Rural Households Research Articles

Trust in the integrity of a micro health insurance scheme and its determinants in two rural districts of Ethiopia.

Mistrust in community-based health insurance schemes is a significant deterrent to enrollment and renewal decisions. Despite its significance, there is little evidence on the level of community trust in such schemes. This study examined the level of trust in the integrity of a community-based health insurance scheme and its determinants in two rural districts of northeast Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 1,232 randomly selected rural households who had been registered in a community-based health insurance scheme. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using an electronic data collection platform. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed using the partial proportional odds model to examine predictors of trust. The degree of association was assessed using odds ratios, and statistical significance was determined at a 95% confidence interval. The mean score of the five trust dimensions was 5.86 on a scale of 0-10, ranging from 5.06 to 7.65.Inthe multivariable regression analysis, age (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.29), female gender (AOR =2.05; 95% CI: 1.29, 3.25), education (AOR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.80), insurance membership status(AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.89, 3.80), membership duration (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.92), value forsolidarity (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.45), perceived risk protection (AOR = 3.35; 95% CI: 2.27, 4.96),and perceived quality of care (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.34, 2.37) were positive predictors of trust in theintegrity of the scheme, while wealth index (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.47), and hospitalizationhistory (AOR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.82) were negative predictors of trust. Trust in the integrity of the scheme received mediocre scores, with some trust dimensions having lower ratings, indicating specific areas of focus to be considered in trust-building. Scheme administrators and health authorities need to devise strategies to improve people's understanding of the basic principles of health insurance and promote access to high-quality care while minimizing expenditures at the point of receiving care.

Factors and comparative analysis of COVID-19’s impact on household food security in rural and urban regions.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected household food security in Indonesia, particularly in both rural and urban areas. This study compares food security between rural and urban households during the pandemic. This study aims to compare food security between rural (Paser Regency) and urban (Balikpapan City) households during the pandemic. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 300 households were sampled (150 each from Balikpapan and Paser), with data collected through interviews and questionnaires. Household income, food, and non-food expenditure were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation with IBM SPSS Statistics 24. Result: The results show that increased food (r = 0.230, p < 0.01) and non-food (r = 0.113, p < 0.05) expenditure are positively correlated with food security. In Balikpapan, 18% of households saw a decrease in food expenditure compared to 11% in Paser, while non-food spending increased in 41.3% of Balikpapan households compared to 36% in Paser. Social assistance also had a positive impact (r = 0.149, p < 0.01), with 61.3% of households in Paser receiving aid compared to 51.3% in Balikpapan. Spending on staple foods like vegetables and proteins also contributed to food security (r = 0.126, p < 0.05). Mothers in Balikpapan were more concerned about food availability (71.3%) than in Paser (69.3%). Conclusion: Balikpapan faced more severe financial impacts and household concerns during the pandemic, while Paser showed greater stability. Key factors influencing food security included increased spending on food and non-food items, health concerns, and the effectiveness of social assistance in both regions.

Characteristics of chicken production systems in rural Burkina Faso: A focus on One Health related practices and food security.

In addition to having cultural importance, village chicken production remains an important source of cash income for most rural households in Burkina Faso. However, strict biosecurity and good management of chicken flocks are required to reduce the risk of exposure of communities to chicken waste at household level. We characterized village production systems in rural Burkina Faso in relation to importance to food security, biosecurity, husbandry and chicken health management. We surveyed 483 chicken-producing households and carried out 20 focus group discussions separately with men and women chicken producers in Boussouma commune, a typical rural setting. Crop farming was reported as the main income-generating activity carried out by chicken producers (79.5%). Seveny six per cent of households sold chicken to local markets. Chicken production and sales were aligned to social/cultural events (religious festivals, weddings, etc…) and school-fee payment period. While men spent more revenues from chicken production on agriculture and household equipment's, women spent more on food, education and medical expenses. The chicken management system is mainly extensive scavenging, with most farmers (81.4%) keeping 5 to 50 birds with little or no supplementary feeding and rudimentary housing. Most producers indicated that Newcastle disease was the main cause of chicken mortality. While men consider high disease burden, lack of finance, and poor chicken housing as the major constraints, women prioritized the lack of adequate chicken housing, lack of feeds and limited access to veterinary services. With locally adapted interventions that build one a One Health approach, village chicken keeping has the potential to secure and greatly improve smallholder livelihoods and household food security, while preserving public health in Burkina Faso.

