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Abstract: Background The early age of first sexual intercourse is a major public health issue, and multiple sexual partners influence women’s reproductive health, which is now common in developing countries. This study aimed to identify inequality of age at first sex between the men and women youth in India. Methods The present study used data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) which was conducted in 2019–2021. The multivariate logistic regression and concentration index were used to assess the statistical association between explanatory variables and age at first sex inequality among the youth. Fairlie decomposition technique was used to explain the factors that affected inequalities in age at first sex between men and women youth. Results The findings of the study indicate that the inequality of age at first sex was higher among the male youth than the females. Multivariate analysis shows that residence, education, religion, and mass media such as watching television, reading newspapers, and using the internet were major controlling factors of early age at first sex. Urban residence (CI = 0.062), higher education (CI = 0.110), Muslim religion (CI = 0.135), and richest wealth (CI = 0.045) jointly explained a statistical inequality in early age first sex between women and men youth. About 69.5% of this gap was explained by unequal distribution of religion (47.0%), wealth status (11.12%), caste (6.89%), and using the internet (5.01%) between men and women youth. Conclusion The study concludes that early age at sex inequality between men and women favored women youth. The program is designed to address the reduction of early sexual debut, create equitable socialization patterns, and develop a supportive environment for free interaction between both son and daughter with their parents in their adolescent sexual behavior. PubDate: 2024-08-07
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Abstract: Aim This study examined directional flow and patterns of intergenerational monetary transfers in India amidst changing family structures and an aging population, specifically emphasizing the gender dynamics of older parents. Methods Data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (wave-1) was analyzed, involving 30,147 individuals aged 60+ who have at least one alive child. The study objective was pursued through bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results The proportion of children-to-parent monetary transfers (13.1%) was found to be triple than that of parents-to-children transfers (4.4%), indicating an upward flow of support, consistent with the tradition of filial piety. Older male parents were more likely to support their children, while older female parents received more financial assistance. Female parents not co-residing with their children were more likely to provide support, whereas co-residence did not significantly impact financial transfers from male parents. Parents living only with their spouses and children were less likely to receive support from children compared to those living with children and/or other relatives. Parents with up to eight children were more likely to receive financial assistance from children. Female household heads were more likely to receive support, while male heads showed a negative or insignificant association. Conclusions The study highlights the significant role of family support, especially from adult children, in the economic security of older Indians, particularly older women. Despite changing family dynamics, the tradition of upward financial transfers persists, underscoring the importance of filial piety and cultural norms in ensuring the well-being of older adults in India. PubDate: 2024-08-07
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Abstract: Abstract Maternal healthcare utilization plays a pivotal role in promoting maternal and child health outcomes. Yet, many developing countries, including Tanzania, struggle with low levels of healthcare utilization and inadequate health insurance coverage, hindering local and international efforts to improve maternal health. This study examines the determinants of health insurance coverage and its impact on maternal healthcare utilization in Tanzania, using data from the Tanzania Demographic Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey 2022. Data were analyzed by using the Double Hurdle Model (DHM), Negative Binomial Regression (NBR), and Instrumental Variable Poisson Regression (IVPR). Findings from DMH reveal that major determinants for health insurance include socio-demographic factors such as access to media, social membership, income, education, and employment status. Furthermore, results from the NBR and IVPR reveal that health insurance significantly enhances maternal healthcare utilization, suggesting that having health insurance plays a crucial role in facilitating maternal healthcare utilization. These findings underline the importance of expanding health insurance coverage and investing in healthcare infrastructure to improve maternal health outcomes in Tanzania and other developing countries. In light of these results, policymakers are urged to prioritize efforts to increase health insurance coverage and promote maternal healthcare utilization through targeted interventions and policy reforms, especially by enhancing environments where health insurance schemes can be established based on regional characteristics, thereby addressing specific local needs and challenges. PubDate: 2024-08-03
