Small Household Research Articles

Exploring the impact of population ageing on the spread of emerging respiratory infections and the associated burden of mortality

BackgroundIncreasing life expectancy and persistently low fertility levels have led to old population age structures in most high-income countries, and population ageing is expected to continue or even accelerate in the coming decades. While older adults on average have few interactions that potentially could lead to disease transmission, their morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases, respiratory infections in particular, remain substantial. We aim to explore how population ageing affects the future transmission dynamics and mortality burden of emerging respiratory infections.MethodsUsing longitudinal individual-level data from population registers, we model the Belgian population with evolving age and household structures, and explicitly consider long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Three scenarios are presented for the future proportion of older adults living in LTCFs. For each demographic scenario, we simulate outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 and a novel influenza A virus in 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050 and distinguish between household and community transmission. We estimate attack rates by age and household size/type, as well as disease-related deaths and the associated quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) lost.ResultsAs the population is ageing, small households and LTCFs become more prevalent. Additionally, families with children become smaller (i.e. low fertility, single-parent families). The overall attack rate slightly decreases as the population is ageing, but to a larger degree for influenza than for SARS-CoV-2 due to differential age-specific attack rates. Nevertheless, the number of deaths and QALY losses per 1,000 people is increasing for both infections and at a speed influenced by the share living in LTCFs.ConclusionPopulation ageing is associated with smaller outbreaks of COVID-19 and influenza, but at the same time it is causing a substantially larger burden of mortality, even if the proportion of LTCF residents were to decrease. These relationships are influenced by age patterns in epidemiological parameters. Not only the shift in the age distribution, but also the induced changes in the household structures are important to consider when assessing the potential impact of population ageing on the transmission and burden of emerging respiratory infections.

Cities of Ukraine in the conditions of information economy: Principles and scenarios of the development of post-military recovery

The article is devoted to topical issues of re covery of cities of Ukraine in the post-war period and in the conditions of the progress of the information economy. It is noted that for the comprehensive development of cities today, it is necessary to accumulate and process large amounts of information, to disseminate special information technologies and means of communication. Information is becoming both a tool and a recognized strategic resource for social progress, outlining priorities and scenarios for the development of territories. It is proved that management technologies of labor intellectualization business smart specialization automation of production and services are being recognized and implemented. Cities as centers of concentration of knowledge and resources that provide an information type of development of large and small economic systems, social processes and household activities are becoming the centers of information progress, education and science, emergence and development of the information economy. It is determined that cities of Ukraine in pre-war times effectively implemented measures of the state poli cy of digitalization and digitization as mandatory elements of the formation of the national model of the information economy. This movement was enshrined in strategic plans of the government and business, as well as in legal provisions regulating the econ omy and education. Large losses of the Ukrainian economy from the barbaric destruction of the population and cities by the Russian Federation are emphasized. The need to script the deployment of productive forces and the recovery of the country's cities according to the best standards of world experience and information progress is determined. It is recommended to attract the accumulated pre-war manage rial experience of Ukrainian management and world achievements on the issue of post-war recovery. The key principles of urban recovery scripting taking into account information and innovation progress, namely: knowledge management on integrated management platforms; targeted attraction of resources (intellectual, information, investment, innovation ones, security and targeted management risk analysis; smart oriented development of territories; energy independence; transparency, openness and publicity of urban recovery and development processes are identified. Key managerial approaches to targeted regulati on of the economy of Ukrainian cities, namely: compliance of processes with European and global social progress; harmonious, balanced implementation of national and local interests, targeted attraction of resources and accumulated management knowledge system are considered and systematized. The influence of the information economy on the scenarios of post military recovery of Ukrainian cities is substantiated. Impact characteristics and management processes that will take place from targeted regulation: increase in information security and reduction in the risks of economic activities; changes in information culture and communication support of management activities; information asymmetry in the system of management decision making by business and government

Rice Food Security on Small Farmer Households Under Current Mechanization Level in Kampar Region, Indonesia

