Search

Today's urban life has encountered with a number of challenges especially in social and spatial arenas. Socio-economic inequalities, sometimes, emerges in the form of spatial inequality. Tehran, as a metropolis and capital, enjoys effective system with higher sensitivities in national system. The city, though, with a multi and complex system has brought a large population under its arena but at the same time it is considered imbalanced with continuous growth and development. In other words, Tehran, despite a role model for macro socio-economic system, suffers from spatial disparity and imbalanced services. One of the most obvious and sharp characteristics of Tehran is its north-south spatial inequality and polarization thanks to modernisation and its elements such as cars and emerging business districts. In the post-1979 Islamic revolution, the gap between rich and poor and spatial inequality in Tehran has widened despite the promise otherwise. Urban planners and sociologists in Iran have conflicting views about the spatial disparity where some call it a historical trend and nothing to do with the globalisation process whereas others think vice versa. To know whether or not Tehran can be called a global city, the current paper tries to illustrate old and new emerging inequality patterns in Tehran. For that matter, the theory of' Global City (propounded by Saskia Sassen) has been analyzed based on spatial maps between 1996 and 2006. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the deepening of socio-economic inequality manifested as dualisation in South Korea and deregulation in Hong Kong. It explains the extreme manifestations of inequality by reference to the nature of economic co-ordination, organised labour power and societal corporatism, and the politics of democratisation. It finds that South Korea's legacy of state-orchestrated co-ordinated market economy favoured the retention of a manufacturing core despite globalisation. However, the neo-liberal inclinations of the state and big business groups led to the marginalisation of less privileged firms and workers. These inclinations reinforced the defensiveness of the small but strong labour organisations, preventing effective societal corporatism. These phenomena are fully understandable only with reference to the country's conservative democratisation that divided the liberal and left political forces. The geo-political legacy also induced identity conflicts that overshadowed socio-economic issues. By contrast, Hong Kong's liberal market economy coupled with the absence of security concern had allowed a radical de-industrialisation in the 1990s and wholesale casualisation in the 2000s. Divided by identity politics, organised labour was unable to challenge the trend. The same conflicts also led pro-China labour organisations to side with business interests in the post-1997 electoral autocracy and prevented the introduction of more fundamental reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the extent to which social enterprise practitioners' outlook on the capacity of social enterprises to transform inequitable socio-economic systems conforms to compensatory or transformative social enterprise theories of change. Data for the study was drawn from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with social enterprise managers and business developers in Manitoba, Canada. Study findings suggest that social enterprise practitioners can and often do hold both compensatory and transformative perspectives at the same time. In other words, while they may operate within a flawed, inequitable socio-economic system, they can also work towards the ultimate transformation of the system into a more equitable one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the topic of sustainable development has been extensively explored, there is a lack of quantitative assessment of economic sustainability in the scientific literature; moreover, the term is often interpreted with excessive attention to the environment but not socio-economic inequality. In addition, university cities are often considered the most sustainable, although the higher education system in the United States is often criticized for the inequality of access to it among different racial and other groups of the population. This paper adds to the debate about how the concepts of sustainability and economic development relate. Many researchers have noted that they come into conflict with each other because their ultimate goals are fundamentally different: a voluntary limitation of production and consumption in the interests of future generations and, conversely, the pursuit of well-being during our lives. We would like to explore the issue of economic sustainability, which, at first glance, may become a compromise between the two approaches outlined above. So, our study is devoted to exploring the ambiguous concept of economic sustainability, which can add some new knowledge to the understanding of how social, economic, and ecological factors relate to each other in the broader framework of sustainability. For this objective, we analyzed the economic sustainability of the town of Amherst, MA. The city's top employer and core enterprise is the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with over 32,000 students and almost 2000 staff members. Based on a literature review, a hypothesis was put forward that a university city should have a high level of economic sustainability. To assess economic sustainability, the original methodology based on the US Cities Economic Sustainability Index (USCESI) was developed. It evaluates sustainability in three groups of parameters: society, economy, and ecology. The first group includes the level of racial diversity, the level of education of the population, and the access to medical services. The second group consists of the Gini coefficient by income level, the median cost of housing, and the unemployment rate. The environmental situation is assessed according to the Air Quality Index developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. For comparison, the town of Braintree, MA, was chosen. As a result of the study, the USCESI was calculated for both locations. The analysis showed that both Amherst and Braintree have a high degree of economic sustainability. However, it was revealed that proximity to a significant economic center has a more powerful positive impact on economic sustainability than the location of a large university. In our paper, we proposed a new methodology for measuring economic sustainability with a special focus on inequality as a major problem in American society. The findings provide new knowledge about university cities and debunk the myth that they represent an exception to the general logic of urban development in the United States. A similar approach, with clarification of statistical indicators and a different emphasis, can be applied to other countries where inequality may be the main threat to economic sustainability, not in terms of access to higher education but in other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Psychology & Sociology is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper investigates the opposition between the realities and ideologies surrounding multilingualism in Latvia. Building mostly on Bourdieu's theory of language in society, and multilingual awareness as a concept, we study the socio-economic value of multilingual repertoires in a multilingual setting (Latvia), and language users' awareness of the link between their language competences (Latvian, Russian, English) and socio-economic status. By analysing sociolinguistic survey data, we demonstrate, firstly, that different multilingual repertoires are linked with differences in family income, level of education, and labour market position. Secondly, our data indicate that people generally do not acknowledge the link between their language skills and socio-economic status. To explore this further, we zoom in on language ideologies in formal education. We examine data on the multilingual awareness of Latvian language teachers from focus-group interviews and show that they tend to construe languages in competition, emphasise the symbolic value of Latvian, and ignore the multilingualism of their pupils and broader society. The study illuminates the dissonance between the multilingual realities of a post-Soviet EU country in which multilingual repertoires carry different values for individuals, and the Latvian-centred ideologies (disseminated by the teachers) that leave the presence of multilingualism and accompanying issues unacknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people are facing an ever-increasing array of online dangers. One of the most common is receipt of a phishing email. This paper presents new evidence on the characteristics of young people most likely to respond to such emails. I find approximately one-in-seven 15-year-olds are at risk of responding to a phishing email, rising to one-in-five amongst those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Such risks are particularly high amongst young people with low levels of cognitive skill. Unfortunately, students who are taught about the dangers posed by phishing emails at school are just as likely to take inappropriate actions following their receipt as their peers who have not. I thus conclude that greater emphasis and higher quality instruction needs to be provided to young people about the online risks they face, particularly to those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and low academic achievers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Caesarean section deliveries, which involve incisions in the abdomen and uterus of the mother, have been a widespread event among women with obstructed labour. The current study not only estimated the socioeconomic and demographic factors of caesarean deliveries in Bangladesh but also decomposed the existing socioeconomic inequality in caesarean deliveries. Data and methods 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) data was used for this study. The adequate sample size for the analysis was 5,338 women aged 15–49 years who had given birth at a health facility for three years preceding the survey. Explanatory variables included women’s age, women’s educational level, women’s working status, mass media exposure, body mass index (BMI), birth order, Ante Natal Care (ANC) visits, place of delivery, partner’s education and occupation, religion, wealth index, place of residence, and divisions. Descriptive statistics along with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the outcome variable. Concentration index and concentration curve were made to measure the socioeconomic inequality in caesarean births in Bangladesh. Further, Wagstaff decomposition analysis was used to decompose the inequalities in the study. Results About one-third of the deliveries in Bangladesh were caesarean. Education of the women and the family’s wealth had a positive relationship with caesarean delivery. The likelihood of caesarean delivery was 33% less among working women than those who were not working [AOR: 0.77; CI: 0.62–0.97]. Women who had mass media exposure [AOR: 1.27; CI: 0.97–1.65], overweight/obese [AOR: 1.43; CI: 1.11–1.84], first birth order, received four or more Antenatal check-ups (ANC) [AOR: 2.39; CI: 1.12–5.1], and delivered in a private health facility [AOR: 6.69; CI: 5.38–8.31] had significantly higher likelihood of caesarean delivery compared to their counterparts. About 65% of inequality was explained by place of delivery followed by wealth status of the household (about 13%). ANC visits explained about 5% of the inequality. Furthermore, the BMI status of the women had a significant contribution to caesarean births-related inequality (4%). Conclusion Socioeconomic inequality prevails in the caesarean deliveries in Bangladesh. The place of delivery, household wealth status, ANC visits, body mass index, women’s education and mass media have been the highest contributors to the inequality. The study, through its findings, suggests that the health authorities should intervene, formulate specialized programs and spread awareness about the ill effects of caesarean deliveries amongst the most vulnerable groups of women in Bangladesh.

