Low-income Groups Research Articles

Policy-induced air pollution health disparities: Statistical and data science considerations.

Air pollution causes premature death and disease and disproportionately harms non-white and lower-income groups in the United States. Government policies are responsible for the racial disparity in air pollution exposure and related health outcomes. Investigating complex relationships between policies, air pollution, and health requires (i) harmonized data connecting policies, environmental exposures, socioeconomic characteristics, and health at the individual and area level; (ii) interpretable estimands accounting for the complex interplay between policies and disparities in exposures and health outcomes; and (iii) data science approaches that can elucidate direct and indirect policy effects on disparities to identify effective interventions. We review statistical considerations and new data science approaches needed to scrutinize the policy impacts on disparities in air pollution exposure and health outcomes.

Comparing life cycle environmental impacts of food access and consumption pre- and during COVID 19 in New York State's Capital Region

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced household food shopping, food consumption, and food waste generation. However, the dietary environmental impacts for different income groups during COVID-19 remain unknown. To analyze dietary environmental impacts for various income groups, a process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted based on two electronic food access surveys implemented in the New York State's Capital Region during the COVID-19 pandemic and public and proprietary databases. We found that life cycle global warming potential, cumulative energy demand, acidification potential, and water resource depletion of per capital food consumption in the studied area tended to be lower during COVID-19 than pre-COVID-19. In contrast, life cycle eutrophication during COVID-19 was slightly higher than pre-COVID-19. The environmental impacts occurring at the food production stage were higher than those at the local transportation and waste disposal stages. The lowest income group had the lowest dietary environmental impacts due to their lowest food consumption of all the food categories. The second-highest income group had the highest dietary environmental impacts, since they consumed the most red meat which has a high impact intensity. This is the first study to our knowledge to investigate the differences in dietary environmental impacts among income groups during COVID-19.

Income inequality and healthcare utilization of the older adults-based on a study in three provinces and six cities in China.

The objective of this study is to gain a more nuanced understanding of the specific impact of income inequality on the utilization of healthcare services for older adults. Additionally, the study aims to elucidate the moderating and mediating roles of public transfer income and psychological health in this context. A systematic examination of the impact of income inequality on healthcare utilization among older adults was conducted through field questionnaire surveys in six cities across three major geographical regions (West, Central, and East). The analysis employed baseline regression, as well as mediating and moderating effect tests. First, there is a negative relationship between income inequality and the use of therapeutic healthcare services (β1 = -0.484, P < 0.01) and preventive healthcare services (β2 = -0.576, P < 0.01) by older adults. This relationship is more pronounced in the low- and medium-income groups as well as in the western region. The mediating effect of psychological state is significant (β3 = -0.331, P < 0.05, β4 = -0.331, P < 0.05). Public transfer income plays a significant role in regulation. The moderating effect of public transfer income on therapeutic services was more significant in low-income groups (β5 = 0.821, P < 0.01). The moderating effect of public transfer income on preventive services was more significant in middle-income groups (β6 = 0.833, P < 0.01). The study clearly demonstrates a significant negative correlation between income inequality and the utilization of healthcare services by older adults. Furthermore, the study reveals that this relationship is particularly pronounced among older adults in low- and medium-income and Western regions. This detailed analysis of regional and income level heterogeneity is of particular value in this field of research. Secondly, this study attempts to integrate the two pivotal dimensions of public transfer income and psychological state for the first time, elucidating their moderating and mediating roles in this relationship. The findings indicate that public transfer income serves as a moderating factor, exerting a notable "reordering effect" on income inequality and resulting in a "deprivation effect." Such factors may impede the utilization of medical services, potentially influencing the psychological state of older adults.

