scholarly journals Effects of Exposure to Risks on Household Vulnerability in Developing Countries: A New Evidence From Urban and Rural Areas of Nigeria

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110022
Author(s):  
Peter Nwachukwu Mba ◽  
Emmanuel O. Nwosu ◽  
Anthony Orji

Exposure to risk may be seen as one of the many dimensions of poverty. Household exposure to risk consequent upon different types of shocks often leads to undesirable welfare outcomes. A shock can push an already income-poor household further into poverty or drive a non-poor household below the income poverty line. Risk appears to be one of the major challenges many households face in developing economies especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, these issues have become central in the policy agenda not only in these countries but also in the international multilateral institutions. This study examines the exposure to risks in urban and rural areas and its effect on household vulnerability to poverty in Nigeria. The study applied the framework that computes vulnerability as expected poverty on the Nigeria General Household Survey for 2015 and the cross-sectional data and three-stage feasible generalized least squares analysis were employed. Findings show that exposure to risks such as job loss, business failure, harvest failure, livestock death, dwelling demolition, increase and decrease in input and output prices, and other similar risks significantly drive households into poverty but differ across households in rural and urban areas, both in characteristics and regions. These findings suggest that social safety nets should be designed to take care of not only the current poor households but also the non-poor households who are likely to be vulnerable in the future.

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iza Cristina de Vasconcelos Martins Xavier ◽  
Carla Menêses Hardman ◽  
Maria Laura Siqueira de Souza Andrade ◽  
Mauro Virgilio Gomes de Barros

Objective: To compare the frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables and soft drinks among adolescents living in urban and rural areas of Pernambuco State. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on secondary analysis of data from a representative sample of high school students in Pernambuco (n = 4,207, 14 - 19 years) was conducted. Data were collected through a previously validated questionnaire. Adolescents who reported a daily consumption of soft drinks and occasional consumption of fruits, juices and vegetables were classified as exposed to inadequate standard of consumption of these foods. The independent variable was the place of residence (urban/rural). Data were analyzed by frequency distribution, χ2 test and binary logistic regression. Results: It was observed that students residing in rural areas had a higher prevalence of occasional consumption of natural fruit juices (37.6%; 95%CI 36.1 - 39.0) than those living in urban areas (32.1%; 95%CI 30.7 - 33.6). The proportion of students exposed to daily consumption of soft drinks was higher among those who reported they lived in urban areas (65.0%; 95%CI 63.5 - 66.4) compared to those who reported living in rural areas (55.3%; 95%CI 53.8 - 56.9). Conclusion: Adolescent students living in rural areas had a higher prevalence of low consumption of natural fruit juices while those residing in urban areas had a higher prevalence of daily consumption of soda drinks.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 2394-2401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Pérez-Ferrer ◽  
Anne McMunn ◽  
Paola Zaninotto ◽  
Eric J Brunner

AbstractObjectiveThe present study investigates whether the reversal of the social gradient in obesity, defined as a cross-over to higher obesity prevalence among groups with lower education level, has occurred among men and women in urban and rural areas of Mexico.DesignCross-sectional series of nationally representative surveys (1988, 1999, 2006, 2012 and 2016). The association between education and obesity was investigated over the period 1988–2016. Effect modification of the education–obesity association by household wealth was tested.SettingMexico.SubjectsWomen (n 54 816) and men (n 20 589) aged 20–49 years.ResultsIn both urban and rural areas, the association between education and obesity in women varied by level of household wealth in the earlier surveys (1988, 1999 and 2006; interaction P<0·001). In urban areas in 1988, one level lower education was associated (prevalence ratio; 95 % CI) with 45 % higher obesity prevalence among the richest women (1·45; 1·24, 1·69), whereas among the poorest the same education difference was protective (0·84; 0·72, 0·99). In the latest surveys (2012, 2016), higher education was protective across all wealth groups. Among men, education level was not associated with obesity in urban areas; there was a direct association in rural areas. Wealth did not modify the association between education and obesity.ConclusionThe reversal of the educational gradient in obesity among women occurred once a threshold level of household wealth was reached. Among men, there was no evidence of a reversal of the gradient. Policies must not lose sight of the populations most vulnerable to the obesogenic environment.


Author(s):  
M. Vijay Kumar ◽  
Indranil Acharya ◽  
Jayanti P. Acharya ◽  
Puligila Raj Shravani ◽  
Sabbineni Ramya

Background: Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 800 mothers from urban and rural areas of Rangareddy District. A pre designed pre tested questionnaire was used to interview the mothers. Questionnaire contained questions related to demographic factors and breast feeding practices. Institutional Ethical clearance was taken. Results: The overall prevalence of exclusive breast feeding was 65%, being comparatively more in rural area (68%) which was statistically significant. Colostrum was discarded by 15% mothers in urban and 9% in rural area. Breast feeding was initiated within 1 hour in 184 (46%) in urban area and in 148 (37%) in rural area. Conclusions: Though mothers from rural area had certain favorable breast feeding practices such as demand feeding, colostrum being given but still various inappropriate practices were prevalent in both rural and urban areas. 


