Household Services Research Articles

Death from COVID-19 in contexts of social deprivation in Mexico.

Poverty is one of the macro factors that has been little studied in terms of its effect on death from COVID-19 since most studies have focused only on investigating whether the pandemic increased poverty or not. With that on mind, the present study aims to analyze how the social deprivations that comprise the measurement of municipal poverty in interaction with health comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics, increased the probability of death from COVID-19. The study is cross-sectional and covers daily reports on the conditions of COVID-19 in the Mexican population for almost 2 years. Using data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System and the National Council for Evaluation of the Social Development Policy (N = 5,387,981), we employ a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM), specifically a binomial generalized linear mixed model. The findings indicate that, besides comorbidities, sociodemographic traits, and clinical aspects, living in a municipality where one or more of the social deprivations exist increases the probability of death. Specifically, in those municipalities where there is deprivation in education, social security, and food, as well as deprivation due to access to health services and deprivation in household services, the probability of death was greater. Living in a municipality with one or more of the social deprivations that compose poverty generated a greater probability of death. Each one of them or together, shows that poverty is a substantial factor for a pandemic like COVID-19 to worsen contagion and death, becoming a circle from which it is difficult to escape.

콜드체인 운송플랫폼의 IPA분석을 통한 가구 특성별 물류서비스에 관한 연구

Purpose: This study suggests logistics service improvements by analyzing the importance of, and satisfaction with, a domestic cold chain transportation platform. In addition, it differs from previous studies in that it is divided into single-person and multi-person households to understand the importance and satisfaction. Research design, data, and methodology: Data were collected on the importance of, and satisfaction with, service reliability, empathy, convenience, stability, and economic feasibility for service consumers who have used a cold chain transportation platform. Results: The cold chain transportation platform needs to provide additional services that can reduce the burden of transportation costs or increase satisfaction, and there is a need to improve the UI to make the delivery platform easier. In addition, in cold chain transportation services for single-person households, service quality improvement taking this into account is required. Conclusions: Through prior research, selection factors for a cold chain transportation platform were derived, and the implication is that service improvement is suggested through the IPA.

The transition to direct mayoral elections in clientelistic environments: Causal public spending and service delivery effects

We examine the impact of the transition to direct mayoral elections on district spending and household public service access in Indonesia during a period of momentous national democratic reform. We leverage the arguably exogenous timing of direct local elections to specify a staggered difference-in-differences model, which we estimate using the latest methods to plausibly identify causal effects. We find that the transition to direct elections led to a consistent and large decline in capital spending in both pre- and post-election years. We also determine that the transition resulted in a moderate decrease in household service access in the post-election period. Pre-election capital spending impacts are a function of both general disruptions associated with the transition and emerging clientelism. Service access effects are completely explained by the relative extent of clientelism across districts. We conclude that the local democratic transition in Indonesia had a mostly negative impact on key spending and service outcomes, at least in the short-run and for those districts in which clientelistic practices were especially pronounced.

Acceptability of Telepsychiatry among Overseas Filipino Workers in Kuwait

The challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) expose them to abuse, harming their mental wellness. Telepsychiatry offers hope by allowing prompt diagnosis, management, and treatment of mental health issues. Yet, the acceptability of this technology among OFWs has not been studied, and specialized psychiatric services for them are scarce. This study assessed telepsychiatry acceptance among OFWs in Kuwait. Using a cross-sectional design, participants with mental health concerns in a Philippine Embassy shelter were selected. Tailored telepsychiatry software facilitated secure online video consultations and psychotherapy sessions with a Philippines-based psychiatrist. Acceptance was measured with the telemedicine satisfaction and usefulness questionnaire. Fifty-five (55) female OFWs participated; most were household service workers (n = 53; 96.36%) with a median age of 35. Mental health disorders were diagnosed in 22 participants (40%) – including acute stress disorder (n = 14; 25.45%), major depressive disorder (n = 5; 9.09%), brief psychotic disorder (n = 1; 1.82%), post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 1; 1.82%), and adjustment disorder (n = 1; 1.82%). Acceptance-wise, the majority of the participants expressed satisfaction with the telepsychiatry service provided (mean = 4.77; SD=0.48). This pioneering research demonstrates the viability of telepsychiatry in providing vital psychosocial support to distressed OFWs in Kuwait. Sustaining and expanding this service across various countries is essential to ensure access to culturally sensitive and responsive mental health resources, thereby promoting mental health equity and the overall well-being of migrant workers