Horizontal and Vertical Spatial Equity Analysis Based on Accessibility to Living Service Amenities: A Case Study of Xi’an, China

Accessibility is closely related to residents’ well-being and quality of life and is a potential indicator of social equity. This study aims to present a methodology for assessing the combined equity of living service amenities (LSAs) based on accessibility. This study focuses on fourteen types of LSAs in six dimensions and improves the three-step floating catchment area (3SFCA) model by considering the behavioral demand characteristics of different age groups. Taking the main built-up area of Xi’an as an example, the modified 3SFCA model is applied to assess the accessibility of LSAs, and the supply–demand index is used to measure the supply and demand level of the horizontal dimension. Furthermore, random forest regression was used to screen the key socioeconomic indicators affecting the accessibility of LSAs, and then the binary spatial correlation local index was used to reveal the spatial distribution characteristics between LSA accessibility and key socioeconomic indicators in the vertical dimension. Finally, the comprehensive equity of LSAs is evaluated by space superposition. The results showed that there was a serious imbalance between the supply and demand of LSAs in Xi’an’s main built-up area, with polarized oversupply and weak supply areas, especially for accessibility to low-grade LSAs. Accessibility is relatively low for children and young and middle-aged groups, and intergenerational inequalities were particularly pronounced among them. The lower-income group was generally at a disadvantage in accessing the high-demand amenities, and those who resided in affordable housing in the periphery of the city were more likely to face social exclusion. This study emphasizes the importance of distributing urban resources equitably among different social groups, which can help decision makers achieve a balance between horizontal equity and vertical equity in the allocation of urban LSAs and promote spatial equity and sustainable social development.

Mobile payment, digital inclusive finance, and residents' consumption behavior research.

Based on the data of multiple Chinese household finance surveys, the interactive relationship between mobile payment, inclusive digital finance, and household consumption is discussed. It is found that mobile payment can directly and effectively improve household consumption, and the impact on hedonistic and developmental consumption is greater than survival consumption, which is conducive to upgrading household consumption. At the same time, mobile payment can indirectly promote basic and developmental consumer spending through digital inclusive financial mechanisms and weaken hedonistic consumer spending. The heterogeneity analysis found that the impact of mobile payment on household consumption was affected by income level, dependency structure, and regional attributes, and the low-income and high-income groups benefited more significantly, and the consumption promotion effect in the eastern and central regions was greater than that in the western and northeastern regions. Further research finds that with the improvement of income status, the promotion effect of mobile payment on consumption shows a marginal decreasing trend. It is recommended to continue to promote the popularization and application of mobile payment, accelerate the matching of supply and demand in the consumer market, formulate financial inclusion policies according to local conditions, and form a good interaction mechanism between mobile payment, digital finance, and household consumption.

Residential energy demand, emissions, and expenditures at regional and income-decile level for alternative futures

Abstract Income and its distribution profile are important determinants of residential energy demand and carry direct implications for human well-being and climate. We explore the sensitivity of residential energy systems to income growth and distribution across SSP-RCP scenarios using a global, integrated, multisector dynamics model, GCAM, which tracks national/regional household energy services and fuel choice by income decile. Nation/region energy use patterns across deciles tend to converge over time with aggregate income growth, as higher-income consumers approach satiation levels in floorspace and energy services. However, in some regions, existing within-region inequalities in energy consumption persist over time due to slow income growth in lower income groups. Due to continued differences in fuel types, lower income groups will have higher exposure to household air pollution, despite lower contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. We also find that the share of income dedicated to energy is higher for lower deciles, with strong regional differences.

