Housing Type Research Articles

Household satisfaction with health services and response strategies to malaria in mountain communities of Uganda.

Measuring satisfaction with health service delivery in fragile communities provides an opportunity to improve the resilience of health systems to threats including climate change. Additionally, understanding factors associated with the choice of response strategies to certain public health threats provides an opportunity to design context-specific interventions. We used polytomous latent class analyses to group participants' responses and an additive Bayesian modelling network to explore satisfaction with health service delivery as well as factors associated with response strategies of households to malaria. We did this with a focus on the rural parts of Uganda in Mount Elgon. We found that approaches to malaria control and management at household level include the use of traditional (54.5%), private (20.5%) and publicly available services (25%). Regarding satisfaction with health services, 66.6% of respondents were satisfied with health service components of information flow, drug/vaccine access and accessibility. Type of housing, livelihood sources, previous malaria experience and health services were strongly associated with responses to malaria occurrence at household level. The rest of the factors were weakly associated with malaria responses. The indigenous interventions utilised by households to manage and control malaria were largely dependent on their satisfaction with health service delivery components. Interventions thus ought to leverage local existing knowledge to optimise outcomes and ensure sustainable health.

Cultural Imprints on Urban Housing: A Spatial Analysis of Apartment Designs in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa

Apartment design is often assumed to follow a standardized model, disregarding cultural influences. However, cultural context can significantly shape the spatial organization of living environments. A significant gap exists in addressing how cultural factors influence apartment design in rapidly urbanizing African cities. Modern architectural practices frequently overlook the sociocultural dynamics essential for creating living spaces that resonate with local populations. This study investigates the spatial configuration of apartment units in three African countries—Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana—challenging the notion of universally homogeneous apartment designs. By applying Space Syntax, a quantitative analysis tool, this study examines how cultural factors distinctly influence the layout of apartments. The findings reveal significant variations, particularly in the design of corridors, domestic servant quarters, and the separation of private zones. This research highlights the importance of incorporating cultural considerations into architectural design processes to promote housing solutions that are functionally efficient, culturally relevant, and responsive to local social norms. Future research could explore how these cultural influences manifest across different housing types, such as informal settlements and high-rise apartments, or examine the impact of migration and globalization on evolving housing needs.

The thermal performance of a typical prefab container house

The thermal performance of a typical prefab container house

Identifying Predictors of Unfavorable Treatment Outcomes in Tuberculosis Patients

Objectives: In South Korea, there has been a continuous decrease in the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) attributable to a national TB elimination program; however, TB still poses a significant socioeconomic burden. This study aimed to analyze factors associated with successful TB treatment and to identify refractory patient groups with unfavorable outcomes. Methods: We analyzed anonymized data on 89,150 patients with TB provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Specifically, we collected independent variables, which were categorized as individual, regional, and medical facility factors. Individual factors included age, sex, nationality, TB type, drug-resistant status, category of TB, housing type, underlying disease status, number of referrals, and smoking status. Regional factors referred to the region where the TB case was reported. Medical facility factors included the first visit to a medical facility, categorized by hospital type and the distinction between private–public mix (PPM) and non-PPM depending on the presence or absence of dedicated TB nurses. These factors were analyzed in relation to treatment success to identify refractory patient groups with unfavorable outcomes. Results: Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the following significant factors associated with successful TB treatment: sex, nationality, status of drug-resistant TB, category of TB, number of referrals, region of TB registry, underlying diseases, and smoking status. Specifically, compared with their relevant counterparts, male patients had a lower rate of successful treatment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.66, reference [Ref.]: women); Korean nationals had a higher rate of treatment success (aOR: 7.20, Ref. foreign residents in Korea); resistant TB was associated with a lower rate of treatment success (aOR: 0.35, Ref.: non-resistant TB status); newly treated patients had a higher rate of treatment success (aOR: 1.75, Ref.: retreatment patient); switching hospitals once (aOR: 1.78), never (aOR: 1.41), or twice (aOR: 1.37) was associated with increased treatment success (Ref.: three or more times); having zero (aOR: 1.45), one (aOR: 1.31), or two (aOR: 1.24) underlying diseases was associated with a higher rate of treatment success (Ref. three or more underlying diseases); and past smokers (aOR: 1.40) and non-smokers (aOR: 1.35) had a higher rate of treatment success (Ref.: current smokers). Conclusions: Our study identified several factors contributing to unfavorable treatment outcomes in tuberculosis patients, including male patients, foreign residents in Korea, drug-resistant TB, retreatment patients, frequent hospital switching, multiple underlying diseases, and current smoking status. These research findings could inform the development of efficient management strategies and policies for improving the treatment success rate among patients with TB.

