Well-being In Rural Areas Research Articles

Reallocate to the right place: The heterogeneous effect of internet use on factor allocation of rural households in China

How to improve factor (mis)allocation is an important topic for both economists and policy-makers. In the digital economy era, existing studies have investigated the impact of information and communication technologies on factor allocation of rural households, but little is known about the heterogenous effect on farmers with differentiated productivity. This study uses panel data from the Chinese Family Panel Studies from 2010 to 2020, to examine the impact of Internet use on factor allocation of rural households from the view of heterogeneity in their productivities. The results suggest that Internet use facilitates a flow of land from low- to high-productivity farmers, and farm labor migration to off-farm activities. Such effect is achieved though easing information constraints and all farmers gain higher income after the reallocation. Our findings suggest that promoting Internet penetration and its functions can help reduce misallocation and improve welfare in rural areas.

Advocating ‘eco-village’ for sustainable development: The dayalbagh way of life

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; layout-grid-mode: char; mso-layout-grid-align: none; punctuation-wrap: simple; margin: 12.0pt 0cm 6.0pt 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">India as a country has its identity deeply rooted in its rural culture. Whether we talk about agriculture, tradition, food, art, or music, the rural society of India has always proven itself a representation towards the national front. The Dayalbagh society in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh (India) is engaged to strengthen the nation’s roots through education, technology, sustainability, management, innovation, research, and most importantly, selfless service. The major potential for economic growth in India lies in the development of its rural areas. This article is an attempt to spot the outlook of a society that has its inception for the past 100 years and is continuously making efforts to glorify the message of sustainable development, environmental protection, and rural development through its effective plans in designing an eco-village-based society. Based on the narrative description approach, this article highlights the efforts and strategies employed by the Dayalbagh society to promote sustainable development, environmental protection, and rural development. The focus is on how society integrates education, technology, sustainability, management, innovation, research, and selfless service to achieve these goals. The Dayalbagh society’s initiatives have taken into consideration economic, social, environmental, and human aspects, demonstrating significant contributions towards sustainable development and rural empowerment. The philosophy and successful practices of the Dayalbagh society can inspire and guide others in developing action plans for effective environmental protection and sustainable rural development. By adopting such approaches, other organizations, decision-makers, and individuals can contribute to the overall growth and well-being of rural areas in India.</span></p>

Are farmers willing to pay for low-carbon agriculture? Evidence from China

PurposeReducing carbon emissions in agriculture is vital for fostering sustainable agricultural growth and promoting ecological well-being in rural areas. The adoption of Low-Carbon Agriculture (LCA) by farmers holds great potential to accomplish substantial reductions in carbon emissions. The purpose of this study is to explore the farmers' preference and willingness to engage in LCA.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the Choice Experiment (CE) method to examine farmers' preferences and willingness to adopt LCA, using field survey data of 544 rural farmers in the Weihe River Basin between June and July 2023. We further investigate differences in willingness to pay (WTP) and personal characteristics among different farmer categories.FindingsThe empirical results reveal that farmers prioritize government-led initiatives providing pertinent technical training as a key aspect of the LCA program. Farmers' decisions to participate in LCA are influenced by factors including age, gender, education and the proportion of farm income in household income, with their evaluations further shaped by subjective attitudes and habits. Notably, we discovered that nearly half of the farmers exhibit indifference towards LCA attributes.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to investigate farmers' attitudes toward LCA from their own perspectives and to analyze the factors influencing them from both subjective and objective standpoints. This study presents a fresh perspective for advocating LCA, bolstering rural ecology and nurturing sustainable development in developing nations.

Planning for socially sustainable rural housing in Sweden

The aim of this article is to analyse and discuss policies and planning for rural housing, with a special focus on social sustainability. In this endeavour, we review research with such a focus and put this in dialogue with an analysis of the contemporary situation regarding rural housing challenges and policies in Sweden. Countrysides in Europe, including Sweden, are diverse and face different housing-related challenges. The literature illuminates spatial as well as socio-economic inequalities. Both a low demand for housing related to a shrinking labour market and out-migration and a high pressure on the housing market triggering restrictive or conditional measures to avoid speculative developments and rural gentrification affect social sustainability.Our case study on policy and planning measures that deal with rural housing in Sweden shows that there is a need to further investigate and understand the role of housing in rural areas for various groups and people with fewer resources, including further elaboration on the connection between mobilities and housing needs. A narrow focus upon housing provision that does not take into account access to services and communications as well as contemporary mobility flows of different groups challenges equality and well-being in rural areas. In Sweden, housing is primarily a municipal, local responsibility. However, exogenous forces or trends mean that housing issues play out at both the regional and national levels and put the municipalities in a difficult situation.