Factors that influence choice of residence by urban informal settlement dwellers in an intermediate city: A case study of Enugu, Nigeria

&lt;p&gt;The consequences of urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa are poverty, insecurity, and the growth of informal settlements. These settlements are characterized by overcrowding, tenure insecurity, a lack of basic services and amenities, and many other deprivations. The current study looks at the social and environmental problems faced by residents and the factors responsible for their choice to reside in an informal settlement in Enugu using the survey research method. Primary and secondary data were utilized in the study. Whereas the former source includes a structured questionnaire and observations, the latter source comprises relevant literature. A total of 111 questionnaires were distributed to household heads in five selected informal settlements in Enugu. The data set was collated and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Principal component analysis was used to classify and determine the factors influencing the choice to reside in an informal settlement. The study revealed that six factors influence the choice of residence in informal settlements: government/political influence, social integration/services, housing/employment, infrastructure accessibility, livelihood costs and security/economy. The factors accounted for 72.11 percent of the factors influencing the choice to reside in an informal settlement. The major social challenges faced by residents are gambling, drug abuse, and overcrowding. The study recommends that low-cost housing that is affordable should be provided for the low-income group that characterizes informal settlements in Enugu metropolis.&lt;/p&gt;

Equitable post-COVID-19 housing delivery: A practical framework to integrate sustainable development goals in Malaysia’s low-cost housing provision

Studies show that the COVID-19 crisis may threaten to attain sustainable development goals connected with shelter in developing countries, including Malaysia. Low-cost housing provision has been identified as one tool for achieving sustainability goals via synergistic operations. However, studies about post-COVID-19 housing and sustainable development goals integration are scarce in Malaysia. The study investigated the state of post-COVID-19 housing and developed a framework to integrate Goals in housing provision in Malaysia. The study covered four major cities in Malaysia via qualitative research to achieve the study’s objectives. The researchers engaged forty participants via semi-structured virtual interviews, and saturation was achieved. The study utilized a thematic analysis for the collated data and honed them with secondary sources. Findings show that COVID-19 reduced the possibility of low-income earners becoming homeowners. This is because the low-income groups were real losers of COVID-19 economic changes. Also, findings reveal that achieving four Goals from the 17 Goals will improve housing provision in Malaysia’s post-COVID-19 era. The study encourages key housing stakeholders to improve housing delivery, especially for the low-income earners across Malaysia in the post-COVID-19 era. This will imply contributing to achieving four Goals because of the correlation, as part of the study’s implications.

Association between glucose levels of children with type 1 diabetes and parental economic status in mobile health application.

The glycemic control of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) may be influenced by the economic status of their parents. To investigate the association between parental economic status and blood glucose levels of children with T1D using a mobile health application. Data from children with T1D in China's largest T1D online community, Tang-TangQuan®. Blood glucose levels were uploaded every three months and parental economic status was evaluated based on annual household income. Children were divided into three groups: Low-income (< 30000 Yuan), middle-income (30000-100000 Yuan), and high-income (> 100000 yuan) (1 Yuan = 0.145 United States Dollar approximately). Blood glucose levels were compared among the groups and associations were explored using Spearman's correlation analysis and multivariable logistic regression. From September 2015 to August 2022, 1406 eligible children with T1D were included (779 female, 55.4%). Median age was 8.1 years (Q1-Q3: 4.6-11.6) and duration of T1D was 0.06 years (0.02-0.44). Participants were divided into three groups: Low-income (n = 320), middle-income (n = 724), and high-income (n = 362). Baseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were comparable among the three groups (P = 0.072). However, at month 36, the low-income group had the highest HbA1c levels (P = 0.036). Within three years after registration, glucose levels increased significantly in the low-income group but not in the middle-income and high-income groups. Parental economic status was negatively correlated with pre-dinner glucose (r = -0.272, P = 0.012). After adjustment for confounders, parental economic status remained a significant factor related to pre-dinner glucose levels (odds ratio = 13.02, 95%CI: 1.99 to 126.05, P = 0.002). The blood glucose levels of children with T1D were negatively associated with parental economic status. It is suggested that parental economic status should be taken into consideration in the management of T1D for children.

