Rural India Research Articles

Transformation of Fast Food Culture in Rural Adolescents: Evidence from a study in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Socio cultural context is changing in rural India. This may lead to establishment of fast food culture in rural areas as well. Objectives: To find out extent, pattern and associates of knowledge, opinion and consumption of fast food by rural adolescents. Materials and Methods: This community based cross sectional study was conducted on 213 adolescents selected by multistage sampling procedure from rural Prayagraj. Each subject was interviewed about socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, opinion, and consumption of fast foods with the help of predesigned and pretested proforma. Analysis of data was done through SPSS and for finding out associates chi square test was applied. Results: Majority of subjects were aware about fast food and 84.0% consumed it in the previous month. There existed significant association of opinion of subjects regarding fast food fulfills hunger with type of family, social class of subjects (P<0.01) whereas, opinion of subjects "Feel energetic after eating fast food" was significantly associated with their gender, type of family and social class (P<0.05). Consumption of fast food was significantly more in subjects from nuclear family and higher SES (P<0.01). Conclusion: Socio Economic gradient prevailed in the expression of the opinions “the fast food fulfill hunger” and “Feel energetic after eating fast food” as well as consumption of fast food by subjects.

PANCHAYATI RAJ AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN HANUMANGARH DISTRICT: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

The study evaluates the influence of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on social infrastructure development, focusing on healthcare, education, and sanitation in Hanumangarh District, Rajasthan, from 2010 to 2020. Using secondary data, it examines PRIs' effectiveness in enhancing rural life quality by improving infrastructure. The results show significant improvements in social infrastructure, attributed to the active role of PRIs in governance and project implementation. The paper provides detailed insights into PRIs' achievements and challenges in decentralized rural governance, emphasizing their importance in advancing essential public services, which drive socio-economic progress in rural areas. This assessment aims to enhance understanding of decentralized governance mechanisms in rural India, highlighting both successes and challenges.

Growth of E-Commerce and Rural India

Abstract: E-commerce is the trading of products and services through the medium of the Internet. In this paper, we present factors that are fuelling growth in the e-commerce sector inIndia. The methodology of my study is fromsecondary sources such as articles, journals,reports, papers, blogs, and conference proceedings. E-commerce is one of the fastest-growing businesses, with India having great investment market potential. There has been a huge surge in investment since last year and more is expected in coming years. The rapid growth in the use of mobile and internet users has facilitated e-commerce business in both urban and rural cities. India'se-commerce revenue is expected to jump from $30 billion in 2016 to $ 120 billion in 2020, growing at an annual rate of 51%, the highest in the world, according to a joint ASSOCHAM- Forrester study paper.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS INDUSTRY ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN URBAN AND RURAL SETTINGS: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

The performing arts industry in India significantly contributes to local economies through job creation, tourism revenue, and local business growth. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the economic impact of the performing arts in urban and rural areas, focusing on two key objectives: evaluating the economic contributions of the performing arts to urban and rural communities, and analyzing the differences in economic outcomes due to varying levels of infrastructure, investment, and audience participation. The analysis reveals that urban areas, with their superior infrastructure, higher investment levels, and diverse audiences, generate substantial economic benefits through large-scale events and festivals. These events create employment, drive tourism, and foster business growth. In contrast, rural areas, while benefiting from traditional and folk performances, face challenges such as limited infrastructure and financial constraints. However, rural arts festivals and cultural tourism initiatives have shown potential in stimulating local economies, especially in underdeveloped regions. The study highlights the need for targeted investment and policy interventions to bridge the urban-rural divide and promote equitable economic development through the performing arts. Digital platforms and government initiatives like “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” are identified as key opportunities to enhance the economic contributions of the performing arts in rural India.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: An Initiative of Government towards Better Life for all

The Honourable Prime Minister of India announced the beginning of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on May 1, 2016. The scheme's primary goal is to give women from low-income households access to LPG connections without requiring a payment. The government's goal was to provide 5 crore LPG connections to low-income families in rural India, with a focus on women living below the poverty line (BPL). Later, the goal was raised to 8 crore, which was accomplished on September 7, 2019, seven months ahead of schedule, under the Ujjwala Yojana Scheme, which went under the slogan "Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan.

