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Determining Value in Welfare-Technology: The Need for a Multi-Perspective Framework
Karin Brodén,
Kristen Snyder,
Helle Soerensen,
Magnus Zingmark
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
76-88
Received:
5 September 2023
Accepted:
21 September 2023
Published:
8 October 2023
Abstract: Background: Stakeholders in health and social care are implementing digital solutions to facilitate person-centred care for citizens. One problem is choosing which digital solution to implement. Ordinary cost-benefit analysis implicates the measurable parts of the value, leaving the immeasurable without any trace in an analysis. Results: We used design thinking to design a framework that implicates what to add as valuable factors on individual, organisational, and governmental levels. The design is based on empirical material from workshops and literature reviews on systems thinking, quality management, and value factors. The valuable factors at an individual level could include independence, autonomy, and empowerment, and the factors at the organisational level accessibility, competence, and independence. On a central level, the factors are related to person-centred care and its value proposals, such as autonomy and independence. Conclusions: While conducting a cost-benefit analysis, focusing on a standard definition of the value concept is essential. The designed framework needs to be dynamic due to the broad range of welfare technology. The created rubrics cube model, including strategic, organisational-operational and individual levels, should be used by decision-making groups as a flexible foundation. Forthcoming research will test this framework, including the proposed scale for measurement and focusing on welfare technology for older citizens.
Abstract: Background: Stakeholders in health and social care are implementing digital solutions to facilitate person-centred care for citizens. One problem is choosing which digital solution to implement. Ordinary cost-benefit analysis implicates the measurable parts of the value, leaving the immeasurable without any trace in an analysis. Results: We used de...
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Research Article
The Effects of Financial Inclusion on Poverty in Ethiopia: Micro Data Analysis
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
89-100
Received:
4 July 2023
Accepted:
19 July 2023
Published:
14 October 2023
Abstract: To investigate the effects of financial inclusion on poverty in Ethiopia, I used poverty as the dependent variable and financial inclusion index as the independent variable. Poverty includes various indicators of measuring multidimensional poverty, which consist of agricultural inputs (lack of access to DAP, urea, and irrigation), housing (poor-quality construction materials like floors, walls, toilets, absence of electricity, and phone), health and nutrition (absence of medical consultations and hospital visits), water and sanitation (lack of clean water and proximity to the household), and education (inability to read and write before the age of 16). Numerous studies have explored the utilization and accessibility of financial institutions in Ethiopia; however, poverty has received less attention. Therefore, I used data from the Ethiopian Socio-Economic Survey 2018–19 to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of financial inclusivity on poverty in Ethiopia, and I also employed the Two-Stage Least Squares model (2SLS). In a linear regression framework, two-stage least squares has been used to handle models with endogenous explanatory variables. The study's explanatory variable has an endogeneity issue; thus, I used the nearest transportation cost's (in kilometers) distance as an instrumental variable to address this issue. According to the study's findings, households without access to agricultural inputs experience a 2.7% decrease in poverty. It also reduces poverty by 0.4% for households without access to health and nutrition services and by 3.2% for households that used lower-quality building materials to construct their dwellings. On the other side, financial inclusion has decreased poverty by 0.13% in households without access to good water and sanitation and 0.11% in households with children under the age of 16 who cannot read or write. Moreover, male-headed and urban households perform marginally better at reducing poverty than female-headed and rural households. I have concluded that financial inclusion has played a role in alleviating poverty in Ethiopia. I recommend that the National Bank of Ethiopia continue implementing the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of 2017, which aims to aggressively enhance the incorporation of individuals into the financial system. Furthermore, commercial banks should focus on expanding their branches, improving infrastructure, and conducting public awareness campaigns to sustain the progress of poverty alleviation.
Abstract: To investigate the effects of financial inclusion on poverty in Ethiopia, I used poverty as the dependent variable and financial inclusion index as the independent variable. Poverty includes various indicators of measuring multidimensional poverty, which consist of agricultural inputs (lack of access to DAP, urea, and irrigation), housing (poor-qua...
