Social Security Network Research Articles

China-ASEAN Relations, April 2009 to September 2009: Important Documents

China-ASEAN Relations, April 2010 to September 2010:Important Documents Courtney Fu Rong (bio) 8th April 2010 Joint Media Statement of the 14th ASEAN Finance Ministers' Meeting <http://www.aseansec.org/24491.htm> 2nd May 2010 Joint Ministerial Statement of The 13th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers' Meeting <http://www.aseansec.org/documents/JMS_13th_AFMMA+3.pdf> 24th May 2010 Joint Statement of the ASEAN Plus Three Labour Ministers Meeting <http://www.aseansec.org/24727.htm> 1st June 2010 Joint Statement of Foreign Ministers of ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries <http://www.aseansec.org/24758.htm> 1st June 2010 Joint Press Statement of the Second ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting <http://www.aseansec.org/24755.htm> 24th-25th August 2010 Joint Media Statement of the 42nd ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting <http://www.aseansec.org/25084.htm> 25th January 2010 Joint Media Statement of the Ninth Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers <http://www.aseansec.org/24221.htm> 25th August 2010 Joint Media Statement of the 4th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting <http://www.aseansec.org/25107.htm> [End Page 184] Courtney Fu Rong Courtney FU Rong (eaifr@nus.edu.sg) has a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science from the National University of Singapore and a Masters of Arts in East Asian Studies from New York University. Her main research interests are China-US relations, China's social security network and Chinese history and philosophy in general. Copyright © 2011 China: An International Journal

H1N1: A Mexican Perspective

In April this year, a new influenza virus of swine origin emerged in Mexico and spread rapidly around the world. As the Northern hemisphere winter flu season kicks off, Laura Vargas-Parada reports on the measures that Mexico is taking to combat the H1N1 pandemic.

Infection and death from influenza A H1N1 virus in Mexico: a retrospective analysis

In April, 2009, the first cases of influenza A H1N1 were registered in Mexico and associated with an unexpected number of deaths. We report the timing and spread of H1N1 in cases, and explore protective and risk factors for infection, severe disease, and death. We analysed information gathered by the influenza surveillance system from April 28 to July 31, 2009, for patients with influenza-like illness who attended clinics that were part of the Mexican Institute for Social Security network. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) to compare risks of testing positive for H1N1 in those with influenza-like illness at clinic visits, the risk of admission for laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1, and of death for inpatients according to demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, seasonal influenza vaccine status, and elapsed time from symptom onset to admission. By July 31, 63 479 cases of influenza-like illness were reported; 6945 (11%) cases of H1N1 were confirmed, 6407 (92%) were outpatients, 475 (7%) were admitted and survived, and 63 (<1%) died. Those aged 10-39 years were most affected (3922 [56%]). Mortality rates showed a J-shaped curve, with greatest risk in those aged 70 years and older (10.3%). Risk of infection was lowered in those who had been vaccinated for seasonal influenza (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.55-0.77]). Delayed admission (1.19 [1.11-1.28] per day) and presence of chronic diseases (6.1 [2.37-15.99]) were associated with increased risk of dying. Risk communication and hospital preparedness are key factors to reduce mortality from H1N1 infection. Protective effects of seasonal influenza vaccination for the virus need to be investigated. None.

Chinese Economy and Excess Liquidity

AbstractThis paper considers five indicators of excess liquidity to verify its existence in China. Based on the analysis, we argue that the People's Bank of China and other banks in China are responsible for the excess liquidity in China. Other factors, such as the excess savings resulting from the poor social security network, the asset bubble and the foreign exchange system, fuel banks with abundant liquidity. To tackle the problem of excess liquidity and direct capital into productive sectors, the traditional use of monetary policy alone is not sufficient. The semi‐administrative tool “window guidance” and other macroeconomic control methods are required.