The purpose of this article is to introduce the results of the study on cartographic visualization and statistical verification of the hypothesis about the significance of natural and geographical factors in the formation of human capital in the late Russian Empire and the quantitative assessment of their role. The level of literacy is used as an indirect (proxy) indicator of accumulated human capital. The demographic information collected as a result of the First General Population Census in 1897, the characteristics of the natural and geographical environment, as well as indicators of the development of transport infrastructure and agricultural specialization of the county (uyezd) economy were analyzed. The unit of analysis is an uyezd in the European part of the country (without Finland, Poland, and Transcaucasia). The methods of correlation, regression analysis, and cartographic research were applied. The results obtained show that a number of essential factors of the natural environment are significantly (p < 0.1) associated with the spatial differentiation of the level of human capital accumulated by 1897 in European Russia and its disparity in the urban/rural context. To a lesser extent, environmental factors are associated with gender disparity.

Abstract Background Health care disparities (HCD) occur across a broad range of dimensions and achieving equity in health care is a strenuous task. To overcome the disparities, countries worldwide have started implementing varies policies. HCD remains a challenge in the health care system of Ethiopia. Hence, the study aimed to estimate the disparities in health care utilization (HCU) among households. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 01 to April 30, 2022, among households in Gida Ayana District, Ethiopia. A single population proportion formula was used to determine the 393sample size, and participants were selected using systematic sampling. Data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis. Descriptive analysis and binary and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. Results Of the 356 households that participated in the study, 321 (90.2%) of them reported at least one member of their family perceived morbidity in the last six months. The overall level of HCU determined was 207(64.5%), 95% confidence interval (CI),59.0-69.7%. Urban residents (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.94–6.97), attending secondary school and above (AOR = 2.79, CI = 1.27–5.98), rich (AOR = 2.47, CI = 1.03–5.92), small families (AOR = 2.83, CI = 1.26–6.55), and insured (AOR = 4.27, CI = 2.36–7.71) significantly contributed to HCD. Conclusions Households’ overall level of HCU for perceived morbidity was moderate. However, significant disparities were observed in HCU across place of residence, wealth status, level of education, family size, and health insurance. Hence, strengthening the strategy of financial protection by implementing health insurance that focuses on the socio-demographic and economic status of households is recommended to reduce the disparities.

