Slum Residents Research Articles

SLUM SETTLEMENT PHENOMENON IN MEDAN CITY (CASE STUDY: KAMPUNG AUR, MEDAN MAIMUN DISTRICT)

Kampung Aur settlement is one of the slums of 18 villages determined based on Medan Mayor Decree No. 640/039.K / I/2015, with a very poor slum level, 3.49 Ha slum area and 307 households. Location Slums are scattered in various areas in Medan City, including along the river banks, along railroads, port areas, industrial areas, trade areas, and border areas of Medan City. The focus of the study was the slums of Kampung Aur, Medan Maimun District and the reluctance of residents to be relocated. The research objectives are; to find out the factors that cause the reluctance of relocation of residents of slums in Kampung Aur, Medan Maimun District, Medan City. The research method used a qualitative descriptive. The results of research on the reluctance of residents due to relocation of several factors, among others; 1) Settlement that has been passed down from parents has finally become the basis for residents to claim their legal presence in agararia, 2) the location of Kampung Aur which is near and downtown such as offices, restaurants and others that are very supportive for the economic activities of citizens, 3) the high family ties between residents supported by the same ethnic / ethnic origin, and a sense of shared destiny, 4) basic housing services that are deemed sufficiently adequate such as access to and out of villages, roads that connect between RTs, available clean water facilities, and electricity servis, 5) there are facilities and infrastructure that can meet the needs of citizens to socialize with each other and strengthen family relationships.Keywords: Slums; Settlement; Phenomenon.

Perceived Quality of Life of Adolescents living in Slums of Uttar Pradesh, India

Adolescence is a transitional phase from childhood to independent adulthood, and it is often observed as a phase with heightened risk for future positive development. The current study assess the quality of life (QoL) among adolescent residing in slums. Primary data from 590 adolescents were collected from Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh using multistage random sampling. For assessing the quality of life WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire has been utilised. The mean score of QoL was higher for social relation domains (68.1 ± 14.2) and least for the environmental domain of QoL (45.0 ± 12.0). The multivariate result shows that sex of the adolescent, marital status, education status, household economic status and type of house are the major determinant of quality of life (QoL) among adolescents living slums. A high level of poor QoL among adolescent calls for urgent community-based intervention for focused should be given to adolescents and household having more risk for the poor quality of life.

Psychological distress among a population-representative sample of residents of four slum neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

BackgroundAlmost one billion people live in slum environments across low- and middle-income countries. Little is known about the mental health status of slum residents or its associations with living conditions. MethodsA cross-sectional, population-representative survey was conducted among 892 adults in four slum communities in Port-au-Prince. Psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-6). Log-binomial regression modeled the association of sociodemographic variables, living conditions, and material hardship and severe psychological distress [SPD]. ResultsEighty-six percent of adults reported psychological distress (24% severe and 62% moderate). Reliance on an outdoor drinking water source (versus bottled water) and a pit toilet (versus a flush toilet) were marginally positively associated with SPD (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–2.02 and aPR=1.74, 95% CI: 0.96–3.15, respectively). The prevalence of SPD was higher among women (versus men, aPR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.26–2.19), residents who had foregone healthcare to afford food (versus those who had never done so, aPR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.16–2.45), and persons who drank alcohol at least twice a week (versus monthly or less, aPR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.22–2.45). LimitationsData were cross-sectional and lacked information on potential risk factors such as exposure to trauma. ConclusionsPsychological distress was highly prevalent and associated with poor living conditions. Prospective studies on the mechanisms through which slum living conditions are associated with psychological distress are needed. Research should also assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementation strategies to increase access to mental health screening and treatment for slum residents.

Cultivating Clients: Reputation, Responsiveness, and Ethnic Indifference in India's Slums

AbstractStudies of clientelism overwhelmingly focus on how brokers target voters with top‐down benefits during elections. Yet brokers also receive requests from voters for assistance between elections, initiating the processes through which they cultivate clients. Why are brokers responsive to the requests of some voters and not others? We provide the first study of broker preferences when evaluating client appeals. Theories emphasizing brokers as vote monitors anticipate they will prefer co‐partisans and coethnics, whose reciprocity they can best verify. Theories emphasizing brokers as vote mobilizers anticipate they will prefer residents who will maximize their reputations for efficacy. We test these expectations through a conjoint experiment with 629 Indian slum leaders, ethnographic fieldwork, and a survey of 2,199 slum residents. We find evidence of reputational considerations shaping broker responsiveness. We find mixed support for monitoring concerns, highlighted by an absence of the strong ethnic favoritism assumed to dominate distributive politics in many developing countries.