Rice is Indonesia's most important staple food and has become a key indicator of the country's food security. In Kampar Region, most small farmers face challenges in meeting their households’ rice food security under a relatively limited application of mechanization and small farm scale. This study examines the rice food security status of small farmer households under current levels of mechanization in Kampar Region, Indonesia. Field surveys were conducted in two districts, Bangkinang and Kuok in Kampar region in April-June 2020. A total of 72 small farmers were purposively selected for the sample, of which 36 were farmers from each district. Data were collected through interviews using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive-quantitative techniques. As a result, the current mechanization application was classified as intermediate level. At this level, 1.33 tons of rice were produced, and the cultivated area was 0.37 ha on average. Rice productivity averaged 3.56 tons. ha-1 and varied with various farm sizes. The per capita rice consumption was still high, approximately 114.6 kg per year, and it requires a farm size of 0.054 ha to meet annual rice consumption, or 0.27 ha for households with 5 family members. About 46% of small farmers could not meet their rice needs within one year. They could supply rice for less than 12 months and up to 21 percent of them could supply rice for up to 6 months. Therefore, the level of mechanization must be increased to improve rice productivity.

The Use of the Taguchi Method with Grey Relational Analysis for Nanofluid-Phase Change-Optimized Parameter Design at a Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Thermal Composite Module for Small Households

This study aims to optimize the process parameters of the nanofluid-phase change-solar photovoltaic thermal (nanofluid-PCM-PV/T) composite module. In particular, the organic paraffin was selected as a phase change material, while water, CuO, and Al2O3 were selected as nanofluids. The TRNSYS 16.0 software was employed to model and analyze the composite module. The Taguchi method with the main effect analysis (MEA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the orthogonal table were established to investigate the impact of each control factor on the power generation and heat storage efficiency. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was adopted to obtain the parameters for multi-quality optimization. The result showed that the power generation efficiency in this study was 14.958%, and the heat storage efficiency was 64.764%. Meanwhile, in the conventional PV/T module, the former was 12.74%, and the latter was 34.06%, respectively. Verification results showed that the confidence intervals of both single-quality and multi-quality optimization parameter sets were within 95%. The errors of the results from both theoretical simulation and real testing were smaller than 5%. In the case of a generally small family of four members using electric/water heaters, the rooftop module in this study was more efficient than the typical rooftop PV/T by 25.04%. The former’s investment recovery period was lower than 0.81 years.

Grid tariff designs to address electrification and their allocative impacts

This paper investigates volumetric grid tariff designs considering different pricing mechanisms and resulting in cost-allocative impacts across socio-techno-economic consumer categories. In a case study of 1.56 million Danish households divided into 90 socio-techno-economic categories, we compare three alternative grid tariffs and investigate their impact on annual electricity bills. The results of our design, consisting of a time-dependent threshold penalizing individual peak consumption and a system peak tariff, show (a) a range of different allocations that distribute the burden of additional grid costs across both technologies and (b) strong positive outcomes, including reduced expenses for lower-income groups and smaller households.

The Impact of Agricultural Factor Inputs, Cooperative-Driven on Grain Production Costs

The problem of high grain production costs, which is not conducive to sustainable agricultural development and food security, is highlighted in the context of China’s “large country and small household farmers”. Reducing the grain production costs through factor allocation and organizational drive has become particularly important. Based on 768-grain peasant households in China, this paper uses OLS regression and robust regression to examine the effects of agricultural factor inputs and cooperatives on grain production costs. It analyzes the synergistic and substitution effects between farmers’ factor inputs and cooperatives in grain production. It was found that: (1) in farmers’ grain production, reductions in the grain production costs can be realized by expanding the area under cultivation, improving the use of agricultural machinery, and increasing technological inputs; (2) a reduction in the grain production costs can also be realized through cooperatives driving farmers into grain production; (3) cooperatives can provide farmers with various types of agricultural production services in grain production and cooperative-driven substitution effects between the agricultural factor inputs of farm households. The findings of this paper contribute to the enrichment of research in the field of agricultural production and are important for enhancing agricultural sustainability and reducing grain production costs.