Younger children and mothers’ labour supply in rural India: Evidence from fertility stopping behaviour

This paper estimates the causal effect of having young children aged 0–5 years on mothers’ labour force participation in rural India. To address the potential endogeneity in the fertility decision, I exploit Indian families’ preference for having sons. I leverage exogenous variation in the gender of older children aged 6 + years as an instrumental variable for having younger children aged 0–5 years in the family. IV estimates show that the mothers’ participation is significantly reduced by 9.9% due to the presence of young children aged 0–5 years in the household, with the negative effect mostly driven by mothers belonging to the highest income quartile; mothers with high education; and mothers residing in nuclear families. The findings highlight the need for investment in high-skilled jobs and formal childcare facilities to encourage mothers’ labour supply. Using the testable implications for the generalizability of LATE discussed in Angrist (The Economic Journal, 114: C52 C83, 2004), I show that the estimated causal effect is homogenous across compliers, always takers, and never takers and thus, generalizable to the whole population of interest.

Change everything so that (almost) nothing changes? Investigating the territorial distribution of solar energy subsidies in rural India

ABSTRACT The current massive rollout of solar energy in India is primarily driven by private investments, with the federal and state governments facilitating sectoral investments with subsidies, preferential licensing and clearances, and corollary investments in transmission infrastructure. In this article, we draw on extensive fieldwork in the states of Rajasthan and Bihar to analytically characterise the solar rollout in contemporary India and advance the existing understanding of the territorial distribution of public solar energy funding. By attending to the multi-scalar modalities of resource allocation in the solar energy sector, our study contributes to an analysis of how public intervention has evolved in rural areas and in the power sector in a context of neoliberalisation and generates insights on the dynamics of distributive politics in contemporary India.

Relative contribution of biomedical, demographic, and socioeconomic factors to COVID-19 vaccine receipt in rural India.

In the first year of roll-out, vaccination for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) prevented almost 20 million deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, little is known about the factors influencing access to vaccination at the individual level within rural poor settings of low-income countries. The aim of this study was to examine determinants of vaccine receipt in rural India. A census of a rural village in Tamil Nadu was undertaken from June 2021 to September 2022. We surveyed 775 participants from 262 households. Household-level data on socioeconomic status (SES), water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, and individual-level demographic information, travel history, and biomedical data, including anthropometry, vital signs, and comorbidities, were collected. Logistic regression models with 5-fold cross-validation were used to identify the biomedical, demographic, and socioeconomic determinants of vaccine receipt and the timing of receipt within the first 30 days of eligibility. Vaccine ineligible participants were excluded leaving 659 eligible participants. There were 650 eligible participants with complete biomedical, demographic, and socioeconomic data. There were 68.0% and 34.0% of individuals (N = 650) who had received one and two vaccine doses, respectively. Participants with household ownership of a permanent account number (PAN) or ration card were 2.15 (95% CI:1.32-3.52) or 3.02 (95% CI:1.72-5.29) times more likely to receive at least one vaccine dose compared to households with no ownership of such cards. Participants employed as housewives or self-employed non-agricultural workers were 65% (95% CI:0.19-0.67) or 59% (95% CI:0.22-0.76) less likely to receive at least one vaccine dose compared to salaried workers. Household PAN card ownership, occupation and age were linked to the timing of vaccine receipt. Participants aged ≤18 and 45-60 years were 17.74 (95% CI:5.07-62.03) and 5.51 (95% CI:2.74-11.10) times more likely to receive a vaccine within 30 days of eligibility compared to 19-44-year-olds. Biomedical factors including BMI, vital signs, comorbidities, and COVID-19 specific symptoms were not consistently associated with vaccine receipt or timing of receipt. No support was found that travel history, contact with COVID-19 cases, and hospital admissions influenced vaccine receipt or timing of receipt. Factors linked to SES were linked to vaccine receipt, more so than biomedical factors which were targeted by vaccine policies. Future research should explore if government interventions including vaccine mandates, barriers to vaccine access, or peer influence linked to workplace or targeted vaccine promotion campaigns underpin these findings.

Educational hypogamy and female employment in rural India

Educational hypogamy and female employment in rural India

Comparing lagged impacts of mobility changes and environmental factors on COVID-19 waves in rural and urban India: a Bayesian spatiotemporal modelling study.