Shared sanitation facilities and risk of respiratory virus transmission in resource-poor settings: A COVID-19 modeling case study.

Water supply and sanitation are essential household services frequently shared in resource-poor settings. Shared sanitation can increase the risk of enteric pathogen transmission due to suboptimal cleanliness of facilities used by large numbers of individuals. It also can potentially increase the risk of respiratory disease transmission. As sanitation is an essential need, shared sanitation facilities may act as important respiratory pathogen transmission venues even with strict control measures such as stay-at-home recommendations in place. This analysis explores how behavioral and infrastructural conditions surrounding shared sanitation may individually and interactively influence respiratory pathogen transmission. We developed an individual-based community transmission model using COVID-19 as a motivating example parameterized from empirical literature to explore how transmission in shared latrines interacts with transmission at the community level. We explored mitigation strategies, including infrastructural and behavioral interventions. Our review of empirical literature confirms that shared sanitation venues in resource-poor settings are relatively small with poor ventilation and high use patterns. In these contexts, shared sanitation facilities may act as strong drivers of respiratory disease transmission, especially in areas reliant on shared facilities. Decreasing dependence on shared latrines was most effective at attenuating sanitation-associated transmission. Improvements to latrine ventilation and handwashing behavior were also able to decrease transmission. The type and order of interventions are important in successfully attenuating disease risk, with infrastructural and engineering controls being most effective when administered first, followed by behavioral controls after successful attenuation of sufficient alternate transmission routes. Beyond COVID-19, our modeling framework can be extended to address water, sanitation, and hygiene measures targeted at a range of environmentally mediated infectious diseases.

Climate threat and price stability: A case study of Belize

AbstractIn recent years, there have been calls for policy makers to do more to fight climate change. Indeed, there are growing concerns that climate could exert a serious detrimental impact on financial stability, and thus the wider economy. Empirically, a limited number of studies have highlighted the inflationary effects of climate‐related variables. This study is an attempt to contribute to this literature. More specifically, the article investigates the dynamic inflationary effect of climate in a case study of Belize. Results derived from quarterly data, over the period 1994–2019, and local linear projections suggest that inflation responds positively and significantly to temperature and rainfall shocks. Further disaggregation of inflation into its subindices reveals that this increase in inflation is mainly driven by the effect of climate on food, alcohol and tobacco, household, hospitality, and other goods and services inflation. The findings remain robust even when accounting for temperature and rainfall deviations from historical means. The results suggest that, while inflation control might not be a core element of monetary policy in Belize, policy makers should be aware that these climate‐related effects may have ramifications for the Belize economy.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Facilities in Sikkim: Findings from National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5

ABSTRACT The UN General Assembly has recognized access to improved drinking water and sanitation as a fundamental right. Despite this, a significant portion of the global population lacked access to safely managed drinking water (around 25%) and improved sanitation (around 50%) in 2020. India, the second most populous country, has approximately 3.7% of its population without access to improved drinking water and 31% without access to improved sanitation. This article examines factors influencing household access to improved drinking water and sanitation in Sikkim, India, using National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5 data. The findings reveal that urban households, older, unmarried, female-headed households, with smaller families, earning higher incomes, located in the North, West and South districts, were more likely to have access to improved drinking water. Similarly, households with unmarried heads, located in higher wealth quintiles, located in the East district, were more likely to have access to improved sanitation facilities. The study suggests subsidizing the cost of improved water and sanitation services for poor rural households and increasing public investment to make these facilities more affordable for them.

