural project will improve the host community by 0.275 units. The results suggest that there is a need for a comprehensive and integrated approach, which can lead to an improvement in the host community and have a sustainable impact on the host communities. The recommendation of the study was to recognize the substantial impact of the inflow of camp social facilities and the development of infrastructural projects, which are key in the enhancement and expansion of community facilities, to contribute to the overall quality of life for residents.

Vacillant planning for creating green cities: The empirics of urban greenery in Kumasi, Ghana

Greeneries contribute enormously to the health and physical wellbeing of individuals and sustainability of cities. This notwithstanding, greeneries in African cities have significantly declined over time. There have thus been several calls, notably, to plan for and create green cities by incorporating greeneries in homes and urban neighbourhoods. Achieving this requires local understanding, acceptance and positive attitudes of residents toward planning for and integrating greeneries in homes and the environment. There is however dearth of research in Ghana on the knowledge and willingness of households and city officials to plan for the creation of green cities as well associated barriers. This paper responds to this gap by employing the multi-case approach, comprising of two suburbs (a high- [Nhyiaeso] and low-income [Aboabo] neighbourhoods) in Kumasi, Ghana. A total of 380 households and various relevant city planning agencies were engaged in semi-structured interviews. The findings show considerable but variegate understanding of green cities, which is influenced by several factors such as study community, residency status, housing typology and educational attainment. Most households in both communities indicated their willingness to incorporate greeneries in homes and neighbourhoods. However, resource constraints, nonchalant attitude of some residents and poor maintenance practices, were reported as major barriers that impede the efforts to incorporate greens in homes and communities. Several recommendations are proffered. The study concludes that promoting and achieving the benefits of green cities can be shaped by the knowledge of it; hence, the need to consciously and continually educate households on their importance.

Absenteeism and Health Behavior Trends Associated With Acute Respiratory Illness Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Community Household Cohort, King County, Washington

Longitudinal data on how acute respiratory illness (ARI) affects behavior, namely school or work participation, and nonpharmaceutical intervention (NPI) usage before and during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. The authors assessed how ARIs and specific symptoms affected school, work, and health-related behaviors over time. From November 2019 to June 2021, participating households with children in King County, Washington, were remotely monitored for ARI symptoms weekly. Following ARIs, participants reported illness-related effects on school, work, and NPI use. Using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations, the authors examined associations between symptoms and behaviors. Of 1,861 participants, 581 (31%) from 293 households reported 884 ARIs and completed one-week follow-up surveys. Compared with the prepandemic period, during the period of the pandemic pre-COVID-19 vaccine, ARI-related school (56% vs 10%, p<0.001) absenteeism decreased and masking increased (3% vs 28%, p<0.001). After vaccine authorization in December 2020, more ARIs resulted in masking (3% vs 48%, p<0.001), avoiding contact with non-household members (26% vs 58%, p<0.001), and staying home (37% vs 69%, p<0.001) compared with the prepandemic period. Constitutional symptoms such as fever were associated with work disruptions (OR=1.91; 95% CI=1.06, 3.43), staying home (OR=1.55; 95% CI=1.06, 2.27), and decreased contact with non-household members (OR=1.58; 95% CI=1.05, 2.36). This remote household study permitted uninterrupted tracking of behavioral changes in families with children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying increased use of some NPIs when ill but no additional illness-associated work or school disruptions.