The qualitative approach is immensely helpful in policy research as it provides a comprehensive, contextually grounded, and nuanced understanding of policy processes and issues. It is characterized by certain epistemological imperatives that demand the collection of rich, diverse data and a thick description of the context. However, conducting fieldwork to collect data required to fulfill these imperatives poses diverse and stiff challenges, especially for young policy researchers in the Indian context. In this background, this paper argues that, while epistemological principles require qualitative researchers to collect rich and diverse data, the researcher’s social identity and the socio-political ground reality in the field pose significant challenges for young policy researchers in collecting field data. More specifically, the paper discusses the challenges posed by different elements of the researcher’s social identity like economic class, caste, gender, and education. It also discusses the challenges posed by different elements of the socio-political ground reality in the field such as socio-economic inequality, gatekeeping, and by politics played by field-level actors like primary contacts, community leaders, participant groups, and public bureaucrats. It draws from the thematic analysis of fieldwork experiences documented (in the form of fieldnotes and different types of memos) by three Indian researchers (including two females) who were collecting qualitative data for three previous and separate qualitative research projects. This fieldwork was carried out in two different states in India. The discussion in this paper will prove helpful, especially to young qualitative researchers, in planning and executing their fieldwork in developing countries, especially in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the increase of violent robberies, as a violent crime, has attracted the attention of thinkers and researchers in the field of sociology. Violent robberies threaten the quality of life, social stability, and the sense of social security of social activists at different levels. This, in turn, affects the social development indicators in different dimensions. Considering the issue, the study tried to identify the socioeconomic factors affecting violent robberies in Khuzestan province. Qualitative method and interpretive structural modeling approach were used for this study. The criterion for participant inclusion was having sufficient expertise and information about violent robberies, and the condition for stopping the data collection process was the consensus of experts on the subject and theoretical saturation. The data were analyzed using MicMac software. The participants included 33 security forces experts of Khuzestan province and professors of sociology, psychology and economics of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Purposeful sampling method was used to select the participants. The results showed that the rate of violent robberies in Khuzestan province (from the experts' view) was high. The ranking of identified factors identified by MicMac software showed that the most important factors of violent robberies in Khuzestan province respectively were: social anomie; cultural poverty; normalization of theft among thieves; drug addiction; economic-social inequality; poverty and unemployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use detailed survey data linked to administrative records from secondary schools in England to investigate potential channels contributing to the socio-economic gap in post-compulsory educational aspirations. We investigate the role of experiences and attitudes including the provision of information, advice and guidance (IAG), bullying victimisation, locus of control and self-perception of academic potential. Our findings indicate a significant socio-economic gap in aspirations to stay in education, to follow the academic rather than the vocational route, and to attend university. We use decomposition analysis to show that the experiences we consider are not statistically correlated with the observed socio-economic gap while differences in attitudes explain up to 22% of the effect. The findings suggest that investing in self-esteem building and attribution training programmes within schools could contribute to equalising educational outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on how the spread of infectious diseases worldwide are importantly shaped by both human mobility networks and socio-economic factors. However, few studies look at how both socio-economic conditions and the complex network properties of human mobility patterns interact, and how they influence outbreaks together. We introduce a novel methodology, called the Infection Delay Model, to calculate how the arrival time of an infection varies geographically, considering both effective distance-based metrics and differences in regions’ capacity to isolate—a feature associated with socio-economic inequalities. To illustrate an application of the Infection Delay Model, this paper integrates household travel survey data with cell phone mobility data from the São Paulo metropolitan region to assess the effectiveness of lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19. Rather than operating under the assumption that the next pandemic will begin in the same region as the last, the model estimates infection delays under every possible outbreak scenario, allowing for generalizable insights into the effectiveness of interventions to delay a region’s first case. The model sheds light on how the effectiveness of lockdowns to slow the spread of disease is influenced by the interaction of mobility networks and socio-economic levels. We find that a negative relationship emerges between network centrality and the infection delay after a lockdown, irrespective of income. Furthermore, for regions across all income and centrality levels, outbreaks starting in less central locations were more effectively slowed by a lockdown. Using the Infection Delay Model, this paper identifies and quantifies a new dimension of disease risk faced by those most central in a mobility network.

Background: Caesarean section deliveries, which involve incisions in the abdomen and uterus of the mother, have been a widespread event among women with obstructed labour. The current study not only estimated the socioeconomic and demographic factors of caesarean deliveries in Bangladesh but also decomposed the existing socioeconomic inequality in caesarean deliveries. Data and methods: 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) data was used for this study. The adequate sample size for the analysis was 5,338 women aged 15–49 years who had given birth at a health facility for three years preceding the survey. Explanatory variables included women's age, women's educational level, women's working status, mass media exposure, body mass index (BMI), birth order, Ante Natal Care (ANC) visits, place of delivery, partner's education and occupation, religion, wealth index, place of residence, and divisions. Descriptive statistics along with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the outcome variable. Concentration index and concentration curve were made to measure the socioeconomic inequality in caesarean births in Bangladesh. Further, Wagstaff decomposition analysis was used to decompose the inequalities in the study. Results: About one-third of the deliveries in Bangladesh were caesarean. Education of the women and the family's wealth had a positive relationship with caesarean delivery. The likelihood of caesarean delivery was 33% less among working women than those who were not working [AOR: 0.77; CI: 0.62–0.97]. Women who had mass media exposure [AOR: 1.27; CI: 0.97–1.65], overweight/obese [AOR: 1.43; CI: 1.11–1.84], first birth order, received four or more Antenatal check-ups (ANC) [AOR: 2.39; CI: 1.12–5.1], and delivered in a private health facility [AOR: 6.69; CI: 5.38–8.31] had significantly higher likelihood of caesarean delivery compared to their counterparts. About 65% of inequality was explained by place of delivery followed by wealth status of the household (about 13%). ANC visits explained about 5% of the inequality. Furthermore, the BMI status of the women had a significant contribution to caesarean births-related inequality (4%). Conclusion: Socioeconomic inequality prevails in the caesarean deliveries in Bangladesh. The place of delivery, household wealth status, ANC visits, body mass index, women's education and mass media have been the highest contributors to the inequality. The study, through its findings, suggests that the health authorities should intervene, formulate specialized programs and spread awareness about the ill effects of caesarean deliveries amongst the most vulnerable groups of women in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systemic changes occurring in Kazakhstan since the 1990s have been driven by a socioeconomic crisis and its corresponding consequences for the living standards of the population. This includes a decrease in per capita income and a rise in income inequality. Indicators of the social standard of living have exhibited signs of a transformational crisis alongside a clear trend of declining systemic measures, encompassing macroeconomic levels and social indicators, including the potential of the healthcare and education systems. Despite recent improvements in the country's socioeconomic indicators, significant levels of inequality and differentiation persist in Kazakhstan, with a deeper impact on rural areas than urban ones. The aim of this article is to investigate religious identity as a significant factor not only in determining social and economic inequality but also in elucidating the mechanisms underlying this relationship. A sociological study conducted in various regions of Kazakhstan confirms empirical connections between religion, social status, and material income, while also uncovering the reasons behind such patterns. This article was prepared as part of a grant funded by the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AR 19679699, "Religiosity/spirituality, well-being and identity of Kazakhstani youth: a comparative country study"). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health care disparities (HCD) occur across a broad range of dimensions and achieving equity in health care is a strenuous task. To overcome the disparities, countries worldwide have started implementing varies policies. HCD remains a challenge in the health care system of Ethiopia. Hence, the study aimed to estimate the disparities in health care utilization (HCU) among households. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 01 to April 30, 2022, among households in Gida Ayana District, Ethiopia. A single population proportion formula was used to determine the 393sample size, and participants were selected using systematic sampling. Data was entered into Epi-data 4.6 and exported to SPSS 25 for analysis. Descriptive analysis and binary and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. Results: Of the 356 households that participated in the study, 321 (90.2%) of them reported at least one member of their family perceived morbidity in the last six months. The overall level of HCU determined was 207(64.5%), 95% confidence interval (CI),59.0-69.7%. Urban residents (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.94–6.97), attending secondary school and above (AOR = 2.79, CI = 1.27–5.98), rich (AOR = 2.47, CI = 1.03–5.92), small families (AOR = 2.83, CI = 1.26–6.55), and insured (AOR = 4.27, CI = 2.36–7.71) significantly contributed to HCD. Conclusions: Households' overall level of HCU for perceived morbidity was moderate. However, significant disparities were observed in HCU across place of residence, wealth status, level of education, family size, and health insurance. Hence, strengthening the strategy of financial protection by implementing health insurance that focuses on the socio-demographic and economic status of households is recommended to reduce the disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst a rapidly aging population, living alone is considered as a living arrangement with various disadvantages. The study aimed to assess the association between older adults living in one-person-households (OPH) and their socio-economic status along with associated inequalities. The data for the present study was utilized from National Family Health Survey, 2015–16 (n = 146, 657). Descriptive, bivariate along with multivariable analysis was used to fulfil the aim of the present study. For assessing socio-economic differentials in OPH, concentration index along with Wagstaff decomposition analysis was used. It was revealed that poor older adults had a higher proportion of OPH (12.7%) than older adults from the non-poor category (3.8%). The value of concentration index was -0.38 indicating the concentration of OPH among poor older adults. Manipur had the highest value of concentration index (-0.614). The highest percentage of poor OPH among older adults was in Kerala (30.7%) and whereas it was lowest among older adults in Bihar (5.9%). About 33.6% of socio-economic status related-inequality was explained by the marital status of older adults followed by older adults' place of residence (30.9%) and gender (29.3%). Older adults who are poor, women, never married, and living in rural areas need greater attention from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. In addition, policies should be designed by differentiating between older adults who live alone by choice and those who are forced by circumstances to map the vulnerabilities effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The present study aims to estimate the factors contributing to the change adequate diversified dietary intake (ADDI) from 2005–06 to 2015–16 among children aged 6–23 months in India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a large representative survey data. Data from the National Family Health Survey 2005–06 and 2015–16 was used. The effective sample size for the present study was 14,422 and 74,132 children aged 6–23 months in 2005–06 and 2015–16, respectively. The outcome variable was minimum adequate dietary diversity intake. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with ADDI. Additionally, the Fairlie method of decomposition was used, which allows quantifying the total contribution of factors explaining the decadal change in the probability of ADDI among children aged 6–23 months in India. Results There was a significant increase in ADDI from 2005–06 to 2015–16 (6.2%; p