Effect of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chickens: A meta-analysis

Antibiotics have been used for a long time as growth promoters in the poultry industry for growth and health benefits. However, recent studies reflected little, no, or negative impacts of using antibiotics for growth promotion purposes. This study was designed to examine the overall effect of antibiotic supplementation on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in broiler chickens as a performance indicator and assess different covariates for explaining heterogeneity in response to the use of antibiotics as growth promoters. In this regard, FCRs obtained from articles that compared diets with and without antibiotics for broiler chickens were extracted from electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) as per PRISMA guidelines. The database comprised 42 scientific articles containing 74 experiments totaling 19,562 chickens. A basic meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were performed to assess the overall impact of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on FCR of broiler chickens while a meta-regression analysis was used to assess different covariates (breed, antibiotic dose, location, time, presence of anticoccidial in the feed, antibiotic type, and housing type) to explain variations in true effect size of the studies. The basic meta-analysis of these studies revealed an overall improvement in FCR by 2.8 % (p < 0.05) due to addition of AGPs than the control group with the confidence interval range from 1.3 to 4.3 % and the prediction interval ranging between -10 and 16 %. The covariates, including breed, dose and location, provided the optimum model fit and explained 53 % of variations in the FCR across different studies. In summary, an overall marginal improvement has been observed in mean FCR of broiler chickens along with a wide range of variations in response to use of AGPs. The variations in true effects among these studies are subject to several confounding effects, particularly breed, dose and location. Considering the marginal positive effect of antibiotic usage in chicken performance, we recommend against using of AGP.

Social vulnerability and disparities in incidence of diagnosed diabetes in the united states, 2004 to 2019

Abstract Introduction Vulnerable populations experience a higher burden of cardiovascular disease.(1) However, the incidence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, within these populations, is incompletely characterized. Recently, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) developed the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to categorize counties that may be vulnerable to worse health outcomes. The SVI is composed of 4 themes: socioeconomic status (Theme 1), household composition &amp; disability (Theme 2), minority status &amp; language (Theme 3), and housing type &amp; transportation (Theme 4).(2) We sought to evaluate the association of the 4 SVI themes with county incidence of diagnosed diabetes. Method We used CDC data (2004-2019; reported for 94% of US counties), on county incidence of diagnosed diabetes. The SVI themes were scored from 0 to 1 (low to high vulnerability) based on national percentile ranking. We used weighted least squares regression with restricted cubic splines to model the relationship between SVI themes and incidence of diagnosed diabetes (median data 2004−2019), adjusting for median age, sex ratio, state, percent uninsured, food environment index, healthcare providers, and rurality.(3) The partial effects of SVI themes and diabetes incidence were reported as F-statistics (P-values) and diabetes incidence rate ratios (IRR [95% confidence interval]), which were plotted for all values compared with the 50th percentile (SVI 0.5). For each theme, we also present the IRR for a 0.5-point increase when moving over the lower (SVI score 0.5 vs. 0.0) and the upper (1.0 vs. 0.5) half of the SVI score distribution. Results The 4 SVI theme rank scores were significantly associated with diabetes incidence (all, P&amp;lt;.001). However, Theme 1 and 2 scores showed stronger associations with IRR than Theme 3 and 4 (Figure). For Theme 1, SVI score 0.5 vs. 0.0 was associated with a 15% higher incidence (IRR 1.15 [1.13–1.18]) and score 1.0 vs. 0.5 was associated with a 13% higher incidence (IRR 1.13 [1.11–1.16]). For Theme 2, SVI score 0.5 vs. 0.0 was associated with a 16% higher incidence (IRR 1.16 [1.14–1.18]), but there was no difference between rates for SVI score 1.0 vs. 0.5 (IRR 1.01 [0.99–1.03]). For Theme 3, there was no difference between SVI score 0.5 vs. 0.0 (IRR 0.98 [0.96–1.00]), but rates were 8% lower for SVI score 1.0 vs. 0.5 (IRR 0.92 [0.90–0.94]). For Theme 4, SVI score 0.5 vs. 0.0 was associated with a 3% lower incidence (IRR 0.97 [0.96–0.99]) and score 1.0 vs. 0.5 was associated with a 2% higher incidence (IRR 1.02 [1.01–1.04]). Conclusion In US counties, the strength and directionality of the association between SVI themes and diabetes incidence differed by theme and level of SVI scores. These themes, particularly socioeconomic status and household composition &amp; disability may be leveraged to identify high-risk counties for primary prevention of diabetes, with implications for reduction in cardiovascular risk.