Disparities in Epilepsy Knowledge, Beliefs and Cost-Effectiveness: A Comparative Analysis of Rural Healthcare Facilities in Bhakkar Hard- to-Reach District in South Punjab- Pakistan

ABSTRACT Background: Although 80% of the 50million people with epilepsy reside in resource poor, developing countries. Epilepsy care in these regions remains limited and the majority of epilepsy patients go untreated due to various modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Objective: Comparing the effectiveness of volunteer specialist intervention versus autonomous epilepsy treatment to optimize care strategies and improve patient well-being in rural areas of Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan. Material and Methods: An observational study comparing treatment gap and expenses between two cohorts: one being supported and treated at Rukhsana Shafqat Medical Centre, and their counterpart’s getting treatment from other facilities with spending out of their pocket was carried out June 01, 2023 to January 01, 2024 at RSMC Bhakkar, Punjab. Results: A comparison of 100 epilepsy cases each from a major medical center (RSMC) and rural healthcare facilities shows demographic and clinical differences. RSMC patients are younger, with different gender ratios and education levels. RSMC reports 31% idiopathic epilepsy, 61% symptomatic, and 8% cryptogenic, contrasting rural centers' 14%, 78%, and 8%. Co morbidities vary, with 49 individuals having none in RSMC and 60 in rural centers. Treatment duration and disease knowledge also differ, with RSMC demonstrating better knowledge (64.57% good knowledge) compared to rural centers (52.63%). Misconceptions are higher in rural areas (50.4%) than at RSMC (36%). Monthly costs are predominantly below 5000 PKR at RSMC (87%) and in 72% of cases in rural centers, with 28% spending more than 5000 PKR. Conclusion: The community-based rehabilitation model of care can offer an alternative approach to epilepsy care and address the reality of most people with epilepsy living in such areas of poor developing countries.

Welfare Effects of Food Tariff Changes on Urban and Rural Households

This study aims to analyze the effects of food tariff changes on the welfare of urban and rural households in Iran. The study considers the role of households as consumers, producers, and workers, as well as the market structure over the past fifteen years. Firstly, the study estimated the consumption behavior for the main food groups using the QUAIDS and pseudo-panel data. Then, the extent of tariff pass-through to domestic food prices was determined, and after that, price-wage elasticity and wage changes as a result of tariff changes were estimated. Finally, it calculated the effect of tariff changes on household purchasing power and income through an indirect utility function to get welfare effects. The results indicate that tariff pass-through to food prices is incomplete and varies between urban and rural areas. The study has found that skilled labor is more sensitive to food tariff reductions than unskilled labor, particularly in rural areas. The results reveal that tariff changes positively affect urban households' welfare, while rural households experience a loss due to these changes. Urban areas benefit from reduced household expenditure, while food prices are increasing in rural areas due to weak or absent tariff pass-through. Although these increases favor producers, they do not compensate for the loss suffered by consumers, resulting in reduced welfare in rural areas. The findings show that the effects of tariff changes vary across regions, not only between urban and rural areas but also among different provinces. Furthermore, the tariff reductions have been a boon for consumers, but a bane for producers, ultimately harming production in the long term. The findings suggest that regional markets may be either sufficient or insufficient to convert pass-through-the-border prices into domestic prices. Therefore, policymakers can use this study as a useful guide to reform the regional market structure to raise household welfare, food security, and income inequality.