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Abstract: Abstract Food and nutrition insecurity is a serious issue among the low and lower-middle-income countries in the world, especially among the tribal people who live in a forest-based society. Jhargram District is a part of Jangal Mahal (forest based) of West Bengal, India, which has been a socially and economically backward region, and it is a home of indigenous people. The overall incline of the entire area stretches from the northwest to the southeast. The Jhargram region has been grappling with persistent water scarcity for many years, which has hindered its socioeconomic progress. The presence of hard-rocky crystalline rocks is the primary reason for the absence of a sucxitable aquifer on the northwest side of the district. These geological characteristics pose difficulties for agricultural activities. The study area Binpur-II Block of Jhargram District, geographically, is a rolling topography of the Chhotonagpur Plateau and 13,694 ha area covered by forest against a total geographical area of 57,574 ha. The block has a 40% tribal population, and they are dependent on the forest for their livelihood because the lack of sufficient water and bad geological character has a detrimental effect on agriculture, industry, public health, and education, leading to migration and environmental consequences. Due to insufficient agricultural activities and bad socioeconomic conditions, most of the tribal people suffer from food and nutrition insecurity, especially the children, married women, and old age people. Hence, the prime objective of the study is to assess food and nutritional insecurity among the Particular Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of this region. To study the food and nutrition insecurity, we select 206 households and 855 villagers of different age groups through stratified random sampling. To the application of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) measure, the present study shows that among all the tribal communities, 85.92% of tribal households have fallen into the Food Insecure group; among them, 33.98% are households that are mildly food insecure (category II), 24.27% are households that are moderately food insecure (category III), and 27.67% are households that are severely food insecure (category IV). The nutritional status has been analyzed through internationally accepted BMI guidelines (WHO, 1995). A total of 48.19% of villagers have been undernourished whose body mass index (BMI) is below 18.5. The nutrition study shows that 43.48% of males and 49.52% of females are undernourished, and between the ages of 0 and 18 years, male people are more undernourished (24.40%) than female people (31.35%). It has been shown from the sample study that the female working-age group is more undernourished (21.77%) than male working group people (10.07%). The study reveals that tribal children and women are the most malnourished of the entire population, which threatens their ability to contribute to the socio-economic development of these tribes. PubDate: 2024-08-03
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Abstract: Background Several health insurance programmes have been launched in India to improve accessibility to healthcare services and safeguard people against health expenditure catastrophes. Objective We studied the impact of health insurance enrolment towards accessibility, utilization of inpatient care, and safeguarding against financial risk across all states/union territories (UTs) of India. Data and Methodology Data from the most recent round (75th round) of the nationally representative survey on health and morbidity, entitled “Social Consumption: Health,” was employed in the study. The propensity score matching technique was used in the study to examine the accessibility and utilization of inpatient care, and financial risk protection in the context of health insurance across states/UTs of India. Results The accessibility to inpatient care was statistically significantly higher among insured than uninsured in 21/32 states/UTs (p < 0.05). Hospitalization episodes more than once were also statistically significantly higher among insured than uninsured (p < 0.05). However, utilization pattern of inpatient care in terms of incidence of hospitalization with private healthcare providers and longer duration of hospital stay were not impacted much by the health insurance status. Furthermore, health insurance was statistically significantly effective in reducing both out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOPE) and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) (at 10% threshold) for insured in a few states, namely, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana (p < 0.05). On the other hand, in some states with good health insurance enrolment rates, including Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Goa, and Chhattisgarh, health insurance did not significantly reduce the OOPE and CHE incidence among insured in comparison to uninsured (p > 0.05). Policy Implications Concerted efforts, such as increasing health insurance enrolment, raising awareness about the existing schemes and their eligibility criteria, and informing beneficiaries about the procedures to avail benefits, are required. There is also an urgent need to include outpatient services under the purview of health insurance to reduce the financial burden and make health insurance more viable. Furthermore, strengthening public healthcare facilities and regulating private healthcare providers are imperative in augmenting financial risk protection in India. PubDate: 2024-07-12