Innovative Development of Rural Green Tourism in Ukraine

The purpose of the article was to investigate the potential of rural green tourism in Ukraine and to determine the main directions of its innovative development, taking into account global, national, and regional trends. SLR (Systematic Literature Review), methods of expert assessment, selective observation, and graphic method were used to achieve the set goal. The article analyzes the current state of rural green tourism in Ukraine; the tourism and recreation potential of rural areas of Ukraine was assessed; promising types of innovations that are currently relevant for implementation in the practice of providing services in the field of rural green tourism in Ukraine are defined and grouped; and the impact of global, national, and regional trends on the current stage of activity and further development of rural green tourism in Ukraine is determined. It is determined that in modern economic conditions, rural tourism serves as a stabilizing factor that will contribute not only to maintaining the normal living standards of rural residents, but also to the development of the region’s economy, service infrastructure, household services, and the social sphere. Thus, rural green tourism is the main tool for stimulating the economic and socio-cultural development of rural areas. The results of the assessment of the tourist and recreational potential of rural green tourism of Ukraine showed that the recreational and tourist attractiveness of rural areas is mainly determined by natural and ecological conditions, cultural and historical conditions, and the tourist infrastructure of the region. Financial economic, socio-demographic, and administrative management conditions negatively affect the recreational and tourist attractiveness of rural areas, resulting in the low ability of the rural population to implement innovations. It has been established that in order for the tourist business to be able to quickly adapt to the normal state, it is necessary to introduce innovative types of tourism that will make it possible to attract a larger number of people to the tourist business and establish additional income due to the introduction of innovative offers, new tours, visits to special places, and the entire range of services of the best quality, which will contribute to the accelerated implementation of online forms and digital tools in the provision of tourist services, etc. It has been proven that the introduction of innovations plays an important role in ensuring the sustainable and balanced development of rural tourism in Ukraine, contributing to the creation of new opportunities and improving the quality of tourist services.

Respectable standards of living: The alternative lens of maintenance costs, Britain 1270–1860

AbstractThis paper argues that in all societies there is considerable agreement about what goods and services are needed to provide a decent living, and that this standard can be measured by the expense involved in maintaining people of good standing. Maintenance costs include two components of living costs that are neglected in conventional approaches. First, in contrast to the usual focus on a fixed basket of commodities, maintenance costs capture changes in the composition and quality of the goods required for a respectable lifestyle. Second, unlike conventional accounting, they include the costs of the household services required to turn the basket commodities into livings. Ignored in the conventional methodology, the inclusion of these costs represents a core innovation. More than 4600 observations, drawn mainly from primary sources, trace levels and trends in maintenance costs for Britain from 1270 to 1860. These can be compared with established cost of living indicators to offer a complementary perspective on real consumption that accommodates aspirational goods and the input of household labour. The struggle to support families at respectable standards emerges as driving industriousness and motivating prudence among a class that played a major role in economic development.

Advocacy, experience sharing and action planning toward raising additional financing for primary health care: spending more and spending better towards universal health coverage.

Reallocation of funding to respond the covid-19 pandemic, against a backdrop of longstanding underfunded health systems and high out of pocket expenditures for health, affected access to health services for households, especially those without social protection. These highlighted the urgency in curbing the impact of disruptions on progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals. Strategic investments in Primary Health Care (PHC) can help spur the necessary momentum. Under the collaborative platform of the Harmonization for Health in Africa's Health Financing Technical Working Group; UNICEF Regional Office for East and Southern Africa and WHO Regional Office for Africa convened the first PHC financing forum for 21 countries across the Eastern and Southern Africa Region. The three-day forum engaged key health and financing decision makers in constructive dialogue to identify practical actions and policy changes needed to accelerate delivery of UHC through improvements in PHC financing mechanisms and arrangements. The forum was attended by over 130 senior policy makers and technicians from governments, United Nations agencies and nonstate actors drawn from within country, regional and affiliating headquarter institutions. The Regional Forum engaged participants in meaningful, and constructive discussions. Five themes emerged (1) regular measurement and monitoring of PHC services and spending (2) increasing investments in PHC (3) enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of PHC spending, (4) ensuring an enabling environment to invest more and better in PHC, and (5) better partnerships for the realization of commitments. An outcome statement summarizing the main recommendations of the meeting was approved at the end of the forum, and action plans were developed by 14 government delegations to improve PHC financing within country-specific context and priorities. The aims of this meeting in augmenting the political will created through the Africa Leadership Meeting (ALM), by catalyzing technical direction for increased momentum for improved health financing across all African countries was achieved. Peer exchanges offered practical approaches countries can take to improve health financing in ways that are suited to regional context providing a channel for incremental improvements to health outcomes in the countries.

