Reduction In Household Income Research Articles

Minimum wages and household income distribution: Evidence from China

AbstractBased on the 2004–2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data, this article examines the effect of minimum wages on household income distribution. The results show that minimum wage increases significantly reduce the probability of per capita household net income falling below the poverty threshold, indicating that minimum wage can play a role in poverty reduction. Furthermore, we find that minimum wages significantly reduce the probability of per capita household income being 0–3 times lower than the poverty threshold, but have little effect on households with per capita net income more than 3 times the poverty threshold, which means that minimum wage increases can reduce household income inequality. We also find heterogeneous effects of minimum wage increases on household income distribution across gender, education, hukou, and age of household heads. Finally, we show that minimum wage increases play a role in regulating household income distribution by increasing the wages of employed individuals in households.

Integrated modelling of the determinants of household food insecurity during the 2020–2021 COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda

BackgroundThe determinants of household food insecurity (HFI) do not act in isolation, and are known to be complex, stochastic, nonlinear, and multidimensional. Despite this being especially true in periods of shocks, studies that focus on integrated modelling of the HFI determinants during the COVID-19 lockdown are scarce, with no available evidence on Uganda. The main objective of this study was to develop Bayesian belief network (BBN) models to analyse, rank, and illustrate the conceptual reasoning, and complex causal relationships among the determinants of HFI during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study was based on seven rounds of Uganda’s High-Frequency Phone Surveys data sets collected during the lockdown. A total of 15,032 households, 17 independent determinants of HFI, and 8 food security indicators were used in this study. Metrics of sensitivity, and prediction performance were used to evaluate models’ accuracy.ResultsEight BBN models were developed for each food insecurity indicator. The accuracy rates of the models ranged between 70.5% and 93.5%, with an average accuracy rate of 78.5%, indicating excellent predictive performance in identifying the determinants of HFI correctly. Our results revealed that approximately 42.2% of the sampled households (n = 15,032) in Uganda were worried about not having enough food. An estimated 25.2% of the respondents reported skipping a meal, while 32.1% reported consuming less food. Less than 20% of the households experienced food shortage, hunger, or having nothing to eat. Overall, 30.6% of the households were food insecure during the lockdown. The top five ranked determinants of HFI were identified as follows: (1) households’ inability to produce enough food; (2) households’ inability to buy food; (3) reduced household income; (4) limited cash assistance, and (5) households’ inability to stock adequate food supplies.ConclusionsRanking, rather than the statistical significance of the determinants of HFI, is crucial as an approach to applied research, as it helps stakeholders determine how to allocate resources for targeted interventions within the constraints of limited funding. These findings emphasize the importance of intervening on the most highly ranked determinants of HFI to enhance the resilience of local food systems, and households’ capacity to cope with recurring and unforeseen shocks.

Dental service utilization and the COVID-19 pandemic, a micro-data analysis

BackgroundGlobal crises and disease pandemics, such as COVID-19, negatively affect dental care utilization by several factors, such as infection anxiety, disrupted supply chains, economic contraction, and household income reduction. Exploring the pattern of this effect can help policy makers to be prepared for future crises. The present study aimed to investigate the financial impact of COVID‐19 disruptions on dental service utilization.MethodsData on the number of dental services offered in Dental School Clinics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences was collected over a period of two years, before and after the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. School of Dentistry operates two clinics; one with competitive service fees and one with subsidies. Regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of the pandemic on the number of dental services divided by dental treatment groups and these clinics. The analyses were adjusted for seasonal patterns and the capacity of the clinics.ResultsThere was a significant drop in dental services offered in both clinics across all dental groups in the post-COVID period (on average, 77 (39.44%) fewer services per day). The majority of the procedure loss happened in the Private clinic. Adjusting for seasonal patterns and the service capacity, regression results documented 54% and 12% service loss in Private and Subsidized clinics following the pandemic, respectively. Difference-in-difference analysis documented that the Subsidized clinic performed 40% more treatments than the Private clinic in the post-COVID period.ConclusionsPandemic –reduction in dental care utilization could have long-term ramifications for the oral health of the population, and policymakers need to provide supportive packages to the affected segments of the economy to reverse this trend.

