Rainier Masa

Transforming wealth: Using the inverse hyperbolic sine (IHS) and splines to predict youth’s math achievement

The natural log and categorical transformations commonly applied to wealth for meeting the statistical assumptions of research may not always be appropriate for adjusting for skewness given wealths unique properties. Finding and applying appropriate transformations is becoming increasingly important as researchers consider wealth as a predictor of well-being. We present an alternative transformation-the inverse hyperbolic sine (IHS)-for simultaneously dealing with skewness and accounting for wealths unique properties. Using the relationship between household wealth and youths math achievement as an example, we apply the IHS transformation to wealth data from US and Ghanaian households. We also explore non-linearity and accumulation thresholds by combining IHS transformed wealth with splines. IHS transformed wealth relates to youths math achievement similarly when compared to categorical and natural log transformations, indicating that it is a viable alternative to other transformations commonly used in research. Non-linear relationships and accumulation thresholds emerge that predict youths math achievement when splines are incorporated. In US households, accumulating debt relates to decreases in math achievement whereas accumulating assets relates to increases in math achievement. In Ghanaian households, accumulating assets between the 25th and 50th percentiles relates to increases in youths math achievement.

Conducting Measurement Invariance Tests with Ordinal Data: A Guide for Social Work Researchers

Objective: The validity of measures across groups is a major concern for social work researchers and practitioners. Many social workers use scales, or sets of questionnaire items, with ordinal response options. However, a review of social work literature indicates the appropriate treatment of ordinal data in measurement invariance tests is rare; only 3 of 57 articles published in 26 social work journals over the past 12 years used proper testing procedures. This article synthesizes information from the literature and provides recommendations for appropriate measurement invariance procedures with ordinal data. Method: We use data from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey to demonstrate applications of invariance testing with ordinal data. Using a robust weighted least squares estimator and polychoric correlation matrix, we examine invariance of a 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) across 2 young adult groups defined by health status. We describe 2 competing approaches: a 4-step approach, in which factor loadings and thresholds are tested and constrained separately; and a 3-step approach, in which loadings and thresholds are tested and constrained in tandem. Results: Both approaches lead to the same conclusion that the 2 dimensions of the PSS are noninvariant across health status. In the absence of invariance, mean scores on the PSS factors cannot be validly compared across groups, nor should latent variables be used in the hypothesis testing across the 2 groups. Readers are directed to online resources. Conclusions: Careful examination of social work scales is likely to reveal fit or noninvariance problems across some groups. Use of appropriate methods for invariance testing will reduce misuse of measures in practice and improve the rigor and quality of social work publications.

Wealth Effects of an Asset-Building Intervention Among Rural Households in Sub-Saharan Africa

Asset development is a key strategy to promote economic and social development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research has found associations between asset ownership and household well-being. However, to date there has been little rigorous research on impacts of asset-building interventions for families in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data were obtained from AssetsAfrica, a demonstration and research initiative designed to test asset-building innovations in Masindi, Uganda. The study sample consists of 393 individuals assigned to the intervention group (n = 203) or the comparison group (n =190). The intervention is a structured, matched-savings account offered to the intervention group for a 3-year period. In addition, the program participants were offered financial education and asset-management training. Participants who successfully reach their savings goals receive matched funds at a 1:1 ratio. Propensity score optimal matching and matching estimators are used to investigate the impact of the intervention on financial and productive assets. Results indicate a positive effect of the intervention on family financial assets; that is, individuals who receive the asset-building intervention have almost

Asset Ownership and Future Orientation of Youth and Their Parents: Evidence From Ghana

39 more in financial assets than those in the comparison group. Further, the matching estimators indicate a statistically significant larger treatment effect on the treated group. However, the impact of the intervention on ownership of productive assets is less conclusive. Overall, results of this study show that asset-building interventions have potential utility as a policy solution for improving the economic well-being of poor households in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Chuma na Uchizi: A Livelihood Intervention to Increase Food Security of People Living with HIV in Rural Zambia

Although future orientation influences a variety of desirable behaviors, few studies have examined the relationship between economic resources and future orientation. In this study, we investigated whether and how asset ownership influences future orientation. We analyzed survey data collected from 3,007 Ghanaian youth and their parents. We used factor analysis to determine the psychometric qualities of our instruments, and propensity score analysis to examine the relationship between asset ownership and future orientation. Results suggest that asset ownership influences future orientation of youth and their parents. However, the direction of the relationship depends on the type of asset. Ownership of household possessions, including televisions contributes to higher levels of future orientation, but livestock ownership has a negative effect on future orientation. We discuss implications for future research, as well as programs for youth and their families.

