scholarly journals Gender Differences in Child Malnutrition in Ethiopia: Evidence from Three Decomposition Techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Meijuan Wang ◽  
Denis Nadolnyak ◽  
Valentina Hartarska
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Child Mortality ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Child Malnutrition ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Decomposition Techniques ◽  
Parental Preferences ◽  
Capital Development ◽  
Unobservable Factors ◽  
Anthropometric Status

Ethiopia has one of the highest under-five child mortality rate in the world, which is higher for boys than for girls. Malnutrition is a major contributing factor to child mortality and that is why we assess the differences in child malnutrition status of boys and girls. Specifically, we study the extent to which the gender differences in malnutrition are associated with observable factors and socio-economic characteristics and to what extent these differences are unexplained and attributable to factors such as latent parental preferences, societal biases, and other unobservable factors. We use data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey and evaluate three anthropometric status measures – wasting, stunting, and being underweight. We utilize a reduced-form demand for nutrition framework and several decomposition techniques: Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition for non-linear models, Machado-Mata quantile decomposition, and the recentered influence function. The results indicate that measurable socioeconomic and locational characteristics have significant and plausible associations with malnutrition by gender. We also find that 3% to 4% of the difference in the anthropometric status may be attributable to unobservable factors that may include implicit parental preferences. This approach is useful in evaluating gender differences in other human capital development outcomes such as health and education, as well as those in malnutrition. 

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Phytoestrogens and the Relationship with Speed of Processing in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of NHANES, 1999–2002

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alwerdt ◽  
Patterson ◽  
Sliwinski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Speed Of Processing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Sex hormone changes in adults are known to play a part in aging, including cognitive aging. Dietary intake of phytoestrogens can mimic estrogenic effects on brain function. Since sex hormones differ between genders, it is important to examine gender differences in the phytoestrogen–cognition association. Therefore, the goal of this study is to examine the relationship between urinary phytoestrogens and speed of processing (SOP) and the variation of the association between genders in older adults. Participants were drawn from the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included 354 individuals aged 65–85 years old. General linear models (GLMs) were used to test for significant gender differences in the relationship between phytoestrogens and SOP. Results from the GLMs showed significant gender differences in the relationship between genistein and SOP. Higher levels of genistein were associated with better SOP in women. This relationship was reversed in men: higher genistein levels were associated with worse performance. Results indicate that there are distinct gender differences in the relationship between genistein and SOP. These results emphasize the importance of considering gender differences when devising dietary and pharmacologic interventions that target phytoestrogens to improve brain health.

scholarly journals Gender differences in COPD management in a Sicilian general practice setting: a cohort study evaluating the impact of educational interventions

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 00279-2020
Author(s):  
Valentina Isgrò ◽  
Janet Sultana ◽  
Andrea Fontana ◽  
Valentina Ientile ◽  
Umberto Alecci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Gender Disparity ◽  
Educational Programme ◽  
Copd Patients ◽  
The Impact

AimThe aim of this study was to measure gender differences among COPD patients' quality of care (QOC) before and after two educational interventions in Southern Italy.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, COPD patients were identified from primary care electronic medical records (EMRs). Twelve process indicators concerning diagnosis, preventative measures and therapeutic processes were developed as a measure of QOC. Educational interventions consisted of clinical seminars and audits on COPD QOC at baseline, and at 12 and 24 months. QOC indicators were stratified by gender: odds ratios (ORs) (males as reference group) of having a good QOC indicator were calculated at baseline, 12 and 24 months, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using hierarchical generalised linear models.ResultsOf 46 326 people registered in the EMRs, 1463 COPD patients (3.1%) were identified, of which 37% were women. QOC indicators reflecting best practice 24 months after the educational programme were generally not different to baseline, often favouring men. On the other hand, the composite global QOC indicator suggested that while a good overall QOC at baseline was significantly higher in men than women (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57–0.96), it became nonsignificant at 24 months (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.72–1.29).ConclusionsSpecific QOC indicators among COPD patients often favoured men. However, several gender disparities seen at baseline disappeared at 24 months, suggesting that even general educational interventions which do not target gender can improve the gender disparity in QOC.

scholarly journals BAYESIAN SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS ANALYSIS USING REDUCED RANK STRUCTURES

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 701-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Kleibergen ◽  
Herman K. van Dijk
Keyword(s):  
Linear Model ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Simultaneous Equation ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Bayesian Analyses ◽  
Reduced Rank ◽  
Rank Restrictions ◽  
Standard Linear