Is Female Genital Circumcision a Driver of Income Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Nigeria

This study considers the effects of female genital circumcision (FGC) on household income inequality in Nigeria. To the extent that FGC has adverse health consequences, it can lower female labour productivity and earnings relative to males. Theoretically, we motivate our inquiry within a simple game-theoretic household norm bargaining framework in which there are several possible equilibria based on the decisions of representative males to require FGC, and representative females accepting, or not. We link regional data on Nigeria from the Afrobarometer survey to existing regional FGC surveillance data in Nigeria to estimate with Ordinal Logit specifications, the effect of regional FGC rates on a household’s position in the income distribution. Our parameter estimates reveal that as the ratio of daughter to mother genital circumcision increases in a region, the odds of a household being in the lower income decile increases. The FGC effects are consistent with a political economy of gender bargaining about FGC choices in which males have more bargaining power in governing/managing the household relative to females. Our results suggest that any policy intervention that eradicates FGC, including interventions that affect a political economy of bargaining that at least equalises bargaining power between males and females, could reduce household income inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa. JEL: I14, I18, J16, O5, Z13

Catastrophic health care spending in managing type 2 diabetes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania.

COVID-19 disrupted health care provision and access and reduced household income. Households with chronically ill patients are more vulnerable to these effects as they access routine health care. Yet, a few studies have analysed the effect of COVID-19 on household income, health care access costs, and financial catastrophe due to health care among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially in developing countries. This study fills that knowledge gap. We used data from a cross-sectional survey of 500 people with T2D, who were adults diagnosed with T2D before COVID-19 in Tanzania (March 2020). Data were collected in February 2022, reflecting the experience before and during COVID-19. During COVID-19, household income decreased on average by 16.6%, while health care costs decreased by 0.8% and transport costs increased by 10.6%. The overall financing burden for health care and transport relative to household income increased by 32.1% and 45%, respectively. The incidences of catastrophic spending above 10% of household income increased by 10% (due to health care costs) and by 55% (due to transport costs). The incidences of catastrophic spending due to health care costs were higher than transport costs, but the relative increase was higher for transport than health care costs (10% vs. 55% change from pre-COVID-19). The likelihood of incurring catastrophic health spending was lower among better educated patients, with health insurance, and from better-off households. COVID-19 was associated with reduced household income, increased transport costs, increased financing burden and financial catastrophe among patients with T2D in Tanzania. Policymakers need to ensure financial risk protection by expanding health insurance coverage and removing user fees, particularly for people with chronic illnesses. Efforts are also needed to reduce transport costs by investing more in primary health facilities to offer quality services closer to the population and engaging multiple sectors, including infrastructure and transportation.

Food Insecurity, Challenges, and Strategies among New Mexicans Experiencing Job Disruptions during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected health, the economy, and the food system across the United States (U.S.). This cross-sectional study examined the impacts of household income and job loss on food insecurity and food-related challenges among a sample of New Mexico residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was conducted by fielding an online survey from May through June 2020. Study participants were recruited via convenience sampling to complete a survey that included questions assessing job and/or household income loss, food insecurity, food-related challenges and worries, and strategies for acquiring food during COVID-19. The analysis included a series of multivariable logistic regressions that estimated the impact of household income and job loss on food insecurity, food-related worry and challenges, and strategies used to acquire enough food and food sources. Nine hundred and fifty-four respondents were included in the analysis. Results: Compared to no job disruption, job loss increased the odds of experiencing food insecurity, two out of three food-related challenges, food-related worry, participation in SNAP, and use of most (six out of eight) strategies to obtain enough food. Compared to no job disruption, a reduction in household income significantly increased the odds of experiencing food insecurity, all three food-related challenges, food-related worry, utilization of group meal services, growing their own food, and use of most (six out of eight) strategies to obtain enough food. Conclusion: Future research should continue to examine the economic impacts of COVID-19 on food access. Lessons learned during the pandemic can inform policy responses to future public health emergencies.

Digital finance, entrepreneurship and the household income gap: Evidence from China

Using three waves of data from the China Family Panel Studies and the Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China, we analyze the relationship between digital finance, entrepreneurship and household income disparity. Following a theoretical analysis, we demonstrate the inverted U–shaped relationship between digital finance and household income gap. The empirical analysis finds that digital finance has a Kuznets curve effect for the Theil index and the Gini coefficient. Our findings remain robust to testing for the endogeneity problem. We also discuss three mechanisms of household entrepreneurship, liquidity constraints, and investment efficiency. For heterogeneity discussion, comparisons include urban and rural areas, different regions, and various income sources, and existing differences are demonstrated accordingly. For example, inflection points vary, which may be attributed to inherent unbalanced development in China and the Chinese–style income segmentation of “within the system” or “outside the system”. Our findings further provide empirical evidence that digital finance helps reduce household income equality in the long run, and enriches related research.