Prevalence and Predictors of Food Insecurity among People Living with HIV Enrolled in Antiretroviral Therapy and Livelihood Programs in Two Rural Zambian Hospitals

Abstract:The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Chuma na Uchizi, a livelihood intervention for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in rural Eastern Province, Zambia, on food security. The intervention included cash transfers to purchase income-generating assets, access to a savings account, and life-skills training. The study employed a non-equivalent groups design to compare intervention (n = 50) and control participants (n = 51) who were receiving outpatient care from two comparable health facilities in distinct constituencies in the same geographic area. We collected data before and after implementation of the intervention. Chuma na Uchizi improved access to food. At follow-up, the intervention group reported lower food insecurity scores compared with the control group (β = –5.65; 95% CI – 10.85 ––0.45). Livelihood programs for PLHIV are practical and may be a promising approach to address food insecurity and its adverse effects.

Household food insecurity and future orientation of Ghanaian youth and their parents

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in two rural communities in Zambia. A cross-sectional sample of 101 PLHIV was surveyed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. In multivariable linear regression models, income, household possessions, and perceived coping strategies were significantly associated with decreased food insecurity. Debt and perceived mental distress were significantly associated with increased food insecurity. Programs that tackle economic disadvantage and its adverse effect on stress may be an appropriate strategy to improve food security of PLHIV in low-resource communities.

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

ABSTRACT Food insecurity heightens risk for poor mental health and psychosocial functioning. Higher levels of future orientation influence numerous desirable behaviors. However, limited evidence exists on the association between food insecurity and future orientation, particularly in low-resource settings. The objective of this study was to examine the association between food insecurity and future orientation of Ghanaian youth and their parents. The study included a cross-sectional sample of 2656 youth and 2656 parents from 8 of Ghana’s 10 regions. Food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Future orientation in the Ghanaian context was measured using three distinct factors adapted from the School Success Profile and the Consideration of Future Consequences scale. We analyzed our data using hierarchical linear modeling, with a three-level linear random-intercept model with covariates. Results suggest an inverse relationship between food insecurity and future orientation of youth and their parents. Food insecurity was consistently and significantly associated with lower orientation toward success (β = −0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.22, −0.14) and higher uncertainty of the future (β = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.28) among youth, as well as lower consideration of future consequences (β = −0.15, 95% CI = −0.23, −0.06) among parents. Additionally, severe food insecurity was associated with the lowest future orientation scores for youth and their parents. Our findings indicate that, under conditions of food insecurity, youth and their parents lose sight of the future, which may come at a great cost. Encouraging individuals to engage in thinking about the future or to create future images of their selves may not be meaningful if their basic needs, including access to food, are not met. Programs that provide opportunities to generate income and accumulate assets may have a twofold effect of increasing access to food and improving future orientation.

Food insecurity, sexual risk taking, and sexual victimization in Ghanaian adolescents and young South African adults

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.

Food security among people living with HIV: a review of programs and evidence in resource-limited settings

AbstractObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to examine whether food insecurity is associated with sexual risk taking and victimization in young people (aged 16–24); and to investigate whether the relationship of food insecurity with sexual risk taking and victimization is moderated by gender. MethodsCross-sectional data were obtained in 2014 from a sample of Ghanaian adolescents (n = 773) and in 2015 from young South African adults (n = 823). We used multilevel logistic regression given the study’s binary outcome and clustered data. We tested a moderation effect of gender by including an interaction between gender and food insecurity. ResultsFood insecurity was highly prevalent (72% in Ghana and 83% in South Africa). Food insecurity was significantly associated with unwanted sexual contact among Ghanaian adolescents (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02, 1.08) and age-disparate sex among young South African adults (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00, 1.06). Results indicated no moderating effect of gender.ConclusionsOur findings underscore the importance of food access on young people’s sexual health, regardless of gender. Prevention efforts may be more relevant when integrated with food security interventions that target vulnerable adolescents and young adults, irrespective of gender.