Determining factors affecting flood risk perception among local communities in Iran

Although climatic and environmental factors primarily determine the intensity of flood events, their impacts on residents are significantly influenced by human-related elements. Since the most floods are highly variable and unpredictable, it is crucial to enhance the capacity and resilience of residents to withstand and coexist with these disasters. To increase the resilience and adaptability of rural households in the face of floods, it is essential to first address individuals’ risk perception as a critical issue. This study was conducted with two primary. Objectives (1) to assess the current status of risk perception and (2) to identify the factors influencing flood risk perception (FRP) among local communities. The research population comprised all rural households in the Shushtar County (Southwest Iran) who had experienced at least one flood event. The primary research tool was a questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Correlation coefficient results indicated significant relationships between age, frequency of flood occurrence, education, distance of water channels and rivers from properties, flood exposure, housing quality, risk information, flood coping information, and financial incentives for recovery with dimensions of risk perception, namely preparedness, worry, awareness, and experience. Additionally, hierarchical regression results demonstrated that these variables could explain 55.4% of the variance in FRP. Overall, the findings of this study can significantly assist policymakers in designing flood risk reduction programs and facilitating safer living conditions in flood-prone areas.

Residence-based disparities of composite index of anthropometric failures in East African under five children; multivariate decomposition analysis

BackgroundUndernutrition remains a global challenge and public health concern, despite the presence of policies, programs and interventions. There is substantial evidence that the majority of the rural children under-5 years old have composite index of anthropometric failure than the urban counter parts. Hence, identifying the main contributors of these disparities will help health policy makers, program designers and implementers for the reduction of composite index of anthropometric failures in children under-5 years old in the study areas.MethodsThe most recent and nationally representative samples of demographic and health surveys of five East African countries data were used for the current study. To appreciate the residence-based differences of composite index of anthropometric failure in under-5 children, the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis and its extensions were employed to determine the effects of covariates and coefficients. The country specific survey data analysis was performed.ResultsThe current study revealed that the burden of composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) in under-5 children were 40.69%, 22.04%, 34.06%, 31.99%, and 33.27% in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania respectively. The residence-based differences in CIAF were 25.49%, 11.38%, 27%, 22.15%, and 20.55% in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania respectively. Results of the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis and its extensions revealed that 100% of the rural–urban children under-5 composite index of anthropometric failure disparity was explained by endowment characteristics (covariate effect). Wealth index, mother’s education, age of child, type of birth, sex of child and birth interval inequality between rural and urban households explains most of the composite index of anthropometric failure disparity in children under-5 years old.ConclusionsThe residence-based CIAF differences were high in all study countries. The rural–urban CIAF gap is ascribed by household, maternal and child characteristics. This result implies that rural children under-5 is disproportionally disadvantaged with respect to characteristics than their consequences. Through identification of the underlying factors behind the rural–urban CIAF disparities, the result of this study is important in planning effective intervention measures aiming at reducing residence-based inequalities and the population health outcomes. Therefore, should be given for rural children to reduce CIAF by improving house hold wealth index, women education and attentions to older children, and female children.

Fuelwood Exploitation and Schooling of Children from Rural Households in Uganda.

Fuelwood Exploitation and Schooling of Children from Rural Households in Uganda.

Assessing the human health risks of indoor PM2.5 exposure in urban and rural households in two provinces of South Africa

Assessing the human health risks of indoor PM2.5 exposure in urban and rural households in two provinces of South Africa

Income Sufficiency Assessment of Rural Households: A Case Study of Malda District in West Bengal, India

The study investigated the income sufficiency of rural households in Malda district of West Bengal. The primary data of 60 randomly selected farmers was collected through survey method during 2023-24. The findings revealed that on an average rural household earns Rs. 2,60,555.47 per annum (Rs. 21,713/month) and spends Rs. 207448 annually (Rs. 17,287.35/month). Field crops (85.34 %), Agricultural labour (72.60%) and business earnings (34.75%) occupies the highest share in the farm, off-farm and non-farm income sources, respectively. Family size and annual income had a significant positive effect on both farm household annual food and non-food expenditure. The result further revealed that large farmers have significant level of financial sufficiency with highest income-expenditure ratio (1.64) followed by medium farmers (1.35), non-cultivators (1.19) and small and marginal farmers (1.16). Average propensity to consume was highest for small and marginal farmers (0.86) and lowest for large farmers (0.61). However, farm income sufficiency revealed that farm income is insufficient to cover expenses of small and marginal farmers. Although agriculture remained the primary source of income, engagement in non-farm activities significantly contributed to households’ income sufficiency. Additionally, small land holdings and low wage rates are the major constraints in the region. Thus, policymakers should focus on an integrated strategy to enhance off and non-farm income opportunities along with capacity building programs in rural areas.