Missing basics: a study on sanitation and women’s health in urban slums in Lucknow, India

Sanitation is a multidimensional concept alluding primarily to provision of services for safe disposal of human excreta, provision of clean potable water as well as maintenance of hygiene through judicious means of wastewater and solid waste disposal. This paper aims at studying the accessibility to toilet facilities by 350 slum residents belonging to 308 households, majority of whom are women. These were drawn from 14 selected notified slum colonies of Lucknow city during a field survey conducted in 2017. It was found that 68.42% respondent used shared toilet facilities, followed by private facilities at 10.57%. 19.21% depended on community toilets while 1.8% assented to open defecation. The BMI of women slum residents was found to be positively correlated with usage of private toilets (0.38; p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with open defecation (− 0.24; p < 0.01) both being considered as variables of sanitation conditions. Amongst the socio economic variables, the BMI of women slum residents was found to be positively correlated with median household income (0.64; p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with labour as a means of occupation (− 0.27; p < 0.01). In addition, a composite index was devised in order to assess the level of sanitation and socio economic development in the surveyed city slums. The slums close to the city core were found to be better developed compared to the ones at the periphery.

There Is No Free House: Ethnic Patronage in a Kenyan Slum

Using unique data from one of Africa's largest informal settlements, the Kibera slum in Nairobi, we provide evidence of ethnic patronage in the determination of rental prices and investments. Slum residents pay higher rents and live in lower quality housing (measured via satellite pictures) when the landlord and the locality chief belong to the same ethnicity. Conversely, rental prices are lower, and investments higher when residents and chiefs are co-ethnics. Our identification relies on the exogenous appointment of chiefs and is supported by several tests, including a regression discontinuity design. (JEL J15, O15, O17, O18, R21, R31)

Target women: Equity in access to mHealth technology in a non-communicable disease care intervention in Kenya.

BackgroundNon-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) constitute 40 million deaths annually. Eighty-percent of these deaths occur in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. MHealth provides a potentially highly effective modality for global public health, however access is poorly understood. The objective of our study was to assess equity in access to mHealth in an NCD intervention in Kenya.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a complex NCD intervention targeting slum residents in Kenya. The primary outcomes were: willingness to receive SMS, whether SMS was received, and access to SMS compared to alternative health information modalities. Age, sex, level of education, level of income, type of work, number of hours worked, and home environment were explanatory variables considered. Multivariable regression analyses were used to test for association using likelihood ratio testing.Results7,618 individual participants were included in the analysis. The median age was 44 years old. Majority (75%, n = 3,691/ 4,927) had only attended up to primary (elementary) school. Majority reported earning “KShs 7,500 or greater” (27%, n = 1,276/ 4,736). Age and level of income had evidence of association with willingness to receive SMS, and age, sex and number of hours work with whether SMS was received. SMS was the health information modality with highest odds of being accessed in older age groups (OR 4.70, 8.72 and 28.89, for age brackets 60–69, 70–79 and 80 years or older, respectively), among women (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.19–2.89), and second only to Baraazas (community gatherings) among those with lowest income.ConclusionWomen had the greatest likelihood of receiving SMS. SMS performed equitably well amongst marginalized populations (elderly, women, and low-income) as compared to alternative health information modalities, though sensitization prior to implementation of mHealth interventions may be needed. These findings provide guidance for developing mHealth interventions targeting marginalized populations in these settings.

