Self-Help Groups as a Platform to Improve Nutritional Status INSIGHTS FROM VILLAGE AUREPALLE RACHEL GANSON
Personal Background Chicago, Illinois, USA 12 th Standard 212 World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan International Intern Interest in: Social/gender studies Health studies Southeast Asia & Africa 8-week study Selected by ICRISAT Mentor: Dr. Bantilan Nutrition & Gender Development
Literature Review Village and Household Economies in India s Semi-Arid Tropics by TS Walker and JG Ryan General introduction to ICRISAT & Village Level Studies (VLS) Prompted interest in female income and household nutritional status Enable Educational Achievement Improved Nutrition Maintain Productivity Ensure Mobility Sustain Income- Earning Opportunities Reduced Child Mortality Increased Life Expectancy Increased Uptake of Family Planning Decreased Fertility Decreased Population Growth
Literature Review (cont d) The Contribution of ICRISAT s Mandate Crops to Household Food Security by Kim Chung In-Depth review of nutrition Vitamins & Minerals provided by crops Aurepalle s preference for rice Quantity v. Quality of dietary protein Empowerment Through Social Capital Build-Up: Gender Dimensions in Technology Uptake by MCS Bantilan and R Padmaja Female Social Networking More informal groups Emphasize common interest Bridge caste, class, etc. Introduced information leading to this study s hypotheses and objectives Gender and Social Capital Mediated Technology Adoption by R Padmaja, MCS Bantilan, D Parthasarathy, and BVJ Gandhi Collective action yields successful adoption Females who increase income have more voice on topics such as: SHG Participation Education Consumption Other resources
Hypotheses Female participation in SHGs will enhance the nutrition status of the household. Involvement in SHGs will increase the consumption frequency of healthy, nutritious foods in the household diets. Anthropometric measurements taken for all households will show an increase in normal ranges of nutritional status among SHG households. Participation in SHGs provides more access to information on nutrition.
Objectives Does participation in SHGs improve the nutritional status of the household? In SHG households, are more nutritious foods consumed more consistently when compared to non-shg households? Does anthropometric data quantitatively show an increase in nutritional status for SHG households as opposed to non-shg households? Do SHGs provided information to members on accessible resources that can improve nutritional status?
Study Outline Review of Literature Formulation of Objectives & Hypotheses Development of Questionnaire & Focus Group Discussion Guide Data Collection Aurepalle Village Individual Interviews 8 SGH 6 Non-SHG Focus Group Discussions SHG Non-SHG Aurepalle VLS Data Analysis of Data & In-House Discussions Presentation Final Report
Methodology Aurepalle Village Original VLS Village Highest SHG Participation 62 SHGs 12-15 Members/Group Field Research Preference to farm size Focus Group Discussions 2 FGD SHG=24 Participants Non-SHG=18 Participants Discussion Guide Individual Interviews 14 Women Interviewed 8 SHG Members 6 Non-SHG Members Extensive survey questions VLS Data Analysis BMI Calculated (World Health Organization) Comparison of SHG and Non- SHG Comparison to National Indian Standards Limitations Time Availability of Interviewees Language Barrier Participation Rate
Self-Help Groups and Aurepalle Village A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THEIR ROLE IN VILLAGE SOCIETY
Aurepalle Field Visit (Above) SHG Focus Group (Right) Son of SHG member before school (Above) Meeting for an interview in the field
Rise of Self-Help Group Micro-financial institution 12-15 members Small monthly contribution to group savings Receive bank loans Low interest rates Information disseminators Government official->shg Member NGO->SHG Member SHG Member->SHG Member Tool for Empowerment Purchasing Power Money Management Skills Public Speaking Skills