Barriers to finding and maintaining pet-inclusive affordable housing: Tenant experiences in Houston, Texas

The city of Houston, Texas has a growing deficit of available and affordable rental units for low-income residents. Due to pet policies, the shortage of affordable housing potentially puts renters who own pets at greater risk of housing insecurity. In this qualitative study, we use a community-engaged approach to document the lived experiences of finding and maintaining affordable housing among 24 current, former, and aspiring pet owners. The majority of the participants identified as female, were aged 44–60 years, identified as Black, had a high school education, and were employed full-time or on disability or government assistance. Many expressed having experienced homelessness in the past and/or having lived in several different types of affordable housing over their lifetime. Participants highlighted challenges in finding pet-inclusive affordable housing, emphasized its importance, and discussed issues faced, such as high pet charges, size and breed restrictions, and confusion surrounding pet policies. Landlord relationships and living conditions varied, with safety concerns prevalent. Having one’s pet designated as an Emotional Support Animal made tenants feel safe and secure, knowing they could not be refused, evicted, or otherwise charged extra. Participants shared what is working well and what could be improved. This study concludes with recommendations for fair application and awareness of pet policies in affordable housing, drawing on participating tenants’ experiences and existing efforts for policy and practice improvements.

Research on the Green Construction Technology of Stilt Houses Based on the Climate Adaptation of Transitional Seasons

Stilt houses are extremely adaptable to terrain and climate. However, current indoor thermal environment research in transitional seasons is not prominent. Therefore, in this research, a typical stilt house in southwest China was chosen as the research object and analyzed by combining Climate Consultant climate analysis software and field measurement data. The results showed that the indoor thermal stability of a stilt house was excellent during the transition season, and the attic had the most obvious climate regulation, with the maximum temperature difference between indoors and outdoors being 9 °C when the outdoor temperature was the highest. The difference between the mean radiant temperature and the average air temperature was only 0.04 °C, and the radiant effect of the enclosure on the interior was small. The indoor relative humidity ranged from 63.2% to 85.1%, showing high relative humidity, but the fluctuation was relatively stable. Stilt floors did not play a significant role in climate regulation during the transition season, and the semi-open space structure was more prone to moisture accumulation when the outdoor humidity was high. Regarding practical application, the climate adaptation strategies of shading, cooling, and dehumidification were applied in the transition season, but dehumidification was ineffective.