Prevalence of Anemia and its Correlates among Elderly population of an Urban Slum in Meerut

Background: Anaemia is a major public health problem in elderly persons which is often overlooked. With rising urbanization and world is facing demographic transition, there is a need to increase focus on elderly residing in urban slums. Aim: The present study aims to find the prevalence of anaemia and its associated factors among the elderly population in an urban slum of Meerut. Methodology: The present study conducted in an urban slum of Meerut from November 2017 to January 2018. The sample size was calculated as 396, considering the prevalence of anaemia as 45.5% in this age group. Haemoglobin levels were estimated using paper chromatography methodby hemoc-heck rapid diagnostic kit. Data were compiled and analysed using epi info software version 3.7.2. Results: 49.5% of the elderly residing in urban slums were found to be anaemic. The anaemia in the elderly was found to be significantly associated with employment, socioeconomic status and chronic diseases like COPD, hypertension and Tuberculosis

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Study About Use of ORS in Diarrhea in Mothers with Children 02-05 Year Age Group Residing in Various Urban Slums of Bhopal City

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Study About Use of ORS in Diarrhea in Mothers with Children 02-05 Year Age Group Residing in Various Urban Slums of Bhopal City

A Study on Slums Population in India

Slums are worldwide events and are present in almost all cities throughout the world. Unlucky children and adults living in slums are rejected from the various facilities and services needed by children and other adults, those who live in non-slum areas, so slum children need attention special. Slums provide many geographical constraints for service delivery. Most of them are built-in lowland areas and are prone to flooding; most do not have adequate drainage to avoid standing water during the rainy season including flooding, water lodging, excessive population, and narrow or muddy roads. Houses are usually made of fragile material and are vulnerable to fire and monsoon rains. Very high population density, very bad environmental conditions and very low socio-economic conditions are ubiquitous practical features. This is an important feature that has proven to be an obstacle to the education system for slum residents. Poor drainage, flooding and poor housing are mostly slums.

Spatial Patterns of Residential Fragmentation and Quality of Life in Nairobi City, Kenya

Residential fragmentation undermines integration by physically excluding some urban dwellers through walling, fencing and use of barriers limiting interactions. Research has shown that many cities in the Global South are experiencing spatial fragmentation issues associated with increasing inequalities, social exclusion and proliferation of gated communities. This results in distinct residential fragments with limited interactions and unequal quality of life (QoL) conditions of the residents of the fragments. The aim of this paper is to describe the association between residential fragmentation and QoL based on three residential fragments in the city of Nairobi (Kenia). A mixed method approach was applied to understand fragmentation in the city and analyse integration and QoL satisfaction in the fragments. Household surveys and key informant interviews were main data collection methods. Data analysis methods used included descriptive statistics, spatial and content analysis. The results show, as expected, slum residents felt the least integrated symbolically compared to the planned non-gated and gated community residents. Similarly, gated community residents have higher QoL satisfaction compared to other types of fragments. There is a strong positive correlation between symbolic integration and QoL domains related to housing and safety in the slum, indicating that people who are satisfied with housing also have a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. In contrast, community integration has a negative correlation with safety in the gated community implying that when the residents are satisfied with safety, they tend to have low social networks. Based on the empirical evidence, fragmentation is related to specific domains of QoL as it is associated with spatial exclusion through barriers and gating and marginalization of the poor making it harder for them to feel integrated. The residential fragments reflect the intense divides in Global South cities in terms of QoL conditions and access to services.

Housing-related factors associated with the communicable diseases among urban slum residents of Rupandehi district of Nepal

Housing-related factors associated with the communicable diseases among urban slum residents of Rupandehi district of Nepal

Differences in gram-positive bacterial colonization and antimicrobial resistance among children in a high income inequality setting

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) diseases disproportionately affect populations in middle/low-income countries. To assess if this disparity is reflected in colonization by these organisms, we compared their colonization frequency among children from different socioeconomic status (SES) communities in a city with high income inequality.MethodsBetween May–August 2014, we collected nasal and throat swabs to investigate S. aureus and BHS colonization among children who attended private and public pediatric clinics. Patients were classified as high SES, middle/low SES, and slum residents. We investigated the antimicrobial resistance profile, the SCCmec types and the presence of PVL genes among methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). We also examined the antimicrobial resistance profile and serogroups of BHS.ResultsOf 598 children, 221 (37%) were colonized with S. aureus, of which 49 (22%) were MRSA. MRSA colonization was higher in middle/low SES (n = 18; 14%) compared with high SES (n = 17; 6%) and slum (n = 14; 8%) residents (p = 0.01). All MRSA strains were susceptible to clindamycin, nitrofurantoin, and rifampin. The highest non-susceptibility frequency (42.9%) was observed to erythromycin. SCCmec type V was only found in isolates from high SES children; types I and II were found only in middle/low SES children. Ten (20%) MRSA isolates carried PVL genes. Twenty-four (4%) children were BHS carriers. All BHS (n = 8) found in high SES children and six (67%) isolates from slum patients belonged to group A. All group B streptococci were from middle/low SES children, corresponding to five (71%) of the seven BHS isolated in this group. BHS isolates were susceptible to all drugs tested.ConclusionsChildren from different SES communities had distinct bacterial colonization profiles, including MRSA carriage. Public health officials/researchers should consider SES when assessing disease transmission and control measures.