Previous research in India has identified urbanisation, human mobility and population demographics as key variables associated with higher district level COVID-19 incidence. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of mobility patterns in rural and urban areas in India, in conjunction with other drivers of COVID-19 transmission, have not been fully investigated. We explored travel networks within India during two pandemic waves using aggregated and anonymized weekly human movement datasets obtained from Google, and quantified changes in mobility before and during the pandemic compared with the mean baseline mobility for the 8-week time period at the beginning of 2020. We fit Bayesian spatiotemporal hierarchical models coupled with distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM) within the integrated nested Laplace approximate (INLA) package in R to examine the lag-response associations of drivers of COVID-19 transmission in urban, suburban, and rural districts in India during two pandemic waves in 2020-2021. Model results demonstrate that recovery of mobility to 99% that of pre-pandemic levels was associated with an increase in relative risk of COVID-19 transmission during the Delta wave of transmission. This increased mobility, coupled with reduced stringency in public intervention policy and the emergence of the Delta variant, were the main contributors to the high COVID-19 transmission peak in India in April 2021. During both pandemic waves in India, reduction in human mobility, higher stringency of interventions, and climate factors (temperature and precipitation) had 2-week lag-response impacts on the R t of COVID-19 transmission, with variations in drivers of COVID-19 transmission observed across urban, rural and suburban areas. With the increased likelihood of emergent novel infections and disease outbreaks under a changing global climate, providing a framework for understanding the lagged impact of spatiotemporal drivers of infection transmission will be crucial for informing interventions.

Demand-side barriers and economic burden in accessing Human Papillomavirus screening for cervical cancer prevention in rural India: Evidence from a cross-sectional study

Introduction Cervical cancer is a significant global health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to preventive healthcare. India’s vast rural population amplifies the challenge, demanding immediate action. Despite advancements, cervical cancer remains prevalent among underserved rural communities, hindered by barriers to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening uptake, including socioeconomic and financial constraints. This study aims to evaluate the economic challenges encountered by rural women when accessing HPV screening. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1502 women aged 30 to 45 in Pondicherry, India, utilizing the Andersen Model as a conceptual framework. Household questionnaires gathered data on HPV screening expenses, including patient travel costs, productivity loss, and companion costs. The analysis utilized regression models, to identify the factors impacting the economic challenges associated with accessing HPV screening. Results Employment status and higher education significantly increase total costs by 73.483 (p < 0.001) and 90.169 units (p < 0.001) respectively. Income level, though with a minimal coefficient (B = 0.000), shows a significant effect (p = 0.019) on total costs. Longer travel hours raise costs by 5.129 units (p < 0.001), while having a companion increases costs by 106.095 units (p = 0.004). Prolonged patient time at Primary Health Center (PHC) contributes to a 2.357-unit increase in costs (p < 0.001). Conclusions The study highlights the multifaceted economic challenges faced by rural populations accessing HPV screening for cervical cancer prevention in India. Notwithstanding diverse demographics and varying proximity to healthcare facilities, individuals encounter significant barriers such as travel time and associated costs. Addressing these challenges necessitates targeted interventions to reduce socioeconomic disparities and improve healthcare accessibility for vulnerable populations, thereby advancing cervical cancer prevention efforts and promoting health equity in rural communities.

Advances and Challenges in Intellectual Disability in Rural India: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Trends

Intellectual disability (ID) presents a significant public health challenge in rural India, characterized by disparities in access to healthcare, stigma, and socio-economic barriers. This comprehensive review examines recent advances and persistent challenges in understanding, diagnosing, and supporting individuals with ID in rural communities in India. Advancements in diagnosing and intervening in intellectual disability in rural India have been achieved through various approaches, including community-based screening programs, culturally tailored assessment tools, telemedicine, and mobile health solutions. These initiatives prioritize widening access to healthcare services and early intervention, with the overarching goal of enhancing outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. However, formidable challenges persist. Limited access to specialized services, pervasive stigma, socio-economic disparities, and inadequate awareness hinder progress in addressing the needs of individuals with ID in rural India. These challenges necessitate a multi-faceted approach involving policymakers, healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders. Addressing these challenges requires prioritizing the needs of individuals with ID, promoting awareness and advocacy, investing in capacity building, and implementing policy reforms. Collaborative efforts are essential to overcome barriers and ensure that individuals with ID in rural India receive the support and opportunities they deserve. Moving forward, it's essential to prioritize on-going research, expand service provision, and nurture a culture of acceptance and inclusion. These endeavors are critical for shaping a future where individuals with intellectual disabilities in rural India can not only thrive but also actively contribute to their communities. While strides have been made, significant challenges persist in addressing intellectual disability in these areas. Acknowledging these hurdles and collectively working to overcome them is vital for building a more inclusive and equitable society that values the unique contributions of all individuals, regardless of their abilities. In conclusion, the author concluded that while progress has been made, significant challenges remain in addressing intellectual disability in rural India. By acknowledging these challenges and working together to overcome them, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.