Governor’s houses: unique Gothenburg workers’ housing

ABSTRACT ‘Governor's houses' were built between 1875 and 1945 as workers’ housing in Gothenburg. Typically, they comprised a ground floor made of brick and two storeys built in wood. They were narrow houses with staircases lit by daylight and the apartments were illuminated from both sides. Though they were cheap to build and popular homes for half of the city's population in the late 1930s, this type of housing was not reproduced anywhere else. The initiative came from a Workers’ Building Association and was supported by Gothenburg town architect Victor Gegerfelt. Around 1900, governor's houses were mainly built by speculative builders, often with poor quality, resulting in low reputation. From 1910 architects started to design them and large builders like the municipal housing companies and cooperative HSB got involved. The same basic typology followed changing ideals in exterior design and town planning from the 1910s to the 1930s. In the 1960s and 1970s, almost half of the stock of governor’s houses was demolished, mainly the older and more central ones. The conclusion raises the counterfactual question of why those houses were not built elsewhere and what would be needed to reintroduce this type of housing.

Housing choice in an evolving remote work landscape

We estimate a joint model of housing choice along several dimensions to account for changing valuations of housing outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider housing outcomes including housing type, tenure type, the presence of a patio or yard, the number of bedrooms, neighborhood population density, median housing cost, accessibility of amenities, school quality, crime rate, and commute distance. Data used for this analysis were collected in October and November of 2021 from 24 metropolitan areas across the United States. A Generalized Heterogeneous Data Model (GHDM) is used to estimate these housing outcomes as a function of exogenous household sociodemographic characteristics and latent lifestyle propensities. The GHDM also captures jointness caused by unobserved factors, allowing for the estimation of accurate causal effects between outcomes. The results reveal that lifestyle preferences have significant impacts on housing outcomes. Specifically, individuals with a preference for teleworking are more likely to reside in single-family homes in highly populated areas, experience longer commute distances, and exhibit a higher sensitivity to the presence of amenities in their neighborhoods. Additionally, the analysis of tradeoffs between housing outcomes reveals the relative valuations of various housing outcomes. An increased commute distance is found to lead to an increase in single-family homes, reductions in density, and an increased crime rate. Choosing an apartment in a high-density neighborhood is found to lead to reductions in school quality and significant increases in crime rates. Implications of the results for land-use planning, travel demand analysis, and equity considerations are identified and discussed.

How the marketing of real estate properties explains mortgage applicants by race and income

In this article, we study how the marketing of single-family homes explains the racial and income makeup of mortgage applicants in a neighborhood. We use a case study of the robust housing market of Charlotte, North Carolina, and annual, longitudinal real estate listing advertisements alongside mortgage lending data, to demonstrate how the share of properties advertised a certain way in a neighborhood in 1 year explains shares of mortgage applicants by race and income the following year. We classify property advertisement text using a semi-supervised learning algorithm into five categories following a housing investment and disinvestment to renewal continuum. We find stark racial disparities in mortgage applicants by housing type, even after controlling for income. We find that Black applicants nearly exclusively apply for mortgages in neighborhoods with a high share of properties advertised as disinvested with little profit-making promise. High-income White applicants rise as the share of advertised properties becomes more homogenous.

The use of restrictive housing with incarcerated persons with mental illness: Variation in placement disparities by restrictive housing type

PurposeConcerns have been raised about mental illness (MI)-linked disparities in restrictive housing (RH) placements, but research has not compared disparities across multiple types of RH. Differences by MI status in prison adjustment or repeated misconduct could create larger disparities for long-term and highly restrictive types of RH; conversely, more stringent procedures governing their use could lead to smaller disparities for those types. MethodsUsing data on six types of RH in a large southern prison system and logistic multivariate multilevel models, we compared the associations of MI with multiple RH types. Mediation models examined whether infractions, violence, and victimization accounted for any associations. ResultsDisparities were present for all examined types of RH. The largest proportional disparities were found for the rarer long-term solitary confinement placements. Although disparities were smaller for short-term types of RH, those affected more people. The mediators appeared to be better explanations of short-term rather than long-term RH placements among persons with MI. ConclusionsRH placement disparities by MI are largest for types that are of long duration and involve severe restrictions on privileges and activities. In addition, the disparities in those RH types may be less accounted for by commonly examined behavioral factors.