The rheumatic heart disease healthcare paradox: disease persistence in slums despite universal healthcare coverage—a provider perspective qualitative study

ObjectivesRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable disease frequently recognized in urban slums. Disease rates in Brazilian slums are incommensurate with the country's economic status and the existence of its universal healthcare system. Our study aimed to investigate what system issues may allow for disease persistence, focusing on issues surrounding access and utilization of primary and specialized healthcare services. Study designThis was a two-part (formative phase followed by implementation phase) qualitative study based on interviews and focus groups and analyzed via content analysis. MethodsOne focus group and 17 in-depth interviews with community health workers, primary care providers, and cardiologists who serve slum residents in Brazil and six interviews with key informants (community health researchers and cardiologists) were performed. Interviews with community health workers and primary care providers were from a single heath post in the neighborhood of Liberdade, a populous and previously unstudied slum in Salvador. Cardiologists were recruited from tertiary care referral hospitals in Salvador. ResultsOur findings revealed six major chronological categories/themes of issues and twenty subthemes that patients must overcome to avoid developing RHD or to have it successfully medically managed. Major themes include the effects of living in a slum (1), barriers to access and utilization of primary healthcare services (2), treatment in primary healthcare services (3), access/utilization of specialized healthcare services (4), treatment in specialized healthcare services (5), and certain systemic issues (6). ConclusionSlums make residents sick in a manner of ways, and various bottlenecks impeding medical access to both primary care and specialty care exist, requiring multifaceted interventions. We detail major themes and finally suggest interventions that can allow for the health system to successfully eliminate RHD as a public health concern for slum residents.

An Ethnographic Perspective on Urban Planning in Brazil: Temporality, Diversity and Critical Urban Theory.

This article provides an ethnographic perspective on urban planning by presenting the creative practices of marginalized slum residents in Recife, Northeast Brazil, who are affected by planners’ decisions. It argues that such a perspective contributes to current critical urban theory in three ways. First, while many studies of urban planning follow the temporality of the timeframe of a particular project (‘project time’), this analysis emphasizes the timeframe of the lives of the affected residents (‘people's time’). Second, it attends to diversity, taking account of the variety of affected residents and the diverse consequences of urban planning on their lives. Third, it shows how urban interventions — similar to marriage, divorce, the birth of children and the death of loved ones — are high‐impact life events for the urban poor. Finally, the article assesses the engagement between ethnography and critical urban theory and argues in favour of ‘grounding’ the latter better in the analysis of actual practices and experiences.

From hotbeds of depravity to hidden treasures: the narrative evolution of Melbourne’s laneways

Places are both sustained and shaped by the stories we tell about them. In turn, stories of place are influenced by cultural, political, and socioeconomic forces. A form of ‘unplanned’ urban architecture, over almost two centuries Melbourne’s inner-city laneways have been inscribed with multiple layers of narrative. This paper tracks the unfolding tensions around these evolving urban spaces, from Melbourne’s founding up until the present day. Drawing upon site visits, theorists of place, narrative and memory, and analysis of select historical and contemporary texts, the articles explores how the uses of Melbourne’s back lanes have changed over time, and how these changes have been both reflected in, and influenced by, narratives of place. From their genesis as makeshift service lanes, to their early reputation as sites of moral disorder; from shanty towns to celebrated tourist destinations; from public health risks to sites of urban renewal and cultural memorialisation – the transformation of these atmospheric passageways illustratesthe fluid and contested nature of place, and its intrinsic yet unstable relationship with narrative. In considering how narrative has been deployed to stake or negate claims to the laneways, the article traces the role and impact of various actors: government, social reformers, slum residents, novelists, journalists and media outlets, business interests, street artists, and people experiencing homelessness. Melbourne’s inner-urban back lanes emerge as liminal sites where questions of spatial exclusion, cultural capital, and belonging are navigated in complex and shifting ways.