Environmental justice teaching in an undergraduate context: examining the intersection of community-engaged, inclusive, and anti-racist pedagogy

Since the early 1980s, the environmental justice (EJ) movement was critical in drawing much needed attention on how Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and low-income groups have experienced a disproportionate burden of environmental harms. This movement eventually formed the field of environmental justice, a multidisciplinary area of study that attempts to identify environmental injustices and provide theory and practice for their resolution. Despite the expansion of the EJ field and recent public attention, research shows that both EJ content knowledge and BIPOC students are isolated and excluded from Interdisciplinary, Environmental, and Sustainability (IES) programs within higher education. In addition, these studies have shown a relationship between EJ content and community-engaged practices with the inclusion of BIPOC students. This study sought to examine how and why EJ teaching and community-engaged pedagogies may be associated with inclusive or anti-racist practices by examining four faculty members teaching undergraduate EJ courses at four institutions. Using a multi-case study design, primary findings showed that faculty members held activist course objectives, which led to distinct community-engaged practices, such as the invitation of diverse guest educators, inclusion of readings from diverse authors, field experiences with EJ communities, and the integration of alternative ways of knowing that resist Eurocentric biases. The discussion and implications explore how these practices intersect with inclusive and anti-racist pedagogies, and provide recommendations for their implementation within the context of Environmental Studies and Sciences (ESS) in higher education.

Can carbon tax revenue recycling coordinate climate mitigation and energy poverty alleviation?

Energy poverty is a key dimension of multidimensional poverty and a major challenge for climate action. This study examines how climate policies affect energy poverty, especially the role of carbon tax revenue recycling in coordinating climate mitigation and energy poverty alleviation. Using an integrated Climate-Economy-Energy Poverty (RICE-EP) model that incorporates inequality aspects of energy poverty, the study analyzes the effects of climate policies on household energy consumption. The study simulates various scenarios of climate actions and carbon tax revenue recycling and finds that: i) Carbon tax revenue recycling can simultaneously advance climate change mitigation and energy poverty reduction goals, it can promote climate mitigation and enhance equity by lowering the abatement costs borne by low-income populations; ii) However, the interactions between stringent climate targets and energy affordability are complex. Modeling suggests that even optimal revenue recycling fails to prevent exacerbated energy poverty among disadvantaged groups under ambitious 2 °C climate targets; iii) Analysis indicates that an emissions reduction rate approaching 43 %, enabled by a carbon tax calibrated to incentivize an equitable transition, could maximize alleviation of energy poverty by directing subsidy support to low-income groups. The study methodology and findings offer valuable, actionable insights into coordinating equitable climate and economic policies.

Environmental governance is critical for mitigating human displacement due to weather-related disasters

The impact of climate change is increasingly evident through intensified and more frequent weather-related events, resulting in a higher likelihood of disaster-induced displacement. In response, effective adaptation and resilience-building measures implemented through environmental governance are crucial. Here, we investigate the relationship between environmental governance (measured by the Notre Dame Country Index) and weather-related disaster displacements. Using a panel dataset of 92 countries from 2010 to 2020, Granger non-causality tests reveal a strong bidirectional relationship between environmental governance and disaster displacement. The relationship is primarily driven by governance readiness in the higher-income group, while both governance and economic readiness are crucial in the middle-income group. Notably, all three readiness components appear significant in the lower-income group, emphasizing the imperative for comprehensive disaster management strategies that address economic development, governmental effectiveness, and social conditions. These findings underscore the importance of effective environmental governance for climate change adaptation and sustainable development goals.

Factors of cancer diagnosed family and medical system for delay in diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer

Introduction. The esophagus cancer patients needs early diagnosis to achieve better prognosis. The delay barriers increase progression of diseases to higher stages. The aim of work was to identify and explore the barriers in diagnosis of esophagus cancer and chart the time duration in this process. Material and Methods. The study was conducted in Jinnah Hospital Lahore (JHL), a teaching care hospital of Allama Iqbal Medical College, during a period of one year from July 2019 to July 2020. There were 49.42 % female and 50.57 % male patients. Results. Mean age found to be 56 years. Mean Total delay (TD ) time was 206 days and median Total delay (TD ) time in days were 197 days with 25th and 75th (157, 246) percentiles respectively. Longest delays were found in 51–60 age group and age related (r=0.94) significantly to delays (p=0.0004). Initial symptom of weight loss shows maximum delay and symptoms are highly correlated (r=0.94) with delay (p=0.004). The low income group presents maximum delay. Mean patient delay (PD ) time in days were 142 days with 135 Median and (88, 195) 25th and 75th percentile respectively. Mean, Median, 25th and 75th percentiles for Physician delays (PhyD) times were (20, 18, 16, 23) respectively. Treatment delay (TD ) time (Mean, Median) in days were (18, 18.52) with 25th and 75th (14, 22) percentiles. The education significantly reduces the delays with correlation (r=0.91) and significance (p=0.02). Mean system delay (SD ) time were 25 days and median were 24 days with 25th and 75th (20, 31) percentiles. Conclusion. Illiteracy, financial problems, and unavailability of information related to the cancer and health care system, very limited number of health facilities remains the main causes of these delays.

O-158 Social disparities in achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment: a national register-based study among women in Denmark

Abstract Study question How are educational level, labor market attachment and income associated with achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment among women in Denmark? Summary answer Higher educational level, labor market attachment and higher income were strongly associated with achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment among women in Denmark. What is known already Infertility is increasing in populations worldwide with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 17.5%. Approaches to this issue differs between societies and healthcare systems. In the public Danish healthcare system, three fresh ART treatments are currently offered free of charge. Additional ART treatments are self-financed in the private healthcare sector. Socioeconomic disparities in health are widely recognized. Previous studies have indicated that higher socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with a greater probability of achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment. However, there is limited knowledge about SEP and its relation to outcomes of ART treatment. Study design, size, duration This is a national, register-based study based on the DANAC II Cohort. Women undergoing ART treatment during 1994–2017 registered in the Danish IVF register were individually linked with data from sociodemographic registries and the Medical Birth Registry using the Danish Personal Identification number. The study population consisted of 68,738 women treated with ART. The outcome was a live birth. The women were followed until outcome, death, migration, or end of study (31/12/2017). Participants/materials, setting, methods Women included in the analyses were aged 18–45 years. Overall associations between achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment and educational level, labor market attachment and income were examined and further stratified by nulliparity at baseline and age group. Hazard ratios (HRs) with confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression, and with adjustment for potential confounders age and ethnicity. Death was incorporated as a competing risk in all analyses. Main results and the role of chance Adjusted results showed that educational level, labour market attachment and income significantly determined the probability of achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment. HRs of achieving a first live birth after initiating ART treatment increased stepwise with higher education and income level, respectively. Compared with primary school education the highest HR was found among women with a research education (HR = 3.02 [95% CI 2.71; 3.35]). Unemployed women had the lowest HR of achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment (HR = 0.67 [95% CI 0.64; 0.69]) compared to employed women. Women in the highest income group had two times higher HR of achieving a live birth after initiating ART compared to women in the lowest income group. Analyses of different age groups showed that higher SEP was associated with a live birth after ART treatment in all ages. The same consistency was found for both childless women and women who had a child or children prior to ART treatment. Subanalyses showed that women with higher SEP were more likely to continue ART treatment after unsuccessful attempts, which could explain the observed social inequality in achieving a live birth after ART treatment. Limitations, reasons for caution The Danish IVF register did not register non-ART treatments (intrauterine inseminations) before 2007, thus these treatments are not included. Whether severity of infertility/prognosis differs among SEP groups is unclear. Also, geographical distance to fertility clinics could have provided additional perspectives. Wider implications of the findings Free access to fertility treatment in public healthcare should ideally provide equal access. Patients encounter barriers during treatment and, as shown, treatment success differs based on socio-economic background. Difficulties encountered during treatment that challenge certain patients more than others based on their socio-economic background needs to be addressed. Trial registration number Not applicable