Abstract Background Addressing population health inequities begins with quantifying how social factors affect the health and health care utilization of individuals. Such quantification relies on the availability of detailed health and demographic data. Unfortunately, administrative health care data rarely includes detailed demographic information. Data linkage, which combines administrative health data with national-level census or survey data, enables researchers to examine socio-economic inequalities in health care utilization in greater detail. Data and methods With access to a unique Canadian dataset linking data from the Hospital Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) from 2006 to 2007 with detailed individual-level socio-demographic data from the 2006 Canadian Census, we are able to examine the patterning of hospitalization in Canada in the early 2000s across a variety of socio-demographic variables. We examine the association of education and income, controlling for immigration status, rural residence, marital status and ethnicity, with hospitalization rates for both ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) and non-ambulatory care sensitive conditions (non-ACSCs) for children and youth, working-age adults, and older adults, in models stratified by sex. Results Age standardized hospitalization rates show that there is a clear socio-economic gradient in hospitalization in Canada in the 2000s. Education and income are independently, inversely associated with hospitalization for males and females across three broad age groups. These associations are stronger for ACSCs than non-ACSCs. The association of other socio-demographic variables, such as immigrant status, and rural residence is also stronger for hospitalization for ACSCs. The association of socio-economic status with hospitalization for ACSCs is strongest for working age women and men, and is somewhat attenuated for older adults. Conclusions Lower socio-economic status is associated with a higher likelihood of hospitalization for men and women in Canada across three broad age groups in the 2000s. These associations are stronger for ACSCs, suggesting that in addition to increased likelihood of disease, decreased access to preventative care may be driving up hospitalization rates for marginalized groups. We conclude with the recommendation that in order to track progress in reducing health inequities, health systems should either collect detailed individual-level socio-demographic data or link their administrative health data to existing demographic data sets.

