Nepal Country Assessment for Youth Development Accounts

Nepal Country Assessment for Youth Development Account

Colombia Country Assessment for Youth Development Accounts

Colombia Country Assessment for Youth Development Account

Philippines Country Assessment for Youth Development Accounts

Philippines Country Assessment for Youth Development Account

Peru Country Assessment for Youth Development Accounts

Peru Country Assessment for Youth Development Account

Innovations in Youth Saving and Asset Building Around the World

Innovations in Youth Saving and Asset Building Around the Worl

Philippines Country Assessment for Youth Development Accounts

Philippines Country Assessment for Youth Development Account

Invariance of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale Across Different Groups of Adolescents and Young Adults

Background: Cross-group comparisons of household food insecurity and its associations using multiple-item scales assume that scale scores can be interpreted as identical across groups. However, scores should not be interpreted as identical across groups without evidence of measurement invariance. Noninvariant measures indicate that the underlying construct may be different across groups. Objective: To determine whether the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) is invariant across different groups of Ghanaian and South African youth aged 15 to 24. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional quantitative data from 1437 and 4165 young South Africans and Ghanaians, respectively. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine whether the HFIAS was invariant across different groups of youth, including sex (male or female), age group (middle adolescence, late adolescence, or emerging adulthood), and receipt of child support grant (yes or no). We assessed 3 levels of invariance: configural, metric, and scalar. The model fit between nested models was compared using χ2 difference testing. Results: Invariance tests indicated that the HFIAS had configural, metric, and scalar invariance across different groups of Ghanaian and South African youth. Model fit statistics across all invariance levels indicated good fit of our hypothesized model with the observed data. χ2 difference testing results were not statistically significant across all nested models. Conclusions: Food insecurity, as measured by the HFIAS, meant the same thing for different groups of Ghanaian and South African youth. Evidence of invariance means that the HFIAS scores could be interpreted as identical across youth groups in our study

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

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

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