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Abstract: Abstract This study explored the nexus between informal workers and the social security scheme in Ghana. The explanatory sequential research design was used for this study. A sample of 278 informal workers was drawn for the quantitative perspective, and 13 participants were used for the qualitative phase of the study, using purposive and stratified sampling techniques. Data were gathered with a structured questionnaire for the quantitative phase and an interview guide for the qualitative phase. In terms of ethical consideration, confidentiality, anonymity, freedom to participate and protection from psychological and physical harm were ensured in this study for all participants. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and means were used to analyse the quantitative data, while thematic pattern analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data gathered. The study found that informal workers had a fair knowledge, perception of joining and benefits of joining the social security scheme in Ghana. The informal workers concluded that the existing mode of payment was very challenging to their intention to join the scheme. The study, therefore, recommended that the management of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) embarks on vigorous public education on the need and the importance of the SSNIT pension scheme in the various districts where informal workers are located. Additionally, it was recommended that the management of SSNIT should use the services of mobile vendors or develop a mobile money platform for payment of contributions to the pension scheme by informal workers. PubDate: 2024-07-03
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Abstract: Abstract Cultural, social, and legal factors all have an impact on the delicate and complex issue of school girls’ sexual consent in Kenya. This study investigated the community and environmental factors related to sexual violence against school-aged girls and consent in Kitui South Sub-county, Kenya. Twenty-five in-depth interviews were conducted with key Kitui Sub-County stakeholders. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 from the police, health, education, community, religious leaders, and criminal justice sectors were eligible to participate. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Responses from stakeholders revealed diverse interpretations of consent based on the physical development of girls during puberty and other subjective variables. Being girls of the land, legal versus cultural understanding and girls being responsible for men’s desires were the three major themes associated with this finding. These findings highlight significant obstacles in applying and ensuring perpetrator accountability through the existing legal system and policy frameworks that clearly define consent to protect girls. PubDate: 2024-07-01
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Abstract: Abstract In African countries like Tanzania, mobile financial services (MFS) is one of the empowerment strategies to enhance economic well-being through the provision of necessary tools and resources to enhance entrepreneurship and business development. However, existing studies have paid less attention to MFS agents’ welfare impact, mostly on youth in this sector. Using a survey of 310 youths from four selected Local Government Authorities in Tanzania, this study explores the factors that drive the decision of youths to participate in livelihood-based activities such as MFS and the effect of their participation on their welfare. The findings from the propensity score matching (PSM) modeling technique revealed that socio-economic-based factors (education, marital status, and experience) and institutional-based factors (business ownership status, deployment of risk management initiatives, and perception regarding the cost of running a business) influence youth participation in MFS-based activities and the magnitude of impact in their welfare. The study’s results highlight the influence of both socio-economic and institutional variables on the participation of youths in MFS-based activities. The findings suggest that it would be necessary to promote development programs that are geared towards enhancing the capacities of youth with regard to MFS businesses to enhance their welfare. These include business-related training, awareness, and provision of financial resources via enhancing access to training on savings and credit. PubDate: 2024-06-20
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Abstract: Abstract Embarking on a transformative journey to eradicate child labor, securing a brighter, unburdened future for every child—because every child deserves a childhood, not a workplace. This study aims to address the pervasive issue of child labor, by examining the interplay between socioeconomic factors and spatial patterns, ultimately striving to secure a brighter and unburdened future for children. It examines several factors contributing to child labor in Punjab, Pakistan, using a strong theoretical framework that stresses how important it is for parents to get more education and make their families’ incomes rise. Utilizing data sourced from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted by the Bureau of Statistics Punjab and UNICEF, this study examines child labor across 36 districts of Punjab through the application of logistic regression and multilevel logistic regression models. The results show that rising household income and parental education play an important part in reducing child labor. Factors such as the size of the household, the age of the children, the availability of educational and health institutions, institutional factors, and poverty play a role in influencing child labor. The results of the univariate and bivariate Moran’s I spatial analysis reveal distinct clusters, emphasizing the urgency of implementing targeted interventions in each district based on the identified spatial patterns. This study contributes scientific value by analyzing district-level variations in child labor through multilevel and spatial analysis. Policy recommendations emphasize the implementation of targeted strategies aligned with specific Sustainable Development Goals, including 8.7 and 16.2, aiming to secure a promising future for children through measures targeting household income, educational infrastructure, age-appropriate interventions, law enforcement, and healthcare investment. PubDate: 2024-06-15 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-024-00340-y