The Intervention Effect of Online Mindfulness Training in Alleviating Youths’ Test Anxiety

With rapid development and modernization of today’s society, the resource inequality between rural and urban areas has enlarged, especially regarding adolescents’ mental health education. In order to provide alternative to adolescents with limited resources, this study targets test anxiety as example, aiming to explore the effectiveness of online mindfulness training in alleviating students’ test anxiety through a quasi-experiment. This study recruited youths from 12 to 18 years old and used their pre-test/post-test data on 186 trained participants ( Mage = 14.85, 57.5% male) and 217 propensity-score matched controls ( Mage = 15.35, 53% male). After careful analysis, the results proved the effectiveness of online mindfulness training in reducing test anxiety and showed that the online training was more beneficial for students with serious interpersonal problems. This study further provided implications for the use of technology in mental health education, promoting the care of psychological well-being in rural areas.

Patterns, barriers, and utilization of oral healthcare provided at primary health centers (PHCs) and its association with oral health status among rural population in Rohtak district, Haryana: A household cross-sectional study.

Access to oral healthcare is limited in rural areas, resulting in disparities in oral health services. Primary health centers (PHCs) are essential for providing integrated oral healthcare to rural populations. This study examines the patterns, barriers, and utilization of oral healthcare at PHCs in Rohtak district, Haryana. In this 6-month household cross-sectional study, data were collected from a sample of 600 participants residing in rural areas under the jurisdiction of three randomly selected PHCs in Rohtak district. The study employed multistage cluster systematic random sampling procedures. Data collection included structured questionnaires and clinical oral examinations following the type-III ADA classification. Participants' oral health status was evaluated using the WHO oral health assessment form for adults (2013). Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for data analysis. Dental caries and periodontal diseases were more common in older age groups. Barriers to oral healthcare among the elderly include fear of dental procedures and low dental literacy. Proximity to PHCs influenced dental service utilization, with higher rates among participants living near a PHC, that is, within 5 km of a PHC. Age, gender, proximity to PHCs, household size, and socioeconomic status play crucial roles in the utilization of oral health services among the rural population. Addressing these factors is essential for improving oral healthcare and overcoming barriers. It is crucial to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and availability of oral health services at PHCs to promote better oral health and overall well-being in rural areas.

Applying the photovoice method with adolescents in mining areas in rural Mozambique: critical reflections and lessons learned

ABSTRACT There is a recognised need for innovative methods to elicit the perspective of adolescents on public health issues, particularly when addressing sensitive topics such as the impact of mining projects on their health. Participatory approaches such as “photovoice” allow for deep engagement of vulnerable and marginalised populations, including adolescents. However, few existing studies have used the photovoice method to reflect on issues related to the environment and its impact on public health. To date, no studies have been found that have used photovoice to gain insight into adolescentsʼ perspectives in mining areas. In this paper, we discuss the application of the photovoice method to understand adolescents’ perceptions about the impact of mining on their health and well-being in rural areas in Mozambique. The study was conducted in northern and central Mozambique. Photovoice was successfully integrated into eight focus group discussions with adolescent girls and boys aged 15 to 17 years. Several lessons for guiding future research were learned. First, it provided an understanding of the perceived impacts of mining on their health and well-being. Second, photovoice promoted active engagement and interest in the study by the adolescents. Finally, compared to its ability to capture perceptions of physical and environmental aspects affecting adolescents’ well-being, the method was less straightforward in revealing their concerns regarding social, relational and community aspects that are less tangible. Programs can make use of photovoice to address health issues without setting adolescents’ views and priorities aside, allowing them to influence health decisions on issues that are meaningful to them. Future studies should explore strategies to minimise the role of the power dynamics that affect the engagement and contribution of adolescents in advocating for necessary and meaningful changes. Additionally, it is important to investigate how health programs and policies can help to reduce the impact of existing inequalities.

Pollution Control and Well-Being in Rural Areas: A Study Based on Survey Data

Pollution control is of great value in order to achieve sustainable development and meet the needs of human development. This paper utilizes data from four rounds of longitudinal surveys conducted between 2012 and 2018 as part of the China Labor Force Dynamic Survey. Employing multiple linear regression methods, it empirically investigates the impact of pollution control on the well-being of rural residents. Empirical results show that even after accounting for individual, village, and family characteristics, pollution control significantly affects the happiness of rural residents. Notably, water pollution control emerges as having the most pronounced impact on rural residents’ happiness. Furthermore, pollution control enhances the well-being of rural residents by improving the village environment, fostering family harmony, and enhancing the physical and mental health of individuals. A heterogeneity analysis indicates that pollution control exerts a stronger influence on the happiness of residents in the central and western region and ordinary villages, while its impact is somewhat weaker in the eastern region. Addressing the pollution issue remains imperative, along with stimulating the endogenous drivers of rural ecological revitalization, enhancing the effectiveness of grassroots governance in rural areas, and continually bolstering the sense of well-being and happiness among the populace.