Impact of Sanitation on Rodent Pullulation and Plague Status in an Informal Settlement on the Outskirts of Mahajanga (Madagascar)

Plague is a zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis, and it is endemic in Madagascar. The plague cycle involves wild and commensal rodents and their fleas; humans are an accidental host. Madagascar is the country where plague burden is the highest. Plague re-emerged in Mahajanga, the western coast of Madagascar, in the 1990s and infected populations in the popular and insalubrious zones. Sanitation is considered a primary barrier to infection by excluding pathogens from the environment and reservoirs. Poor housing and hygiene and proximity to rodents and fleas in everyday life are major and unchanged risk factors of plague. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of sanitation on Yersinia pestis bacteria in human and small mammal reservoirs and flea vectors. This study was conducted on 282 households within 14 neighborhoods. Two sessions of sampling were conducted in 2013 and 2016. Small mammals were trapped inside and around houses using live traps. Fleas, blood and spleen were sampled to detect Y. pestis infection and antibodies and determine the level of plague circulation before and after the installation of sanitation in order to assess the impact of sanitation improvement on inhabitant health. Two major types of housing can be described, i.e., formal and informal (traditional), scattered in all the suburbs. Among the small mammals captured, 48.5% were Suncus murinus, and 70% of houses were infested. After sanitation, only 30% of houses remained infested, and most of them were located around the market. Fleas were mostly Xenopsylla cheopis. Before and after intervention, the overall prevalence of fleas was the same (index 4.5) across the 14 suburbs. However, the number of houses with fleas drastically decreased, and the flea index increased significantly in rodent-infested houses. Rodent abundance also decreased from 17.4% to 6.1% before and after intervention, respectively. A serology study highlights that plague is still circulating in Mahajanga, suggesting that small mammals maintain enzootic plague transmission in the city.

IOT-Based Smart Door Selector For Double Security: Integration of Rfid and Blynk App for Economical Solution

This research aims to design and develop an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart door lock system by utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and the Blynk application. The system is designed to improve the level of home security by providing a variety of flexible access methods, including the use of RFID cards, smartphone apps, and emergency buttons. The prototype method is applied in system development, which involves creating a physical model to evaluate its performance and functionality. The test results showed that the system was operating properly, where RFID only responded to the registered card to unlock, thus increasing access security. Hardware design that is carried out with an economical approach and simple use of components makes this system more affordable compared to commercial smart door lock products on the market. This research shows great potential in increasing efficiency and comfort in managing home security systems and offers ease of implementation in various types of housing. Thus, this research makes a significant contribution to the development of innovative and practical solutions to improve home safety at a lower cost while providing a sense of security for its occupants.

Mapping the distribution of tuberculosis cases and associated factors identified through routine program implementation and community-based active screening in Central Ethiopia.

Smear-positive TB patients greatly contribute to community-level transmission of this disease. Locating hotspots would make it easier to prioritize and target control interventions. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of smear-positive index TB cases and their secondary cases and the predictors of clustering of smear-positive TB cases. This study was conducted in the Silti Zone of Central Ethiopia from 2020 to 2022. The data of smear-positive index TB patients were collected from the unit TB registries of healthcare facilities. Contacts of all index TB patients were screened in the community and tested to identify secondary TB patients. We performed spatial analysis, including Moran's I statistic, the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic and geographically weighted regression (GWR), to assess the global distribution, local clustering and predictors of clustering of smear-positive TB patients, respectively. Additionally, we used inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation to predict the distribution of smear-positive TB cases and develop a continuous raster map for places with no data. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the distribution of smear-positive TB patients exhibited significant clustering (Moran's I = 0.70029; p value < 0.000). The Getis-Ord Gi* output indicated the presence of statistically significant hotspots as well as cold spots in the study area. Significant hotspots were found in 11 Kebeles of the Silti, Dalocha and Misrak Silti districts. Significant coldspots were also found in five kebeles of the Silti and Misrak districts. GWR analysis revealed that no education, primary education, family size and thatched roof houses were significant predictors of the spatial clustering of smear-positive TB cases. We also found that the majority of the secondary TB cases were found in hotspots identified through spatial analysis. The study revealed a heterogenous distribution of smear positive TB in the study area and it could act as a model that can be replicated in other regions. The identified hotspots of TB could be targeted through location-based interventions such as systematic active screening in the form of outreach programs to improve the performance of TB prevention and control, including reducing the transmission of TB. Educational status, family size and housing type were some of the factors that significantly influenced the spatial distribution of smear-positive TB in the study area. The distribution of secondary TB cases found through household contact screening coincided with the identified hotspots, indicating greater transmission of the disease in these places.

