Does living in an urban environment confer advantages for childhood nutritional status? Analysis of disparities in nutritional status by wealth and residence in Angola, Central African Republic and Senegal

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.

Download Full-text

Decomposing Urban-rural Differences in Multimorbidity Among Older Adults in India: A Study Based on Lasi Data

10.21203/rs.3.rs-701569/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shekhar Chauhan ◽

Shobhit Srivast ◽

Pradeep Kumar ◽

Ratna Patel

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Decomposition Analysis ◽

The Public ◽

Analysis Techniques ◽

Ageing Study ◽

Urban Rural ◽

The Difference ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

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.

Download Full-text

Disparities in the Nutritional Status of Children (0–23 Months) in Kenya

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa053_072 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 867-867

Author(s):

Teresia Mbogori

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Social Economic ◽

Economic Status ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Childhood Malnutrition ◽

Social Economic Status ◽

Z Scores ◽

Nutritional Status Of Children

Abstract Objectives To determine the social economic and rural/urban disparities in the nutritional status of children aged 0–23 months in Kenya. Methods This study utilized data from the most current Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), a nationally representative cross-sectional study conducted in 2014. Data from children 0–23 months with complete information on weight, height, age and sex were used for analysis. Height for Age Z scores (HAZ), Weight for Age Z scores (WAZ), Weight for Height Z scores (WHZ), and BMI for Age Z scores (BAZ) were computed using WHO Anthroplus program to determine the nutritional status of the children. Chi square statistics were used to determine the relationship between wealth index, education status of mother, rural/urban residence, gender, and the nutritional status of the children. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Among all participating children aged 0–23 months (n = 7578), 22.7% were stunted (HAZ < −2), 10.7% were underweight (WAZ < −2), 6.2% were wasted (WHZ < −2), and 6.1% were either overweight or obese (BAZ > 2). Wasting, stunting, and underweight were significantly higher in children from rural areas, poorer wealth index and from mothers with no education. In contrast, children from urban areas, from richest wealth index category and from mothers with secondary or higher education were significantly more likely to be either overweight or obese. There were no gender differences in all the indicators of malnutrition. Stunting, wasting and underweight were also significantly higher in older children (6–23 months) as compared to the younger children (0–5 months). Conclusions Disparities exist in childhood malnutrition in Kenya with children from low social economic status and those living in rural areas experiencing higher rates of under-nutrition whereas those living in urban areas and those from higher social economic status experiencing higher rates of overweight and obesity. Current and new policies need to address these disparities to ensure that childhood malnutrition continues to improve in all sectors of the society. Funding Sources No funding source.

Download Full-text

Urban-Rural Differences in Nutritional Status and Dietary Intakes of School-Aged Children in Cambodia

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11010014 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 14 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yoko Horiuchi ◽

Kaoru Kusama ◽

Sar Kanha ◽

Nobuo Yoshiike ◽

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Age Groups ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Urban Rural

: This study aimed to describe the nutritional status and dietary patterns of Cambodian school-aged children compared with those in the South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS; Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam in 2011) and to clarify the urban-rural differences using data from a nationally representative sample. The survey was conducted in 2014/2015 with a sample of 2020 children aged 6–17 years from 136 randomly selected schools. Standardized anthropometric measurements and a 1-day dietary survey by 24-hour recall method were conducted. Extended analyses in the present study revealed that the difference between rural and urban areas was similar to that of the SEANUTS; the overall prevalence of stunting remained high (33.2%). Stunting was more prevalent in children living in rural areas than in those in urban areas (total: 36.4% vs 20.4%). In contrast, the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was not as high (3.1%), but was higher among urban children in all age groups compared with those living in rural areas (total: 6.4% vs 2.3%). Overall, the dietary intake of children did not meet the local recommended dietary allowances, which was similar to the results of the SEANUTS and differed across urban and rural areas.

Download Full-text

Functional links between rural and urban areas in the territory of the city of Banja Luka and the perspective of their development

Economics of Sustainable Development ◽

10.5937/esd2002050t ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 49-62

Author(s):

Milan Tomić ◽

Sandra Rover ◽

Bojan Pejović ◽

Nina Uremović

Keyword(s):

Urban Environment ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Urban Center ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Political Dimensions ◽

Urban And Rural Areas ◽

Banja Luka

Different types of interactions between rural and urban areas have the effect of improving economic, social, cultural and political dimensions in both areas, separating these two areas by their type of activity. Rural and urban types of regions have different resources and means that can be used in a complementary way. In rural-urban interaction there is a possibility of occurrence of conflict of interest of these two areas. This kind of conflict should be overcome when applying the partnership approach between rural and urban areas. The types of rural areas, depending on the proximity of the urban center and the functions of these areas, are divided into suburban, agricultural and remote type areas. By determining the functions of each type of area, the type and intensity of the interactions of rural areas with the urban center are presented. Rural entrepreneurs are able to bridge rural-urban differences, possessing certain market knowledge and descriptions of the characteristics of urban environments, while benefiting from their position. Rural entrepreneurs' interaction with the urban environment can contribute to sustainable economic relations between citizens in urban and rural areas. This paper presents the results of research related to determining the functions of certain areas, their strengths, unused and utilized resources, the frequency of interaction with the urban environment and the perspectives of suburban, agricultural and remote type areas in the context of interaction with the urban environment.