СІЛЬСЬКИЙ ТУРИЗМ ЧЕРКАЩИНИ: КОМУНІКАЦІЯ, ПАРТНЕРСТВО ТА КЛАСТЕРНА СПІВПРАЦЯ

The article examines rural tourism development in the Cherkasy Region and the possible diversification of the rural economy by analysing communication, partnership and cluster cooperation between entrepreneurs, local authorities, the community and educators. The theoretical block of the study is aimed at studying the concepts of "well-being", "rural area", "rural life", " neo-rural entrepreneurs ", "communication", "network connections", "partnership" and "cluster". The essence and content of the main concepts were revealed, as well as the connection between the concepts of "welfare" and "diversification", "communication" and "partnership", "neo-rural entrepreneurs" and "values of rural life" was established. The application block is based on the results of the hackathon "Diversification of rural economy through a network of public consultation centers of tourism" for active and interested representatives of Cherkasy Region. It has been established that mutual understanding, communication and support, joint work and learning are exactly the model of partnership that solves the problem of network connections, which in turn will lead to diversification of incomes, as well as increased well-being in rural areas, and can become the basis of cluster cooperation, which will allow rational use of the potential of local entrepreneurs to create a high-quality tourist service and product. A four-way partnership with the participation of entrepreneurs, the local community, local authorities and educators is precisely the combination of forces and resources that goes beyond the scope of ordinary business exchange and allows us to realize common goals and achieve success. The obtained conclusions can be the basis for further strategies regarding the diversification of the tourism-oriented rural economy in the region.

Village Development and Welfare Enhancement: The Influence of Area Size, Population, and Village Fund Transfer: Evidence from Bangkalan, Indonesia

This study analyzes the influence of area, population, and village fund transfers on improving community welfare in Bangkalan Regency, Indonesia. Using regression analysis methods, data were collected from various sources, including government statistics and field surveys. The results show that village area has no significant effect on community welfare. In contrast, population has a negative effect, indicating challenges in the distribution of village fund benefits in villages with larger populations. However, village fund transfers are shown to have a significant positive effect on community welfare, indicating that increasing village fund allocations can improve infrastructure, basic services, and empower communities. This study emphasizes the importance of good management of village funds to achieve the goal of improving welfare. These findings are expected to be a reference for policymakers and practitioners in designing effective strategies to improve the welfare of rural communities. Recommendations for further research include exploring other variables, such as village management capacity, to provide a more comprehensive picture of the factors that influence welfare in rural areas.

CONCEPTUALISING RESILIENCE LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES OF PADDY FARMERS TOWARDS MALAYSIA NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY AGENDA

The paddy production in Malaysia is characterised as small-scale agriculture, with modest plots of less than 2 ha and approximately 194,000 farmers employed. Majority of these farmers primarily rely on low-income agricultural production. This situation was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, resulting in a 3.11% reduction (17.03 million tonnes) in the overall agricultural output across Southeast Asia. Rural communities are recognised as vulnerable and must adapt to these sudden changes. Despite the vulnerability and shocks experienced by rural communities, especially paddy farmers, the resilience of sustainable livelihood for staple food is the main issue to be taken into consideration. Sustainable livelihoods, which are closely related to rural development communities, serve as the primary force behind the preservation of the economic well-being in rural areas. The primary concern is the lack of imperative strategies to empower the paddy farmers and key stakeholders in the staple food ecosystem in facing uncertainties and shocks. The Sustainable Livelihood Framework has been adopted since 1992 in several countries and international organisations to eradicate poverty. However, this framework raised an issue as a generic concept and required further enhancement to visualise the response to uncertainties and shocks. The framework’s adaptability to climatic and non-climatic food insecurity is dependent on the adaptation strategies that are based on socioeconomic and cultural factors, such as household composition, gender, household asset distribution and external instructions.