Municipal capacity for water justice: a cross-case comparison of affordability and equity policies in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts

ABSTRACT Water unaffordability is a growing environmental justice crisis for vulnerable groups in the United States due to increasing water rates. These injustices disproportionately affect low-income and minority groups. We investigate how organizational capacity and learning processes influence the ways publicly managed water utilities develop and implement policies addressing water unaffordability. We also investigate the connections between financial, relational, and technical capabilities on offered customer assistance plans (CAPs). Combining these two areas of analysis, we examine how organizational capabilities and contextual factors (e.g. citywide poverty) influence the quality and efficacy of CAPs. This comparative case study of 11 cities and towns in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania draws on 33 semi-structured interviews with utility staff and other local officials, as well as a review of policy documents from utilities and online resources. Our findings demonstrate that organizational dynamics undermine the efficacy and adoption of CAPs. From interviews, the efficacy and adoption of CAPs depends on how utilities handle fixed costs and mediate knowledge gaps, and their ability to innovate around financial barriers to meet customer needs. Utilities in high-poverty cities were best situated to leverage organizational capacity in administering CAPs, regardless of utility size.

Haematological Profile in Patients With Acute Falciparum Malaria: A Hospital-Based Study.

Introduction Malaria is the most common parasitic disease affecting humans. Haematological alterations in malaria are expected, and these changes play a significant role in fatal complications. The present study aims to assess the clinical and haematological profile in patients with acute falciparum malaria and the significance of various haematological and coagulation alterations with the clinical severity of malaria. Methods The prospective cross-sectional study included 68 acute falciparum malaria cases. Thick and thin blood film microscopy and a rapid diagnostic kit were used to diagnose malaria. The cases were subjected to various haematological and biochemical investigations. Bone marrow aspiration samples were also collected. Using appropriate statistical methods, the findings were compared between severe and uncomplicated malaria cases. A p-value below 0.05 was considered significant. Results The participants' ages ranged from 14 to 78. Most participants (n = 51, 75%) were male and belonged to the lower income group (33, 48.5%). Significant variations in mean parasite count between severe and uncomplicated malaria cases (p-value < 0.01) were observed. The severe and uncomplicated groups showed significant differences in haemoglobin (gm/dL), haematocrit, red blood cell count, reticulocyte, serum iron, and ESR levels (p-value < 0.05). The severe malaria group had considerably reduced mean platelet counts (p-value < 0.01). Only five instances (7.3%) had an appropriate erythropoietic response after day 28. Erythroid hyperplasia with dyserythropoietic alterations was most common in patients with severe anaemia and low-grade parasitaemia. Conclusion Acute falciparum malaria is often associated with haematological alterations. Anaemia and thrombocytopenia were the most expected alterations associated with disease prognosis and mortality.

Comparative Evaluation of Dental Hygiene Awareness among Student Population Studying in Various Technical and Nontechnical Courses.

Achieving patient compliance is a key goal in oral health, necessitating early education on good dental hygiene practices. This study assesses dental hygiene awareness among college students in various disciplines. A questionnaire focusing on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dental hygiene was distributed to 400 students from medical, nursing, engineering, and other undergraduate programs, divided into groups of 100 each. The survey also considered economic backgrounds and oral hygiene behaviors. Responses were collected online, with data analyzed using the Chi-square test and Pearson's coefficient to determine statistical significance (P < 0.05). All collected responses were valid, revealing that most students, primarily from middle- or lower-income groups, have a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding oral hygiene. Over 90% recognize its importance for overall health. While practices were generally good, areas for improvement were identified, alongside an overall positive attitude. However, infrequent dental visits were noted as a concern. Focusing on improving oral hygiene attitudes and practices among the younger generation could have long-term benefits, especially in developing countries aiming for better oral health outcomes.