Diffuse priors lead to pathological posterior behavior when used in Bayesian analyses of simultaneous equation models (SEM's). This results from the local nonidentification of certain parameters in SEM's. When this a priori known feature is not captured appropriately, it results in an a posteriori favoring of certain specific parameter values that is not the consequence of strong data information but of local nonidentification. We show that a proper consistent Bayesian analysis of a SEM explicitly has to consider the reduced form of the SEM as a standard linear model on which nonlinear (reduced rank) restrictions are imposed, which result from a singular value decomposition. The priors/posteriors of the parameters of the SEM are therefore proportional to the priors/posteriors of the parameters of the linear model under the condition that the restrictions hold. This leads to a framework for constructing priors and posteriors for the parameters of SEM's. The framework is used to construct priors and posteriors for one, two, and three structural equation SEM's. These examples together with a theorem, showing that the reduced forms of SEM's accord with sets of reduced rank restrictions on standard linear models, show how Bayesian analyses of generally specified SEM's can be conducted.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Social Networks Based on Prevailing Kinship Norms in the Mosuo of China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhán M. Mattison ◽  
Neil G. MacLaren ◽  
Ruizhe Liu ◽  
Adam Z. Reynolds ◽  
Peter M. Mattison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Cooperative Networks ◽  
Friendship Networks ◽  
Social Strategies ◽  
Gender Reversal ◽  
Flexible Application ◽  
Women's Networks

Although cooperative social networks are considered key to human evolution, emphasis has usually been placed on the functions of men’s cooperative networks. What do women's networks look like? Do they resemble or differ from men's and what does this suggest about evolutionarily inherited gender differences in reproductive and social strategies? In this paper, we test the ‘universal gender differences’ hypothesis positing gender-specific network structures against the ‘gender reversal’ hypothesis that posits women's networks looking more 'masculine' under matriliny. Specifically, we ask whether men's friendship networks are always larger than women's and we investigate measures of centrality by gender and descent system. To do so, we use tools from social network analysis and data on men’s and women’s friendship ties in matrilineal and patrilineal Mosuo communities. In tentative support of the gender reversal hypothesis, we find that women's friendship networks in matriliny are relatively large. Measures of centrality and generalized linear models otherwise reveal greater differences between communities than between men and women. The data and analyses we present are primarily descriptive given limitations of sample size and sampling strategy. Nonetheless, our results provide support for the flexible application of social relationships across genders and clearly challenge the predominant narrative of universal gender differences across space and time.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CHILD SURVIVAL IN CONTEMPORARY RURAL CHINA: A COUNTY STUDY

2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHUZHUO LI ◽  
CHUZHU ZHU ◽  
MARCUS W. FELDMAN
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Child Mortality ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Excess Mortality ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
Preventive Health Care ◽  
Female Child ◽  
Shaanxi Province

Using data from a survey of deaths of children less than 5 years old conducted in 1997 in a county in Shaanxi Province, China, this paper examines gender differences in child survival in contemporary rural China. First, excess female child mortality in the county in 1994–96 is described, followed by an analysis of the mechanisms whereby the excess mortality takes place, and the underlying social, economic and cultural factors behind it. Excess female child mortality in this county is probably caused primarily by discrimination against girls in curative health care rather than in preventive health care or food and nutrition. Although discrimination occurs in all kinds of families and communities, discrimination itself is highly selective, and is primarily against girls with some specific characteristics. It is argued that the excess mortality of girls is caused fundamentally by the strong son preference in traditional Chinese culture, but exacerbated by the government-guided family planning programme and regulations. This suggests that it is crucial to raise the status of girls within the family and community so as to mitigate the pressures to discriminate against girls in China’s low fertility regime. Finally, the possible policy options to improve female child survival in contemporary rural China are discussed.