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Abstract: Abstract Romantic relationship (RR) is inevitable among adolescents that faced various challenges in the process of physical and psychological development. However, worldwide statistics reported a drop in the marriage and birth rate. This raises a concern and urgent in warrantying a fruitful RR among young adults without affecting academic performance. This study utilizes ICPSR’s National longitudinal study of young adults (aged 18–27) datasets in analysing RR’s covariates and its impacts on education. Three datasets are merged, cleaned, and transformed (N = 2473, currently in relationship = 2218 (89.69%)). SPSS is used to analyse the correlation between RR with various factors (86 demographic variables, 56 RR detail variables, and 30 educational performance variables). Results showed that the pattern of RR is that 96% of young adults (93.18% aged 19–24) experienced 1st romantic relationship with 41.24% scored CGPA 2.0–2.9. 11 demographic variables, 11 romantic details variables, and 45 academic performance variables are significantly related to RR. RR also positively impacts CGPA and reduce the failure rate significantly. This study is important in providing insight in the future research in the construction of predictive modelling of young adults’ RR and academic performance to increase the success of young adults’ marriage while warrantying educational quality to promote a healthy society. PubDate: 2024-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-022-00254-7
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Abstract: Background The Igbos of South-eastern Nigeria purport to place an immeasurable value on the idea of having children and, on that basis, welcome all children that come their way, irrespective of their source. However, their discriminatory attitudes towards children legally adopted by childless couples and interested singles among them in core issues in society negate this claim. Objectives The two-pronged aims of the study are to determine the ontological status of legal adoptees in Igbo society as well as the rationale behind the Igbos continued overt discrimination against statutory adoptees and their onward rejection of statutory adoption, while pretending to openly endorse it. Participants and Setting While the South-eastern Nigeria comprising of five Igbo-speaking states constitutes the setting of the study, the participants include men and women drawn from the five states. Methods An exploratory qualitative approach was used to understand the core reason(s) behind the Igbos hypocritical acceptance of statutory adoption. Data were collected via face-to-face in-depth and key informant interviews. Results Findings revealed that (1) in the Igbo hierarchy of beings, the legal adoptee enjoys the same social status as an osu (slave); and (2) absence of dowry and blood relationship with the statutory adoptees are the core reasons for the lack of their seamless acceptability and integration in Igbo society. Conclusions Given that adoption challenges border on human rights and personhood, more studies are needed to hand mark a better way of making the phenomenon of statutory adoption more acceptable to the Igbos. PubDate: 2024-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-022-00261-8
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Abstract: Abstract Internal displacement was recognized during the late 1980s and became prominent on the international agenda in the 1990s. There are 2421 internally displaced people who were displaced from the Somali Regional State due to the interethnic conflict that occurred between the Oromo and Somali ethnic groups living around the borders in the eastern part of Ethiopia and settled in Adama city and Sabata town. The objective of this paper is to determine the social consequences of conflict-induced internal displacement on internally displaced people and host communities. Data collection methods were quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The quantitative data collection method was survey questionnaires administered to 384 household heads. The qualitative data collection methods were key informant interviews, focus group discussion, and observation. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and linear multiple regression. The consequences of conflict-induced internal displacement on house rent, healthcare service costs, educational fees, student dropout, and student enrollment are analyzed using linear multiple regression. On the other hand, the consequence of conflict-induced internal displacement on social disintegration is analyzed using logistic regression. Internal displacement significantly affects the price of house rent (B = 0.262, p < 0.01), affects healthcare service costs (B = 0.262, p < 0.01), and is significantly related to social disintegration at p < 0.01. Internal displacement and student enrollment significantly affect educational fees (B = 0.233, p < .0.01, and 0.785, p < 0.01, respectively) and internal displacement, student enrollment, and educational fees significantly affected student dropout (B = 0.107, p < 0.01, B = 0.853, p < 0.01, and B = 0.096, p < 0.01, respectively). The findings show that conflict-induced internal displacement severely disrupts the social fabric of communities and makes the task of rebuilding lives and reintegrating more challenging after displacement. The findings also revealed that internally displaced people have no access to social services such as health, education, and potable water, are living in congested and overcrowded camp settings, are affected by discrimination and marginalization from the host community, and are affected by psychological trauma. The social consequences of conflict-induced internal displacement on internally displaced people are homelessness, social disintegration, poor health, loss of education, and psychological trauma. On the other hand, the social consequences of conflict-induced internal displacement on host communities are changing gender roles and age-related responsibilities and expectations complementing changes in the structure and function of social networks, the agency of displaced people, their social empowerment and new forms of leadership, and power structures in the host population. To ameliorate the social consequences of conflict-induced internal displacement, the study recommended increasing internally displaced people’s engagement and representation in community-based organizations and supporting them in better participating in authorities to address internally displaced peoples’ concerns. PubDate: 2024-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-022-00257-4