Development and evaluation of a training program on non-communicable diseases to empower community health workers in rural India

ObjectiveWe developed and evaluated a training program for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), female community health workers (CHWs) in India, on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). MethodsA 5-day training program, developed using government-approved manuals, was tested in a randomised controlled trial in the Tehri-Garhwal district. Quantitative comparisons were undertaken using Student's t-test and two-way ANOVA. ASHAs in the intervention group were asked questions about new skills learnt. ResultsThirty-six ASHAs (20 intervention, 16 controls) participated (response rate 75.0%). Mean pre-test knowledge score was 43.3/100 points (95% CI 36.7–49.9) for the intervention group and 44.4 (38.9–49.9) for controls. The mean post-test knowledge score increased more in the intervention group (48.5-point increase; P < 0.0001), than in controls (9.8-point increase, P = 0.016; ANOVA interaction term (time*allocation) P < 0.0001). ASHAs in the intervention group reported learning new skills for detecting NCDs. ConclusionThe training program increased knowledge of ASHAs on NCDs and improved their skills to detect NCDs. Our development and testing process for this training program, coupled with open-source resources, fosters innovation and collaboration in managing NCDs in LMICs. InnovationOur novel and adaptable training program incorporates interactive elements, case studies, and real-world scenarios to augment routine communication between ASHAs and community members for preventing NCDs.

Changing trends in barriers to accessing eye care services in rural South India: results from the longitudinal Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study III (APEDS III) cohort.

To assess the changing trends in barriers towards accessing eye care in a rural population cohort from Southern India. This is a population-based longitudinal cohort of participants (the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease study [APEDS]) from three rural regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who were evaluated at baseline (APEDS I; 1996-2000), along with follow-ups at 10 years (APEDS II; 2009-10) and 15 years (APEDS III; 2012-2016). At follow-up, all participants 30 years and above were administered a structured questionnaire on barriers to uptake of eye care services. Of 3810 participants, 1449 had visual impairment (VI). Among them, 1302 noticed a reduction in vision over last five years and 722 sought treatment, a significant improvement from baseline (P < 0.001). Participants were more likely to seek treatment if they were educated (OR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.07-1.89), had hypertension (OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.04-1.77), had VI from causes other than cataract and refractive error (OR = 2.49, 95%CI: 1.56-3.99) and were residents of Adilabad (OR = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.58-3.08) and Mahbubnagar (OR = 3.55; 95%CI: 2.48-5.08) districts. Those with moderate or worse VI were less likely to seek treatment (moderate VI: OR = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.42-0.75, severe VI: OR = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.19-0.57, blindness: OR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.2-0.73). The most important barriers to uptake of serviceswere, not perceiving loss of vision as a serious problem (25.9%), accepting it an aging process (21.4%) or due to economic reasons (16.0%). Personal and economic elements accounted for considerable amounts of barriers for utilization of eye care services. The uptake of services could be improved by addressing these specific barriers and risk factors for non-compliance.

Exploring rehabilitation providers’ perspectives of assistive technology access after the implementation of a paediatric AT provision program in rural South India

A paediatric Assistive Technology (AT) Provision Program was implemented by a non-governmental rehabilitation facility in rural South India to support rehabilitation providers in providing needed AT access for children with disabilities. Capacity-building measures for providers and other supports based on the AT needs, barriers, and facilitators to AT access were implemented that aligned with the AT global report for low-middle income countries (LMIC). This study explores how the initiatives from the AT Provision Program have influenced the perspectives of rehabilitation providers on AT access. Using a qualitative design eight paediatric rehabilitation providers were purposively sampled for virtual semi-structured interviews. Findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Six overarching themes were identified: (1) Stigma associated with AT use, (2) Organisational response to changing needs, (3) Financial factors related to family socioeconomic status and the organisation providing AT services, (4) Inequity of AT service access in rural areas, (5) Provider AT awareness and confidence and, (6) Quality assurance. Rehabilitation providers’ experiences informed future AT capacity-building strategies within a low-resource context. Our findings provide valuable insights for the development of comprehensive AT Provision Program initiatives to provide AT access for children with disabilities in LMIC settings.

