scholarly journals Urban-Rural Disparities for COVID-19: Evidence from 10 Countries and Areas in the Western Pacific

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Minah Park ◽  
Jue Tao Lim ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Alex R. Cook ◽  
Borame L. Dickens

Background. Limited evidence on the effectiveness of various types of social distancing measures, from voluntary physical distancing to a community-wide quarantine, exists for the Western Pacific Region (WPR) which has large urban and rural populations. Methods. We estimated the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) in a Bayesian framework using district-level mobility data provided by Facebook (i) to assess how various social distancing policies have contributed to the reduction in transmissibility of SARS-COV-2 and (ii) to examine within-country variations in behavioural responses, quantified by reductions in mobility, for urban and rural areas. Results. Social distancing measures were largely effective in reducing transmissibility, with Rt estimates decreased to around the threshold of 1. Within-country analysis showed substantial variation in public compliance across regions. Reductions in mobility were significantly lower in rural and remote areas than in urban areas and metropolitan cities (p<0.001) which had the same scale of social distancing orders in place. Conclusions. Our findings provide empirical evidence that public compliance and consequent intervention effectiveness differ between urban and rural areas in the WPR. Further work is required to ascertain the factors affecting these differing behavioural responses, which can assist in policy-making efforts and increase public compliance in rural areas where populations are older and have poorer access to healthcare.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shekhar Chauhan ◽  
Shobhit Srivast ◽  
Pradeep Kumar ◽  
Ratna Patel

Abstract Background: Multimorbidity is defined as the co-occurrence of two or more than two diseases in the same person. With rising longevity, multimorbidity has become a prominent concern among the older population. Evidence from both developed and developing countries shows that older people are at much higher risk of multimorbidity, however, urban-rural differential remained scarce. Therefore, this study examines urban-rural differential in multimorbidity among older adults by decomposing the risk factors of multimorbidity and identifying the covariates that contributed to the change in multimorbidity.Methods: The study utilized information from 31,464 older adults (rural-20,725 and urban-10,739) aged 60 years and above from the recent release of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) wave 1 data. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate decomposition analysis techniques were used.Results: Overall, significant urban-rural differences were found in the prevalence of multimorbidity among older adults (difference: 16.3; p<0.001). Moreover, obese/overweight and high-risk waist circumference were found to narrow the difference in the prevalence of multimorbidity among older adults between urban and rural areas by 8% and 9.1%, respectively.Conclusion: There is a need to substantially increase the public sector investment in healthcare to address the multimorbidity among older adults, more so in urban areas, without compromising the needs of older adults in rural areas.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina Kennedy ◽  
Guy Nantel ◽  
Inge D Brouwer ◽  
Frans J Kok

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between childhood undernutrition and poverty in urban and rural areas.DesignAnthropometric and socio-economic data from Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys in Angola-Secured Territory (Angola ST), Central African Republic and Senegal were used in this analysis. The population considered in this study is children 0–59 months, whose records include complete anthropometric data on height, weight, age, gender, socio-economic level and urban or rural area of residence. In addition to simple urban/rural comparisons, the population was stratified using a wealth index based on living conditions and asset ownership to compare the prevalence, mean Z-score and odds ratios for stunting and wasting.ResultsIn all cases, when using a simple urban/rural comparison, the prevalence of stunting was significantly higher in rural areas. However, when the urban and rural populations were stratified using a measure of wealth, the differences in prevalence of stunting and underweight in urban and rural areas of Angola ST, Central African Republic and Senegal disappeared. Poor children in these urban areas were just as likely to be stunted or underweight as poor children living in rural areas. The odds ratio of stunting in the poorest compared with the richest quintile was 3.4, 3.2 and 1.5 in Angola ST, Senegal and Central African Republic, respectively.ConclusionsThis paper demonstrates that simple urban/rural comparisons mask wide disparities in subgroups according to wealth. There is a strong relationship between poverty and chronic undernutrition in both urban and rural areas; this relationship does not change simply by living in an urban environment. However, urban and rural living conditions and lifestyles differ, and it is important to consider these differences when designing programmes and policies to address undernutrition.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 4919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingbo Fan ◽  
Aobo Ran ◽  
Xiaomeng Li

As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has been attracting attention. In the global carbon emission structure, the proportion of household carbon emissions continues to increase, and it is necessary to focus on the issue of household emissions. Based on the perspective of the family sector and the comparison of urban–rural and interprovincial differences, this study makes a thorough and systematic analysis of the factors affecting direct household carbon emissions. The average carbon emission of urban households is higher than that of rural households. Both personal background and household energy consumption facility use have important impacts on household carbon emissions, and the degree of impact varies between urban and rural areas and between provinces. Reducing household carbon emissions and achieving a harmonious coexistence between man and nature are the common goals of the government and society. The government should explore the model of green sustainable development on the basis of ensuring the energy needs of residents. Residents should also further establish a low-carbon life concept and focus on the cultivation of low-carbon lifestyles.


2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Buchanan ◽  
Randolph Schiffer ◽  
Alexa Stuifbergen ◽  
Li Zhu ◽  
Suojin Wang ◽  
...  

This study compares demographic and disease-related characteristics of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) living in urban and rural areas. The data analyzed for this study were collected from a survey of 1518 people with MS living throughout the United States from October 2004 through January 2005. We found significant urban-rural differences in various MS characteristics, including type of MS. A significantly larger proportion of people with MS in remote rural areas than their urban counterparts responded that they had primary progressive MS. People with MS in rural areas were significantly more likely than those in urban areas to report that MS symptoms interfered with their independence. A significantly larger proportion of people with MS in remote rural areas than in urban areas were not receiving disease-modifying medications. Our results suggest that MS disease expression varies across urban-rural gradients. Although the findings are not definitive, we hope that other investigative groups will build on these results and work toward confirming and understanding them.