Rural Wellbeing in Poland – Subjective Perspective

Rural Wellbeing in Poland – Subjective Perspective

Analisis keungan keluarga lansia pensiun

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of financial literacy, financial planning for the elderly and real estate on family financial well-being at retirement age. The example in this study is 120 families whose husbands or wives have reached retirement age (55-65 years). Respondents were selected through purposive sampling, as many as 60 respondents from each rural area. The study was conducted in Weleri District as a sub-district area and Montongsari Village as a rural area. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, independent sample test and multiple linear regression tests. The results showed that there were significant differences in education level, employment status and average income between urban and rural respondents, with urban respondents achieving a higher median score. in rural areas. The average level of financial literacy and financial well-being in rural areas.

A Study on Financial Inclusion and Economic Well-Being in Rural Areas with Special Reference to Dhenkanal District

A Study on Financial Inclusion and Economic Well-Being in Rural Areas with Special Reference to Dhenkanal District

"A Study of the relationship between income and different dimensions of well-being in rural areas, such as mental health and social connectedness"

"A Study of the relationship between income and different dimensions of well-being in rural areas, such as mental health and social connectedness"

Youths' Contribution to Household Welfare in Rural Areas

Rural households are faced with low purchasing power, poor food consumption, and poor general well-being. Youths are economically active, which could contribute to reducing these problems and improving rural development. However, the extent to which youths contribute to improving rural household welfare has gained little attention. Thus, this study assessed youths’ contributions to household welfare and the factors influencing their contributions to household welfare. Data were collected from 180 youths using a structured questionnaire and then subjected to descriptive and multiple regression statistical analysis. The findings revealed that youths contribute significantly to rural households’ welfare. The monthly income, access to credit, association membership, gender, age, and access to remittances are responsible for the level of youths’ contributions to household welfare. The challenges that prevent youths’ contribution to household welfare in rural areas were poor government support, poor credit facilities, unemployment, lack of access to business information and lack of training opportunities and vocational programmes. Government support to rural youths through the provision of grants and loans as start-up capital is needed to empower youths to contribute to their household welfare. Also, youths should be encouraged to go for vocational training to acquire a skill that could be a vehicle for a source of income. 

Comparing well-being among rural and urban Indonesian older people: a quantitative analysis of the related factors

<p>Residential area has been identified as a factor that influences the well-being of older people. This study aimed to compare the well-being of older people living in urban and rural areas in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia, and analyze the predictors of well-being. A total of 141 (79 rural and 62 urban) older people participated in this study. Well-being was assessed using the world health organization-five (WHO-5) well-being index. The factors measured included sociodemographic data (age, sex, educational level, living arrangements, and current employment status), physical function, cognitive function, depression, independence, and attitude towards aging. Data of the two groups were compared using t-tests and Chi-square analysis. Correlations with well-being were analyzed using univariate correlation and multivariate hierarchical regression. The urban group had slightly older age, higher education, lower mobility and balance, higher attitude scores, and higher well-being. Depression was a significant variable in well-being for both communities. Physical capacity was an important factor in urban populations, while well-being in rural areas was better predicted by independence and cognitive function. The results suggest that there are similar and different correlates of the well-being of rural and urban older people, recommending different programs to enhance the well-being of older people living in different areas.</p>

Does Agricultural Intensification Enhance Rural Wellbeing? A Structural Model Assessment at the Sub-Communal Level: A Case Study in Tunisia

We examined the impact of agricultural intensification on the wellbeing of rural communities in a developing country on a sub-communal scale. To measure the interactions within this complex causal relationship, a statistical approach was applied, using partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) in its formative structure. Using PLS-PM to simultaneously relate the measured variables (manifest variables) and conceptual variables (latent variables), while incorporating other variables, such as the bioclimate and demography, we characterized the spatial structure of the links between intensive agriculture and wellbeing. The aim was to facilitate government intervention aiming to improve the wellbeing of rural households, while avoiding cumbersome and costly surveys when the scope of public action is extended to a region or a country. Our findings show that the generalization of the productivist system is not always appropriate in developing countries. In our case study, employment in the secondary and tertiary sectors is insufficient to accommodate the rural exodus. In such situations, agricultural intensification leads to poverty and migration to the areas of production and increases disparities in social wellbeing in rural areas.