Download Full-text

Association Between Happiness and Objective/Subjective Economic Status Among Older Adults in Myanmar

10.21203/rs.3.rs-122513/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuri Sasaki ◽

Yugo Shobugawa ◽

Ikuma Nozaki ◽

Daisuke Takagi ◽

Yuiko Nagamine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Economic Status ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Economic Indicator ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Household Asset ◽

Face To Face ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

Abstract BackgroundFew studies have examined whether objective or subjective economic status (ES) has a greater effect on the happiness of older adults in developing countries with ageing populations. This study examined whether objective/subjective economic status (ES) is associated with happiness in older adults in Myanmar.MethodA multistage, random sampling procedure and face-to-face interviews were conducted in urban and rural areas in Myanmar. The happiness of 1,200 participants aged 60+ was evaluated using a single happiness score of 0 (very unhappy) to 10 (very happy). The wealth index, used as an objective economic indicator, was calculated from household asset items. Subjective economic status was assessed by asking “Which of the following best describes your current financial situation in light of general economic conditions?” The possible responses ranged from (1) very difficult to (5) very comfortable. ResultsThe mean happiness score was lower among participants with low objective and subjective ES than among those with medium or high objective ES (6.24 versus 6.80 points, p < 0.001) and average or higher subjective ES (5.62 versus 6.83 points, p < 0.001), respectively. Both low objective and subjective ES were negatively associated with happiness after adjusting for confounding variables (B: -0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.69, -0.13 and B: -0.71, 95% CI: -1.00, -0.42, respectively) and stratification by region (low objective ES, urban: B: -0.52, 95% CI: -1.03, -0.02; low subjective ES, urban: B: -0.50, 95% CI: -0.96, -0.03; low objective ES, rural: B: -0.37, 95% CI: -0.73, -0.02; and low subjective ES, rural: B: -0.80, 95% CI: -1.18, -0.41). ConclusionsIn Myanmar, both objective and subjective ES might influence happiness among older adults. Although they had a similar impact on happiness in urban areas, subjective ES had a stronger impact in rural areas. Interventions for promoting happiness in older adults should consider differences in how objective/subjective ES impacts happiness in different regions, and focus should be placed not only on improving objective ES but also subjective ES in society.

Download Full-text

Urban–rural differences in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among 25–74 year-old adults of the Yangon Region, Myanmar: two cross-sectional studies

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020406 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e020406 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Wai Phyo Aung ◽

Aung Soe Htet ◽

Espen Bjertness ◽

Hein Stigum ◽

Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Undiagnosed Diabetes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Who Steps Methodology ◽

Urban Rural ◽

Educational Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Studies ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

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.

Download Full-text

Demographic and Disease Characteristics of People With Multiple Sclerosis Living in Urban and Rural Areas

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073-8.3.89 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 89-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Robert J. Buchanan ◽

Randolph Schiffer ◽

Alexa Stuifbergen ◽

Li Zhu ◽

Suojin Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

The United States ◽

Primary Progressive ◽

Disease Characteristics ◽

Urban Rural ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

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.

Download Full-text

Water for the Displaced Population's Health: An Urban-Rural Dichotomy Revisited

Refuge ◽

10.25071/1920-7336.22047 ◽

2000 ◽

pp. 16-21

Author(s):

Alpaslan Özerdem ◽

Sultan Barakat

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Water Quantity ◽

Rural Settlements ◽

Displaced Populations ◽

Urban Rural ◽

Unsafe Water ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

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.

Download Full-text

Impact of the health and living conditions of migrant and non-migrant Senegalese adolescent girls on their nutritional status and growth

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2003463 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 6 (6) ◽

pp. 535-547 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Denis Garnier ◽

Kirsten B Simondon ◽

Thierry Hoarau ◽

Eric Benefice

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Sexual Maturation ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Living Conditions ◽

Capital City ◽

Growth Status ◽

Biological Determinants

AbstractObjective:To describe the living conditions of Senegalese adolescent girls according to their migration status, and to define the main socio-economic and biological determinants of their nutritional and growth status.Design:Health and living conditions, sexual maturation, and nutritional and growth status of adolescent girls were determined within the framework of a longitudinal study on growth.Settings:The capital city of Senegal (Dakar) and a rural community (Niakhar), 120 km south-east of Dakar.Subjects:Three hundred and thirty-one girls, 14.5–16.6 years of age, were recruited from the same villages. Thirty-six per cent of the sample remained in the villages to attend school and/or to help with household subsistence tasks (non-migrants). The remaining (64%) migrated to cities to work as maids (migrants) and lived in two different socio-economic environments: at the home of a guardian during the night and in the house of the employer during the daytime.Results:Family rural environment and guardian and employer urban environments were socio-economically different (P < 0.001). Living conditions in urban areas were better than in rural areas and the employer's environment was socio-economically more favourable. Migrants had more advanced sexual maturation and higher body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and mid-upper arm circumference than non-migrants. However, migrants were smaller than non-migrants. BMI, FMI and weight-for-age were related to socio-economic levels and duration of migration. Schooling was positively related to height and negatively related to BMI.Conclusions:Migrants enjoyed better living conditions than non-migrants. This could be partly due to the better socio-economic environment of the employer. It was associated with earlier puberty and better nutritional status, but not with a better growth.

Download Full-text

Mental Health of Preschool Children and their Mothers in a Mixed Urban/Rural Population

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.168.1.16 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 168 (1) ◽

pp. 16-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Margaret J. J. Thompson ◽

Jim Stevenson ◽

Edmund Sonuga-Barke ◽

Peter Nott ◽

Zam Bhatti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Child Behaviour ◽

Behaviour Problems ◽

Service Needs ◽

Mental Disturbance ◽

Urban Rural ◽

Activity Scale ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

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.

Download Full-text