Empowerment of Women Socially Bridge caste and class Often emphasis on kin relationship Community of common interest Intellectually Information shared Public speaking skills improved Have discussions with men 2 representatives from Federation of SHGs attend village meetings (monthly) Purchasing power increased Decision-making power expanded Claim to make decisions within respective group Still ask husbands advice All have joint decision-making power Child education increasingly important Scholarships Private schools
Reason for Joining an SHG % of Respondents 12 1 8 6 4 2 1 62.5 5 12.5 25 25 12.5 25 Reason Given
35 Reasons for Not Joining an SHG 33.3 33.3 3 % of Respondents 25 2 15 1 16.7 16.7 5 Too Poor Husband Doesn't Approve Not Been Asked Too Busy Reason
6 Encouragers of SHGs 5 5 % of Respondents 4 3 2 1 37.5 12.5 12.5 Group Leader Neighbors District Velugu SHG officers Encourager Relatives
Nutrition HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AS A BASIS FOR COMPARING SHG AND NON-SHG NUTRITIONAL STATUS
Changes in Food Habits Food Items Consumed 3 Years Ago % of Respondents 5 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 21.4 42.9 42.9 42.9 42.9 SHG Non-SHG Food Item
Changes in Food Habits (cont d) Food Items Consumed Now % of Respondents 6 5 4 3 2 1 21.4 21.4 42.9 21.4 5 35.7 28.6 28.6 28.6 21.4 SHG Non-SHG Food Item
Inferences Increase in ready-mades Wheat Buns/Breads Biscuits Sweets/Kara Rice as staple grain Decrease in cereal consumption Subsidy for rice, not cereals (FGDs) Previously consumed healthier foods Organic foods Local varieties Change in quality of food (e.g., BPT Rice) More diversity now, but feel weaker
Household Consumption Food Items Most Commonly Consumed Food Items Wheat Fruits Pearl Millet Pulses (Other) Non-Vegetarian Food Vegetables (Includes GLV) Milk Pigeonpea Sorghum Rice 42.9 5 42.9 5 42.9 28.6 42.9 42.9 5 2 4 6 % of Respondents Non-SHG SHG
Frequency of Food Item Consumption in SHG Households 8 % of Respondents 7 6 5 4 3 2 5 21.4 5 24.3 35.7 35.7 Never Rarely (1-3x/Month) Sometimes (1-2x/Week) Usually (3-5x/Week) Always (6-7x/Week) 1 21.4 Food Item
5 Frequency of Food Items Consumed in Non-SHG Households % of Respondents 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 42.9 42.9 28.6 Never Rarely (1-3x/Month) Sometimes (1-2x/Week) Usually (3-5x/Week) Always (6-7x/Week) 1 21.3 21.4 5 Food Item
Inferences SHG Households Non-SHG Households More frequently consume: Non-Vegetarian Food Sorghum Pigeonpea GLV Pearl Millet Other Pulses Milk Higher consumption of nutritionally rich foods Much higher GLV consumption More frequently consume: Fruits Wheat Vegetables
Fruit & Vegetable Consumption Comparing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Between SHG and Non-SHG Households 6 % of Respondents 5 4 3 2 1 43.9 21.4 35.7 5 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.4 5.7 28.6 42.9 21.4 21.4 2.9 SHG Non-SHG Vegetable/Fruit Item
Home Production Comparing Home Produced Items in SHG and Non-SHG Households SHG Non-SHG % of Respondents 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 35.7 21.4 28.6 28.6 21.4 21.5 21.4 21.4 Food Item
Home Production (cont d) % of Respondents 25 2 15 1 5 Comparing the Amount of Home Produced Food Between SHG and Non-SHG Households Almost All More than Half 21.4 About Half Less than Half Amount Home Produced 21.4 Almost None SHG Non-SHG
Home Production (cont d) Amount Spent Purchasing Food 25 21.4 % of Respondents 2 15 1 5 7.2 SHG Non-SHG 5, Rs. 4, Rs. 3, Rs. 2, Rs. 15 Rs. 2 Rs. Rupees/Month
Most Costly Household Expenditures 6 SHG Non-SHG % of Respondents 5 4 3 2 42.9 28.6 5 35.7 21.4 28.6 1 Expenditure Purpose
Household Concerns Most Concerning Household Issues Dowry Other Health problems Non-SHG SHG Would SHG Involvement Help with these Issues? Issues/Concerns Old Debts House Construction Education Child Health Agriculture 21.4 35.7 35.7 21.4 78.6 Yes No 2 4 % of Respondents
Anthropometric Measurements ANALYSIS OF QUALITATIVE DATA
Body Mass Index BMI Classification of SHG Households BMI Classification of Non- SHG Households.9 9.5 1.3 5 23.3 55 35.7 56 Severe Thinness (>16.) Underweight (16.-18.49) Normal (18.5-24.99) Pre-Obese (25.-29.99) Obese (>3.) Severe Thinness (>16.) Underweight (16.-18.49) Normal (18.5-24.99) Pre-Obese (25.-29.99) Obese (>3.)