Impact of the government's restrictions and guidance in relation to “social distancing” on the lives of ethnic minority populations: A mixed methods study

AbstractBackground and AimsThe impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic have not been equal, with a disproportionate impact among ethnic minority communities. Structural inequalities in social determinants of health such as housing and employment have contributed to COVID‐19's impact on deprived communities, including many ethnic minority communities. To compare (1) how the UK government's “social distancing” restrictions and guidance were perceived and implemented by ethnic minority populations compared to white populations, (2) the impact of restrictions and guidance upon these groups.MethodsAn explanatory sequential mixed methods study incorporated a quantitative survey and qualitative semi‐structured interviews to explore individual perceptions and experiences of COVID‐19 and the national restrictions. Survey participants (n = 1587) were recruited from North West England; 60 (4%) participants were from ethnic minority communities. Forty‐nine interviews were conducted; 19 (39%) participants were from ethnic minority communities. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach. Data collection was between April and August 2020.ResultsSignificant differences in demographics and household overcrowding were observed between white vs ethnic minority survey respondents, who were also significantly less confident in their knowledge of COVID‐19, less likely to be high‐risk drinkers, and marginally more likely to have experienced job loss and/or reduced household income. There were no group differences in wellbeing, perceptions, or nonfinancial impacts. Two inter‐related themes included: (1) government guidance, incorporating people's knowledge and understanding of the guidance and their confusion/frustration over messaging; (2) the impacts of restrictions on keyworkers, home‐schooling, working from home and changes in lifestyle/wellbeing.ConclusionsFurther research is needed on the long‐term impacts of COVID‐19 on ethnic minority communities. If policy responses to COVID‐19 are to benefit ethnic minority communities, there is a need for future studies to consider fundamental societal issues, such as the role of housing and economic disadvantage.

Environmental Regulation and Public Environmental Concerns in China: A New Insight from the Difference in Difference Approach

Facing severe air pollution, the Chinese government has introduced bottom-up public participation in environmental policy. The increase in public environmental attention can promote the participation of all people in environmental governance, which is a major guarantee for achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. In this paper, we use city-year panel data and the strategy of difference in difference (DID) to estimate the impact of environmental regulation of "The Blue Sky Defense War" on public environmental concerns (PEC). This environmental regulation reduces PEC for two reasons. First, the policy has greatly improved air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas. When air quality improves, people pay less attention to environmental issues. Second, environmental regulations reduce household income. As incomes fall, people will focus more on economic development than on environmental issues.

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in pregnant women in a Northeastern U.S. city: socioeconomic disparity and contributions from air pollution sources.

Maternal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ubiquitous constituents of air pollution, has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. Yet it remains unclear whether and how socioeconomic status (SES) affects gestational PAH exposure. To examine whether there are socioeconomic disparities in PAHs exposure among pregnant women from Rochester, NY, and if so, to what extent disproportionate proximity to air pollution sources, measured by residential distance to transportation-related sources, contributed to the exposure disparity. We measured 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in 726 urine samples collected from 305 pregnant women up to three samples throughout pregnancy. Residential distances to transportation-related sources were calculated based on participants' home addresses. We used linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts of participants to examine associations between 1-hydroxypyrene, SES indicators, and distance to transportation-related sources. We used structural equation modelling to assess to what extent distance to transportation-related sources contributes to the socioeconomic disparity in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations. Reduced household income and maternal education level were both significant SES predictors of 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations, after the adjustment for other maternal demographic characteristics. Eachinterquartile range (IQR) increases in residential proximity to the airport (from 14.3 to 6.0 km), the railroad yard (from 22.3 to 6.0 km), and annual average daily traffic within 300 m (from 3796 to 99,933 vehicles/year) were associated with 15.0% (95%CI: 7.0-22.2%), 15.4% (95%CI: 6.5-23.5%), and 13.6% (95%CI: 4.7-23.3%) increases in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations, respectively. Proximity to these sources jointly explained 10% (95%CI: 1.6-18.4%) of the 1-hydroxypyrene concentration change associated with decreases in SES as a latent variable defined by both household income and education level. Our findings suggest that efforts to address disproportionate residential proximity to transportation-related sources may reduce the socioeconomic disparity in PAH exposure.

FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND DIETARY ADHERENCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC


 
 
 The COVID-19 pandemic affected the global economy resulting in financial hardship due to declining wages or job losses. A decreased income influences food expenditure and accessibility affecting dietary adherence to healthy recommendations. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between financial hardship and dietary adherence among Malaysian working adults during the pandemic. Individuals aged 18 to 59 years (N=163) who experienced financial hardship during the pandemic participated in this cross-sectional study. The data were collected through an online survey. The reported number of servings consumed by the respondents for nine food groups was compared with the recommendations by the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2020 and Malaysian Food Pyramid 2020 using one-sample t-test to measure dietary adherence. The association between the financial hardship categories (≤25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, and 76-100% of monthly household income reduction rate during the pandemic) and dietary adherence status was assessed using the chi-squared test. The respondents consumed significantly lower number of servings of vegetables, fruits, cereals, fish, legumes, milk and milk products, and fat/oils, compared to recommendations (all p<0.001) whereas their sugar intake was significantly higher than recommended (p=0.041). These indicate dietary non-adherence. However, no association between financial hardship and dietary adherence was detected among adults who were financially affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in this study. In conclusion, most Malaysian adults who reportedly experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated non-adherence to healthy dietary recommendations. However, whether this was influenced by financial difficulties faced during the pandemic is inconclusive and warrants further investigation.
 
 

Resilient clean cooking: Maintaining household clean cooking in Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic

Decades of government subsidies for LPG and electricity have facilitated near-universal clean cooking access and use in Ecuador, placing the nation ahead of most other peer low- and middle-income countries. The widespread socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the resilience of clean cooking systems globally, including by altering households' ability to purchase clean fuels and policymakers' considerations about continuing subsidy programs. As such, assessing the resilience of clean cooking in Ecuador during the pandemic can offer important lessons for the international community, especially other countries looking to ensure resilient transitions to clean cooking. We study household energy use patterns using interviews, newspaper reports, government data on household electricity and LPG consumption, and household surveys [N = 200 across two rounds]. The LPG and electricity distribution systems experienced occasional disruptions to cylinder refill delivery and meter reading processes, respectively, which were associated with pandemic-related mobility restrictions. However, for the most part, supply and distribution activities by private and public companies continued without fundamental change. Survey participants reported increases in unemployment and reductions in household income as well as increased use of polluting biomass as a secondary fuel. Ecuador's LPG and electricity distribution systems were resilient throughout the pandemic, with only minimal interruption of the widespread provision of low-cost clean cooking fuels. Our findings inform the global audience concerned about the resilience of clean household energy use on the potential for clean fuel subsidies to facilitate continued clean cooking even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The long-term impact of multi-season droughts on livestock holdings and Pastoralist decision-making in Marsabit, Kenya

Despite the importance of pastoralism in many East African communities, there is a dearth of research in the region on how multi-season droughts affect pastoralists. Using a panel dataset of 1064 pastoralists surveyed over 6 years in Kenya, we compare how two successive drought events in 2009 and 2011 affected households’ animal holdings, decision-making, livelihoods, and long-term recovery. Both droughts were associated with reduced household income from livestock and increased expenditure on water, and households took an average of 3–4 years to replenish their herd to its pre-drought size. But, we find that the 2011 drought was significantly worse for households in terms of livestock losses, despite the two events appearing comparable on standard biophysical drought indices over Marsabit County. Importantly, we show that the two successive droughts had compounding effects - greater proportional losses in 2009 led to longer herd recovery times after 2011. We also find that restocking offsets this effect, suggesting that the households most vulnerable to successive droughts are those which lack the financial or social means to replenish their herd. Our findings have implications for how shocks relate to welfare among pastoralists, highlighting the importance for humanitarian organizations to consider compounding risks over a multiyear timescale.

A Review Article on Impact of Coronavirus Disease on Patients in the Health Care Setting: A Tale or Reality