Schools have a duty of care to children that extends beyond educational performance to include wellbeing and welfare. Yet, research has highlighted the tensions that arise when 'care' and 'learning' are treated as binaries, especially when schools operate within unequal socio--economic conditions. Extended COVID-19 school closures brought these issues into sharp relief, highlighting the central role of schools as a front line service in the lives of poorer children. This paper provides qualitative insights into the classed experiences of extended school closure and the role and response of schools through the eyes of parents, teachers and principals in Ireland. We frame these responses in the context of the provision of a careful education, exploring the role of normative and affective relations in teaching and learning. Questions are posed in relation to schools as care regimes and the 'mission creep' between educational and welfare provision in schools serving poorer children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socio-economic inequality may be addressed at a different scale. Its impact at a micro and macro level on very many social issues is well-known, as well as its effects on global development being extensively reported in literature, where inequality is often seen as a clear barrier on the path to a sustainable development. That becomes extremely critical in light of major global challenges, such as climate change. The quantification of inequality in the different contexts, its interpretation, as well as its impact on society at a different level are object of major interest and discussion within the scientific community. Inspired by the famous African proverb "if you want to go fast go alone; If you want to go far go together", we propose an indicator—Walking Together Indicator (WTI), based on a simple model to foster transparency and broad communication. It relies on the statistical standard deviation to facilitate the measurement of inequality looking at single metrics (e.g., GDP) as well as considering broad categories (e.g., Economy) composed of multiple indicators. Despite evident limitations, simplifications (context-less comparison among countries) and approximations (significant lack of data), the study conducted on well-known macro indicators presents a fundamental coherence in the result. Indeed, it shows a reducing inequality in the main trends. On the other side, the performed computations also point out a relevant exception for the main economic indicator, which is characterised, overall, by an increasing inequality among the considered countries. Such a contrasting trend is partially explainable looking at the simplifications in the model, which neither considers dependencies among indicators nor assumes weighting. The indicator provides a very encouraging and optimistic figure. However, the recent pandemic has shown a world running at different speeds. It advises a more conservative interpretation of the indicator as the exception related to economy is relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the rapid ageing of societies, meeting the demands for long-term care has become increasingly difficult. In the Netherlands, informal care is recognised as a key element to compensate for cut-backs in formal care provision. Formal, informal and privately paid long-term care services, however, are not used equally across socio-economic status (SES) groups and whether these inequalities have been reduced or exacerbated over time has not been researched. This study investigates to what extent educational and income inequalities in the use of formal, informal and privately paid care have changed over time. Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) was used from three points in time: 1995 (N = 787), 2005 (N = 550) and 2015 (N = 473). Participants were between 75 and 85 years of age and living independently. The results indicate that lower SES groups are consistently more likely to use formal and informal care, and less likely to use privately paid care compared to higher SES groups. An increase in inequality was only found in the use of informal care; while informal care use is stable among lower SES groups, it decreases steeply among higher SES groups. These findings highlight the importance of education for explaining variation and changes over time in care use. Governmental efforts to mobilise informal care-givers might be outweighed by trends towards less long-term care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts a comprehensive approach to investigate remedies to address socio-economic disparities in the ethnic minority regions of Southwest China, and constructs strategies to achieve spatially balanced economic and social progress in the area. The study has two dimensions: economic and social. First, it examines interventions in the economic domain, which includes aspects of economic efficiency, structural optimization, innovation-driven growth, infrastructure improvement, and human capital development. Second, it examines interventions in the social domain, which includes equity, governance, security, culture, and social welfare. The proposed spatial development strategies are of paramount importance in bridging the development gap between regions and urban-rural zones, and in promoting a harmonious society. These measures provide invaluable theoretical and practical implications for formulating strategic policies to promote first-class economic and social development in the ethnic minority regions of Southwest China.

One of the most dangerous risks of growing socio-economic inequality is the ability of the latter to that it can transform into political inequality, initiate the creation of extractive economic institutions and lead to the degradation of the country’s development. The article provides a critical analysis of the modern classification of instruments of economic inequality regulation presented at the Peterson Institute conference in 2019. Based on this concept, an expanded and more universal classification of methods and tools is proposed, and the most relevant ones are discussed taking into account modern realities. In conclusion, we gave recommendations for the Governments of developed and developing countries concerning the priorities in choice of methods and instruments of socio-economic inequality regulation in order to avoid an increase in excessive economic inequality and subsequent socio-economic problems.

The literature connecting growing socio-economic inequality and populism as the main political consequence of it, is burgeoning. However, modern studies are often limited to one-directional models that are based on the available data and are often operationalized on a limited number of variables. This article provides an in-depth literature review of elements of socio-economic inequality and populism, as well as introduces a new conceptual framework to provide pointers for qualitative or qualitative applications. In terms of independent variables, the framework decomposes the multilayered concept of socio-economic inequality into inequality of income (insecurity, polarization and perception) and wealth (via its link to rent-seeking and state capture) as well as inequality of opportunity (circumstances and effort, perception of opportunity). The main dependent variables that define populism are attitudes and voting on the demand side of populism, as well as party strategy and policies on the supply side, with the latter having the potential for a reverse causality. The most important innovation of the theoretical model is the incorporation of the institutional filters as mediating variables and their influence on the impact of inequality on populism. When economic and political institutions do not function well or citizens do not evaluate them positively, it has a potential to further exacerbate the economic grievances and amplify the support of populism. The proposed theoretical framework is particularly useful for case study and large N research designs focusing on Central and Eastern Europe, as besides the role of institutions, it incorporates the literature on rents.