Politik Hukum Negara Kesejahteraan Indonesia (Studi Tentang Kebijakan Regulasi dan Institusionalisasi Gagasan Kesejahteraan Sosial Ekonomi Masyarakat Nelayan di Jawa Tengah)

Various government’s policies implemented through Precedential Decrees (Keppres), Precidential Instruction (Inpres), and Precedential Regulation (Perpres), since the New Order up to the Reformation Order, have brought about the increase of the social welfare among fishermen, especially through the schemes such as Undeveloped Regions Precedential Instruction (IDT) and Social Security Network (JPS). However, those schemes seem to be an ad-hoc solution which does not relate functionally to the Act on Social Welfare (UU Kesejahteraan Sosial) and the Act on Fishery Profit Sharing (UU Bagi Hasil Perikanan). Consequently, the availability of a sustainable program on social welfare cannot be achieved since the function of a presidential policy different from the function of an act.

The targeting of nutritionally at-risk children attending a primary health care facility in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

The aim of this study was to determine the practices of primary health care (PHC) nurses in targeting nutritionally at-risk infants and children for intervention at a PHC facility in a peri-urban area of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Nutritional risk status of infants and children <6 years of age was based on criteria specified in standardised nutrition case management guidelines developed for PHC facilities in the province. Children were identified as being nutritionally at-risk if their weight was below the 3rd centile, their birth weight was less than 2500 g, and their growth curve showed flattening or dropping off for at least two consecutive monthly visits. The study assessed the practices of nurses in identifying children who were nutritionally at-risk and the entry of these children into the food supplementation programme (formerly the Protein-Energy Malnutrition Scheme) of the health facility. Structured interviews were conducted with nurses to determine their knowledge of the case management guidelines; interviews were also conducted with caregivers to determine their sociodemographic status. One hundred and thirty-four children were enrolled in the study. The mean age of their caregivers was 29.5 (standard deviation 7.5) years and only 47 (38%) were married. Of the caregivers, 77% were unemployed, 46% had poor household food security and 40% were financially dependent on non-family members. Significantly more children were nutritionally at-risk if the caregiver was unemployed (54%) compared with employed (32%) (P=0.04) and when there was household food insecurity (63%) compared with household food security (37%) (P<0.004). Significantly more children were found not to be nutritionally at-risk if the caregiver was financially self-supporting or supported by their partners (61%) compared with those who were financially dependent on non-family members (35%) (P=0.003). The weight results of the nurses and the researcher differed significantly (P<0.001), which was largely due to the different scales used and weighing methods. The researcher's weight measurements were consistently higher than the nurses' (P<0.00). The researcher identified 67 (50%) infants and children as being nutritionally at-risk compared with 14 (10%) by the nurses. The nurses' poor detection and targeting of nutritionally at-risk children were largely a result of failure to plot weights on the weight-for-age chart (55%) and poor utilisation of the Road to Health Chart. Problems identified in the practices of PHC nurses must be addressed in targeting children at nutritional risk so that appropriate intervention and support can be provided. More attention must be given to socio-economic criteria in identifying children who are nutritionally at-risk to ensure their access to adequate social security networks.

The targeting of nutritionally at-risk children attending a primary health care facility in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to determine the practices of primary health care (PHC) nurses in targeting nutritionally at-risk infants and children for intervention at a PHC facility in a peri-urban area of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.MethodologyNutritional risk status of infants and children &lt; 6 years of age was based on criteria specified in standardised nutrition case management guidelines developed for PHC facilities in the province. Children were identified as being nutritionally at-risk if their weight was below the 3rd centile, their birth weight was less than 2500 g, and their growth curve showed flattening or dropping off for at least two consecutive monthly visits. The study assessed the practices of nurses in identifying children who were nutritionally at-risk and the entry of these children into the food supplementation programme (formerly the Protein–Energy Malnutrition Scheme) of the health facility. Structured interviews were conducted with nurses to determine their knowledge of the case management guidelines; interviews were also conducted with caregivers to determine their sociodemographic status.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-four children were enrolled in the study. The mean age of their caregivers was 29.5 (standard deviation 7.5) years and only 47 (38%) were married. Of the caregivers, 77% were unemployed, 46% had poor household food security and 40% were financially dependent on non-family members. Significantly more children were nutritionally at-risk if the caregiver was unemployed (54%) compared with employed (32%) (P = 0.04) and when there was household food insecurity (63%) compared with household food security (37%) (P &lt; 0.004). Significantly more children were found not to be nutritionally at-risk if the caregiver was financially self-supporting or supported by their partners (61%) compared with those who were financially dependent on non-family members (35%) (P = 0.003). The weight results of the nurses and the researcher differed significantly (P &lt; 0.001), which was largely due to the different scales used and weighing methods. The researcher's weight measurements were consistently higher than the nurses' (P &lt; 0.00). The researcher identified 67 (50%) infants and children as being nutritionally at-risk compared with 14 (10%) by the nurses. The nurses' poor detection and targeting of nutritionally at-risk children were largely a result of failure to plot weights on the weight-for-age chart (55%) and poor utilisation of the Road to Health Chart.ConclusionsProblems identified in the practices of PHC nurses must be addressed in targeting children at nutritional risk so that appropriate intervention and support can be provided. More attention must be given to socio-economic criteria in identifying children who are nutritionally at-risk to ensure their access to adequate social security networks.