PROBLEMS OF ENSURING THE COMFORT OF THE RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT BASED ON MOBILE BUILDINGS

The article presents analytical material of world and domestic experience of organizing a living environment based on mobile buildings for temporary residence. The main problems of the comfort of the temporary living environment are outlined and the possible ways to solve them are determined. In the course of the study, the main problems of ensuring the comfort of temporary housing on the basis of mobile buildings for displaced persons were identified, namely: the minimum spatial parameters of functional zones necessary for living, which corresponds to a low level of functional comfort, a low level of aesthetic comfort due to the universality of aesthetic solutions of residential interiors, low level of improvement of the territory and cultural and household services. The main directions of improving the comfort of a temporary living environment based on mobile buildings are the optimal ratio of spatial parameters of functional zones and their mutual location relative to each other; organization of everyday cultural and household services on the premises; increasing the level of improvement of the surrounding area of temporary housing; increasing the aesthetic comfort of the living environment due to the use of color and exterior and interior, the use of various finishing materials and elements of surface graphics, etc.

Connection fee as a factor to ensure financial affordability of utility services for consumers

Utilities as a type of mixed public good have the characteristic of non-rivalry, that is, they must be available to the entire population without exception and all households must be able to pay for them. As a rule, such financial inclusion is achieved by providing targeted assistance to low-income families. For example, in Russia this problem is solved by a program of subsidies for housing and communal services. In various countries, other mechanisms are also used: the provision of social housing, budget subsidies for producers, price discrimination. This paper analyzes another way to reduce the financial burden for consumers of utility services, which has been used in most developed countries. It consists of shifting part of the costs of developing engineering infrastructure to future consumers through connection fees (technological connection) for capital construction projects. From the perspective of pricing theory, it is shown that connection fees can reduce the average costs of a utility company passed on to consumers of services; it is graphically illustrated how connection fees increase the financial affordability of utility services for consumers and reduce budget costs for subsidizing the payment of housing and communal services for households with low incomes.

Economic Valuation of Women's Unpaid Household Service Work in Bangladesh

This short note estimates the economic value of women’s unpaid household service work in Bangladesh using data from the Time Use Survey 2021 of BBS. This survey collected detailed information 17,772 respondents (10,024 female and 7,748 male) from 8,000 households on how individuals aged 15 years and older spent their time over a 24-hour period in a day on various activities. Productive time of all household members is divided into three categories: i) household chores (e.g. cooking, cleaning, etc.); ii) caregiving services for household members; and iii) paid and self-employed work. The first two categories comprise unpaid household service work. Data show that women and men spent 7 hours and 6.9 hours on productive work, respectively. In order to estimate the total economic value of women’s unpaid work, we follow an input-based replacement cost approach with generalist wage rates. Our estimate shows that the valuation of women’s unpaid care work is BDT 5,307 billion, which is equivalent to 14.8 per cent of the GDP in 2021. This figure is a meagre 2.8 per cent of GDP for men.

