Socioeconomic Characterization Research Articles

Biophysical and socioeconomic characterization of Agewmariam experimental watershed in Northern Ethiopia: insights and management options.

Watershed characterization is essential for sustainable watershed management and effective resource utilization, particularly in assessing changes resulting from interventions. This study investigates the biophysical and socio-economic conditions of the Agewmariam watershed, aiming to develop land capability and suitability maps while identifying viable management options. Biophysical data, including land slope, soil properties, erosion severity, stoniness/rockiness cover, and vegetation cover, were collected through field surveys and analyzed using overlay analysis in ArcGIS. Socio-economic data, encompassing population demographics, income, and expenditure, were gathered via individual interviews, complete census, and focus group discussions and summarized using descriptive statistics. The study identified 259 households with an average family size of 4 and a demographic dependency ratio of 96.6%. The major sources of income are crop production and livestock rearing supplemented by casual labor and food aid. The average farmland holding size is 0.5ha, with sorghum, barley, teff, and wheat as the dominant crops. The watershed is characterized by six land capability classes (classes II, III, IV, VI, VII, and VIII). The suitability analysis indicated that the watershed is not currently suitable for wheat and teff crops unless physical, chemical, and biological management improvements are implemented. The study revealed that the major limiting factors for land capability and suitability were slope, erosion severity, stoniness, soil organic matter, and soil texture. The socio-economic characterization enhanced awareness about the local socio-economic condition, informing appropriate planning and management strategies. The study recommends intensive soil and water conservation intervention, afforestation on hillsides, changing the land use system, and the addition of organic matter and fertilizers to enhance land capability and suitability for sustainable agricultural practices.

Socioeconomic Status and Local Biodiversity as Predictors of Attitudes towards Nature among High School Students in a Latin American Metropolis.

Urbanization and biodiversity loss disconnect humans from nature and may limit pro-environmental actions. Although, a growing body of knowledge exists on people's attitudes towards nature, the majority focuses on the influence of socio-environmental factors. Significant variations in socioeconomic and educational levels in urban areas affect access to biodiversity. In this study, we aim to identify the socio-environmental variables that are associated with people's attitudes towards nature (student's knowledge about urban birds and their participation in conservation actions). We collected data on local biodiversity, socioeconomical status, and high school students' attitudes towards nature (15 schools, n = 175 students) in a large Latin American capital city. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to identify relationships among all variables. Socioeconomic characterization was assessed using levels of socio-materiality and school performance scores. Definitions of ecological complexity were based on bird species richness and vegetation density. Knowledge of urban birds was evaluated using two indicators: urban bird identification (recognition of names) and identification of the biogeographic origin of urban birds (native or exotic). Participation in conservation actions by students was assessed based on implementation scale and implementation frequency. According to our results, respondents' knowledge of birds was poor: 42% of students identified only two species (the domestic pigeon and the monk parakeet, both exotic). Only 26% of total students participated in conservation actions. SEM analysis revealed that socioeconomic status was positively associated with the ecological complexity of surrounding areas. In turn, ecological complexity showed a positive relationship with students' knowledge on urban birds. Finally, students' knowledge of urban birds showed a positive influence on conservation actions. Our findings suggest that, the improvement of students' knowledge about local biodiversity and ensuring equitable access to biodiversity could be an effective way to foster students' involvement in conservation actions, especially in neighborhoods of lower socioeconomic levels.

