scholarly journals Moving up the sanitation ladder with the help of microfinance in urban Malawi

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Chunga ◽  
M. W. Jenkins ◽  
Jeroen Ensink ◽  
Joe Brown
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Stated Preference ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Ladder ◽  
Improve Access ◽  
Gain Access

Abstract We carried out a stated preference survey in Malawi to examine whether access to microfinance for sanitation would significantly increase the proportion of households upgrading to improved pit latrines or alternative improved sanitation technologies (urine diverting dry toilet, fossa alterna, pour flush). We presented a range of sanitation options at local market prices, initially without and then with a real microfinance option, to 1,300 households sampled across 27 low-income urban settlements in the two largest cities, Lilongwe and Blantyre. When we gave respondents a microfinance option, the proportion of households stating an intention to install improved and unimproved pit latrines decreased significantly, while the proportion stating an intention to upgrade to alternative improved sanitation technologies increased significantly. However, households in the lowest wealth quintile were more likely to state a preference for unimproved pit latrines, suggesting that the benefits of microfinance for sanitation may not accrue equally across wealth strata. Organisations seeking to improve access to safely managed sanitation by promoting alternative sanitation technologies would succeed if households have access to affordable alternative sanitation technologies and microfinance for sanitation. However, poorer households would need more affordable improved sanitation technologies, flexible microfinance options and possibly targeted subsidies to gain access to safely managed sanitation.

scholarly journals Will Households Invest in Safe Sanitation? Results from an Experimental Demand Trial in Nakuru, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4462
Author(s):  
Rachel Peletz ◽  
Caroline Delaire ◽  
Joan Kones ◽  
Clara MacLeod ◽  
Edinah Samuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Price Point ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Infrastructure ◽  
The City ◽  
Experimental Demand

Unsafe sanitation is an increasing public health concern for rapidly expanding cities in low-income countries. Understanding household demand for improved sanitation infrastructure is critical for planning effective sanitation investments. In this study, we compared the stated and revealed willingness to pay (WTP) for high-quality, pour-flush latrines among households in low-income areas in the city of Nakuru, Kenya. We found that stated WTP for high-quality, pour-flush latrines was much lower than market prices: less than 5% of households were willing to pay the full costs, which we estimated between 87,100–82,900 Kenyan Shillings (KES), or 871–829 USD. In addition, we found large discrepancies between stated and revealed WTP. For example, 90% of households stated that they would be willing to pay a discounted amount of 10,000 KES (100 USD) for a high-quality, pour-flush latrine, but only 10% of households redeemed vouchers at this price point (paid via six installment payments). Households reported that financial constraints (i.e., lack of cash, other spending priorities) were the main barriers to voucher redemption, even at highly discounted prices. Our results emphasize the importance of financial interventions that address the sizable gaps between the costs of sanitation products and customer demand among low-income populations.

scholarly journals Getting a foot on the sanitation ladder: user satisfaction and willingness to pay for improved public toilets in Accra, Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 528-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Mariwah ◽  
Kate Hampshire ◽  
Constance Owusu-Antwi
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Low Income ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Running Water ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Potential Market ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Ladder ◽  
Public Toilets

Rapid urban growth in developing countries has led to an increase in unplanned, high-density settlements dependent on public toilets for sanitation, yet we know relatively little about users' perceptions and concerns about such facilities. This paper seeks to explore user satisfaction and willingness to pay for improved sanitation services in Accra. Utilising a questionnaire, data were gathered from 245 users of public toilets in two low-income communities of Accra. 80.8% of users expressed overall dissatisfaction with the public toilets, the main areas of concern being: long queues and waiting times, unpleasant smells, dirtiness, concerns about security and lack of running water and soap. The majority of the respondents said that they would be willing to pay higher fees for improved services. Operators should take note of this and explore the potential market for building and maintaining high-quality public toilet facilities as a means to ending open defecation and getting on the first step on the sanitation ladder.

scholarly journals The sanitation arc: an alternative examination of WASH behavior change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Froggi VanRiper ◽  
Kory C. Russel ◽  
Daniel Tillias ◽  
Jessica Laporte ◽  
Erica Lloyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Continuous Access ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Ladder