Author(s):  
M. Pavani Varma ◽  
K. S. V. Prasad

Background: Tobacco smoking is habit which usually begins in the adolescent age. It is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases and mortality can be prevented if smoking is quit.Methods: It is a cross sectional study.2 schools were randomly selected from urban and rural areas in field practice area of Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences. A GYTS questionnaire is modified to local setting and administered to the students.Results: A total of 367 students were enrolled. The level of awareness regarding harmful effects of tobacco consumption was good. It was 98.85% in urban areas and 94.84% in rural areas.Conclusions: As adolescent is the age of habit forming identification of the problem and correcting it at early stage itself will be beneficial for individuals, family and society. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Souhaibou Ndongo ◽  
Abdoulaye Pouye ◽  
Emeric Azankpan ◽  
Mourtalla M. Ka ◽  
Thérèse Moreira Diop

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis, formerly rare in sub-Saharan Africa, is becoming increasingly reported. The objective study determines the epidemiological, clinical and biological features of rheumatoid arthritis at diagnosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the rheumatology outpatient department of Aristide Le Dantec Teaching Hospital of Dakar in Senegal. Results: Three hundred eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis according, to American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria, were included: 273 women and 35 men (ratio of 7:8). Median age was 41 years (Q1: 31; Q3: 53 years); predominant age group was 30-40 years. Ninety-three percent resided in urban areas and 7% in rural areas. Family history of chronic inflammatory arthritis was reported by 35.1% of patients. Thirty-nine percent of patients initially consulted a traditional healer. On admission, the median Disease Activity Score 28 was 6.5 (Q1: 5.5; Q3: 7.3). Rheumatoid arthritis was very active in 81.1% and a positive factor in 84% of patients. Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies assessed in 116 patients; 95 reported positive (81.9%). Of 169 patients, at least one extra-articular manifestation was presented; the most common, anemia and sicca syndrome. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was characterized by an important delay in diagnosis, a polyarticular presentation, and a high positivity of immunological markers. Extra-articular manifestations included mainly anemia and sicca syndrome. Early management and a better understanding of rheumatoid arthritis in sub-Saharan Africa are required.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (03) ◽  
pp. 324-327
Author(s):  
Ahsan Beg Beg ◽  
Muhammad Younas ◽  
Touseef Asma

Objectives: To investigate the role of socio-economic factors for Acute RheumaticFever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in Pakistan. Methodology: Study Design:Descriptive cross-sectional. Setting: OPD of Pediatric Cardiology Department, CPE Institute ofCardiology, Multan. Period: July 2014 to December 2014. Convenience Sampling was done.Sample size of 130 cases with ages between 5 to 12 years were selected for the study. Results:Overcrowding was noticed in 61% and 85% in urban and rural areas, respectively. In rural areas,most parents were illiterate; similar status was seen in urban areas (64.4%; 67.1% respectively).60% and 55 % patients have habit of hand washing in rural and urban patients respectively.Toilet facility is available to 60% and 55.6% in rural and urban patients respectively. Economicstatus of the family is even worse. Average income per family was only Rs.3800 per month.Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and acute rheumaticfever (ARF) in Pakistan. Overcrowding, poor hygienic conditions, low socio-economic status,illiteracy are major risk factors for ARF and RHD in Pakistan. In order to address this alarmingsituation, platforms like Pakistan Pediatric Cardiac Society and Pakistan Pediatric Associationneed to be mobilized.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani ◽  
Ali Darvishi