Out-of-pocket direct cost of ambulatory care of type 2 diabetes in Delhi: Estimates from the Delhi diabetes community-II (DEDICOM-II) survey

Background & aimMuch of the cost data from India is restricted to patients recruited purely from healthcare institutions and do not explore determinants. Therefore, the out of pocket expenditure for ambulatory diabetes care was evaluated in Delhi. MethodsThe DEDICOM-II survey used a two-stage probability-proportionate-to-size(systematic) cluster design. Thirty clusters were chosen to recruit 25 to 30 subjects per area. We used questionnaires to estimate the direct out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on drugs, investigations, consultation and travel, excluding hospitalization, and then analysed its determinants and impact on quality of care. ResultsWe enrolled 843 subjects with a mean age of 53.1 years. The annual direct OOPE on ambulatory care of diabetes was US$ 116.3 (95 % CI 93.8–138.9) or INR 8074.8 (95 % CI 6512.9–9636.7), corresponding to 3.6 %(95 % CI 2.9–4.3) of the yearly family income. The burden of expenses was disproportionately higher for those visiting private providers from lower-income groups(19.1 %). Duration of disease and treatment with insulin predicted higher annual OOPE while care at public facilities was less expensive. Cost was higher for those adhering to the recommended processes of care. Quality of care was better for institutional care and worse for alternative medicine or self-care. ConclusionsThe study provides representative estimates of the high cost of diabetes management in Delhi across the socio-economic and care provider spectra. Poorer patients suffer a high financial burden from diabetes, highlighting the need for enhancing equity in diabetes care.

You are what you wear: the effect of religiosity, self-esteem and materialism toward conspicuous consumption of luxury fashion products among Gen Z

PurposeThe market value of luxury goods at the global and national levels continues to increase from year to year. The sales growth of the Indonesian luxury goods market is currently at 6.6% per year. The largest sales sector in the market is the fashion sector, with more than US$700m per year. Several big cities in Asia, including Jakarta, experienced a shift in the age group of luxury goods buyers to a younger group with limited income resources. The behavior of purchasing luxury goods in the low-income group is contrary to Islamic values, which prioritize the fulfillment of needs rather than the fulfillment of desires. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the intention of Muslim Generation Z consumers to buy luxury fashion products.Design/methodology/approachThe purposive sampling method in this study involved 240 respondents who had bought luxury fashion products in the masstige category in the past two years. This study adopts the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model and a quantitative approach through the structural equation modeling method.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that attitude towards behavior, subjective norms, self-esteem and materialism have a significant positive effect on the intention to consume luxury fashion, while the influence of religiosity was found to be insignificant. At the same time, religiosity has a significant negative effect on attitude towards behavior and subjective norms.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings indicate that if consumers who have a positive attitude toward luxury fashion purchases, can be influenced by their significant others, self-esteem and materialistic nature, then they tend to buy luxury fashion items.Originality/valueThis study extends the theory of TRA by adding religiosity, self-esteem and materialism and it uses Muslim Generation Z as the respondent. Masstige category of luxury brands is also used to take into account the affordability of its generation toward luxury fashion products.

The Influence of Financial Inclusion and Internet Access on the Income of Poor Households

West Java is the most populous province and has high levels of unemployment and poverty in Indonesia. This research analyzes the impact of financial inclusion and internet access on poor households' income in West Java. The study uses data from the March 2022 Social and Economic Survey by the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics and applies an econometric model. The analysis introduces a novel approach by categorizing poverty based on the poverty line, specifically targeting the lowest 20% and 40% of income-earning households. This method allows for a deeper understanding of financial inclusion and internet access's impact on these segments. The findings highlight that financial inclusion and internet access positively influence the income of poor households. Specifically, savings ownership increases the income of poor households. Access to credit positively affects income for the lowest 40% income bracket. However, internet access mainly influences sales and purchases within the 40% lowest income group, with limited use in purchasing activities.