Background: The present study aims to estimate the factors contributing to the change adequate diversified dietary intake (ADDI) from 2005–06 to 2015–16 among children aged 6–23 months in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a large representative survey data. Data from the National Family Health Survey 2005–06 and 2015–16 was used. The effective sample size for the present study was 14,422 and 74,132 children aged 6–23 months in 2005–06 and 2015–16, respectively. The outcome variable was minimum adequate dietary diversity intake. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with ADDI. Additionally, the Fairlie method of decomposition was used, which allows quantifying the total contribution of factors explaining the decadal change in the probability of ADDI among children aged 6–23 months in India. Results: There was a significant increase in ADDI from 2005–06 to 2015–16 (6.2%; p < 0.001). Additionally, compared to the 2005–06 years, children were more likely to have ADDI [AOR; 1.29, CI: 1.22–1.35] in 2015–16. Mother's education explained nearly one-fourth of the ADDI change among children. Further, the regional level contribution of 62.3% showed that the gap was widening across regions between the year 2005–06 and 2015–16 in ADDI among children. The child's age explained 5.2% with a positive sign that means it widened the gaps. Whereas the household wealth quintile negatively contributed and explained by -5.2%, that means between the years the gaps has reduced in ADDI among children aged 6–23 months. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that increasing awareness of the use of mass media and improving the education levels of mothers would be beneficial for adequate dietary diversity intake among children aged 6–23 months. Investments should support interventions to improve overall infant and young children feeding practices in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The turning point for 'languages for all' is widely associated with the end of compulsory language learning up to age 16 in England (2004). Uptake has since dropped dramatically at both GCSE and A-Level where these examinations are used, i.e. in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (henceforth NI). There is also significant evidence that languages uptake is characterised by socio-economic inequalities but the evidence is strongest in England and particularly poor in NI. This paper opens by outlining the broad picture for languages around the UK, including the differing policy contexts and levels of uptake in England, Wales and NI relative to the size of the cohort in each jurisdiction. The core of the article uses new school-level entry data for NI in 2018 to explore the question of variations in uptake at GCSE and A-Level in relation to school-type and social deprivation indicators, notably 'free school meal entitlement' (FSME). Our findings show that stark inequities in access to language learning at Key Stages 4 and 5 are indeed attested in NI and take a very clear shape that is related both to school type and socio-economic profile. The paper also discusses the nature of these inequities and their implications for policy-makers in the devolved government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Human Development Report 2020 states that we are living in the anthropocene era and that we are facing two major problems related to planetary imbalances and social imbalances. In this context, we thought it appropriate to address two fundamental types of inequality that have a negative impact on development: economic inequality and sociocultural inequality. In a very brief way, we present the faces of both causes, and, from the perspective of communication for development, we assume that implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals 2030 necessarily involves combating the problem of inequality in parallel. For this reason, we present a work agenda to fight for this purpose, and we rehearse some guidelines that allow us to advance in the construction of our interculturality, embracing a common country project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the socio-economic inequality in prevalence of type 2 diabetes among adults in north-west of Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ardabil with data from the PERSIAN Cohort Study. Diabetes has been measured by combining self-reported and clinical records. Based on the socio-economic status score, households divided into five quintiles. A multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the association between having diabetes and independent variables and the Blinder–Oaxaca (BO) method was used to decompose the socioeconomic inequality, respectively. Results: The Overall age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among 20,419 Ardabil's adults was 14.3% (95% CI: 13.6 to 14.9). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes for the poorest and richest groups was 16.07% and 7.60%, the gap between the poorest and richest groups was 8.47%. The prevalence type 2 diabetes was significantly increasing with increasing in age (OR = 4.05, 95% CI = 3.27–5.02), BMI (OR: 3.10, 95%CI = 1.25–7.68), blood pressure (OR: 2.61, 95% CI = 2.37–2.88), and decreases with higher education level (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.63–0.97). The richest-economic group has lower prevalence of diabetes (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.60–0.88). The decomposition showed that most important factors affecting the difference between poorest and richest group in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes were age (86.1%), years of schooling (46.9%) and having chronic diseases such as hypertension (26.9%). Conclusions: The present study showed that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was significantly higher among the elderly, women, uneducated, obese, and poor populations. Policies that address people poverty such as increasing job opportunities, increasing the minimum income etc. could reduce diabetes risk for poor people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present approaches to socio-economic inequality in economic theory. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is theoretical in nature. I review relevant literature that addresses the perception of socio-economic inequality. Findings: Three approaches to socio-economic inequality are identified in the course of the analysis of its perception. The first approach entirely legitimises inequality as an effect of operation of a free market economy, maximisation of profit, praise for individualism and recognition of paradigms that stem from a neoliberal system The second approach assumes that there must be systemic solutions in place that completely eliminate inequality of outcome. It is based on a belief that the state must interfere firmly in the redistribution policy, understood as an extreme solution that leads to the levelling off of standards of life of all citizens. The third approach is a solution that points out that we agree to inequality (or to its deepening) but on certain conditions that prescribe principles and acceptable boundaries. This paper shows four such conditions: adoption of solutions that remove inequality of opportunity (start), adoption of solutions that remove inequality of opportunity, adoption of solutions that improve the position of the worst-off group and adoption of solutions associated with establishing a conventional minimum accepted by the society. Research limitations/implications: This research may affect political decisions of state authorities and will point out that we need to address the subject matter of inequality in future scholarly investigations. Practical implications: This knowledge may be used in the context of modelling economic and social systems. Originality/value: The article identifies 4 restricting conditions for the approach that points out that we must agree to socio-economic inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Setting out effective prevention strategies in dental diseases needs recognition related factors of the prevention behaviours and targeting the most disadvantaged groups in the term of dental hygiene. This study aimed to investigate socio‐economic inequality in the dental self‐care status (DSS) of Iranian households and decompose the measured inequality into its contributors. Method: In this cross‐sectional study, pooled data were extracted from Households Income and Expenditure Surveys (HIESs) conducted in Iran from 2012 to 2017. The index of socio‐economic status (SES) for each household was constructed using principal components analysis (PCA). We used Wagstaff normalized concentration index as a measure of socio‐economic inequality in dental self‐care. Decomposition analysis was applied to determine the main factors contributed to the measured inequality. Results: The prevalence of dental self‐care in the whole population was 40.56%. The total concentration index was 0.271 (CI: 0.266, 0.275). The results of decomposition analysis for the measured inequality showed that SES, was the highest positive contributors (90.19%) followed by sex of household's head (12.15%), place of residence (11.79%) and education level of household's head (11.71%). Furthermore, the province of residence had the highest negative contribution (−11.37) to the inequality. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that a huge portion of the observed inequality was explained by SES that might give us a policy recommendation: There is room for improving dental health and reducing inequality in dental self‐care by paying more attention to SES‐disadvantaged households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In Belgium, current research on socio-economic inequalities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has mainly focused on excess mortality and data from the first epidemiological wave. The current study adds onto this by examining the association between COVID-19 incidence and area deprivation during the first five wave and interwave periods, thus adding a temporal gradient to the analyses. Methods We use all confirmed COVID-19 cases between March 2020 and June 2021 in Belgium, aggregated at the municipality-level. These data were collected by the national laboratory-based COVID-19 surveillance system. A level of area deprivation was assigned to each Belgian municipality using data of three socio-economic variables: the share of unemployed persons in the active population, the share of households without a car and the share of low-educated persons. The spatio-temporal association between COVID-19 incidence and area deprivation was assessed by performing multivariate negative-binomial regression analyses and computing population attributable fractions. Results A significant association between COVID-19 incidence and area deprivation was found over the entire study period, with the incidence in the most deprived areas predicted to be 24% higher than in the least deprived areas. This effect was dependent on the period during the COVID-19 crisis. The largest socio-economic inequalities in COVID-19 infections could be observed during wave 2 and wave 3, with a clear disadvantage for deprived areas. Conclusion Our results provide new insights into spatio-temporal patterns of socio-economic inequalities in COVID-19 incidence in Belgium. They reveal the existence of inequalities and a shift of these patterns over time.