A Fullstack Web Application to Provide On-demand Household Services

Abstract: A Fullstack Web Application to Provide On-demand Household Services is a paper focused on designing and creating a full stack web application. The application aims to help users find nearby household service providers, such as electricians, plumbers, gardeners, carpenters etc. Users can easily browse the available services, book the appointments, track the location of service professionals, and share feedback about completed work. For service professionals, the application offers tools to manage appointments and track earnings. The application incorporates advanced technologies like Blockchain for secure storage of customer ratings, reviews, and work history generated by service professionals. Additionally, Machine Learning is utilized to develop chatbots for real-time user assistance. Few technological domains which are covered in this application are Full Stack development, Blockchain technology and Machine Learning. In summary, the goal of this application is to improve the skilled workforce connection system, making it efficient, secure, and engaging for all users

ServeItNow - Home Services Made Easy

Abstract: ServeItNow, an innovative online household service platform, is revolutionizing the way people access and engage with home services. This abstract provides an overview of how ServeItNow simplifies the lives of both homeowners and service providers. ServeItNow acts as a bridge connecting users with a diverse array of local service providers, including plumbers, electricians, cleaners, and movers. The platform's core mission is to provide a seamless, convenient, and trustworthy way for individuals to find and book essential household services. One of the standout features of ServeItNow is its user-friendly interface. With just a few clicks or taps, users can effortlessly navigate through a directory of local service providers, read authentic reviews from fellow customers, and select the services that precisely match their needs. This intuitive approach has made ServeItNow a preferred choice for users seeking reliable and efficient household services.In the world of online services, trust is paramount, and ServeItNow recognizes this importance. The platform employs stringent verification processes to ensure that all registered service providers are qualified, competent, and dependable. Moreover, users have the ability to contribute to transparency and accountability within the community by leaving reviews and ratings for the services they receive. For service providers, ServeItNow offers a valuable platform to showcase their skills and expand their client base. By establishing a digital presence and accumulating positive reviews, service providers can enhance their credibility and grow their businesses within the ServeItNow community. Market trends indicate that ServeItNow is part of a larger trend in the online household service sector, which is experiencing substantial growth. The presence of competition is driving innovation and raising the bar for service quality. To stay ahead, ServeItNow continually enhances its features and offerings to meet evolving user needs. Technology plays a pivotal role in ServeItNow's success. The platform's mobile app ensures users can access services conveniently, even while on the move. Furthermore, ServeItNow explores the potential integration of smart devices and IoT technology to further streamline service delivery and elevate user experiences. In conclusion, ServeItNow stands as a transformative force in the realm of household services. It simplifies the process of discovering, booking, and receiving dependable home services. Its commitment to trust, transparency, and user-friendliness benefits both homeowners and service providers. As technology continues to evolve, and competition drives innovation, platforms like ServeItNow are poised to shape the future of home services, offering homeowners a seamless and stress-free experience and creating new opportunities for service professionals.

Household Service Quality: Insights from Quality Management Systems and Cluster Organization Models

This study explores the dynamics of quality management systems and cluster organization models within the household service industry. Using keywords such as household service quality, assessment methods, factors, resources, clusters, and models, we investigate the efficacy of the five-star quality management model and algorithms for evaluating quality management processes. Our findings reveal crucial insights into meeting consumer expectations, understanding social factors, and optimizing resource utilization for improved service delivery. The implications suggest the potential for enhanced collaboration, innovation acceleration, and market responsiveness, highlighting avenues for future research and industry development. Highlights: Improved collaboration: Integrating quality systems and clusters boosts service quality and customer satisfaction. Faster innovation: Algorithms speed up quality assessment, fostering industry adaptation. Responsive markets: Understanding social factors enhances market competitiveness and sustainability. Keywords: Household Service Industry, Quality Management System, Household Service Quality, Model, Cluster.