Abstract A primary goal of the WASH sector is to facilitate transitions from open defecation to improved sanitation. Many residents of low-income countries desire improved sanitation but lack the resources to obtain or maintain access to toilets. For such persons, describing the goal as ‘behavior change’ implies a deficiency in mindset, failing to capture contextual factors affecting sanitation access. Furthermore, household circumstances affect movement both up and down the sanitation ladder, a phenomenon that the sector tends to overlook. This study, based on interviews with 308 former subscribers to Haitian container-based-sanitation service EkoLakay, tracks household sanitation access at four points in time: prior to subscribing, during the subscription period, immediately upon unsubscribing, and at the time of interview. We describe this movement through time as the ‘sanitation arc’. Prior to subscribing, households were more likely to practice open defecation or rely on non-household sanitation, and less likely to have private improved sanitation than the average urban Haitian. This distribution is reversed among former subscribers. Nearly half of former subscribers, however, could not afford continuous access to EkoLakay; 80% of involuntary terminations resulted in loss of access to private improved sanitation, and over one-third of these households reverted to open defecation.

Comparing shopper characteristics by online grocery ordering use among households in low-income communities in Maine

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Laura Y. Zatz ◽  
Alyssa J. Moran ◽  
Rebecca L. Franckle ◽  
Jason P. Block ◽  
Tao Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Grocery Shopping ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Transaction Data ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Online Shoppers ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Improve Access

Abstract Objective: Online grocery shopping could improve access to healthy food, but it may not be equally accessible to all populations—especially those at higher risk for food insecurity. This study aimed to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of families who ordered groceries online versus those who only shopped in-store. Design: We analyzed enrollment survey and 44 weeks of individually-linked grocery transaction data. We used univariate chi-square and t-tests and logistic regression to assess differences in sociodemographic characteristics between households that only shopped in-store and those that shopped online with curbside pick-up (online only or online and in-store). Setting: Two Maine supermarkets. Participants: 863 parents or caregivers of children under 18 years old enrolled in two fruit and vegetable incentive trials Results: Participants had a total of 32 757 transactions. In univariate assessments, online shoppers had higher incomes (P<0.0001), were less likely to participate in WIC or SNAP (P<0.0001), and were more likely to be female (P=0.04). Most online shoppers were 30–39 years old, and few were 50 years or older (P=0.003). After controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of children, number of adults, income, and SNAP participation, female primary shoppers (OR=2.75, P=0.003), number of children (OR=1.27, P=0.04), and income (OR=3.91 for 186–300% FPL and OR=6.92 for >300% FPL, P<0.0001) were significantly associated with likelihood of shopping online. Conclusions: In this study of Maine families, low-income shoppers were significantly less likely to utilize online grocery ordering with curbside pick-up. Future studies could focus on elucidating barriers and developing strategies to improve access.

When Vacant Lots Become Urban Gardens: Characterizing the Perceived and Actual Food Safety Concerns of Urban Agriculture in Ohio

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 2070-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHELLE L. KAISER ◽  
MICHELE L. WILLIAMS ◽  
NICHOLAS BASTA ◽  
MICHELLE HAND ◽  
SARAH HUBER
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Soils ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Urban Gardens ◽  
Soil Contaminants ◽  
Improve Access

This study was intended to characterize the perceived risks of urban agriculture by residents of four low-income neighborhoods in which the potential exists for further urban agriculture development and to provide data to support whether any chemical hazards and foodborne pathogens as potential food safety hazards were present. Sixty-seven residents participated in focus groups related to environmental health, food security, and urban gardening. In addition, soils from six locations were tested. Residents expressed interest in the development of urban gardens to improve access to healthy, fresh produce, but they had concerns about soil quality. Soils were contaminated with lead (Pb), zinc, cadmium (Cd), and copper, but not arsenic or chromium. Results from our study suggest paint was the main source of soil contamination. Detectable polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in urban soils were well below levels of concern. These urban soils will require further management to reduce Pb and possibly Cd bioavailability to decrease the potential for uptake into food crops. Although the number of locations in this study is limited, results suggest lower levels of soil contaminants at well-established gardens. Soil tillage associated with long-term gardening could have diluted the soil metal contaminants by mixing the contaminants with clean soil. Also, lower PAH levels in long-term gardening could be due to enhanced microbial activity and PAH degradation, dilution, or both due to mixing, similar to metals. No foodborne pathogen targets were detected by PCR from any of the soils. Residents expressed the need for clearness regarding soil quality and gardening practices in their neighborhoods to consume food grown in these urban areas. Results from this study suggest long-term gardening has the potential to reduce soil contaminants and their potential threat to food quality and human health and to improve access to fresh produce in low-income urban communities.