Impact of Indian Rural Road Program on Rural Development Amber

Impact of Indian Rural Road Program on Rural Development Amber

Justice and Rape Trials in Rural India - Semiotics of Rape: Sexual Subjectivity and Violation in Rural India. By Rupal Oza. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2023. xxvii + 208 pp. $99.95

Justice and Rape Trials in Rural India - Semiotics of Rape: Sexual Subjectivity and Violation in Rural India. By Rupal Oza. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2023. xxvii + 208 pp. $99.95

Enablers for Usage of the Mobile Wallet by Msmes in Rural India: Using the Interpretive Structural Modelling Approach

Abstract In today`s digital era, it is all the more desirable that all businesses, whether gigantic or minor in operation, should adopt financial technology and grow their businesses within their region and outside of the region. The Micro, Small &amp; Medium Enterprises (MSME) segment is the mainstay of the Indian economic environment thus it is crucial that MSME players adopt financial technology in their routine commercial transactions. The present research study was conducted to investigate the enablers of usage of a Mobile Wallet by MSMEs in rural areas of India using interpretive structural modeling. It aims to categorize the foremost enablers and assess the relative relations between the recognized ten key enablers and proposes a hierarchical outline of vital enablers on MSME entrepreneurs from several hill states of India. The most prominent enabler that promoted the use of mobile wallets among MSME entrepreneurs included risk factors and perceived cost. The study suggested that multi-dimensional determinations are required to make certain of the use of mobile wallets by MSME entrepreneurs so that they can assess maximum economic opportunities and support the fiscal expansion of the state and the country.

Transforming Energy Access: The Role of Micro Solar Dome in Providing Clean Energy Lighting in Rural India

Access to affordable and reliable energy sources can substantially enhance the lives of marginalized communities in rural areas. Unfortunately, numerous households in these communities rely upon unclean sources of energy such as kerosene to light the house even during daylight. To address this issue, solar off-grid technology - Micro Solar Dome (MSD) was implemented in various states across India, specifically benefiting the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities. The study, across the eight selected states, highlights the advantages of adopting off-grid technologies and their roles in promoting awareness of renewable energy solutions. The survey used purposive sampling to collect community members’ perceptions of the product’s benefits and their awareness of renewable technologies. The results indicated that the utilization of the product not only enhanced illumination levels within households but also contributed to improved safety, increased study hours for children, and facilitated economic activities during the evening hours. Furthermore, the study revealed that education plays a crucial role in adopting solar energy. However, interventions such as awareness programs and hands-on experiences with the products can also greatly enhance awareness and promote adoption in rural areas. Overall, the study provided compelling evidence of the significant and positive impact that small-scale initiatives like the MSD can have on the lives of marginalized communities. It also emphasized the potential of such solutions to empower these communities and improve their overall well-being.

Psychological and socio-cultural factors affecting latrine ownership and usage in rural South India.

The levels of latrine utilization were lower than the levels of latrine ownership in rural areas owing to certain psycho-social barriers hindering latrine construction and consistent utilization. The study was aimed to identify the proportion of latrine construction and usage and to explore the psychological, socio-cultural and structural factors influencing latrine ownership and utilization. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out at the four villages of Villupuram district for three months. After IEC clearance, information was collected from a representative sample of 422 households. Direct observation of the latrines was employed along with surveys. The data were entered and analysed in MS Excel. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Further, the reasons were categorized into psychological, socio-cultural and structural factors. About 54.7% households owned a latrine and among them 46.8% were using it. Psycho-social factors such as convenience, habitual nature, privacy and space constraints in open defecation influenced latrine ownership. Fear of snakes and insects, safety and protection, time saving and proper functioning latrines with availability of water facilitated latrine utilization are of concern. A multi-faceted strategy employing context-specific behaviour change communication along with Government's financial support would improve both latrine construction and utilization.