Birth, marriage and death in illegitimacy: a study in northern Portugal

1995 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto Abade ◽  
Jaume Bertranpetit
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Child Mortality ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
North East ◽  
Northern Portugal ◽  
Infant And Child Mortality ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Demographic Patterns ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

SummaryIn populations in which the frequency of illegitimacy is high, illegitimates and legitimates may be subjected to different demographic and social pressures, with social and genetic consequences. A rural population from north-east Portugal is studied and variables from birth, marriage and death records are compared according to the legitimacy of the individuals. The analysis shows important differential demographic patterns in infant and child mortality and in migration prior to and related to marriage, especially in women. Some changes over time and gender differences are also evident.

scholarly journals Gender differences in disability among older adults in the context of social gender and income inequalities: 2013 Brazilian Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Luiz Barbosa de Lima ◽  
Albert Espelt ◽  
Marina Bosque-Prous ◽  
Kenio Costa Lima
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Final Model

ABSTRACT: Objectives: To estimate the magnitude of gender differences in disability among adults aged 60 and older and to evaluate whether they can be associated with social gender inequality and socioeconomic contextual factors at the level of Brazilian federative units. Methods: This is a multilevel study that used data from 23,575 older adults of 27 federative units who participated in the 2013 Brazilian Health Survey. The activity limitation index was developed from the item response theory, using activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living variables. The association of individual and contextual variables with disability was estimated by assessing the magnitude of differences between genders, using cross-level interaction effects in multilevel generalized linear models, including only the variables that were statistically significant in the final model. Results: The prevalence of disability was higher among women (37.6%) than among men (26.5%), totaling 32.7% of the older adults. In the adjusted multilevel analysis, disability was influenced by income inequality (γgini = 0.022, p < 0.001) among federative units. In addition, gender differences in disability were associated with social gender inequalities (γmgiiXsex = 0.020, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Women had higher disability disadvantages compared to men, and those differences were associated with social gender inequalities among the Brazilian federative units influenced by income inequality.

scholarly journals Life With Corona: Increased Gender Differences in Aggression and Depression Symptoms Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Burden in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Abreu ◽  
Anke Koebach ◽  
Oscar Díaz ◽  
Samuel Carleial ◽  
Anke Hoeffler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Situation

Gender differences (GD) in mental health have come under renewed scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic. While rapidly emerging evidence indicates a deterioration of mental health in general, it remains unknown whether the pandemic will have an impact on GD in mental health. To this end, we investigate the association of the pandemic and its countermeasures affecting everyday life, labor, and households with changes in GD in aggression, anxiety, depression, and the somatic symptom burden. We analyze cross-sectional data from 10,979 individuals who live in Germany and who responded to the online survey “Life with Corona” between October 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. We estimate interaction effects from generalized linear models. The analyses reveal no pre-existing GD in aggression but exposure to COVID-19 and COVID-19 countermeasures is associated with sharper increases in aggression in men than in women. GD in anxiety decreased among participants with children in the household (with men becoming more anxious). We also observe pre-existing and increasing GD with regards to the severity of depression, with women presenting a larger increase in symptoms during the hard lockdown or with increasing stringency. In contrast to anxiety, GD in depression increased among participants who lived without children (women &gt; men), but decreased for individuals who lived with children; here, men converged to the levels of depression presented by women. Finally, GD in somatic symptoms decreased during the hard lockdown (but not with higher stringency), with men showing a sharper increase in symptoms, especially when they lived with children or alone. Taken together, the findings indicate an increase in GD in mental health as the pandemic unfolded in Germany, with rising female vulnerability to depression and increasing male aggression. The combination of these two trends further suggests a worrying mental health situation for singles and families. Our results have important policy implications for the German health system and public health policy. This public health challenge requires addressing the rising burden of pandemic-related mental health challenges and the distribution of this burden between women and men, within families and for individuals who live alone.

Gender differences in self-employment in Spain

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paz Rico ◽  
Bernardí Cabrer-Borrás
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Choice Model ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Binary Choice Model ◽  
Unobservable Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the gender differences of self-employment in Spain. Design/methodology/approach A binary choice model is specified and estimated, using information from the Continuous Working Life Sample drawn from the registers of the Spanish Social Security. Moreover, the differences in self-employment between men and women are also analysed, through the decomposition proposed by Yun (2004). Findings The results indicate that the differences between both groups in the probability of being entrepreneurs stem from unobservable factors. The difference explained by the unobservable component is 84.12 per cent, whereas the rest, 15.88 per cent, is explained by the characteristics component. The explanatory factors of being an entrepreneur affect men and women in the same way, but to a different extent, explained mainly by factors related to gender. Originality/value This paper sets out to identify whether there are gender differences in the probability of becoming self-employed and, if there are, to quantify what part of the difference in entrepreneurship between men and women is explained by the characteristics of each gender group and what part is because of unobservable factors. From the perspective of the public authority, knowing the determinants that explain why the entrepreneurial activity is different depending on gender is fundamental in being able to reduce the entrepreneurial gap between men and women.

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