Community Capital and Local Economic Development Efforts

Actions by local groups and leaders constitute an essential but poorly understood element of many rural economic development efforts. Previous studies suggest that local development efforts can influence community changes, but questions remain about why localities differ in economic development efforts. Drawing upon community capital framework and human ecological theory, the purpose of this research was to examine the effects of community capital on economic development efforts in rural communities. Hierarchical regression results indicate that social capital, cultural capital, built capital significantly predict economic development effort to develop recreation and tourism and human services. Despite that, only built capital and natural capital predict effort to develop local business and industry – a keystone of rural development. Hypothesis that community capitals would predict economic development efforts than would be predicted by ecological variables alone was borne out

Household Food Insecurity and Depression among Single Mothers in Rural Alabama

Although we live in a wealthy nation, food insecurity, whereby individuals and families have limited or uncertain access to food due to lack of financial resources, continues to affect millions of American families. The objective of this study was twofold: to determine the prevalence of food insecurity among single mothers in rural Alabama; and to determine the extent to which food insecurity is associated with depression. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 300 single mothers living in five rural counties in Alabama using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module and Center for Epidemiologic Study of Depression (CES-D) scale. About 36% of the 300 households were classified as food insecure. In bivariate analyses, household food insecurity was significantly associated with depression. After controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables in multivariate analyses, household food insecurity was still positively associated with depression

Factors Associated with Belief in Conspiracies about HIV/AIDS among HIV-Positive African-American Patients

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine factors associated with belief in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS among HIV-Positive African American patients. Survey data were collected from 256 African American patients living with HIV/AIDS attending two HIV clinics in Montgomery and Dothan, Alabama. The study used multiple regression analysis to examine how sociodemographic factors contribute to belief in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS. Education and age were significantly related to belief in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS among men and women. Beliefs in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS may be a barrier to HIV prevention among African Americans. Public health officials should work toward obtaining the trust of African Americans by addressing the existing discrimination within the health care system and acknowledging the existence of HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs. Conspiracies about HIV/AIDS may be a manifestation to African Americans’ mistrust of the U.S. government and the health system. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, African Americans, Conspiracy Belief

Food Insecurity and Psychological Well-Being Among Women Living with HIV/AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy in the Alabama Black Belt

The objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and determine if food insecurity is associated with psychological well-being among women living with HIV/AIDS. Survey data were collected from 268 women living with HIV/AIDS attending two clinics that provide medical and social support services to HIV-positive patients who live in 23 counties in Southeast Alabama. The results indicated that, using USDA food security scale, 54% of the women were food insecure. Multiple regression analysis results indicated that income, depressive symptoms, race, and participation in SNAP were significant predictors of food insecurity; employment and education were not statistically significant predictors. The overall model was significant at the 5% level reflecting the validity of the model. Based on these results, programs that address food insecurity should be a critical component of HIV/AIDS treatment in the Alabama Black Belt

Assessing Marketing Alternatives for Small Farmers in Selected Alabama Black Belt Counties

Abstract Market access is an important factor for the success of small farmers. In Alabama rural counties, farmers are in search of alternative market outlets to broaden their sales and make a profit. The purpose of this research was to assess marketing alternatives for small farmers in selected Alabama Black Belt Counties because local markets are essential to the economy and the overall well-being of local communities. Ethnographic field research was used to collect data by interviewing participants in selected rural counties, as well as from the Alabama Farmers Market Authority and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The findings indicate that farmers markets were the most popular of the direct markets in these rural counties. Participants believed that produce at farmers markets was fresh and of high quality. Government programs and resources should be used to promote direct markets, especially farmers markets, in rural minority communities in the South. Keywords: Marketing Alternatives, Direct Marketing, Small Farmers, Alabama Black Bel

Community Capital and Local Economic Development Efforts

Actions by local groups and leaders constitute an essential but poorly understood element of many rural economic development efforts. Previous studies suggest that local development efforts can influence community changes, but questions remain about why localities differ in economic development efforts. Drawing upon community capital framework and human ecological theory, the purpose of this research was to examine the effects of community capital on economic development efforts in rural communities. Hierarchical regression results indicate that social capital, cultural capital, built capital significantly predict economic development effort to develop recreation and tourism and human services. Despite that, only built capital and natural capital predict effort to develop local business and industry – a keystone of rural development. Hypothesis that community capitals would predict economic development efforts than would be predicted by ecological variables alone was borne out

Toward Effective Rural Community Development in Black Belt Counties: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

The objectives of this paper are to (1) specify what “rural”, “community”, and “development” mean, and (2) what should be the essential steps to be taken to achieve an effective rural community development. Rural is a territorial concept, and it means an extent of dispersion of people in a local ecology. Community is a natural disposition among people who interact with one another on different matters that compromise a common life. Development is an organized intentional effort of local people to work together towards a shared goal. Community development is building the capacity of community residents to act effectively and collectively to solve their common problems and pursue their common interest. Three essential steps, local level efforts, federal and state government level efforts, and science and education level efforts, to achieve rural community development are posited and explained as solutions to rural community development in the Black Belt

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BELIEF IN CONSPIRACIES ABOUT HIV/AIDS AMONG HIV-POSITIVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN PATIENTS

The purpose of this study is to examine factors associated with belief in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS among HIV-Positive African American patients. Survey data were collected from 256 African American patients living with HIV/AIDS attending two HIV clinics in Montgomery and Dothan, Alabama. The study used multiple regression analysis to examine how sociodemographic factors contribute to belief in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS. Education and age were significantly related to belief in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS among men and women. Beliefs in conspiracies about HIV/AIDS may be a barrier to HIV prevention among African Americans. Public health officials should work toward obtaining the trust of African Americans by addressing the existing discrimination within the health care system and acknowledging the existence of HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs. Conspiracies about HIV/AIDS may be a manifestation to African Americans’ mistrust of the U.S. government and the health system

FOOD INSECURITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS ON ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY IN THE ALABAMA BLACK BELT

The objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and determine if food insecurity is associated with psychological well-being among women living with HIV/AIDS. Survey data were collected from 268 women living with HIV/AIDS attending two clinics that provide medical and social support services to HIV-positive patients who live in 23 counties in Southeast Alabama. The results indicated that, using USDA food security scale, 54% of the women were food insecure. Multiple regression analysis results indicated that income, depressive symptoms, race, and participation in SNAP were significant predictors of food insecurity; employment and education were not statistically significant predictors. The overall model was significant at the 5% level reflecting the validity of the model. Based on these results, programs that address food insecurity should be a critical component of HIV/AIDS treatment in the Alabama Black Belt