Examining surplus and shortage in occupied housing preference in Malaysia

Purpose Housing sufficiency is a critical indicator of national development and growth. However, in most countries, housing affordability remains a significant challenge, leading to a mismatch between housing supply and demand. The purpose of this study is to investigate the housing preferences, current occupation and the resulting surplus and shortage across various housing types. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a survey, and the analysis focused on quantifying the mismatch between preferred and occupied housing types. Findings Results revealed significant disparities between housing preferences and current occupation, with some housing types experiencing surplus and others facing shortages. The findings uncovered a 23% discrepancy in housing demand and supply. The sensitivity results indicate that 30% of the respondents currently living in a particular type of housing unit would choose to live there if given the option. The specificity results show that 90% of respondents not living in a particular type of housing unit would continue to avoid choosing it. Housing price, income, ethnicity, race and location are the major drivers of the housing preferences. Practical implications Developers can align their projects with consumer preferences to minimize surplus and shortages. Financial institutions may consider these insights when tailoring mortgage products to meet the diverse needs of potential homebuyers. This research provides a valuable foundation for strategic planning and policy formulation aimed at enhancing housing sufficiency and socioeconomic development in Malaysia. Originality/value This study lays the foundation for future research and for incentive mechanisms for homebuyers and developers. The results are useful to policymakers, developers, banks, consultants, housing associations and academics.

Coping with housing precarity: Roma women’s responses to housing insecurity in the Czech Republic

The article investigates how policies systematically exclude Roma women from accessing decent housing. Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork with Roma women in Brno, Czech Republic, the study aims to expand the concept of housing precarity along two dimensions: ‘permanent temporality’ and ‘forced urban nomadism’. The research describes key actors and institutions, including the state and its policies, regional, city, and municipal regulations, the housing market, and the rise of private hostels driven by the ‘poverty business’. The study highlights how structural and local conditions shape the housing experiences of Roma families, emphasizing their active role in navigating precarious housing situations. It particularly focuses on the coping strategies of Roma women, such as reliance on multigenerational households and frequent relocations between various types of substandard housing. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about housing by offering a nuanced understanding of how systemic forces and individual strategies interact to produce and perpetuate housing precarity.

Phenotypic characterization and quality of life of Labradoodles with idiopathic epilepsy and epilepsy of unknown cause.

