The Next Frontier for Social Development: Deepening Our Understanding, Discovering New Solutions, and Forging Ahead

The field of social development is a relative newcomer to the social welfare arena, emerging out of widespread interest sparked by a series of UN-led meetings during the 1990s that eventually led to the eight Millennium Development Goals. Those concerned with social welfare often bandy about the term social development, confident that everyone has a uniform understanding of the meaning. However, similar to other terms in social welfare such as social justice, and even social welfare, varying and nuanced definitions exist. As a result, discussions can be clouded because of differing interpretations and understandings. Midgley (1995) decisively advanced the field by providing perhaps the first comprehensive yet concise definition of social development: BA process of planned social change designed to promote the well-being of the population as a whole in conjunction with a dynamic process of economic development^ (p. 25). Using Midgley’s foundation, many scholars have proposed models of social development that most often envision the process as ascending stages like the rungs of a ladder (Homfeldt and Reutlinger 2008). However, the process is rarely that simple or linear, and typically requires a multifaceted approach with the capacity to operate simultaneously on several fronts. Thus, the definition of social development has evolved, with the UN defining social development as referring to the promotion of individual well-being that involves the use of a social perspective to consider issues of human activity (UN report 2002). Further, Midgley (2014) has elaborated on his definition by explaining that for social development to occur, economic and social progress must reach harmony in the following three areas: the creation of institutionalized, conjoint formal social and economic policies; economic investments that create opportunities for employment or self-employment; and policies and programs that generate and sustain human capital, including investments in education, housing, and services for maternal and child welfare

Youth Saving Preferences in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential for Asset Accumulation

As youth transition to adulthood, their ability to save and accumulate assets becomes very important as they begin to accept financial responsibilities and plan for the future. This paper uses data from Masindi, a rural area in Uganda, to (a) investigate the savings preferences of youth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), (b) examine the relationship between an asset-building intervention for youth and higher savings, and (c) determine whether gender and marital status interact in their effect on young people’s savings in SSA. Univariate statistics, independent sample t-test and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) are used to address the study’s three goals. Results reveal that most youth in SSA prefer informal saving to formal saving mechanisms. In addition, a culturally tailored asset-building intervention is associated with higher savings in SSA. Finally, the study finds that gender and marital status do not interact to affect young people’s total savings. It is suggested that formal financial institutions should be encouraged to provide equal savings incentives and opportunities for both young males and females in rural communities

Correlates of animal source food consumption and its association with psychosocial functioning of adults in rural Western Uganda

The objective of this study was to examine the correlates of animal source food consumption and its association with psychosocial functioning of adults living in a rural district in Western Uganda. A cross-sectional sample of 326 rural adults living in 12 villages in Masindi District was surveyed using a questionnaire that included items on various animal source foods (ASF), psychosocial functioning, and social and economic characteristics. We calculated ASF scores using three methods suggested in the literature, including the World Food Programme’s calculation of a food consumption score. We defined psychosocial functioning as ability to complete activities of daily living or to engage in future-oriented behaviors. Multivariable results indicated that being satisfied with current household financial status, living in better dwelling conditions, ownership of livestock, and higher levels of social support were significantly associated with higher ASF scores. Household size and age were negatively associated with ASF scores. ASF consumption was positively and significantly associated with psychosocial functioning, including orientation toward success, expectations for future economic conditions, and self-perceived health. Study findings expand evidence on correlates of ASF consumption and its association with psychosocial functioning. Findings may underscore both opportunities and challenges associated with ASF consumption. Alongside hunger and undernutrition associated with low ASF consumption, the country’s increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity associated with high ASF consumption may require an integrated approach for tackling the double burden of malnutrition

The Association of Material Hardship with Medication Adherence and Perceived Stress Among People Living with HIV in Rural Zambia

The intersection of poverty and HIV/AIDS has exacerbated socioeconomic inequalities in Zambia. For example, the downstream consequences of HIV/AIDS are likely to be severe among the poor. Current research has relied on multidimensional indicators of poverty, which encompass various forms of deprivation, including material. Although comprehensive measures help us understand what constitutes poverty and deprivation, their complexity and scope may hinder the development of appropriate and feasible interventions. These limitations prompted us to examine whether material hardship, a more practicable, modifiable aspect of poverty, is associated with medication adherence and perceived stress among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Zambia. We used cross-sectional data from 101 PLHIV in Lundazi District, Eastern Province. Data were collected using a questionnaire and hospital records. Material hardship was measured using a five-item scale. Perceived stress was measured using the ten-item perceived stress scale. Adherence was a binary variable measured using a visual analog scale and medication possession ratio (MPR) obtained from pharmacy data. We analyzed the data with multivariable linear and logistic regressions using multiply imputed datasets. Results indicated that greater material hardship was significantly associated with MPR non-adherence (odds ratio = 0.83) and higher levels of perceived mental distress (β = 0.34). Our findings provide one of the first evidence on the association of material hardship with treatment and mental health outcomes among PLHIV. The findings also draw attention to the importance of economic opportunities for PLHIV and their implications for reducing material hardship and improving adherence and mental health status

Household food insecurity and educational outcomes in school-going adolescents in Ghana