Alleviating the rural household energy poverty in China: The role of digital economy

Alleviating the rural household energy poverty in China: The role of digital economy

Implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS: A State-wise Analysis of Efficiency, Effectiveness and Participation

The Government of India introduced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA) in September 2005. This law guarantees 100 days of paid work each year to adult members of rural households who need jobs and are willing to do unskilled manual labour. The programme aims to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty by providing wage employment. However, several issues have been found in how the programme is designed and managed, from the local Panchayat to the state and national levels. These challenges at the grassroots level have affected the programme’s success. It is important to understand what has worked well, what has not, and how the programme can be improved in terms of governance at the grassroots. Using data collected for a nationwide study from 7,950 households across 25 states, this paper reports challenges and issues that constrain implementation at the panchayat level. The findings show that some states are well ahead of others in terms of efficiency but lag behind in effectiveness. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the scheme’s governance still needs to be improved. The findings emphasise the importance of enhancing efficiency, fostering worker participation, and addressing entitlements to achieve sustainable livelihoods and meaningful outcomes across all states and UTs.

Exploring the Latent Roles of Indigenous Chickens among Rural Households in Kericho County, Kenya: A Grounded Theory Approach

Chickens are the most popular poultry worldwide. About 23.7 billion chickens globally in 2018 were reared mainly for their eggs and meat products. Indigenous chickens in Kenya constitute about 70% of the poultry population. Their role in rural livelihoods is widely understood in terms of provisioning for nutrition and household income. This study aimed to investigate, through a community-based participatory process, the latent roles of indigenous chicken (IC) in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in rural areas of Kericho County, Kenya. This study adopted a Grounded Theory Approach and a Community-based Participatory action research design. Six sites in three out of six sub-counties were selected for the study based on their agroecological zones and administrative locations. Data were collected through focus group discussions and interviews. Community-based participatory action research tools; focus groups, resource mapping, role plays, and community workshops, were used to encourage participation and knowledge sharing. Data were collected through note-taking and group presentations. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory constant comparative method. Analysis revealed that the higher order concepts and theories that could explain the latent roles of indigenous chickens were1insurance against shocks, 2marketness; sales for income, 3instrumentalism; as an instrument for personal motivations, 4ecological functions and5immanent roles; to utilize existing resources and capabilities. It has roles as a socio-economic 6ladder-of-change, contributes to 7household functionalism by engaging youth and women and household 8dietary needs, and social roles in 9interpersonal connectedness. In conclusion, indigenous chickens had roles in the economy, ecology, socio-culture and food supplies. This understanding has implications in formulating strategies by development agents, for sustainable IC production. Further research in different contexts to build on the in-depth understanding of the IC roles is recommended.

HATCHING SYSTEMS IN SIAYA COUNTY

Poultry farming in Kenya plays a major role in complementing rural and peri-urban households’ food security and income. Farmers have turned to rearing of improved indigenous chicken (IC) due to the fast growth and high production of eggs; one of the strategies used to enhance development of IC is to supply day old chicks to producers. However, the demand for day old chicks outstrips supply because of low hatchability experienced in small holder hatcheries. This study characterized the hatching systems in Siaya County. A survey was conducted on small holder farms and hatcheries to establish characteristics of hatching systems in Siaya County. The study showed that the breeding stock were reared in enclosed and free-range systems with a dominant species of Sasso kuroiler, kenbro and KALRO improved chicken, 55% of the farms attained the standard cock to hen ratio of 1:7 and eggs were stored using both conventional and non-conventional methods. The management practices of the hatchery systems fell outside the standard practices and this contributed immensely for poor performance of farming enterprises. Adoption and implementation of standard practices in hatching systems will contribute to higher performance.

