Is mother’s financial autonomy associated with stunting among children aged 7–35 months: An empirical study from India

Stunting depicts chronic deprivation and is a huge public health problem in several developing countries. Considering the sociocultural and sociodemographic factors of India, we aimed to examine the relationship between maternal autonomy and stunting among children <35 months. We have used the data from the latest round of National Family health survey conducted in 2015–16. The main exposure variable was women’s autonomy which are represented in our study by the four dimensions- decision-making, physical mobility, financial autonomy, attitudes towards domestic violence, the main predictor variable was stunting among children. Chi-square analysis, univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were performed to find the association of childhood stunting and women’s autonomy. The results were reported at 5% level of significance. All the autonomy variables have shown a significant association with child stunting at 5% level of significance. The unadjusted odds of stunting were found to be significant with respect to all the four dimensions of autonomy variables except physical autonomy. However, after adjusting for other explanatory factors attenuated these relationships and made them statistically insignificant except for women’s economic autonomy (AOR = 0.91; 95% C.I.-(0.85, 0.98)) which was found to be significantly affecting the child’s status of stunting. Our study reinforces that maternal autonomy is a significant predictor of childhood stunting. Hence, we recommend that policy makers, while designing interventions and policies, must address the socioeconomic inequalities at the community level while devising ways to improve women’s empowerment. As it has far-reaching consequences on the nutrition status of the upcoming generations.

Government agencies overseeing municipal council funds: رقابة الأجهزة الحكومية على أموال المجالس البلدية

The research aims to identify the main internal and external monetary supplies to municipalities and their role in turning municipalities to development institutions. IN addition, this research identified the main supervision practices over the municipal councils, which are carried out by some government agencies. The effect of such practices on the adequacy of work has also been identified. the descriptive approach has been used to handle these monetary supplies based on the legislations and regulations that are related to them. the analytical approach has also been employed by analyzing some legal provisions that are related to the research. In conclusion, after having handled the surveillance of the government agencies over municipal councils funds. It is essential to show the main results that we concluded as well as stating some recommendations, which are five. Among the most important results of the study: The financial autonomy that municipalities have is not absolute and relative, which emphasizes the idea that municipalities funds are subject to control by the central authority. this can sometimes lead to imposing some restrains on the jurisdiction of the municipal councils. The study recommended Increasing the financial autonomy of the municipalities as imposing censorship over the financial autonomy may be a cause of shortage of funds.

O FINANSIJSKOJ AUTONOMIJI NIŽIH TERITORIJALNO-ADMINISTRATIVNIH JEDINICA OD 1919. DO 1929. GODINE – PRILOG POIMANjU POSTOJANjA LOKALNE SAMOUPRAVE U PERIODU PRIMENE VIDOVDANSKOG USTAVA

There are divergent authorial views with regard to the assessment of the self- government of municipalities, counties and areas proclaimed by the Vidovdan Constitution and accompanying legal acts. Public and financial doctrine is in agreement in the belief that without the financial autonomy of lower territorial- administrative units, there is no actualization of the principles of local self- government. Since the topic of the development of local public finances in our country still seems insufficiently researched, the author tries to re-test the hypothesis of the existence of local self-government in the period of application of this constitutional act, by presenting the normative framework and significant doctrinal reviews on this issue. The aim is to provide a possibility for a broader and more effective view of the development of this political and legal institute.

Evaluation of the Sustainability of Urban Market Gardens in the City of Meknes (Morocco)

Market gardening constitutes a basis for food security of urban and peri-urban households. However, market gardening is subject to the use of chemical inputs, selected varieties, and genetically modified organisms. These practices are increasingly controversial and are likely to affect the sustainability of vegetable farms. This study assessed the sustainability of 120 randomly selected market garden farms (Meknes) using the surveys and the market garden production sustainability indicator. The results show that the majority of the farms identified are characterized by low sustainability, with the agroecological dimension being the limiting factor. The improvement of the components "Ecological diversity", "Spatial organization", and "Agricultural practices" are the ways to improve the global sustainability of vegetable production in Meknes. The socio-territorial sustainability of production is characterized by a lack of training for producers, a lack of hygiene and safety in production activities, and a low contribution to employment. The economic dimension is characterized by low viability, low economic transmissibility, and financial autonomy. To perpetuate the market gardening in the city of Meknes, it appears necessary to promote ecological intensification, integrated diversification, and promotion of local inputs to the various types of market gardening farms

Financial Autonomy as an Aid to Rural Development: A Study of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State

Lack of financial autonomy and undue interference by state governments have been identified as some of the impediments to effective administration of local governments in Nigeria. To this end, this study was carried out to examine the effect of financial autonomy on rural development using Isoko North Local Government Area as a case study. The study adopted a survey research design; hence, data were collected through the use of questionnaires administered to the management and staff of selected departments in Isoko North Local Government Council. The findings of the study indicate that financial autonomy will contribute positively to rural development and service delivery in the area of study, and recommends that local governments should be made financially autonomous to promote rural development and enhance better service delivery.

Routes of Administration of Illicit Drugs among Young Swiss Men: Their Prevalence and Associated Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Adverse Outcomes

The prevalence of different routes of administration (ROAs) of illicit drugs other than cannabis was examined in young Swiss men, in addition to the association between socio-demographics and adverse outcomes and particular ROAs. Our sample consisted of 754 men (mean age = 25.4 ± 1.2 years) who participated in the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors and reported using any of 18 illicit drugs over the last 12 months. Prevalence estimates were calculated for oral use, nasal use, smoking, injecting, and other ROAs. Associations between ROAs and socio-demographics and adverse outcomes (i.e., alcohol use disorder (AUD), suicidal ideations, and health and social consequences) were calculated for using single versus multiple ROAs. The most prevalent ROA was oral use (71.8%), followed by nasal use (59.2%), smoking (22.1%), injecting (1.1%), and other ROAs (1.7%). Subjects’ education, financial autonomy, and civil status were associated with specific ROAs. Smoking was associated with suicidal ideations and adverse health consequences and multiple ROAs with AUD, suicidal ideations, and health and social consequences. The most problematic pattern of drug use among young adults appears to be using multiple ROAs, followed by smoking. Strategies to prevent and reduce the use of such practices are needed to avoid adverse outcomes at this young age.