Background: Coronavirus disease had a devastating effect on the World, with significant disruption in healthcare, the burgeoning impact is still unfolding. The inequities and fragilities amongst nations particularly low and medium economic countries whose patients are dependent on out of pocket expenditure to access healthcare, has occasioned varied consequence of the pandemic on patients in the health care setting and it has reshaped how health care is practiced. Aims: The aim of this review article was to assess the impact of Coronavirus disease on health care utilization by non -COVID patient during the pandemic. Methods: The review article was carried out with a search engine focused on articles related to impact of Coronavirus disease published between December 2019 till date, which were identified and reviewed. Conclusion: The review article gave an insight to the significant disruptions in health care services amongst patients witnessed across countries of the world, the disparities in the disruptions were due to heterogeneity amongst nations, national policies and health policies during the pandemic and the socioeconomic realities that ensued. Outpatient services witnessed varying reduction across the globe ranging between 30-50%. Sub-Saharan Africa witnessed disruption as much as 50% depending on load of COVID-19 infection amongst populace. The reason for the interruptions across the world was the fear of contracting the disease, access to health care setting due to lock down and shortage of health care personnel, in addition in sub-Saharan Africa, the economic down turn occasioned by the pandemic reduced household income which in turn reduced expenditure on health since most countries were dependent on out of pocket expenditure to fund health care services. In-patient care was also not spared of the disruptions witnessed even though emergency care was prioritized. Overall, there was a reported reduction in admissions for respiratory diseases due to non- pharmacological measures aimed at stemming COVID-19 infection which was equally effective for other respiratory diseases. In some countries like United States the reduction in hospital admissions was paralleled by increasing mortality particularly amongst Hispanic blacks as more acute and severe cases were deemed to have presented for admissions. Surgical priority was maintaining emergency services and prioritization of cancer care, there was a measurable reduction in surgical procedures as elective surgeries were postponed or cancelled. Most laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures were cancelled because of the perceived notion that they are aerosol generating and could increase transmission of COVID-19 infection from asymptomatic carriers, however US jettisoned cancellation of its surgical procedures after 35 days considering that it could not cope. The psychosocial impact of the pandemic and health care access spiraled into increasing anxiety and depression for both health care workers and patients, while the fear of stigmatization was rife from contracting the disease. The consensus therefore was to strengthen adaptive measures and reconfigure health care to mitigate this impact in future pandemic, while allowing telehealth to take center stage.

Short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment and income of the Russian population: which groups were affected the most?

The paper analyzes short-term factors of job loss, wage reduction and factors of household income reduction in Russia in the context of the coronavirus crisis. Panel data of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey - Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE) served as empirical basis of the study. According to the study results, the highest risks of job loss are registered among females, young employees, unskilled workers, workers without professional education, and workers with low wages. However, almost the only factor of wage reduction (in case of retained employment) is employment in the most affected industries. Household income prior to the pandemic is the key determinant of household income reduction – the higher the level of material wellbeing, the higher the risk of income reduction. Increased probability of income reduction is also reported for families with children. The study has confirmed the hypothesis about negative impact of vulnerable employment on employment and wages of individuals, as well as household income.

Changes in dietary practices of mother and child during the COVID-19 lockdown: Results from a household survey in Bihar, India

The outbreak of COVID-19, and the national-level lockdown to contain it, were expected to disrupt supply chains, lead to livelihood loss, and reduce household income. Studies anticipated a decline in food security in India, leading to a near famine-like situation. In this study, we examine the change in Dietary Score (number of food groups consumed out of a possible eight) and proportion of respondents complying with Minimum Dietary Diversity norms (consuming at least four food groups) among women aged 15–49 years and their youngest child (aged between 7 and 36 months) during the lockdown. The present study also analyses whether ownership of ration cards and contacts with the party in power locally helped the household to tide over the crisis. The data was collected through a two-phase primary survey undertaken in January-March 2020 (pre-lockdown period) and October-November 2020 (post-lockdown period). It was undertaken in six districts of Bihar, a state with a history of poor maternal and child health outcomes and dysfunctional delivery of health services. We find that dietary practices of women deteriorated, while that of children remained the same. The deterioration is less among households owning ration cards or having political contacts. The analysis suggests that, during pandemics or similar crisis periods, the need to supplement the supply of staple items through the Public Distribution System with a direct transfer of cash will allow households to maintain diversity in the consumption basket.

COVID-19 lockdowns: Employment and business disruptions, water access and hygiene practices in Nairobi's informal settlements