Consumer practices regarding the purchase, use, willingness to repair, and disposal of small electric and electronic equipment: A Spanish survey on kettles

AbstractRepair is one of the main strategies to extend the lifetime of products in the circular economy framework. With the aim of identifying current consumer practices toward the purchase, use, and end of life of electric and electronic equipment (EEE), including willingness to repair, maintenance, and final disposal, a survey is designed and implemented online, taking kettles as an application case. Regarding current strategies for extending the lifespan of these items, a general lack of maintenance and low levels of reparability or reuse have been detected. Disposal patterns show that nearly half of all kettles disposed of were still functioning. Nevertheless, a future willingness to repair these items has been identified, either by users themselves or at repair centers, if the manufacturer provides the means to do so. Finally, the results reveal that when consumers purchase a kettle, the price and then the energy efficiency score are the main priorities affecting their purchasing decisions, taking priority over the reparability score. These results can help in the design of more focused and direct strategies to promote the reparability of small household appliances, encourage the authorities to regulate the new reparability score in a more efficient way, and improve the way that information is transmitted to users/consumers.

Representativeness of a mobile phone-based coverage evaluation survey following mass drug administration for soil-transmitted helminths: a comparison of participation between two cross-sectional surveys

ObjectivesWith increasing mobile phone subscriptions, phone-based surveys are gaining popularity with public health programmes. Despite advantages, systematic exclusion of participants may limit representativeness. Similar to control programmes for neglected tropical...

Interventions to reduce camel and small ruminant young stock morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia.

Morbidity and mortality of young stock is a challenge for livestock producers globally. In Ethiopia, where camels and small ruminants (sheep and goats) are essential smallholder and pastoral livestock, young stock losses can cause severe consequences to livelihoods. This pilot study, part of a Government-led Young Stock Mortality Reduction Consortium project, was undertaken to identify and evaluate interventions to reduce young stock mortality in mixed crop-livestock and pastoral production systems in Ethiopia. Pastoralists and mixed crop-livestock farmers were enrolled by convenience sampling across four regions. Households were sampled with questionnaire surveys to establish baseline mortality risk and prevalence of diarrhoea and respiratory disease in animals younger than one year, and followed longitudinally over a one-year period, with final evaluations conducted from March to July 2020. Mortality risk and prevalence of diarrhoea and respiratory disease before and after implementation were compared using Poisson regression models including household as random effect. Prior to intervention, median camel mortality, prevalence of diarrhoea, and respiratory disease across production systems in the different households was 0.4, 0.44 and 0.2, respectively. This compared to median pastoralist small ruminant mortality risk and prevalence of diarrhoea and respiratory disease of 0.45, 0.32 and 0.18, respectively. Post-intervention, median camel mortality, prevalence of diarrhoea and respiratory disease dropped to 0.1, 0.08 and 0. Similarly, more than half of the small ruminant households reported no mortality, and no cases of diarrhoea or respiratory disease. In camels, rate ratios of mortality risk, prevalence of diarrhoea, and respiratory disease post-intervention compared to the baseline were 0.41, 0.41 and 0.37. In small ruminants, rate ratios were 0.33, 0.35 and 0.46. All reductions were statistically significant (p<0.01). Generally, pastoralists experienced higher mortality and disease prevalence compared to mixed crop-livestock smallholders, and the effect of intervention was slightly higher in pastoralist households. The pilot study findings demonstrated highly significant reductions in mortality and risk of diarrhoea and respiratory disease post-interventions. However, not all households benefitted from the interventions, with a few households reporting increased mortality and morbidity. Many households had very few animals which made it challenging to measure impact and the study was conducted over a single year, without a control group, so between year effects could not be accounted for in the reductions observed. These findings should contribute to improved livestock productivity in Ethiopia.

Study of the performance of small industry and household pottery craft workers based on ergonomic principles

Musculoskeletal complaints in pottery workers occur due to the use of work tools that are not ergonomic. Work tools that are not ergonomic cause unnatural work postures such as squatting, bending over, out of reach, etc. Overcoming this requires measuring workers' body dimensions or anthropometric data. Using anthropometric data in tool design requires worker measurement data to be calculated using percentiles according to the tool to be designed or redesigned. Applying worker anthropometric data provides work tool designs that suit workers' needs so that they are comfortable when used. This has the impact of no longer causing musculoskeletal complaints, often referred to as ergonomic work tools. Applying ergonomics principles in small industries and households is necessary so that workers can carry out their work effectively, comfortably, safely, healthily, and efficiently. This is so that workers can increase their productivity while maintaining their health.