Adequate housing as a social determinant of the health of international migrants and locals in Chile between 2013 and 2022

BackgroundAdequate housing is a fundamental right and a social determinant of health. It also represents a historically contentious topic in Latin America. Migratory flows to Chile have become increasingly precarious in the past few years, limiting opportunities for adequate housing, with potential repercussions on the health of international migrants and the general population. This study aims to analyse adequate housing as a social determinant of health among international migrants and locals between 2013 and 2022 in Chile.MethodsObservational cross-sectional study based on repeated versions of the nationally representative Socioeconomic Characterization Survey in Chile. Adequate housing indicators adapted from the United Nations Housing Rights Programme guidelines were analyzed with relation to individual health, distinguishing between the local and international migrant populations. Logistic regression models were fitted for housing indicators with migration as the main independent variable and for short-term and long-term healthcare needs in locals and immigrants with housing as the main dependent variables. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables and considered the complex sample design.ResultsDescriptive findings indicated higher availability of services and infrastructure among international migrants, and a disadvantage for habitability, location, and affordability by quintiles compared to locals. Logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic variables, revealed significant associations between migration status and overcrowding (OR 6.14, 2022), poor housing materiality (OR 5.65, 2022) and proximity to healthcare centres (OR 1.4, 2022) compared to locals. Experiencing hazardous situations consistently predicted short-term healthcare needs in both migrants (OR = 1.4, 2022) and locals (OR = 2.8, 2022). Overcrowding predicted both long and short-term healthcare needs among locals across the years and long term needs among migrants in 2013 and 2015.ConclusionsWe found significant inequities in adequate housing between migrant populations and locals in Chile, and some inequities among both populations based on structural socioeconomic deprivation. Experiencing hazardous situations emerged as a social determinant of health among international migrants in 2022, potentially suggesting growing challenges related to social exclusion in urban areas. However, limitations such as exclusion criteria of the survey and sample sizes for data on the migrant population potentially suggest that housing challenges and their impact on health are underestimated.

Socio-Economic Characterization, Identification and Prioritization of Major Constraints and Potentials in Gara Ebanu Community Watershed in Sululta District, Ethiopia

Baseline characterization builds necessary foundation for the plan and obtains proper information for elective planning, implementation and monitoring of the research and development endeavors. The objective of the study was to document baseline information on socio-economic for planning and impact monitoring and to identify and document major socio-economic constraints and potential in the watershed. A total of 62 sample households were selected randomly from all farmers engaged in farming activities in the watershed. The average inorganic fertilizer (NPS and Urea) used in the watershed were 75 kg/ha and 75 kg/ha respectively. The response of the respondents showed that the average yield obtained in the watershed was about 10 qt/ha for barley, 12 qt/ha for wheat, 5 qt/ha for faba bean and field pea 6 qt/ha. The major livestock feed type in the watershed were crop residue (93.5%) followed by hay making (91.9%), grazing in the field (80.6%), local beverage by-products (72.6%), concentrates of different type (67.7%), green feed (50%), stubble grazing (41.9%) and improved forage (14.5%). The result of survey shows that the major income sources of the farmers living in the watershed were livestock production (77.4%) followed by crop production (45.2%) and off-farm activities (25.8%). About 71% of the households have encountered high cost and shortage of agricultural inputs followed by low crop productivity (19.4%), crop disease (8.1%) and existence storage pests (1.6%) were the common in the watershed. In the watershed, high cost of agricultural inputs, low crop productivity, crop disease, shortage of animal feed and fodder, inflation, lack of employment opportunity and other income source were addressed as the highest priority issues by the community that are contributing to the crop productivity reductions and low level of their livelihood in the watershed. By considering the addressed problem related to crop production, livestock production and socio-economic, the interventions on introduction and demonstration of improved and high yielding crop varieties that are resistant or tolerant to the already existing and emerging pests to increase production and productivity of crops should be done. In general, immediate short-term actions should be taken particularly participatory integrated watershed management were recommended.