ADDRESSING RURAL UNEMPLOYMENT THROUGH POLICY INITIATIVES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF MGNREGA AND PMEGP

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of two major government schemes aimed at tackling rural unemployment in Rajasthan: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). MGNREGA primarily provides wage employment, offering immediate relief to rural households during off-seasons, while PMEGP encourages self-employment by promoting entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises. Despite the positive impacts of these schemes on rural economies, challenges such as bureaucratic delays, inadequate financial access, limited training programs, and social barriers hinder their full effectiveness. This paper analyzes the policy frameworks of MGNREGA and PMEGP, identifies their key strengths and limitations, and provides recommendations for improving their implementation and outcomes. The study highlights the importance of addressing gender disparities, enhancing financial support mechanisms, and incorporating technological solutions for better monitoring and transparency. Ultimately, the paper suggests that a more inclusive, efficient, and transparent approach will significantly enhance the potential of these schemes to reduce unemployment and foster sustainable rural development in Rajasthan. KEYWORDS: Rural Unemployment, MGNREGA, PMEGP, Policy Evaluation.

The impact of agricultural specialization on dietary diversity in rural China

Abstract Clarifying the linkage of rural households’ agricultural specialization and dietary diversity is crucial for promoting agricultural transformation and development, and improving food security and dietary quality among rural residents. A household dietary survey was conducted to investigate this association in rural China. The findings indicate that agricultural specialization is linked with decreased dietary diversity among smallholders. The decline in farm production diversity underscores the crucial role that markets play in shaping the diets of farm households. The heterogeneous analysis unveils the mediation effect of market on the relationship between agricultural production and food consumption and further confirms the importance of market access to smallholders’ dietary diversity. The results indicate that against the backdrop of agricultural specialization and a significant rural-to-urban migration, A series of complementary measures should be implemented for smallholders’ food consumption welfare. The stable food market availability is a key strategy for ensuring adequate dietary diversity for rural residents.

Income impacts of rural household livelihood strategies: insights from Chongqing, Southwest China

ABSTRACT With China’s rapid economic development, rural livelihoods have undergone significant changes, with traditional agriculture increasingly replaced by non-farm employment opportunities. This shift has led some households into a ‘poverty trap’ characterized by reduced income and environmental degradation, hindering local sustainable development. Therefore, this study focuses on ethnic minority rural households in ecologically fragile and economically disadvantaged areas of Chongqing, southwest China, assesses their livelihood assets under the sustainable livelihood framework, and evaluates the impact of rural household livelihood strategy choices on income using the treatment effect model and logistic regression. The results indicate that the assets of ethnic minority households in Chongqing can be categorized into four groups: low assets-high savings, low assets-low savings, high assets-high savings, and high assets-low savings. Livelihood strategy choices significantly influence household income, with transitions from part-time agriculture to other livelihood types (excluding subsidized livelihoods) leading to substantial income gains for rural households. Specifically, shifting to full-time jobs, a combination of full-time and part-time jobs, or part-time jobs increases average household income by 2.656, 1.689, and 1.184 units, respectively. The study underscores the importance of tailoring income improvement strategies to the specific characteristics of household livelihood assets, providing insights for enhancing the sustainability of rural livelihoods.

Understanding the Attributes Related to Climate Change Perceptions among Rural Households in Highlands: The case of Northern Thailand

Understanding the Attributes Related to Climate Change Perceptions among Rural Households in Highlands: The case of Northern Thailand

Household dietary diversity and associated factors in rural and peri-urban areas of Mbale District, Eastern Uganda

BackgroundGlobally, the importance of dietary diversity in addressing malnutrition and promoting overall health is increasingly being recognized. However, increasing urbanization has led to shifts in dietary preferences, food consumption patterns, and a greater reliance on less nutritious processed foods. Efforts to address these challenges have been futile, as nutrition in peri-urban areas often receives less attention, with food and nutrition insecurity typically seen as a rural issue. This study, therefore, examined dietary diversity (DD) and its socio-economic and demographic predictors in rural and peri-urban households.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 221 households in rural and peri-urban Eastern Uganda collected data on DD, socio-economic and demographic factors using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and structured questionnaires, respectively. The data were analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, and independent sample t-tests compared mean DD scores between rural and peri-urban areas. Pearson Chi-square tested differences in food group consumption, while binary logistic regression in STATA identified socio-economic and demographic predictors of household dietary diversity.ResultsThere was no significant difference in dietary diversity (DD) between rural and peri-urban households, with mean DD scores of 6.64 ± 1.60 and 6.55 ± 1.30, respectively, indicating a medium level in both areas. However, significant differences were observed in the consumption of cereals and roots/tubers/plantains (p < 0.05), while intake of animal-source foods and fruits remained generally low across both settings. In rural areas, household DD was significantly influenced by the education levels of the household head (β: -1.276) and spouse (β: -1.123), as well as access to credit (β: 1.136), while in peri-urban areas, average monthly income (β: -0.801) was a significant predictor of household DD.ConclusionThe study showed that dietary diversity was similar and at a medium level in both rural and peri-urban households, and mainly consisted of plant-based foods, with limited consumption of fruits and animal-sourced foods. Socio-economic factors, including level of education, access to credit, and income, significantly influenced DD. These results highlight the role of socio-economic and demographic factors in shaping household diets and underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve dietary diversity and address nutritional gaps in the study area.