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Abstract: Background This study proposes that being small for gestational age (SGA) is not only an important indicator for neonatal health but also could be a consequence of gender inequality. Low birth weight (LBW) has been widely used as a measurement for adverse birth outcomes, whereas much less attention has been given to the use of small for gestational age (SGA). Despite the importance and worldwide acknowledgement of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment to improve maternal and infant health, previous studies on SGA have focused on nutritional status, social and medical infrastructures, and socioeconomic status. The impact of structural violence against women on SGA has not been explored sufficiently. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of gender inequality on SGA, using the Gender Inequality Index (GII). Methods A total of 106 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from the most recent three global datasets—Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and World Bank—were assessed. Results Findings from generalized linear model analysis suggest that significant links exist between years of potential life lost (YLL) from SGA and gender inequality, maternal health status, and country level of income. Conclusions Our findings advance the understanding of the role of gender inequality on SGA and reiterate the importance of considering structural violence in maternal and infant health research. These associations can support the message of designing public health and socioeconomic development as well as creating campaigns to promote gender equality in efforts to advance maternal and infant health and to prevent adverse birth outcomes across the globe. PubDate: 2024-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-022-00245-8
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Abstract: Abstract The question of whether communicable or non-communicable diseases have higher economic effects on households is rarely explored from the global to local level despite of their significant contribution in increasing household catastrophic spending and impoverishment. To shed light into this, therefore, this paper comparatively examines the economic effects of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Tanzania by the use of Tanzania Panel Survey data of 2019/2020 which has been used to analyze different parameters to provide needful information. The empirical analysis employed probit, two-stage residual inclusion (2SRI), and control function approachf (CFA) helpful in controlling endogeneity issues. Findings showed that, comparatively, non-communicable diseases have higher economic effects in endangering households into catastrophic spending and impoverishment comparing to communicable diseases. Conclusively, neglecting developing countries to fights against multiplicative effects of these diseases alone will result in killing their economies since most of these countries depend on donors and household as a means of healthcare financing. However, this paper recommends for global initiatives in reducing the burden of disease by funding on palliative care costs and enhancing the availability of affordable health insurance schemes to reduce household economic burden. PubDate: 2024-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-022-00241-y
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Abstract: Abstract While few studies have quantified the extent and examined the determinants of static multidimensional poverty, studies on the extent and determinants of dynamic rural multidimensional poverty are scarce. This study quantified the extent and examined the determinants of vulnerability to rural multidimensional poverty using the Chaudhri (2002) approach and the generalized ordered logit model respectively. Data were gathered from 415 random rural households in 2021 in southern Ethiopia. The study showed that the levels of rural multidimensional poverty and the vulnerability to rural multidimensional poverty are 72.3 and 84% respectively. This suggests that vulnerability is more widespread compared to current poverty. Besides, 66 (15.90%), 220 (53.10%), and 129 (31.08%) households are non-vulnerable ( \(V<0.50\) ), moderately vulnerable, and extremely vulnerable ( \(V\ge 0.56\) ) to future poverty respectively. About 276 (66.51%) and 97(23.37%) households are in chronic, and transitory rural multidimensional poverty. Of 349 vulnerable households, 129 (36.96%) of households are extremely vulnerable to future poverty. Of 173 extremely poor households, 167 (96.53%) households are extremely vulnerable to future deprivation. Female-headed households are more extremely vulnerable compared to male-headed households. Regression results highlighted that land size (β = − 3.07, t = − 4.65, p < 0.001), tropical livestock unit (β = − 0.67, t = − 4.32, p < 0.001), credit (β = -3.93, t = − 3.69, p < 0.001), mobiles per household (β = − 0.58, t = − 4.21, p < 0.001), extension visits (β = − 0.33, t = − 3.81, p < 0.001), death of animals (β = 2.21, t = 3.37, p < 0.001), age of household head (β = − 0.17, t = − 4.84, p < 0.001), being male-headed (β = − 0.88, t = − 2.15, p < 0.01), and crop failure (β = 1.38, t = 3.91, p < 0.001) are significantly affecting vulnerability to rural poverty. Hence, rural poverty reduction strategies need to aim not only to reduce current or ex-post poverty but also to prevent ex-ante or future poverty. The findings underscore the importance of promoting access to rural land, credit, extension services, irrigation, information technology, and education to reduce vulnerability to future deprivation of rural households. PubDate: 2024-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-022-00253-8