Socio-economic characterization of Portuguese kiwi growers: Facing current social and sustainability challenges

Socio-economic characterization of Portuguese kiwi growers: Facing current social and sustainability challenges

Baseline socioeconomic characterization and resource use of the community in the Mefakiya watershed

Baseline characterization is used during the project to show progress toward the goal and objectives and after the project to measure the amount of change. The main objective of the study was to investigate the socio-economic characterization and natural resource use in the Mefakiya learning watershed. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews with households at the intervention site. Sixty representative households were selected randomly and interviewed. Constraints and potentials were identified via focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data. The majority of the sample households (90%) were male-headed. Agriculture (crop and livestock production) is the principal (98.3%) occupation of the sample households in the Mefakiya watershed. Maize, finger millet, and teff, the major crops cultivated in the watershed, are produced by 98, 92, and 68% of the households, respectively. The study area is characterized by high natural resource degradation that is interconnected in nature. Therefore, an integrated approach is more important and necessary for the sustainable use of watershed resources and further development in all aspects of the watershed in the study area.

Technological and socioeconomic characterization of Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber production systems in Champotón, Campeche, Mexico

Technological and socioeconomic characterization of Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber production systems in Champotón, Campeche, Mexico

Sexual orientation based health disparities in Chile.

Numerous studies from Europe and North America have documented sexual orientation-based health disparities, but due to data limitations, very little is known about the health of sexual minorities (i.e., lesbians, gay men, bisexual individuals, and other non-heterosexual populations) in developing countries. This research note uses newly available nationally representative data from the Chilean Socio-Economic Characterization Survey (CASEN) to explore sexual orientation-based disparities in self-rated health, health insurance coverage, and healthcare utilization in Chile. Our findings indicate that sexual minority respondents report worse self-rated health and greater health care utilization, and that sexual minority men are more likely to have private health insurance relative to heterosexual men. These findings are important in facilitating continued efforts to reduce health disparities in Latin America.

Agricultural literacy in artificial insemination and agribusiness management for social innovation in rural populations affected by armed conflict in Colombia

The achievement of education in rural populations was one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), outlined by the United Nations. During the last World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), it was concluded that the majority of the world’s poor, illiterate and undernourished population lives in rural areas; therefore, access to education is considered one of the greatest challenges for governments in countries with developing economies. The purpose of this study was to determine how a theoretical-practical training program in rural management and leadership (D-ML), artificial insemination (D-AI), and bovine genetic improvement (D-GI) affected the perception and level of knowledge in a rural population affected by Colombia’s armed conflict. Phase 1 included the theoretical and practical training of undergraduate animal sciences students in three dimensions (D-ML, D-AI, D-GI). After training, students were evaluated according to their level of theoretical-practical knowledge and their behavioral performance. There were 13 students selected to be a part of what we went on to call “the group of student leaders.” Phase 2 included the socioeconomic characterization and training of rural residents by the group of student leaders and field experts in the same three dimensions (D-ML, D-AI, D-GI). We evaluated the perception and level of knowledge before and after training in 63 rural residents using an evaluative instrument. The perception of knowledge in rural residents was low for general knowledge (GTD) (2.48 ± 0.76, p < 0.05), D-ML (2.89 ± 1.18, p < 0.05) and D-AI/D-GI (2.17 ± 0.83, p < 0.05), in accordance with the 5-point Likert-type ordinal scale. When level of knowledge was measured before the theorical-practical training, the level of GTD was 45.9%, however, after the training it increased to 77.6% (p < 0.01), while the level of knowledge for D-AI increased from 38.5% pre-training to 80.6% (p <0.05) post-training, and level of knowledge for D-GI pre-training was 50.8% and increased to 73.0% (p < 0.01) post-training. Finally, the level of knowledge for D-ML increased (p < 0.01) from 54.8% pre-training to 75% post-training. Altogether, rural extension programs contribute to closing knowledge gaps in relation to the use of reproductive biotechnologies and bovine management in rural areas affected by armed conflict.