Host to one billion people around the world, informal settlements are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 lockdown measures as they already lack basic services such as water, toilets, and secure housing. Additionally, many residents work in informal labor markets that have been affected by the lockdowns, resulting in further reductions in access to resources, including clean water. This study uses a cross-sectional design (n = 532) to examine the vulnerabilities of households to employment and business disruptions, water access and hygiene practices during the COVID-19 lockdowns between April and June 2020 in three informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. We used survey questions from the Household Water Insecurity Experience Scale (HWISE) to investigate the relationship between employment and business disruptions, water access, and hygiene practices (i.e., hand washing, body washing, clothes washing, and being able to use or drink clean water). Of the sampled households, 96% were forced to reduce work hours during the lockdowns, and these households had 92% lower odds of being able to afford water than households who did not experience a work hour reduction (OR = 0.08, p < .001). Household challenges in affording water were likely due to a combination of reduced household income, increased water prices, and pre-existing poverty, and were ultimately associated with lower hygiene scores (Beta = 1.9, p < .001). Our results highlight a compounding tragedy of reduced water access in informal settlements that were already facing water insecurities at a time when water is a fundamental requirement for following hygiene guidelines to reduce disease burden during an ongoing pandemic. These outcomes emphasize the need for targeted investments in permanent water supply infrastructures and improved hygiene behaviors as a public health priority among households in informal settlements.

English

Maize (Zea mays) is the staple food for the majority of people in Tanzania which plays a key role in subsistence and a cash crop among actors of the maize value chain. Environmental factors such as soil contamination by fungi, water stress, warm and humid conditions are among several factors contributing to fungal growth and aflatoxins contamination in maize, leading to significant economic loss, reduced household income, health problems to humans and animals and interferes with food security to communities. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information on awareness associated with aflatoxin contamination in maize from 160 smallholder farmers, 160 consumers and 60 traders in Kondoa and Chemba districts in Dodoma Region. A total of 90 maize samples (40 from smallholder farmers, 30 from consumers and 20 from traders) were analyzed for AFB1 using immuno-affinity high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) type Agilent Technologies 1200 serial. Data were statistically analyzed to assess awareness levels among maize main stakeholder and to check the current levels of aflatoxins B1 contamination in the study community. AFB1 was detected in five samples. About 3.3% of the contaminated maize had AFB1 levels above TBS acceptable levels (5 &micro;g/kg). The highest mean concentration of AFB1 was in maize samples taken from traders with a mean of 9.88&plusmn;5.904 &micro;g/kg. The majority 56% of smallholder farmers and 52% of traders were aware of aflatoxins contamination and associated health effects on animals and humans. However, 74% of consumers were unaware of aflatoxins contamination in maize. The levels of contamination are low in the sample taken along maize value chain. An effective and broad awareness programme for community especially consumers on good management for prevention of aflatoxins contamination is necessary, as maize is the most consumed grain in the study area.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key words: Aflatoxins contamination, smallholder farmers, consumers.

COVID-19 income and price shocks effect on household food access in Malawi

Abstract The paper contributes to the scarce literature on the negative effect of coronavirus 2019-induced income and food price shocks on household economic access to food, focusing on Malawi during the first two pandemic waves and using a country representative sample. We find that household income reduction, as explained by income source shocks and health mitigation measures, has a wave-specific and persistent effect on ordinal categories of food security perception. Our evidence supports the implementation and monthly scaling-up of nutrition-sensitive social protection programmes and health measures at the household level to address these adverse effects.

Patient knowledge, personal experience, and impact of the first wave of the COVD-19 pandemic in an Irish oncology cohort.

BackgroundOncology patients have had to make many changes to minimise their exposure to COVID-19, causing stress. Despite education, some patients still do not recognise potential COVID symptoms.AimsWe assessed patient knowledge of COVID, and its impact on their behaviours, concerns, and healthcare experience.MethodsA 16-page questionnaire was distributed to 120 oncology patients attending the day unit of a tertiary Irish cancer centre for systemic anti-cancer therapy (May/June 2020). The Irish 7-day COVID incidence during this period ranged from 2 to 11 cases/100,000 people.ResultsOne hundred and one responses were received, 1% had tested positive for COVID, and 31% had undergone testing. Participant insight into their knowledge about COVID and their own behaviour was limited in some cases. Seventy-five percent reported total compliance with restrictions, but many were not fully compliant. Self-reported confidence in knowledge was high, but did not predict demonstrated knowledge. Sixty percent did not recognise two or more symptoms; 40% did not self-identify as high-risk. Patients reported more health-related worry (72%), loneliness (51%), and lower mood (42%) since the pandemic began. Financial toxicity worsened, with increased financial worry (78%), reductions in household income (40%), and increased costs due to lockdown (62%). Use of facemasks introduced new communications barriers for 67% of those with hearing loss.ConclusionsDespite self-reported confidence in knowledge, some patient’s recognition of COVID symptoms and the preventative strategies they should use are not optimal, highlighting the need for further education in this regard. COVID has been a significant stressor for patients and more practical, financial, and psychological supports are needed. Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11845-022-02999-8.