BMI Limitations BMI Classification SHG Non-SHG Severely Thin 12 2 Thin 27 1 Normal 65 16 Pre-Obese 11 Obese 1 Total 116 28 Severe limitations found because of heavy involvement in SHGs
Under 5 Measurements SHG Measurements Measurement Normal Mild Moderate Severe Height 1 2 1 1 Weight 1 2 1 1 Arm Circumference 2 3 Non-SHG Measurements Measurement Normal Mild Moderate Severe Height 1 2 Weight 1 2 Arm Circumference 3
Information Sharing COMPARING INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN SHG AND NON-SHG MEMBERS
The Most Important Types of Information Shared in SHGs Agriculture Information 28.6 General Awareness 21.4 Information Type Bank Transaction Management Loan Repayment Management Savings Management Public Speaking Skills 21.4 28.6 No Information Given 21.4 5 1 15 2 25 3 35 % of Respondents
% of Respondents 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 Sources of Information (Non-SHGs) 35.7 Information Source
Level of Receptiveness to New Information % of Respondents 5 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 42.9 21.4 SHG Non-SHG Very Open Somewhat Open Depends Not Usually Open Not Open at All Level of Receptiveness
Nutritional Information Benefits of Green Leafy Vegetables SHG Non-SHG % of Respondents 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 35.7 21.4 Increases Iron Increases calcium Increases potassium Increases Vitamin C* Improves Eyesight Don't Know Benefit
Nutritional Information (cont d) % of Respondents Best Way to Obtain Protein 5 45 42.9 42.9 4 35.7 35 3 28.6 25 21.4 21.4 2 15 SHG 1 Non-SHG 5 Source Source of Information on the Best Way to Obtain Protein Co-Workers Parents/Elders Radio Television Peer Group Non-SHG SHG Neighbors 42.9 35.7 Doctors Method 2 4 6 % of Respondents
Indicates Level of Nutritional Concern Among Villagers Respondents Content with Information Sharing in SHGs % Respondents Finding Information Sharing Beneficial % 1% 1% Yes No Yes No
Conclusions & Recommendations A SUMMARY OF WHAT THE RESULTS INDICATE AND SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT RESPONSES CAN BE MADE
Conclusions: Nutrition Quality Concern Could indicate a lack of knowledge Incorrect adoption of technology Rise in popularity of ready-made products Wheat flour, buns/breads, biscuits, etc. Less time-consuming Socially popular Rise in consumption of: Rice, wheat, vegetables, green leafy vegetables Farmers want cash SHG households More frequently consume: Sorghum, Pigeonpea, Pulses (others), Pearl Millet, Non- Vegetarian Food and Green Leafy Vegetables Less frequent consumption of wheat Both SHG & Non-SHG Decrease in cereals Increase in ready-made goods (ie biscuits, buns, breads, sweets) Lack of Concern over Nutritional Status
Conclusions: Anthropometric Measurements Unable to make informed conclusions due to sample size
Conclusions: Information Sharing Neighbors are main source of information SHG members more open to information Lack of concern regarding nutrition Adoption occurs collectively Focus Group Discussions Neighborhood adoption Gender and Social Capital Mediated Technology Adoption Women will talk
Learn Together Groups Collective Action & Adoption Successful Information Adoption Information Open Discussion of Problems & Solutions Doubt Information Individuals Unsure of Usefulness Non- Comprehensive Attempt to Adopt Failure of Information Adoption
Self-Help Groups Empowerment of Women Public Speaking Skills Expanded Knowledge Increased Influence
Women Will Talk Group learns together Group adopts together Group shares information Adoption is successful! Collective Action Takes Place Information Shared with Neighbors & Relatives Successful Adoption Takes Place Group Receives Information
NGOs/Government Schemes with Nutritional Information Individual Self-Help Groups Individual Unsuccessful Adoption Empowered Woman Empowered Woman Empowered Woman Unsuccessful Adoption Shares Information With Relatives & Neighbors Shares Information With Relatives & Neighbors Shares Information With Relatives & Neighbors Collective Action& & Successful Adoption
Recommendations Increase study depth Compare to village with lower SHG participation Increase sample size Measure daily caloric intake Go outside VLS sample size Promote home-production Provide incentive for consumption of cereal grains other than rice Not just how, but why Use SHG to disseminate nutritional information Pinpoint SHG members in neighborhoods Teach empowered women why nutrition should be a concern Promote collective action & adoption (between neighbors)
~Dhanyavād!~