ArticlePloS one2025
Intersection between individual, household, environmental and system level factors in defining risk and resilience for children in Kenya's ASAL: A qualitative study.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Food security in rural South Africa: The role of household head demographics, crowding, and wealth.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionChildren growing up in arid and semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face heightened risks, often resulting in poor developmental outcomes. In Kenya, the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) exhibit the lowest health and developmental indicators among children. Despite these risks, some children grow up successfully and overcome the challenges. However, there is limited comprehensive data on sources of risks and resilience in these children, particularly research that incorporates community perspectives and indigenous knowledge. Systematic documentation of factors influencing child outcomes is crucial for understanding the overall burden, informing policy and implementing targeted interventions. This study aimed at bridging this gap.
methodsThe study was conducted in 10 ASAL counties in Kenya. Purposive and snowballing techniques were used to recruit 11 key informants per site with varied levels of involvement in early childhood development and primary caregivers. Using a semi-structured interview guide, 103 telephonic interviews were conducted between June and August 2022, involving 68 key informants and 35 caregivers. Thematic approach was used to analyze the data, using NVIVO software.
resultsThe mean age of the participants was 44years (SD = 11 years). The findings, viewed through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, reveal a complex interplay of contextual factors impacting children's development. These factors range from individual and biological aspects to family, community, systemic, and environmental level, including climatic challenges. Identified risk factors encompassed issues such as young caregiver's age, low literacy, mental health issues, drug abuse, domestic violence, malnutrition, poverty, lack of paternal involvement, early marriages, female genital mutilation, drought, heat stress, and insecurity. Nonetheless, sources of resilience include breastfeeding, immunization, responsive caregiving, family and community support, higher socio-economic status (SES), cultural practices, self-motivation, hard work, community role models, religious activities and quality service provision.
conclusionUrgent attention is needed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by children in ASAL regions. The study underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of risks while harnessing community strengths and resources to safeguard and promote the holistic development of these children.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.