Comarca Lagunera: Between the socioeconomic characterization and the availability of piped water

Objective: This research aims to describe with sociodemographic features the municipalities that make up theComarca Lagunera. They are located in the states of Coahuila and Durango. In Coahuila, they are: FranciscoI. Madero, Matamoros, San Pedro, Torreón and Viesca; and in Durango: Gómez Palacio, Lerdo, Mapimí andTlahualilo.Design/methodology/approach: The methodological strategy is quantitative, using descriptive statistics asanalysis technique to incorporate synthetic measures (such as indices) and proportions. The information sourcescome from different instances (CONEVAL, CONAPO and INEGI). In all cases, the level of disaggregationis municipal and the moment of information collection corresponds to 2020. The population volume of themunicipality is described, as well as its proportion with regards to the number of inhabitants in the state. Later,the results from the Gini index, marginalization index, proportion of occupied population devoted to primaryactivities, and proportion of private households without access to piped water are incorporated.Results: The municipalities that had the highest values for each of the variables are presented. In Mapimí theGini index is 0.54; in Viesca, 36.2% of the population is dedicated to primary activities; in Tlahualilo, 4.13% ofhouseholds lack piped water; and the index of marginalization in Torreón is 0.62.Limitations on study/implications: It was not possible to present the information with a higher level ofdisaggregation because the chosen variables only have data available up to the municipal level.Findings/conclusions: The use of indices allows to carry out a very useful characterization and can bestrengthened by the inclusion of specific variables that account for the municipal situation.

Designing Diversity-aware Sustainable Mobility Policies in Social Networks: a Data-driven Approach

To maximize the efficacy of governmental measures promoting electric vehicles (EVs) adoption, a careful consideration of socio-economic factors that influence EV acceptance is imperative. To do so within a diversity-aware approach, we present a data-driven framework to capture key individual elements driving EV adoption and design effective promotion policies that take such elements into account. Specifically, based on UK survey data, we construct a socio-economic characterization of individual attitudes towards EV adoption (the EV-DNA) and use it to shape interactions within a London-based social network. Employing optimal control and reinforcement learning, we evaluate strategies for promoting EV within the network, leveraging the reciprocal influence between the individuals themselves. The simulation results highlight the efficacy of implementing customized policies targeting social dimensions, thus going beyond the pure financial incentive schemes that are commonly adopted by several governments worldwide.

Factors associated with the adoption of technologies for avocado production systems

The growth of avocado crops has led to an increase in technological needs and research to satisfy the demands of the value chain. There is a wide range of technologies applicable for this fruit crop, and there are challenges for transferring and adopting these processes. The objective of this work was to explore the determining factors in the adoption of technologies for avocado production systems and the perception of producers about these factors. For this, we carried out a socioeconomic characterization of avocado producers in Colombia including the recognition of the perception of producers regarding technological adoption variables and an exploratory factorial analysis to evaluate the adoption factors based on the perception and technological level (TL). We found that some socioeconomic variables are related to the TL of the production systems. Meanwhile, perceptions regarding the adoption variables varied depending on the TL of the producers. Low TL presented a greater number of determinant variables in adoption decision-making. In contrast, for the medium and high levels of TL, adoption of technology was based on economic analysis. This research provides evidence for the effect of socioeconomic factors on the adoption of technologies in avocado production systems and shows how the perception of producers regarding these adoptions involves determinants associated with TL.

Gender identity, labor market outcomes, and socioeconomic status: Evidence from Chile

This paper provides the first evidence of differential labor market and socioeconomic outcomes for non-cisgender individuals in Latin America using nationally representative data. Very little is known about gender diverse populations in the developing world. Recent population-based data from the 2017 Chilean National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey allows for the identification of over 1800 non-cisgender adults (i.e., individuals whose reported gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.) I examine labor market outcomes and socioeconomic status in the context of gender identity, while controlling for relevant individual- and household-level characteristics. I find that non-cisgender individuals who were assigned male at birth are less likely to be employed, and more likely to be living in a household that is multidimensionally poor when compared to otherwise similar cisgender men. Non-cisgender individuals who were assigned female at birth are less likely to be employed, work fewer labor hours, report lower labor incomes, and are more likely to work in the informal sector relative to otherwise similar cisgender men.