OBJECTIVES: We examined the association of household food insecurity with educational outcomes and explored the moderating effect of gender and school lunch programme. DESIGN: The study used a cross-sectional design. Data were collected in 2014 using interviewer-administered questionnaires and school administrative records. We measured household food insecurity using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Educational outcomes referred to knowledge, attitudes and skills that students are expected to obtain while attending school. We obtained sixteen different measures of educational outcomes, ranging from academic grades to beliefs and attitudes towards school and education. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling with covariates at the student and school levels. We conducted moderation tests by adding a two-way interaction between food insecurity and gender, and between food insecurity and school lunch programme. SETTING: The study was conducted in 100 schools located in fifty-four districts within Ghana's eight administrative regions in 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 2201 school-going adolescents aged 15-19 years. RESULTS: More than 60 % of adolescents were from food-insecure households. Household food insecurity was negatively associated with Math grade and school attendance. Food insecurity was also inversely associated with socio-emotional outcomes, including academic self-efficacy, commitment to school and academic aspirations and expectations. We did not find a moderating effect of gender and school lunch programme. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity is negatively associated with wide-ranging educational outcomes related to both learning and socio-emotional abilities. Our study supports prior evidence suggesting the importance of food access on both cognitive and non-cognitive educational outcomes

A Multilevel Conceptual Framework to Understand the Role of Food Insecurity on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Low-Resource Settings: From Theory to Practice

The objective of this study was to describe a multilevel conceptual framework to understand the role of food insecurity on antiretroviral therapy adherence. The authors illustrated an example of how they used the multilevel framework to develop an intervention for poor people living with HIV in a rural and low-resource community. The framework incorporates intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural-level theories of understanding and changing health behaviors. The framework recognizes the role of personal, social, and environmental factors on cognition and behavior, with particular attention to ways in which treatment adherence is enabled or prevented by structural conditions, such as food insecurity

Increasing Parent Educational Expectations for Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Potential Role of Assets

It is commonly held in the education literature that parent expectations are an important factor in predicting children’s achievement in school. However, little research has been conducted on educational expectations of parents living in developing countries. In this study of Ugandans we examine whether parents save more when they are given access to Asset Development Accounts (ADAs) and financial training than parents receiving financial training but no ADAs, and/or parents with no ADA or financial training. We find that Ugandan parents who receive both an ADA and financial training experience an increase in mean wealth of US$77.4 over a two year period, parents who receive training only experience an increase of US$71.41, and parents who do not receive an ADA or training experience a decrease of US$73.49. Moreover, we find that as mean wealth increases parents generally have higher expectations for their child’s education

Asset Ownership and Academic Achievement Among Youth in Ghana: Examining Associations Based on Asset Type and Academic Subject

This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between asset type and academic achievement among Ghanaian junior high school students. Results suggest that the positive relationship between asset ownership and academic achievement depends on the type of asset and academic subject. Homeownership was positively and significantly associated with math achievement. Ownership of transport-related assets was positively and significantly associated with English achievement. Findings have implications for asset-building programs to promote academic proficiency and progress for all youth

An Evaluation of a School-Based Savings Program and Its Effect on Sexual Risk Behaviors and Victimization Among Young Ghanaians

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a financial inclusion project on youth’s sexual risk behaviors and victimization. The project occurred in Ghana, where 100 schools were assigned to either a school-based savings program (SBSP), a marketing campaign, or a control group. Pretest and posttest data were collected in 2011 and 2014, respectively. Given our study objective, we restricted our sample to sexually experienced youth ( n = 957). Using doubly robust methods to estimate treatment effects, the overall financial inclusion project was not associated with positive changes in sexual risk behaviors and victimization. In contrast, SBSP was significantly associated with higher likelihood of condom use and lower probability of sexual victimization. SBSP may be another promising tool that may help young people accumulate material and nonmaterial resources to reduce sexual risk taking and victimization

Socioeconomic correlates of dietary diversity and its association with adherence and psychosocial functioning of people living with HIV in rural Zambia

BACKGROUND: The intersection of nutrition and HIV underscores the importance of adequate food and a diverse diet. In communities with high prevalence of food insecurity and HIV, there is a substantial co-occurrence of low dietary diversity, undernutrition, and adverse health outcomes. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify correlates of individual dietary diversity (IDD) and its association with health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in rural Zambia. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design using data from 101 PLHIV. We calculated IDD using a composite score based on dietary diversity, food frequency, and the relative nutritional importance of different food groups. Adherence was measured using the visual analog scale. Psychosocial functioning was measured using the Structural Barriers to Medication-taking Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analyzed using linear and logistic regressions. Multiple imputation was conducted to address missing data. RESULTS: Staples were the most commonly consumed food group. Income and household size were negatively associated with IDD scores. Assets were positively associated with IDD scores. Residing in Lundazi and having a poor or fair self-rated health were associated with lower IDD scores. IDD was also associated, albeit not significant, with desirable health outcomes, including adherence and lower levels of perceived barriers to pill taking and stress. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a heterogeneous effect of socioeconomic variables on IDD. Understanding this heterogeneity is important for the design of interventions. Interventions that combine opportunities to generate economic resources with food and nutrition coaching may be appropriate and effective