Anthropomorphic Soft Hand: Dexterity, Sensing, and Machine Learning

Humans possess dexterous hands that surpass those of other animals, enabling them to perform intricate, complex movements. Soft hands, known for their inherent flexibility, aim to replicate the functionality of human hands. This article provides an overview of the development processes and key directions in soft hand evolution. Starting from basic multi-finger grippers, these hands have made significant advancements in the field of robotics. By mimicking the shape, structure, and functionality of human hands, soft hands can partially replicate human-like movements, offering adaptability and operability during grasping tasks. In addition to mimicking human hand structure, advancements in flexible sensor technology enable soft hands to exhibit touch and perceptual capabilities similar to humans, enhancing their performance in complex tasks. Furthermore, integrating machine learning techniques has significantly promoted the advancement of soft hands, making it possible for them to intelligently adapt to a variety of environments and tasks. It is anticipated that these soft hands, designed to mimic human dexterity, will become a focal point in robotic hand development. They hold significant application potential for industrial flexible gripping solutions, medical rehabilitation, household services, and other domains, offering broad market prospects.

You don’t need an invoice, do you? An online experiment on collaborative tax evasion

Collaborative evasion of taxes and social security fees is prevalent when two parties can coordinate to circumvent third-party reporting mechanisms. Prominent examples are household services when a household hires a service provider and no third party is involved; however, the evidence on the determinants of collaborative tax evasion is scarce. This study examines two coordination mechanisms of collaborative tax evasion: a partner’s signaled intention and information about the majority’s evasion behavior (empirical evasion expectation). We implement an interactive online tax evasion game with 560 participants from an online labor market. Our findings show that manipulating an empirical evasion expectation increases the fraction of evaded transactions by 19 percentage points. Our treatment manipulation of intention signals does not significantly affect evasion; however, when the willingness to evade is signaled first in the chat, the probability of evasion increases by 44 percentage points.

Changes in the structure of household expenditure in urban and rural China

ABSTRACT In the last two decades, China has witnessed a remarkable change in household expenditure structure following the rapid growth of household income. Using provincial-level panel data from 2001 to 2019 and the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System model, we derive the expenditure elasticities, as well as uncompensated and compensated price elasticities, for urban and rural households. Our results suggest that food and clothing are ‘necessity’ goods, whereas residence, education, and transportation are ‘luxury’ goods for both urban and rural households. Household facilities and medical services are necessities for urban households, while they are luxuries for rural households. All own-price elasticity estimates are negative, indicating that no Giffen goods exist. We also observe temporal changes in the household expenditure structure over China’s Five-Year Plan cycles. Finally, we find significant differences in the own-price elasticity across the eastern, central, and western regions with varying levels of economic development.

The role of the service sector in the development of entrepreneurship in the countryside

The article highlights the role of the service sector in the development of entrepreneurship in rural areas. An analysis of the works of Ukrainian scientists dedicated to the development of the service sector in Ukraine, as well as the development of entrepreneurship in the countryside, was carried out. A number of methods that were used in this study are highlighted. It is indicated that entrepreneurial activity in rural areas consists of both traditional entrepreneurship in the production and sale of agricultural products, and in less traditional types of business, in particular, entrepreneurship in the provision of services. The types of services provided in rural areas are highlighted and graphically displayed, in particular, the authors note that there are three groups of such services. Since state organizations are responsible for the provision of social services to rural residents, the authors focused their attention on service provision activities carried out on a commercial basis. It is indicated that a significant share in the provision of services in the village is occupied by sellers of production agricultural services, in particular services in crop production. It is noted that the majority of buyers of production agricultural services are households, as they do not have the resources to purchase all types of agricultural machinery. It is noted that the main providers of production agricultural services are natural persons-entrepreneurs and officially unregistered sellers of such services. It is indicated that other services, the provision of which can become a form of entrepreneurial activity in the village, are household services, in particular, services for repairing clothes, shoes, appliances, transport services, hairdressing services, etc. In addition, it is said that the opening of catering establishments and the provision of tourist services can also exist in rural areas as a form of entrepreneurship. The problem of the lack of adequate statistical information on the activity of entrepreneurial structures in the field of rural services has been established. It is proposed to implement and actively promote the development of alternative types of entrepreneurship in the provision of services in the countryside, in particular, to open small businesses for the provision of household services, as well as touristic services.