Agents of Economic Resilience and the Role of Islamic Approach Towards Financial Inclusion During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case of Pakistan

In times of hyperinflation, these days Pakistan is confronted with health financing and food crises. It is essential to decrease the likelihood of food insecurity and economic vulnerability. This study aims to investigate the Vulnerability of society to pandemic shocks and the resilience of an Islamic nation such as Pakistan, as well as to investigate and identify the agents of Economic resilience in Pakistan. This study also investigated the function of Islamic financial inclusion strategies during pandemics. This study utilizes a variety of data categories and methods. The study's conclusion was reached using both primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative data. The study found that the majority of individuals are susceptible to such disruptions in terms of health, income, and social construction. The study revealed that there are numerous economic resilience agents in Pakistan, which play a significant role in bolstering support for small households and poor families. The analysis of quantitative data sets revealed that interventions or agents of change/resilience have had a significant impact on reducing hunger risk, infant deprivation, and other societal vulnerabilities. The conclusion of the study is that both formal and informal service providers contribute to enhancing the community's resilience through financial inclusion and a transitory support system. The conclusion of the study argues that the Islamic approach to financial transactions is more dependable and satisfactory for households and community-oriented organizations.

Parents' Understanding About Children's Bullying: Fall ConsumerStyles Survey, United States, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

The purpose of this study was to explore U.S. parents' and caregivers' understanding about children's bullying-what bullying is and how to address it. We analyzed 2017, 2018, and 2019 Fall ConsumerStyles online panel survey data from U.S. parents/caregivers of children ages 10 to 17 years (N = 1,516), including 20 items representing statements consistent or inconsistent with the bullying prevention evidence and best practices. Percentage of endorsement for each item and a summary measure of understanding about bullying were calculated. The association between low overall understanding about bullying and sociodemographic characteristics was explored. Most parents identified bullying as harmful (77%), repetitive (63%), and involving power imbalance (51%). At least half of parents answered 13 or more items (20 total) consistent with the bullying prevention evidence or best practices. Being male, non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic, having high school or less education, and small household size were associated with higher odds of low overall understanding about bullying. Awareness of parents' understanding about bullying and how to appropriately address it is vital for bullying prevention. Findings can inform the strategic development of bullying prevention health messages for parents.

Understanding financial risk protection in China’s health system: a descriptive analysis using data from multiple national household surveys

BackgroundProviding financial risk protection is one of the fundamental goals of health systems. Catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and medical impoverishment (MI) are two common indicators in evaluating financial risk protection in health. As China continues its health system reform to provide accessible and affordable health care, it is important to have a clear understanding of China’s progress in financial risk protection. However, past research showed discrepancies in the incidence of CHE and MI. In this article, using data from four national household surveys, we analyzed levels and characteristics of CHE and MI in China under different definitions.MethodsWe used multiple conventional thresholds for CHE and MI to comprehensively describe the levels of financial risk protection in China. We used data from four national household surveys to measure the incidence of CHE and MI, and their inequalities by urban/rural status and by income quartiles. The Probit regression model was used to explore influencing factors of CHE and MI.ResultsWe found that the incidences of CHE and MI were largely consistent across four national household surveys, despite different sampling methods and questionnaire designs. At the 40% nonfood expenditure threshold, the incidence of CHE in China was 14.95%-17.73% across four surveys during the period of 2016–2017. Meanwhile, at the 1.9 US dollars poverty line, the incidence of MI was 2.01%-5.63%. Moreover, rural residents, lower-income subgroups, and smaller households were faced with higher financial risks from healthcare expenditures. Although positive progress in financial risk protection has been achieved in recent years, China has disproportionately high incidences of CHE and MI, compared to other countries.ConclusionChina has large margins for improvements in risk financial protection, with large inequalities across subgroups. Providing better financial protection for low-income groups in rural areas is the key to improve financial protection in China.