Testing Housing Price Drivers in Santiago de Chile: A Hedonic Price Approach

Hedonic modelling is an empirical analysis technique that is widely used to review the housing market and unpack the main determinants of price. A correct determination of housing price drivers allows a weighted prediction of the value of each dwelling for sale or rent. This paper reviews the fundamental determinants of housing prices that have been published in the literature to see which ones have a better predictive fit for the case of the housing market in the city of Santiago, Chile. From a record of 456,000 property transactions, a dataset composed of 11 explanatory variables is elaborated. Through a semi-logarithmic regression, 4 variables that contribute to explaining the formation of housing prices in Santiago, Chile, are identified. The results indicate that the socioeconomic characterisation of urban areas where housing is traded, the price of copper on the London Metal Exchange, the mortgage interest rate, the age of residential buildings are the main drivers for the main drivers of prices in Santiago. Given the crisis of access to housing in Chile, the article provides relevant information for decision-makers in housing policy.

Caipora and the conservation of natural resources in tropical forests in the South Recôncavo region, Bahia State, Northeast Brazil

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the imaginary of Caipora and environmental conservation in Serra da Jiboia. Data obtained through the application of semi-structured interviews and Likert scale. All data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Through factor analysis, it was possible to identify four factors that explain the variations in responses given by residents of the region, suggesting a strong belief in the spiritual entities of the forest and its importance for nature conservation. 57 interviews were carried out and the socioeconomic characterization of the participants was carried out, were composed of men and women predominantly between 50 years or more and who carry out agricultural activities. Although Catholicism is the predominant religion in the region, belief in Caipora was high, being related to the appreciation and preservation of local nature. Through the chi-square test, it was possible to verify a statistically significant relationship between the belief in Caipora and the activities carried out in the forest by the interviewees. This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between popular beliefs and environmental conservation, highlighting the importance of considering local knowledge for the development of public policies aimed at nature preservation.

The Economic Value of Caregiving in Chile

ABSTRACT Population aging will increase the demand for long-term care services. Many countries, including Chile, have not implemented comprehensive responses to address these demands, relying on informal care. This article aims to estimate the economic value of caregiving in Chile, contributing to filling a gap in the literature and the policy debate. Economic value is estimated using replacement and opportunity cost approaches using two nationally representative databases: one survey on time use (to estimate hours of caregiving) and one on socioeconomic characterization (to identify caregivers and wages). Regressions for the determinants of caregiving effort and wages in the formal labor market are used to calculate the market value of caregiving time. Results show that the yearly value of caregiving ranges between US$266 million (when assuming a wage equal to the minimum wage for all caregivers) and US$4,946 million (when replacing all caregivers with nurses), i.e. between 0.11% and 1.95% of the country’s gross domestic product. The analysis provides several estimations of the economic value of caregivers in Chile and, even considering these calculations can be underestimated, the results show the need to highlight and value the contribution of caregivers and implement policies to address the increase in long-term care needs in the country.

Internal migration and economic mobility in Chile

ABSTRACT We identify internal migration flows between Chilean regions and analyse migrants’ economic mobility. A data pool from National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN) surveys was used to determine migrants’ economic position according to their income quintile. Internal migrants were matched with non-migrants of similar status from their region of origin to compare their economic mobility. Results show that the majority of internal migrants did not achieve economic advancement in the short and medium terms, which challenges the neoclassical and functionalist assumptions of a positive relationship between migration and social mobility. Finally, we identify three interregional elevators in Chile: the Austral, Norte Grande and Metropolitan macro-regions.