Abstract One of the important goals of Iran’s health transformation programme (HTP) is to improve financial protection for households against health expenditure. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, intensity and inequality in distribution of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) using the WHO and the World Bank (WB) methodologies with different thresholds in the years before and after HTP. We used data from seven annual national repeated cross-sectional surveys on households’ income and expenditures from 2011 to 2017. The intensity to CHE was calculated using overshoot and mean positive overshoot (MPO) indices. Finally, the inequality in distribution of exposure to CHE was calculated using the concentration index (CI), and the dominance test of concentration curves was used to inference about the significant changes in inequality of the years before and after HTP. The exposure rate to CHE in the total population and at 40% threshold of the WHO methodology changed from 1.99% in 2011 to 3.46% in 2017. Additionally, at 20% threshold of the WB methodology, it was changed from 5.14% to 8.68%. Overshoot and MPO indices increased on average based on two methodologies in urban and rural areas during seven years. The CIs for all the years show a negative value in both methodologies, indicating that CHE occurrence is higher among the poor households. In 2017, at 40% threshold of the WHO, the numerical values of the CIs were −0.15 and −0.14 in urban and rural populations, respectively. These values were −0.07 and −0.05 for the 20% threshold of WB, respectively. Results of dominance test showed no significant change in inequality for the years after than before HTP with two exceptions for total and rural populations based on the WB methodology. Generally, HTP had no considerable success in financial protection, requiring a review in actions to support pro-poor adaptation strategies.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e020406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Phyo Aung ◽  
Aung Soe Htet ◽  
Espen Bjertness ◽  
Hein Stigum ◽  
Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between urban–rural location and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Yangon Region, and to estimate the proportion of urban and rural participants already diagnosed with DM, and of those, the proportion under treatment and under control.DesignTwo cross-sectional studies, using the WHO STEPs methodology.SettingThe Yangon Region of Myanmar, urban and rural areas.ParticipantsMen and women, aged 25–74 years, included during the study period from September–November 2013 (urban) and 2014 (rural areas) (n=1372). Institutionalised people, physically and mentally ill person, monks and nuns were excluded.ResultsThe age-standardised prevalence of DM was 12.1% in urban and 7.1% in rural areas (p=0.039). In urban areas, the prevalence of DM was lowest in the highest educational groups (p<0.001). There were no differences in DM prevalence between gender or income levels. In rural areas, those who were physically inactive had a low intake of fruit and vegetable and were overweight/obese had a higher DM prevalence than others. In a logistic regression, the OR for DM in rural compared with urban areas was 0.38 (0.22, 0.65), adjusted for sociodemographic variables and behavioural risk factors. In urban areas, 43.1% of participants had the experience of receiving blood glucose measurements by a doctor or health worker, and 61.5% of all cases of DM were already diagnosed, 78.7% were under treatment and 45.8% were under control. The corresponding proportions in rural areas were 26.4%, 52.4%, 78.1% and 32.0%, respectively.ConclusionThe prevalence of DM in the Yangon Region was high, and significantly higher in urban than in rural areas. More health services are needed to serve this population with a large proportion of undiagnosed diabetes. Preventive measures to halt and reduce the prevalence of DM are urgently needed.


1988 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis A Ladbrook

Three sociological explanations for why rates of conventional crime are higher in urban than in rural areas are tested with cross-sectional Japanese data for 1970. The three explanations ascribe the higher rates of urban crime to (1) the degree of urbanisation and populated density, (2) the greater rates of migration and population growth in urban populations, and (3) the differences in demographic structures between urban and rural areas, urban areas having greater proportions of young people. Eight indicators are used to test six hypotheses for six crimes against persons and property, with the 46 Japanese perfectures as units of analysis. Measures are taken to constrain the degree of multicollinearity that exists among the independent variables. While the structural indicators measured at an ecological level are not powerful in explaining inter-perfectural variations in rates of homicide, rape and arson, they are significantly associated with larceny, robbery and assault rates. Multiple regression analysis ascribes greatest weight in explaining the variation in rates of property crime to the higher proportion of young adults in urban populations, and to the higher rates of migration in these populations. The differences between Japanese and Western levels and patterns of crime are attributable to the operation of powerful mechanisms of family and community social control and to methods of policing. Trends comparable with those in the West are emerging through youth crime in the context of urban conditions.


BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Mandolo ◽  
Jacquline Msefula ◽  
Marc Y. R. Henrion ◽  
Comfort Brown ◽  
Brewster Moyo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background By August 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has been less severe in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere. In Malawi, there have been three subsequent epidemic waves. We therefore aimed to describe the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Malawi. Methods We measured the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies amongst randomly selected blood transfusion donor sera in Malawi from January 2020 to July 2021 using a cross-sectional study design. In a subset, we also assessed in vitro neutralisation against the original variant (D614G WT) and the Beta variant. Results A total of 5085 samples were selected from the blood donor database, of which 4075 (80.1%) were aged 20–49 years. Of the total, 1401 were seropositive. After adjustment for assay characteristics and applying population weights, seropositivity reached peaks in October 2020 (18.5%) and May 2021 (64.9%) reflecting the first two epidemic waves. Unlike the first wave, both urban and rural areas had high seropositivity in the second wave, Balaka (rural, 66.2%, April 2021), Blantyre (urban, 75.6%, May 2021), Lilongwe (urban, 78.0%, May 2021), and Mzuzu (urban, 74.6%, April 2021). Blantyre and Mzuzu also show indications of the start of a third pandemic wave with seroprevalence picking up again in July 2021 (Blantyre, 81.7%; Mzuzu, 71.0%). More first wave sera showed in vitro neutralisation activity against the original variant (78% [7/9]) than the beta variant (22% [2/9]), while more second wave sera showed neutralisation activity against the beta variant (75% [12/16]) than the original variant (63% [10/16]). Conclusion The findings confirm extensive SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Malawi over two epidemic waves with likely poor cross-protection to reinfection from the first on the second wave. The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 exposure will therefore need to be taken into account in the formulation of the COVID-19 vaccination policy in Malawi and across the region. Future studies should use an adequate sample size for the assessment of neutralisation activity across a panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern/interest to estimate community immunity.


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