Refuge ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 16-21
Author(s):  
Alpaslan Özerdem ◽  
Sultan Barakat

This paper is a review and analysis of the health impacts of inadequate and unsafe water supplies on displaced populations. The investigation focuses on the overall health implications of the current praxis of water supply recovery and reconstruction, which is often biased towards urban areas, neglecting the water needs of those living in rural areas. Having explored a series of water quantity and quality issues, and their inter-relationship to public health, by comparing urban and rural settlements in the Tuzla Region of Bosnia-Herzegovina, this paper concludes that the overall strategy of responding to water needs of displaced populations requires equal attention and care to both urban and rural areas.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e020955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Yu Lin ◽  
Yen-Cheng Tseng ◽  
How-Ran Guo ◽  
Der-Chung Lai

ObjectiveChildhood hearing impairment (CHI) is a major developmental disability, but data at the national level are limited, especially those on different severities. We conducted a study to fill this data gap.DesignA nationwide study on the basis of a reporting system.SettingTo provide services to disabled citizens, the Taiwanese government maintains a registry of certified cases. Using data from this registry, we estimated prevalence rates of CHI of different severities from 2004 to 2010 and made comparisons between urban and rural areas.ParticipantsTaiwanese citizens ≤17 years old.Primary outcome measuresTo qualify for CHI disability benefits, a child must have an unaided pure-tone better ear hearing level at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz with an average ≥55 decibels (dB), confirmed by an otolaryngologist. The severity was classified by pure-tone better ear hearing level as mild (55–69 dB), moderate (70–89 dB) and severe (≥90 dB).ResultsThe registered cases under 17 years old decreased annually from 4075 in 2004 to 3533 in 2010, but changes in the prevalence rate were small, ranging from 7.62/10 000 in 2004 to 7.91/10 000 in 2006. The prevalence rates of mild CHI increased in all areas over time, but not those of moderate or severe CHI. Rural areas had higher overall prevalence rates than urban areas in all years, with rate ratios (RRs) between 1.01 and 1.09. By severity, rural areas had higher prevalence rates of mild (RRs between 1.08 and 1.25) and moderate (RRs between 1.06 and 1.21) CHI but had lower prevalence rates of severe CHI (RRs between 0.92 and 0.99).ConclusionWhile rural areas had higher overall prevalence rates of CHI than urban areas, the RRs decreased with CHI severity. Further studies that identify factors affecting the rural–urban difference might help the prevention of CHI.


1996 ◽  
Vol 168 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret J. J. Thompson ◽  
Jim Stevenson ◽  
Edmund Sonuga-Barke ◽  
Peter Nott ◽  
Zam Bhatti ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe prevalence rate of behaviour problems and maternal mental disturbance was estimated using a sample of 1047 families with a 3-year-old child from a mixed urban/rural area.MethodParents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist, EAS Temperament Questionnaire, Weiss–Werry–Peters Activity Scale and the GHQ–30.ResultsThe rate of behaviour problems (13.2%) was similar to that obtained in studies of urban children. The rate of maternal disturbance (27.6%) was lower than in other population samples. Few differences were found in the prevalence rates in the urban and rural areas.ConclusionsPreschool children and their parents living in non-urban areas had the same rates of problems as those in conurbations. The service needs of such families are similar regardless of locality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Bonnie Elizabeth Bounds

Much like how beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there is no single definition of what constitutes a “good job.”  What makes a given job “good” in relation to other jobs can differ in rural vs. urban areas: a job that pays relatively well compared to other available jobs in a rural area may not compare as favorably in more urbanized areas, and vice versa.  While plenty of research has been done regarding wage differences in urban and rural areas, most studies have focused on how wages vary across the urban-rural continuum within specific jobs, with relatively little attention paid to how wage premiums can vary across occupations within particular communities.  This study examines variations in wage premiums across five major occupational categories in metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore US counties and tests whether population size and levels of education are good predictors of wage premiums in each size class.  The results indicate that certain categories of occupations do pay relatively better or worse according to the degree of rurality, although population size and education were not exceptionally good at predicting wage premiums.


Data ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Olalekan O. Onilude ◽  
Eric Vaz

This study examines land use change and impacts on urban and rural activity in Lagos State, Nigeria. To achieve this, multi-temporal land use and land cover (LULC) datasets derived from the GlobeLand30 product of years 2000 and 2010 for urban and rural areas of Lagos State were imported into ArcMap 10.6 and converted to raster files (raster thematic maps) for spatial analysis in the FRAGSTATS situated in the Patch Analyst. Thus, different landscape metrics were computed to generate statistical results. The results have shown that fragmentation of cultivated lands increased in the rural areas but decreased in the urban areas. Also, the findings display that land-use change resulted in incremental fragmentation of forest in the urban areas, and reduction in the rural areas. The fragmentation measure of diversity increased in the urban areas, while it decreased in the rural areas during the period of study. These results suggest that cultivated land fragmentation is a complex process connected with socio-economic trends at regional and local levels. In addition, this study has shown that landscape metrics can be used to understand the spatial pattern of LULC change in an urban-rural context. Finally, the outcomes of this study will help the policymakers at the three levels of governments in Nigeria to make crucial informed decisions about sustainable land use.


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