A socio-economic characterization of Tuscan Archipelago’s artisanal fisheries: Status quo, challenges and new business opportunities

Artisanal fisheries in the Mediterranean are suffering from a decades-long crisis, and urgent interventions are needed to reverse this trend. Despite the increasingly recognized importance of the human dimension of fisheries, socio-economic data on Mediterranean artisanal fisheries are lacking. To address this shortage, this paper offers a socio-economic snapshot of artisanal fisheries operating in the Tuscan Archipelago (GSA 9). Information was collected through semi-structured interviews based on an opportunistic + snowball sampling strategy, with questionnaires reviewed by a panel of 10 experts following the Delphi technique. Information was gathered on fishers, fishing activities, gears, seasonality, catches of alien and thermophilic species, commercial destination of the catch and fishers’ opinions on the main challenges and opportunities in the sector. The results show an artisanal fishing sector facing severe crisis, reduced catches, conflicts with the recreational sector, scarce renewal of both human and technical capital, as well as a general reluctance to explore new business pathways. Yet, many fishers recognized the need for change and showed some early attempts to diversify their sea-related income sources. However, a high discrepancy was observed between the desire and the actual implementation of strategies to strengthen livelihoods and diversify. Efforts are needed to remove the obstacles that prevent the amelioration of artisanal fishers’ businesses and the exploration of new opportunities for managing, protecting and adequately valorizing local marine resources. This goal could be achieved through the establishment of synergies between the fishing and tourism sectors, if the socio-ecological sustainability of artisanal fisheries is sought, both in the Tuscan Archipelago and at other sites.

Social determinants of the non-use of the explicit health guarantees plan (the GES plan)

IntroductionThe public policy called Explicit health guarantees (GES) could serve as a basis for the future implementation of universal health coverage in Chile. An improvement in the quality of health of the Chilean population has been observed since the launching of the GES, which has a high adherence (84% of the beneficiary population uses this health program). This work seeks the social determinants related to a portion of the remaining 16% of people who do not use the GES.MethodsThis secondary analysis study used a sample of GES recipients (n = 164,786) from the National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN) 2020. The GES recipients included in the study responded that they had been under medical treatment for 20 of the 85 pathologies included in the GES, and they had not had access to such policy due to “trust in physician/facility,“ “decided not to wait,“ or “lack of information.” The CASEN survey chose the 20 pathologies. The Average Marginal Effects of social determinants of the non-use of the GES health plan were predicted using multivariable and panel multinomial probit regression analyses, where the outcome variable assumed three possible values (the three reasons for not accessing) while taking those variables reported in previous studies as independent variables.ResultsA higher probability of non-access due to distrust in the physician/facility among adults with higher economic income was found. Among those who prefer not to wait are vulnerable groups of people: women, people with a lower-middle income, those who belong to groups with longer waiting times, and ethnic groups. The people who least access the GES due to lack of information correspond to part of the migrant population and those belonging to the lowest income group.ConclusionsThe GES policy must necessarily improve the timeliness and quality of the services to make them attractive to groups that currently do not have access to them, managing waiting times rather than referrals and using patient-centered evaluations, especially in those most vulnerable groups that do not access GES because they choose not to wait or lack the necessary information, thereby improving their health literacy.

Socioeconomic inequalities in dental visits among high school students in Chile, years 2013 and 2017.

To analyze prevalence changes in dental visits and socioeconomic inequalities among high school students in Chile, years 2013 and 2017. Analysis of nationally representative data from 2013 and 2017 waves of the Chilean National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN). In a sample of high school students aged 14 to 20 years old (n=12699 in 2013; n=11122 in 2017) we investigated prevalence of dental visits in the last 3 months, by urban-rural residence, sex, type of health insurance, type of school, income level and benefit of dental care at school. For inequality analysis we estimated prevalence ratio of dental visits in the last 3 months according to study variables. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of dental visits in the last 3 months and the receipt of dental care at school between years 2013 and 2017. The highest prevalence of dental visits in the last 3 months was found among students living in urban residence, women, with private insurance, in the highest income level, that attended private schools. Inequalities persist but the gap associated with type of residence, health insurance and between the lowest income quintiles decreased over the years. The Comprehensive Dental Care for senior year high school students, a public policy that began in 2015 in Chile, could have aided the gap reduction and the increase in visits to the dentist in the last 3 months in this group.