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Abstract: Abstract Adolescent girls and young women are at a higher risk for HIV infection stemming from barriers to accessing comprehensive sexual health education, unequal cultural, social, and economic statuses, limited access to education and health care services, and gender-based violence. This makes adolescent girls susceptible to high-risk sexual behaviors. This study examines the protective role of family, social support factors and gender norms against sexual risk-taking behaviors among secondary school adolescent girls in Uganda. Baseline data from the National Institute of Mental Health-funded Suubi4Her study were analyzed. A total of 1260 girls aged 14–17 years and enrolled in the first or second year of secondary school were recruited across 47 secondary schools. Hierarchical linear regression models were conducted to determine the role of family, social support factors and gender norms on sexual risk-taking behaviors. Results indicate that traditional gender norms, family care and relationships, and social support were all associated with lower levels of sexual risk-taking intentions—a proxy for engaging in sexual risk behaviors. Findings point to the need to develop family level support interventions to equip adolescent girls with adequate sexual health-related knowledge and skills to facilitate safer sexual practices and reduce high-risk sexual-taking behaviors, as they develop and transition into young adulthood. PubDate: 2024-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-022-00237-8
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Abstract: Abstract Communities play an important role in ensuring the well-being of children since child maltreatment often occurs at the micro level of society. Hence, there are several interventions organised using community child-protection models. However, there is a dearth of information on how leaders in the communities respond to child maltreatment. This paper, therefore, explored the narratives of social workers on the type of community leaders and how they respond to child maltreatment. This is to provide empirical evidence for community programme design and engagement for child protection practitioners to ensure the best outcomes for children. The study presents narratives from in-depth interviews with 15 social workers in the Ashanti region of Ghana on how community leaders respond to child maltreatment. The findings indicate that different types of community leaders are involved in ensuring punitive actions are taken against perpetrators but the actions are focused on internal resolutions and victim compensation rather than legal redress. These have implications for social workers, as families who value monetary redress are less likely to inform the state of any child maltreatment. Therefore, social workers have to intensify community engagement and education by highlighting the consequences of less punitive actions against perpetrators of child maltreatment. It is also recommended that children must be empowered to disclose child maltreatment concerns regardless of their relationship with the perpetrator. PubDate: 2024-04-06 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-024-00337-7
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Abstract: Background Cognitive health declines with age and is directly linked to biological changes as people age. However, socioeconomic factors play an essential role in the level and change of cognitive health and the onset of depression in older adults. This study attempts to assess the association between social deprivation, cognitive health, and depression among older persons in India. Data and Methods The Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) Wave One, collected in India between 2017 and 2018, was used for this study. Several measures, including education, wealth quintile, working status, and living arrangements, were included in the Social Deprivation Index (SDI), constructed using hedonic weights. The hedonic weights were calculated using the standardized coefficients from the ordered probit regression by taking self-rated life satisfaction as the dependent variable. The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regressions established the association between poor cognitive health, depressive symptoms and SDI.. Results The descriptive findings reveal that 31.7% of people with high social deprivation have poor cognitive health compared to only 8.1% of people with lower social deprivation. Furthermore, 60.5% of people with higher social deprivation have depressive symptoms compared to 25.8% of people with lower social deprivation. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) using multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that individuals with high social deprivation are 2.31 times likelier to be in poor cognitive health and 3.58 times more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to individuals with low social deprivation after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Conclusion The findings suggest that high social deprivation is associated with depression and cognitive health decline. Policymakers and planners should devise policies for elderly people to reduce social isolation and include leisure activities in their daily lives. Free health insurance and specialist care for the elderly can relieve the stress of paying for their healthcare at older ages and improve their mental and cognitive health. PubDate: 2024-03-20 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-024-00336-8
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