Factors Influencing the Willingness and Ability of Farmers to Adopt TELA Maize Seed in Alfred Nzo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

In developing countries, drought is a major climatic challenge that has driven the development of drought-tolerant seed varieties aimed at improving yields and farm incomes; however, the adoption of drought-tolerant seeds, such as the TELA maize hybrid, remains low. This study explored the factors influencing the willingness and ability to adopt TELA maize seed and its potential production implications in Alfred Nzo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This study employed a multistage random sampling method to gather data from 120 smallholder maize farmers through a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a probit regression model. The results showed that 65% of respondents were male, and 53% were married. Notably, 77% had low educational attainment, with the majority having completed only secondary school or less. Furthermore, 65% of respondents indicated that farming was primarily for livelihood purposes. This study found that limited access to credit and extension services were major obstacles to adopting TELA maize seed technology, compounded by skepticism towards innovation. The findings suggest that addressing these challenges requires the implementation of targeted gender equity programs, improving educational access, and enhancing financial support mechanisms. Additionally, strengthening cooperative engagement and extension services is crucial for promoting technology adoption. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and providing adequate resources, this study highlights the potential for increased adoption of TELA maize seed, contributing to improved food security in rural households.

Household level fuelwood use and carbon dioxide emissions in Delanta district, Northeastern Ethiopia

IntroductionEthiopian rural households primarily rely on fuelwood as their main energy Q7 source, yet the country lacks precise data on fuelwood harvesting and its economic significance. Consequently, there is limited understanding of CO2 emissions resulting from fuelwood use.MethodsThis study aimed to estimate the annual amount of fuelwood collected and the associated CO2 and carbon (C) emissions. Using simple random sampling for household selection, data were analyzed with Excel and Stata.ResultsThe results reveal that fuelwood dependency is a major driver of deforestation and CO2 emissions, with households consuming approximately 2,725 kg of firewood and 26 kg of charcoal annually. Each household also extracts an average of 3,909.3 kg of firewood and 516.5 kg of charcoal annually for sale. Among sampled households, fuelwood constitutes 904,261 kg of energy, with 51% used for household consumption and 96% allocated for income generation. The inefficient burning of this fuel results in significant emissions, adding 974,000 kg of CO2 or 265,600 kg of carbon annually to the household carbon footprint. On average, each household emits 7,740 kg of CO2 and 1,960 kg of carbon per year.DiscussionThe study emphasizes that, while fuelwood plays a critical role in household energy and income, its unsustainable use accelerates emissions and deforestation. To mitigate these effects, the adoption of alternative energy sources like electricity and forest conservation through local plantations is essential for climate resilience.

The Relevance of the Household to Individual Businesses in Urban and Rural China

Unlike other countries, sole traders in China have conventionally been defined in law in terms of “households” or hu, of which there are two types: individual industrial and commercial households and rural contractual management households. The former are currently the main legal sole traders in towns and cities, while the latter are mainly farmers in rural areas who engage in individual business. The concept of the household, as the vehicle for the two types of sole trader in China, stresses the collective, group, and family nature of sole traders and is not the simple sum of individual interests. This article explores the emergence of households as vehicles for individual businesses, examines the deep-rooted reasons for their adoption, and considers the debates over their ongoing relevance and reform. The article concludes by suggesting that China’s policymakers have chosen to pursue institutional reform in a moderate and pragmatic way, prioritizing order and incremental changes in order to minimize the impact of institutional change on society, strengthen institutional expectations, and highlight institutional stability. The example of the “household” provides insights into the process of legal reform and change in China more generally.