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Research Article
Ecological Sanitation and Health Capital: Impact of the Adoption of ECOSAN Toilets on the Health Costs of Households in Rural Areas in West-Central Cote d’Ivoire
Yapo Michel Porcella*,
Yapi Ellele Aime Marius,
Achy Landry,
Kouakou Kouadio Clement,
Gnagne Theophile
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
101-111
Received:
10 October 2023
Accepted:
27 October 2023
Published:
9 November 2023
Abstract: The inadequacy of sanitation in developing countries has effets on the health capital and the living conditions of populations. The objective of this work was to assess the impact of access to ecological sanitation on the health expenditure of rural households. This study took place in west-central Cote d'Ivoire in ten villages in the Bouafle department during the implementation of the water supply and sanitation program for the millennium (PHAM). First, a descriptive statistical analysis was carried out to determine the socio-economic, environmental and health characteristics. Then the econometric analysis was carried out using a multiple linear regression of health expenditure linked to water-borne diseases on the age of the head of household, the provision of ecological sanitation toilets, and the household income per capita. Then finally, we used the double difference method to determine the impact of that program on health expenditure. The results showed that the prevalence of water-borne diseases and health expenditures saw a considerable drop thanks to PHAM. For the econometric results, we note that the advanced age of household heads increases health costs. Then also, a significant reduction in health expenditure linked to water-borne diseases is obtained thanks to the use of ecological toilets by households. This result is corroborated by the difference-in-differences method. This form of sanitation should be encouraged in developing countries for the eradication of water-borne diseases as well as the reduction in health expenses of rural households.
Abstract: The inadequacy of sanitation in developing countries has effets on the health capital and the living conditions of populations. The objective of this work was to assess the impact of access to ecological sanitation on the health expenditure of rural households. This study took place in west-central Cote d'Ivoire in ten villages in the Bouafle depar...
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Research Article
Continuity of HIV-Related Care in the Central Districts of Senegal During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period Between March 2020 and February 2021
Diop Cheikh Tacko*,
Gueye Boubacar,
Martial Coly Bop,
Diop Mansour Bouna,
Leye Mamadou Mactar Mbacké,
Ka Ousseynou
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2023
Pages:
112-116
Received:
11 October 2023
Accepted:
25 October 2023
Published:
9 November 2023
Abstract: The HIV /AIDS pandemic is a major public health problem. COVID-19 infection has impacted the national health system. It was deemed necessary to study the continuity of HIV-related services in Senegal. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. The study populations were represented by all PLHIV who joined the active queue between March 2020 and February 2021. A multi-stage survey was conducted at the district level. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out using the SPSS version 2022 software. The mean age of patients was 43.38 years ±13.22. More than half of PLHIV were educated (53.13%) and married (55.47%) with a majority of the female sex 66.41%. Among the respondents, 66.13% were engaged in income-generating activities, of which 86.42% were in the informal sector. More than half of the respondents 67.50% had a monthly income of less than 55,000 FCFA. Television was the main source of information (51.56%). Almost all PLHIV (96.88%) had continued to seek counselling services. The majority (93.55%) had performed at least one follow-up para-clinical assessment with an average delay of 7.54±8.64 months. More than half (71.55%) of PLHIV were very satisfied with the follow-up consultation and assessment services offered. Among the 85 PLHIV surveyed, (9.41%) were pregnant or had given birth within the last 12 months. PLHIV for whom COVID-19 negatively impacted the continuity of services accounted for 16.41%. The discontinuity of HIV care services was higher in male subjects with an adjusted OR 4.61 [1.58-13.51]. Subjects who had no income-generating activity were at greater risk of experiencing care service discontinuity with an adjusted OR 3.13 [1.10-9.23]. The results of this work suggest to health authorities to reorganize the health system and adopt a policy based on the community approach and to populations to overcome the "fear of COVID-19".
Abstract: The HIV /AIDS pandemic is a major public health problem. COVID-19 infection has impacted the national health system. It was deemed necessary to study the continuity of HIV-related services in Senegal. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. The study populations were represented by all PLHIV who joined the active queue between March 2020...
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