Investigation of informal housing challenges and issues: experiences from slum and squatter of Lahore

The twin problems of uncontrolled urbanization and shortfall of affordable housing for low income groups are the bane of almost all developing countries. This is true in case of Pakistan undergoing rapid urban transformation with 207 million population at present. According to UN resources, half of the country’s urban population i.e. more than 27 million people continue to live in informal settlements. Lahore being the second largest city, is home to 11 million people, covering more than 300 informal housing settlements in the form of slums and squatters. Adoption of informal housing is a depiction of poor governance system, showing little concerns for welfare of urban poor. This paper investigates the issues of informal housing based on field research and in-depth interviews of the residents of Karol Ghatti slum and Qalandarpura squatter. The objective of the study is to understand the complex phenomena of informal housing development by digging out respective reasons and their impacts on dwellers as a part of their daily survival challenge. Results confirm that inhabitants of slum and squatters exhibit socio-economic deprivations and lack basic infrastructure. This paper delivers a complete synthesis informal housing issues by providing social, environmental, operational and physical constructs, which can lead to thorough understanding and thus, are viable approaches to tackle the challenge of slums and squatters at a national level.

Satisfaction of Life of Slum Dwellers Pre- and Post- Rehabilitation in India

The present study was primary research intended to understand the quality of life of Slum Dwellers in Gujarat, India. Quality of life of 348 Slum Dwellers in Urban City of Gujarat was mapped on physical, psychological, social, environmental and economic factors using standardized psychometric tools and statistically computed to understand the variation across males and females of below poverty line residents of slums. Findings indicate a scenario of quality of life of slum dwellers before slum rehabilitation.

Prioritizing the health problems of slum residents using social determinants of health: A case study in a developing country.

Today, countries are faced with the fact that despite unlimited human needs, resources are limited. The health sector has the same limitations as other sectors. Therefore, this study aimed to prioritize the health problems of the Kerman residents slums by using the social determinants of health. The present study was carried out using a hierarchical analysis. The study population included experts of the deputy of social affairs, experts of the research center for SDH, experts of deputy of health, experts of social welfare in governing board of Kerman, and community health practitioners. Sixteen of these experts were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. Expert Choice software was used to analyze the information. In this study, the health problems were prioritized. The highest priority among the main themes and subtheme was related to early childhood development and child labor, respectively. The early years of life are the most important years of life, and the experiences of these years will be the foundation of the future life of every human being. Therefore, if their needs and developmental areas are not answered properly during this period, their health will be compromised.

Hypertension prevalence and risk factors among residents of four slum communities: population-representative findings from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among adults in four slum communities in Port-au-Prince. Cluster area random sampling was used to select adults for a health and demographic survey, including anthropometric measurements. Hypertension was defined as SBP at least 140 mmHg and/or DBP at least 90 mmHg, or current hypertension treatment, and was age-standardized to WHO world population. Correlates of hypertension were tested using sex-stratified logistic regression. Overall, 20.3% of adults had hypertension (28.5% age-standardized), including 22.3% of men and 18.9% of women. Three percent of participants reported current hypertension treatment, and 49.5% of them had their hypertension controlled. Overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25) was the most common risk factor (20.6% among men, 48.5% among women), while smoking was less common (11.8 and 3.9%, respectively). Increasing age and hypertension prevalence in immediate surroundings were associated with greater odds of hypertension. Among men, having in-migrated in the 3 years prior (versus ≥3 years) was also associated with hypertension [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=3.32, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.79-6.17], as was overweight and obesity (aOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.09-3.33, and aOR = 5.73, 95% CI: 2.49-13.19, respectively) and nonreceipt of needed medical care in the preceding 6 months (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.35-5.88) among women. Hypertension prevalence was high across the age spectrum, in addition to substantial levels of overweight/obesity and unmet healthcare needs. It is important to better understand the possible effects of intraurban migration and environmental risk factors on hypertension and ensure that the benefits of increasingly cost-effective prevention and treatment programmes extend to slum residents.