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is a common chronic neurological disorder in dogs. Breed specific knowledge on semiology, age of onset (AoO), seizure frequency, response to treatment, and Quality of Life (QoL) scores for both dog and owner are important. The Labradoodle is originally a cross between the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle. The aim of this study was to describe in detail the epilepsy, that is recognized in this designer breed. An online survey was distributed through several platforms to owners of Labradoodles. Only Labradoodles, either registered as such or bred as a Labradoodle were included. To classify the Labradoodles in a TIER level of confidence the criteria of the International Veterinary Task Force were used. Forty labradoodles were included. Thirty-three Labradoodles were classified as IE or suspected IE cases and appeared to have an AoO of 2.3 ± 1.3 years, and a seizure frequency of 5.4 ± 6.5 seizures/year (range 0-25). Seven dogs were classified as EUC, two dogs started before 6 months of age, and five dogs had their first seizures at 8.4 ± 1.2 years of age. The seizure frequency for all EUC dogs was 5.0 ± 3.0 seizures/year (range 0-11). Stress, for both the (suspected) IE and EUC cases, was the most frequently reported seizure precipitating factor (95% of the dogs). AoO and seizure frequency did not seem to be influenced by type of housing, type of owner, or the dog's character as interpreted by the owner. Cluster seizures (CS) were seen in 33% and status epilepticus (SE) in 10% of the included Labradoodles. Many dogs did not need treatment (38%) or only one anti-seizure medication (43%), in which case they tended to respond favorably to treatment. QoL scores were high for both dog (8.3 ± 1.8) and owner (7.3 ± 2.2). Compared to the progenitor breeds, epilepsy of Labradoodles is phenotypically like that of the Standard Poodle, except for the existence CS and SE in the Labradoodle. The epilepsy seen in this designer breed has a favorable outcome compared to several other breeds.

Beyond Permanent Residences: Measuring Place Attachment in Tempo-Local Housing Arrangements

Current societal shifts, including increased mobility, advances in information technologies, and diverse lifestyles, are driving postmodern housing arrangements that prioritize mobility and flexibility. The traditional view of housing as fixed and stable is evolving to encompass temporary forms, including multi-locality, which are often underestimated due to measurement challenges. Recognizing and integrating the potential of transient populations into urban societies is crucial to enhancing community cohesion and reducing social fragmentation. Therefore, the development of rootedness, emotional connection, and spatial identity should be analyzed in the context of temporary housing practices. Data collected through a representative survey in two major German urban regions in 2023 enable the validation of a four-dimensional place attachment scale, which includes the dimensions of place identity, place dependence, ambient bonding, and social bonding. Each dimension includes distinct elements of place-making constructions. The classification of four tempo-local housing types serves as the foundation for measuring how the temporal and spatial structure of housing arrangements influences emotional attachment to one’s place of residence. Interestingly, spatial mobility, when paired with temporal stability in each location, can cultivate deep connections, revealing an often-overlooked potential within this group. The results emphasize the significance of incorporating spatio-temporal dimensions of housing to foster inclusive, comprehensive, and diverse urban development.

Blood-Feeding Patterns and Resting Behavior of Aedes aegypti from Three Health Districts of Ouagadougou City, Burkina Faso.

Recent dengue outbreaks have occurred in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, the two major cities of Burkina Faso. Dengue is a viral disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti, a highly anthropophilic mosquito that thrives in human-transformed environments and breeds predominantly in artificial containers. In 2018, we investigated the resting and blood-feeding habits of Ae. aegypti in urban settings of Ouagadougou. In a 3-month cross-sectional study starting in August 2018, indoors and outdoors resting adult mosquitoes were collected using Prokopack aspirators in three health districts (HD). All mosquitoes were morphologically identified, and DNA was extracted from blood-fed Ae. aegypti females. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction with specific primers was used to identify the origin of the blood meal. A total of 4,256 adult Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, including 1,908 females, were collected. A preference for exophily was recorded in Bogodogo and Nongremassom, although an unexpectedly higher proportion of blood-fed females were found indoors than outdoors. Respectively, 96.09%, 91.03%, and 95.54% of the blood meals successfully analyzed in Baskuy, Bogodogo, and Nongremassom were from a single human host, with the remainder from domestic mammals as single or multiple hosts. Modeling total Ae. aegypti and blood-fed female counts showed that among other predictors, human density, outdoor environment, and house type affect their total densities. Our study revealed an exophilic tendency as well as a pronounced anthropophilic preference of Ae. aegypti adults, critical findings to consider when planning accurate entomological surveillance and effective interventions against Ae. aegypti in urban settings.