Abstract Background Current measures to monitor population health include indicators of (i) average length-of-life (life expectancy), (ii) average length-of-life spent in good health (health expectancy), and (iii) variability in length-of-life (lifespan inequality). What is lacking is an indicator measuring the extent to which healthy lifespans are unequally distributed across individuals (the so-called ‘healthy lifespan inequality’ indicators). Methods We combine information on age-specific survival with the prevalence of functional limitation or disability in Spain (2014–2017) by sex and level of education to estimate age-at-disability onset distributions. Age-, sex- and education-specific prevalence rates of adult individuals’ daily activities limitations were based on the GALI index derived from Spanish National Health Surveys held in 2014 and 2017. We measured inequality using the Gini index. Results In contemporary Spain, education differences in health expectancy are substantial and greatly exceed differences in life expectancy. The female advantage in life expectancy disappears when considering health expectancy indicators, both overall and across education groups. The highly educated exhibit lower levels of lifespan inequality, and lifespan inequality is systematically higher among men. Our new healthy lifespan inequality indicators suggest that the variability in the ages at which physical daily activity limitations start are substantially larger than the variability in the ages at which individuals die. Healthy lifespan inequality tends to decrease with increasing educational attainment, both for women and for men. The variability in ages at which physical limitations start is slightly higher for women than for men. Conclusions The suggested indicators uncover new layers of health inequality that are not traceable with currently existing approaches. Low-educated individuals tend to not only die earlier and spend a shorter portion of their lives in good health than their highly educated counterparts, but also face greater variation in the eventual time of death and in the age at which they cease enjoying good health—a multiple burden of inequality that should be taken into consideration when evaluating the performance of public health systems and in the elaboration of realistic working-life extension plans and the design of equitable pension reforms.

The article is devoted to the study of socio-economic inequality as one of the key problems of the modern economic system. The author analyzes the evolution, scale and specificity of the manifestation of the phenomenon of inequality in the context of the intensification of economic globalization and the post-Fordist / neoliberal regime of capital accumulation in the global dimension. The national context of inequality is investigated on the example of Ukraine, as one of the post-Soviet countries, consistently implementing the principles of neoliberalism in practice throughout the post-Soviet period. The author pays attention to the study of the social consequences and changes in inequality in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that the intensification of negative trends in the development of society in the context of the corona-crisis is a natural consequence of the policy of the pre-pandemic period. The growth of poverty and inequality, as well as the generally negative consequences of the pandemic for the majority of the population, were largely the result of the depletion of state and public institutions in the context of neoliberalism. The way out of the current crisis lies in the implementation in practice of the public demand for building a more “equal” and just society in the interests of the majority of the population. The author bases her conclusions on a large array of domestic and foreign sources on this issue, as well as the results of public opinion polls. In particular, the article uses the data of sociological measurements of the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the sociological company Research & BrandingGroup, as well as the international research company Ipsos, conducted in 2020-2021.

Abstract Background The incidence of preterm birth and subsequent low birth weight (LBW) are vital global public health issues. It contributes to high infant and child mortality in the early stages of life and later on in adult life; it increases the risk for non-communicable diseases. The study aims to understand the socio-economic status-related inequality for LBW among children in India. It hypothesises that there is no association between the socio-economic status of the household and the newborn’s LBW in India. Methods The study utilised data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey, a national representative cross-sectional survey conducted in 2015-16 (N = 127,141). The concentration index (CCI) and the concentration curve (CC) measured socio-economic inequality in low birth status among newborns. Wagstaff decomposition further analysed key contributors in CCI by segregating significant covariates. Results About 18.2% of children had low birth weight status. The value of concentration was − 0.05 representing that low birth weight status is concentrated among children from lower socio-economic status. Further, the wealth quintile explained 76.6% of the SES related inequality followed by regions of India (− 44%) and the educational status of mothers (43.4%) for LBW among children in India. Additionally, the body mass index of the women (28.4%), ante-natal care (20.8%) and residential status (− 15.7%) explained SES related inequality for LBW among children in India. Conclusion Adequate attention should be given to the mother’s nutritional status. Awareness of education and usage of health services during pregnancy should be promoted. Further, there is a need to improve the coverage and awareness of the ante-natal care (ANC) program. In such cases, the role of the health workers is of utmost importance. Programs on maternal health services can be merged with maternal nutrition to bring about an overall decline in the LBW of children in India.

Abstract Background Today, over 300 million people reside with asthma worldwide and India alone is home for 6% of children and 2% of adults suffering from this chronic disease. A common notion of disparity persists in terms of health outcomes across the poor and better-off section of the society. Thus, there is a need to explore socio-economic inequality in the contribution of various factors associated with asthma prevalence in India. Methods Data for the study were carved out from the 75th round of National Sample Survey (NSS), collected by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) during 2017–18. The sample size for this study was 555,289 individuals, for which data was used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to show the distribution of the study population. Further, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with Asthma prevalence. The concentration index was used to measure the inequality. Further, we used decomposition analysis to find the contribution of factors responsible for socio-economic status-related inequality in asthma prevalence. Results The prevalence of asthma was 2 per 1000 in the whole population; however, the prevalence differs by age groups in a significant manner. Age, sex, educational status, place of residence, cooking fuel, source of drinking water, household size and garbage disposal facility were significantly associated with asthma prevalence in India. It was found that asthma was more concentrated among individuals from higher socioeconomic status (concentration index: 0.15; p

Abstract Background The burden of food insecurity remains a public health challenge even in high income countries, such as Australia, and especially among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. While research has been undertaken among several migrant communities in Australia, there is a knowledge gap about food security within some ethnic minorities such as migrants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study aims to determine the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among Libyan migrant families in Australia. Methods A cross-sectional design utilising an online survey and convenience sampling was used to recruit 271 participants, each representing a family, who had migrated from Libya to Australia. Food security was measured using the single-item measure taken from the Australian Health Survey (AHS) and the 18-item measure from the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module (USDA HFSSM). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent correlates associated with food insecurity. Results Using the single-item measure, the prevalence of food insecurity was 13.7% whereas when the 18-item questionnaire was used, more than three out of five families (72.3%) reported being food insecure. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis for the single-item measure, those living alone or with others reported higher odds of being food insecure (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.05, 6.21) compared to those living with their spouse, whereas higher annual income (≥AUD 40,000) was associated with lower odds of food insecurity (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.11, 0.84). Higher annual income was also associated with lower odds of food insecurity (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.25, 0.94) on the 18-item measure. On both single and 18-item measures, larger family size (AOR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.07, 1.49 and AOR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.01, 1.47 respectively) was associated with increased odds of food insecurity. Conclusion This study provides evidence that food insecurity amongst Libyan migrants in Australia is a widespread problem and is associated with a number of sociodemographic and socio-economic factors. The findings of this study serve to contribute to the depth and breadth of food security research among vulnerable communities, in this instance Libyan migrant families.