scholarly journals Characterization of small-scale fisheries in the Camamu-Almada basin, southeast state of Bahia, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
TCM. Souza ◽  
M. Petrere-Jr
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Income Generation ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Marine Fishery ◽  
Small Scale Fisheries ◽  
Main Factor ◽  
Stock Abundance

In the Camamu-Almada basin, marine fishery is exclusively small-scale, with several structural deficiencies such as boats with low or absent navigational technology, lack of credit and low income. Local fishers complain that shrimp and lobster trawling fishing is the main factor responsible for low stock abundance, but they still persist in these activities as these two species command the highest market prices. So they feel that the target species are already over-fished. We suggest that proper management action, alternative ways of income generation and the payment of job insurance would help to mitigate the problem.

scholarly journals Price Causality and Bivariate Autoregressive Analysis of Dry Season Okra Marketing in Southeastern Nigeria

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
Ikechi Agbugba
Keyword(s):  
Market Integration ◽  
Wholesale Price ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Causality Test ◽  
Southeastern Nigeria ◽  
Market Prices ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Causality Tests ◽  
Causality Relationship

The study examined the price causality tests and Bivariate auto-regressive analysis of dry season Okra in south eastern Nigeria. The study specifically described the socio-economic features of dry season Okra marketers in the study area, determine the price causality in the marketers’ prices of dry season vegetable in the study area and measure the extent of market integration amongst dry season vegetable markets in the study area. Multi-stage technique of sampling was used to select 111 Okra marketers in the study area, and structured questionnaires administered to them. Descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies were used to analyze the socio-economic features, as well as determine the price causality in the marketers’ prices of the respondents. Granger causality test conducted showed that there was no causality relationship existing between the farmgate and wholesale prices for Okra wholesalers; and a unidirectional price causality relationship existing from the wholesale price of Okra and retail price, and not the other way. Bivariate autoregressive model was used to measure integration between central and local markets. From the study, there was a significant relationship between the central and local market prices for Okra wholesalers and retailers. The result also showed that there was an instantaneous adjustment to price changes in the market pairs of the marketers, an indication of perfect competitiveness amongst them suggesting the existence of non-collusive pricing behaviour.

Promoting access to fresh fruits and vegetables through a local market intervention at a subway station

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 3258-3270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Chaput ◽  
Geneviève Mercille ◽  
Louis Drouin ◽  
Yan Kestens
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Subway Station ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Market Intervention ◽  
Alternative Food Sources ◽  
Physical Access

AbstractObjectiveAlternative food sources (AFS) such as local markets in disadvantaged areas are promising strategies for preventing chronic disease and reducing health inequalities. The present study assessed how sociodemographic characteristics, physical access and fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption are associated with market use in a newly opened F&V market next to a subway station in a disadvantaged neighbourhood.DesignTwo cross-sectional surveys were conducted among adults: (i) on-site, among shoppers who had just bought F&V and (ii) a telephone-based population survey among residents living within 1 km distance from the market.SettingOne neighbourhood in Montreal (Canada) with previously limited F&V offerings.SubjectsRespectively, 218 shoppers and 335 residents completed the on-site and telephone-based population surveys.ResultsAmong shoppers, 23 % were low-income, 56 % did not consume enough F&V and 54 % did not have access to a car. Among all participants living 1 km from the market (n472), market usage was associated (OR; 95 % CI) with adequate F&V consumption (1·86; 1·10, 3·16), living closer to the market (for distance: 0·86; 0·76, 0·97), having the market on the commute route (2·77; 1·61, 4·75) and not having access to a car (2·96; 1·67, 5·26).ConclusionsWhen implemented in strategic locations such as transport hubs, AFS like F&V markets offer a promising strategy to improve F&V access among populations that may be constrained in their food acquisition practices, including low-income populations and those relying on public transportation.

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