Soybean yield, seed quality and thresh efficiency by mechanisation at different harvesting stages and postharvest ripening

This study determined the most appropriate and earliest soybean harvesting stage and the number of days of postharvest ripening with minimal effects on seed losses and quality when mechanical harvest and threshing were applied. Harvesting stages at four physiological maturities (60, 70, 80, and 90%) and various days of postharvest ripening treatment (1, 2, and 3 days) were applied for two soybean varieties DT12 and DT26. Harvesting at physiological maturity of 90% recorded the highest seed-shattering loss but the least seed damage (&lt;5%) and highest seed quality, followed by a physiological maturity of 80%. There were no significant differences in seed yields between harvesting stages of 80 and 90% maturity. Harvesting soybeans at a physiological maturity of 60 and 70% resulted in no seed losses but a significant reduction in seed quality. To avoid adverse weather, an early harvest stage at a physiological maturity of 80% is suggested. Although postharvest ripening of soybeans for early harvest caused seed shattering losses (2-5%), it was necessary to ensure seed quality. These results indicate effective and practical methods for farmers at small households to use in early mechanical harvesting of soybeans.

Out-of-pocket expenditure among patients with diabetes in Bangladesh: A nation-wide population-based study

Background and objectivesDiabetes has become one of the fastest growing public health emergencies worldwide. The objective of this study was to estimate the average annual out-of-pocket cost of diabetes treatment as well as to find out the catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and their determinants in Bangladeshi context. Data and methodsThe study utilised data from the most recent nationally representative Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2016–2017. The incidence of CHE was estimated by applying 10% and 25% of the annual total household expenditure threshold levels. The factors associated with CHE was presented as adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. ResultsThe annual average out-of-pocket cost per diabetes patient was US$ 323 (BDT 25,473). The cost of medication was the main cost driver contributed for 75.43% of the total out-of-pocket cost. The incidence of CHE was 14.34%, and 5.86% of the study households for 10% and 25% of the threshold levels, respectively. The patient aged more than 60 (AOR: 4.89; CI 0.82 to 28.95), uneducated (AOR: 1.83; CI 0.25 to 2.12), comorbid condition (AOR: 1.62; CI 0.94 to 2.79), small household size (AOR: 3.20; CI 0.58 to 17.51), rural resident (AOR: 1.85; CI 0.46 to 1.57), poorest asset quintile (AOR: 4.06; CI 1.43 to 13.87) and private facility type (AOR: 8.16; CI 3.46 to 19.;25) were significantly associated with the incidence of CHE due to diabetes treatment. ConclusionsThere are considerable out-of-pocket costs needed for diabetes care in Bangladesh. The evidence of catastrophic expenditure suggests the urgent need to improve financial risk protection to ensure access to care.

Shared E-Scooter User Characteristics and Usage Patterns across Four U.S. Cities

The rapid growth of shared e-scooters around the world creates an interest and a need to understand who uses shared e-scooters, trip patterns, and modal shift impacts. To shed light on these questions, this study conducted an online survey ( N = 1498) to collect information on shared e-scooter use in four U.S. cities: Birmingham, AL, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, CA, and Miami, FL. The paper provides a comprehensive view of shared e-scooter use in different cities and reveals the similarities and differences in e-scooter users’ socioeconomic characteristics. Furthermore, the results of a binary logistic model show the impact of socioeconomic and travel modal choice factors on predicting shared e-scooter usage. The findings suggest that male, younger, and more affluent users who live in smaller households owning fewer vehicles are more likely to use shared e-scooter services. The relationships between income level, race/ethnicity, or e-scooter ownership and the usage of shared e-scooters are not statistically significant. The McFadden’s R2 of the binary logistic regression model indicates an excellent fit. The results also show that compared with non-users, shared e-scooter users tend to assess travel cost as more important and travel safety as less important in their mode choice. The findings from this work can help city planners, policymakers, and other micromobility stakeholders in their efforts to promote the adoption of shared e-scooters and improve on deployment practices of shared e-scooters at their locations.

Edukasi Peluang Usaha Kecil Berdasar Karakteristik Sosial Ekonomi Masyarakat Kecamatan Kutalimbaru

&#x0D; The purpose of this community service is to increase the understanding of community small business actors in Kutalimbaru sub-district, Deli Sedang Regency about business opportunities based on socio-economic characteristics. The specific target in this community service is that small business actors in the Kutalimbaru sub-district community know what business opportunities are and the concept of socio-economic characteristics how to apply them in the world of household businesses and their impact on household income, for example by becoming a new source of income from small household businesses that have been applied so that they are able to read the problems that occur in the market closest to the settlement, and as well as small markets around the Kutalimbaru sub-district. The materials presented in this community service are: what are business opportunities and socio-economic characteristics, how the impact of business opportunities on household income. Which is related to improving the welfare of households as economic actors in Kutalimbaru sub-district through community knowledge/understanding related to the establishment of small household businesses, target markets and forms of problems that exist in the market. From this community service, the results show that the Kutalimbaru sub-district community already knows and understands business opportunities based on the concept of socio-economic characteristics, so that they start opening small businesses that can increase income that utilizes productivity to become an alternative in increasing income and then can improve welfare through community income.&#x0D; Keywords: Economic; Kutalimbaru; Opportunity; Social; Business&#x0D;