Governance and Policy in a Multicentric World

Three dimensions of multiple centres of power and their corresponding implications for policy and governance are examined. While there has been a proliferation in the number of actors participating in governance and the policy processes, this development is not entirely a new phenomenon. The state is in constant transformation, adapting to the various challenges it faces. It is wrong to argue that the state is in retreat or that it is not as powerful as it once was. Today, the state has retained a preeminent role in governance and in the policy process. However, instead of providing an extensive social security network, it has taken on new roles, including helping to prepare domestic populations for global trade and social interactions.

Social Security in a Rapidly Changing Environment: The Case of the Post‐communist Transformation

Overcoming the economic crisis and implementing institutional change in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union has been greatly facilitated by a pre‐existing social security network—although adaptations to the new circumstances have been necessary. This paper offers a review of these adjustments and the various strategies that have been employed for mitigating losses in income and in social cohesion with the market reforms. The paper shows how countries first expanded, then curtailed their social programmes, and have started moving away from collective to individualized solutions, not only in the economic but also in the social field. Although this thrust promises many advantages, such as greater personal responsibility and system transparency, several population groups—typically those that fail to form a powerful interest group—risk being left behind by the reform process. The paper concludes that these experiences from the region offer valuable lessons for social programmes assisted by international exchanges that aim to counter the negative impacts of rapid economic and institutional change increasingly a worldwide phenomenon.

Social security and social networks among the urban poor in Pakistan

This paper is based on the urban case studies undertaken during a study of social safety nets and social networks and their role in poverty alleviation among low-income communities in Pakistan. A participatory assessment approach was adopted and findings reflect the perceptions of the urban poor themselves, disaggregated on the basis of age, gender and occupation. It was found that official safety net programmes fail to reach the poorest. Instead people rely on informal social networks of exchange and reciprocity during times of economic stress. However, the coping mechanisms of the poor do not always represent sustainable survival strategies. Some customary forms of obligations such as dowry, can constitute an obstacle to social development. Social networks are not always harmonious or undifferentiated, while some can be both oppressive and exploitative. It is argued, therefore, that to understand and build positively on the experience and life chances of the urban poor, the processes which undermine their ability to sustain or improve their circumstances and assure their long-term security must be addressed. It is suggested that the concept of social security provides the basis for a more flexible policy framework for responding to the particular characteristics of urban poverty than one which relies exclusively on the individual or collective coping strategies of the urban poor themselves, topped up with targeted social safety nets which often fail to hit the mark.

Ritual as action in a Javanese community: a network perspective on ritual and social structure ∗

This social network study of ritual celebrations in a Javanese village analyzes the organizational pattern inherent in the ritual activities. In the network perspective repeated participation in rituals creates order among actors fusing them into subsets by way of joint involvement in the same events. Quantitative analysis revealed that basically neighborhood units are established. Religious factions are mapped onto these fundamental structures. Social class does not influence participation in rituals, although it is at work in the size and performance of celebrations. Participation in rituals can be interpreted as the establishment of implicit contracts for support in a social security network.