According to census 2011, India had nearly 104 millions of 60 years and above population. The share is projected to increase from 8 per cent in 2015 to 29 per cent in 2050, which is a matter of concern as rapid population ageing is accompanied by serious social and economic implications which are often linked with different health outcomes in general and lower subjective well-being (SWB) in particular. This paper aims to focus on how socio-economic inequality affects lower SWB among older adults. Bivariate, binary logistic regression and decomposition analysis were used for carving out the results using data from the Building a Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India (BKPAI). The effective sample size for the analysis was 9181 older adults. The value of the concentration index for lower SWB was -0.28 in India, depicting that lower SWB was concentrated among older adults with poor socio-economic status. Educational status (22%), living arrangement (13%), trust over someone (13%), self-rated health (6%), instrumental activities of daily living (6%) and cognitive ability (5%) explained significant portion of socio-economic inequality for lower SWB among older adults. Our research highlights the urgent need for more empirical exposure to socio-economic inequality and its dynamic impact on lower SWB among older adults. Moreover, the present study recommends strengthening the current government programme to focus especially on older adults from lower socio-economic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to determine the main indicators of social instability and forms of its manifestation in the modern world. The elements of scientific novelty of this work are that the article comprehensively analyzes the main signs of social instability in global and regional contexts, shows their essential relationship. The research methodology is based on a complex combination of philosophical (dialectical, axiological) and general scientific methods of studying the problem of social instability in the modern world, including synergetic, comparative and concretization methods. Social turbulence has resulted from intensifying geopolitical confrontations and "economic wars" between the world's leading countries, including the United States and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background To promote institutional delivery, the Government of India, through the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) program, gives monetary reward to all pregnant women who give birth at the government or private health center. Despite providing cash assistance, a higher number of women are still preferring delivering at home. Therefore, this study sought to determine the prevalence of home births and identifying the factors influencing women’s choice of home deliveries. Methods Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted during 2005–06 and 2015–16 were used in the study. The respondents were women 15–49 years; a sample of 36,850 and 190,898 women in 2005–06 and 2015–16 respectively were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors influencing home delivery. Income-related inequality in home delivery was quantified by the concentration index (CI) and the concentration curve (CC), and decomposition analysis was used to examine the inequality in the prevalence of home deliveries. Results The prevalence of home deliveries has reduced from 58.5% in 2005–06 to 18.9% in 2015–16. The odds of delivering babies at home were lower among women who had full ANC in 2005–06 [AOR: 0.34; CI: 0.28–0.41] and in 2015–16 [AOR: 0.41; CI: 0.38–0.45] and were higher among women with four or higher parity in 2005–06 [AOR: 1.70; CI: 1.49–1.92] and in 2015–19 [AOR: 2.16; CI: 2.03–2.30]. Furthermore, the odds of delivering babies at home were higher among rural women and were lower among women with higher education. It was found that the value of CI increased from − 0.25 to − 0.39 from 2005-06 to 2015–16; this depicts that women delivering babies at home got more concentrated among women from lower socio-economic status. Conclusion There is a need to promote institutional deliveries, particular focus to be given to poor women, women with higher parity, uneducated women, and rural women. ANC is the most concurring contact point for mothers to get relevant information about the risks and complications they may encounter during delivery. Therefore, effort should be directed to provide full ANC. Targeted interventions are called for to bring improvements in rural areas.

Abstract Background Early childhood is a period when dietary behaviours are established. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal intake of core and discretionary foods and identify early life and socio-economic factors influencing those intakes. Methods Mother-infant dyads (n = 934) from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids study, an ongoing birth cohort study, were interviewed. The information on ‘weekly frequency of core and discretionary foods intake’ using a food frequency questionnaire was collected at 4 months, 8 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years age points. Group-based trajectory modelling analyses were performed to identify diet trajectories for ‘core’ and ‘discretionary’ foods respectively. A multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify the maternal and child-related predictors of resulting trajectories. Results The intake of core and discretionary foods each showed distinct quadratic (n = 3) trajectories with age. Overall, core foods intake increased rapidly in the first year of life, followed by a decline after age two, whereas discretionary foods intake increased steadily across the five age points. Multiparity (Relative Risk (RR): 0.46, 95%CI: 0.27–0.77), non-English speaking ethnicity of mother (RR: 0.66, 95%CI: 0.47–0.91) and having a single mother (RR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.18–0.85) were associated with low trajectories of core foods intake whereas older maternal age (RR: 1.05, 95%CI: 1.01–1.08) and longer breastfeeding duration (RR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.00–1.03) were associated with higher trajectories of core foods intake. Also, multiparity (RR 2.63, 95%CI: 1.47–4.70), low maternal education (RR 3.01, 95%CI: 1.61–5.65), and socio-economic disadvantage (RR 2.69, 95%CI: 1.31–5.55) were associated with high trajectories of discretionary foods intake. Conversely, longer duration of breastfeeding (RR 0.99, 95%CI: 0.97–0.99), and timely introduction of complementary foods (RR 0.30, 95%CI: 0.15–0.61) had a protective effect against high discretionary foods consumption in infancy and early childhood. Conclusion Children’s frequency of discretionary foods intake increases markedly as they transition from infancy to preschool age, and the trajectories of intake established during early childhood are strongly influenced by socio-demographic factors and infant feeding choices. Hence, there is a need for targeted strategies to improve nutrition in early childhood and ultimately prevent the incidence of chronic diseases in children.

The 2008/09 economic crisis was – unsurprisingly – paralleled by noteworthy perceptions of socio-economic insecurity among Europeans. Respondents in different countries reported more or less grave fears of employment and income insecurity depending on their respective countries' performance during the crisis. Against this background, we are interested in the manifestations of perceived socio-economic insecurity and their macro contextual determinants. After formulating hypotheses regarding socio-economic and welfare-institutional factors, we test them by using two rounds of the European Social Survey (fielded in 2008/09 and 2016/17). Based on three-level regressions with between-within models of 23,000 individuals (11,611 individuals in 2008/09 and 11,389 individuals in 2016/17) nested in 34 country-years and 17 European countries, we find that the level of perceived socio-economic insecurity in 2016/17 was generally lower than in 2008/09. Additionally, we reveal differences in the effects of the socio-economic factors and welfare-institutional factors between and within countries. These findings suggest that the inconsistency of the results of contextual factors among previous studies might stem from jumbling between- and within-country effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]