An Economic Analysis of the Smallholder Dairy Farming: A Case Study in Muktagacha Upazila, Mymensingh

The present study was conducted to analyze the smallholder dairy farming sector in the rural areas of Bangladesh from an economic viewpoint. In this study we tried to find out the factors affecting dairy income and milk productivity, comparing the results from crossbred and indigenous cows and also found out the various constraints faced by smallholder farmers in dairy farming in rural areas of Muktagacha Upazila. Primary data was collected from four different villages at Muktagacha Upazila in the Mymensingh division. The sample size was 40 cattle farmers. They were interviewed through a survey questionnaire. To analyze farmer’s income and milk production in relation to economic factors two econometric and economic models were used as Multiple regression models and the cobb-douglas production function. From the survey, it was found that dairy farms owned on average 3.07 milking cows comparing .37 indigenous and 2.70 crossbred cows. In selected areas, most of the dairy farmers own about 3.07 milking cows where maximum cows are crossbred cows and a small number of cows are indigenous. At present time due to price rise in every sector. Dairy farmers in rural areas also need to find ways to produce more at the lowest cost. Milk productivity was 6.90 liter per cow per day, in crossbred whereas indigenous cows provided only 1.9/2.00 liter per day and total productivity was 12/13kg. From the average viewpoint it was found that, in large farms, the productivity was large compared to the small firms or households. We also tried to estimate the average monthly income from the firm. From this study finding it is clear that cross-bred cows are providing higher economic benefits to the dairy farmers compared to the indigenous breeds. With the improvement in every step such as training programs, food cost, proper farm management, proper treatment of the cows, and farming experience are highly related to the monthly income and milk productivity. Now a day, smallholder dairy farming is a progressive economic sector despite various constraints.

The interface of dementia and physical disability; causative factors and associations in the elderly population from Pakistan: evidence from the nationally representative cross-sectional Demographic and Health Survey (DHS, 2017-18) of Pakistan

Objectives: The interface of dementia and physical disability is poorly characterized in the elderly population. We used the 2017-2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) (PKPR71FL) to investigate the prevalence and interface of dementia and physical disability in Pakistan. Study design: A cross-sectional study design was used by analyzing the latest DHS conducted for Pakistan from 22 November 2017 to 30 April 2018. Methods: We used Gamma correlation to evaluate the effects of several demographic and socioeconomic factors on dementia and physical disability in 2,899 males and 2,284 females. Results: The prevalence of both forms of disabilities increased with advancing age with a higher preponderance among females. Being unmarried, not educated, having a smaller household, and poverty was associated with a greater disability. Having four or more children was associated with a higher disability in men but lower disability in women. The prevalence of disability was highest in Punjab and lowest in Balochistan. Conclusion: Altogether, we describe several factors associated with the burden of disability in Pakistan. Community-based interventions are recommended to reduce the disability of the elderly in Pakistan.

Who Deserves Credit? Banks for the Virtuous in Rural China

ABSTRACT While cities piloting China’s Social Credit System attract attention, rural areas in China are experimenting with reputation-based credit systems called ‘banks of virtue’. These local institutions unlock cheap loans and other benefits for citizens who prove virtuous character. Based on empirical data, this article investigates how banks of virtue combine techniques of metrics known from capitalist credit systems with an inherently localized and personal evaluation procedure. As hybrid forms of organizing access to credit, this article argues, banks of virtue offer an alternative, rural answer to the ‘right to credit’ that emerged in debates concerning capitalist economies. While they combine multiple goals of the national rural revitalization and Social Credit System strategies, such as the creation of a ‘civilized’ rural society and the allocation of credit to small businesses and households, their reliance on citizen participation casts doubts over their capacity to achieve these goals.