Research Articles

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Browsing Research Articles by Author "Aliga, Alex"

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    How do the poor cope with health shocks? Experiences from a cross-sectional study in Uganda
    (Australasian Medical Journal, 2023) Aliga, Alex; Matovu, Fred; Wasswa, Francis
    This study sought to identify determinants in choosing from different coping strategies in cases of illness, injury and death shocks and how these strategies vary across socioeconomic groups in Uganda. Data from a cross sectional survey covering a total of 1496 households collected by researchers from Makerere University in 2012 was used. Four coping strategies, besides social and non-social protection strategies were explored. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression techniques were used in the analysis of health shocks and determinants of choices of coping strategies. Marginal effects were computed for the multinomial regression coefficients. Illness (83.9 per cent) was the most common health shock reported followed by death of a household member (25.8 per cent) and injury (15.8 per cent). Borrowing and external assistance were the most commonly used strategies to cope with illness shocks and reliance on own savings or assets was minimally used. Non-social protection initiatives2 were used most to respond to illness shocks compared to formal social protection initiatives3. Regression results shows that the poorest households were 0.28 times more likely to seek external assistance to deal with shocks than the wealthier households. This suggests lack of capacity to cope and dependence on unreliable strategies exacerbate impoverishment. Governments needs to promote comprehensive coping strategies such as universal health insurance, targeted social protection initiatives and develop inclusive and innovative poverty reduction strategies that enhance the capability of households to cope with effects of health shocks.
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    Smart investment in global childcare requires local solutions and a coordinated research agenda
    (BMJ Glob Health, 2023-07-19) Aliga, Alex; Delbiso, Tefera Darge; Kitsao-Wekulo, Patricia; Lambon-Quayefio, Monica; Moussié, Rachel; Peterman, Amber; Tilahun, Natan
    The COVID-19 pandemic has re-emphasised the critical role of accessible, affordable and quality childcare to reduce and redistribute the gender unequal distribution of unpaid care work as an investment towards the well-being of children, women, families and society. Smart investment in childcare and care systems in Africa requires context-specific and culturally appropriate local solutions driven by national stakeholders—including commitment by national governments to resource and build systems of public provision. These investments must be guided and matched by nationally led evidence generation to fill research gaps and contribute to a coordinated agenda on childcare. We propose four themes to build the foundation of a regional research agenda: (1) understanding the landscape of childcare coverage and demand; (2) unpacking ‘what works’ for whom over time; (3) building knowledge on implementation of scalable and locally adapted solutions and (4) answering macro-questions on policy, financing, systems and sustainability. Coordinated national-led investment in childcare is needed in the Africa region and beyond—however, this alone is not a silver bullet and must be part of a larger effort to address structural barriers and catalyse systematic change across sectors to promote women’s social and economic empowerment.