Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Multidimensional poverty, encompassing deprivations in education, health, and living standards, is a significant challenge in rural Ethiopia. Despite various development initiatives, poverty remains pervasive in the West Gojjam Zone of northern Ethiopia. This study aims to assess...

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Main Authors: Yeshiwas Ewinetu Tegegne, Nigusie Gashaye Shita
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22929-4
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author Yeshiwas Ewinetu Tegegne
Nigusie Gashaye Shita
author_facet Yeshiwas Ewinetu Tegegne
Nigusie Gashaye Shita
author_sort Yeshiwas Ewinetu Tegegne
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Multidimensional poverty, encompassing deprivations in education, health, and living standards, is a significant challenge in rural Ethiopia. Despite various development initiatives, poverty remains pervasive in the West Gojjam Zone of northern Ethiopia. This study aims to assess the extent of multidimensional poverty in this region and identify key factors contributing to the likelihood of households experiencing it. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the West Gojjam Zone, involving 628 rural households selected through a multi-stage sampling approach. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the multidimensional poverty index (MPI), focusing on poverty incidence, gap, and severity. A binary logistic regression model was applied to examine the relationship between household characteristics and the likelihood of being multidimensionally poor. Results The study revealed that 93.95% of households in the West Gojjam Zone experience multidimensional poverty, with an intensity of 61.17% and an adjusted multidimensional headcount ratio of 57.47%. Key factors associated with a lower likelihood of multidimensional poverty include land ownership, off-farm income, year-round road access, the frequency of agricultural extension services, and access to loans. Conversely, the age of household heads is positively associated with an increased likelihood of poverty, with older household heads being more vulnerable. Conclusions The findings highlight that multidimensional poverty in the West Gojjam Zone is primarily driven by limited access to land, financial services, infrastructure, and agricultural support. Furthermore, older household heads are particularly at risk. To address these challenges, the study recommends policies that focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, expanding access to financial services, improving road infrastructure, and fostering non-farm income-generating activities. Strengthening agricultural extension services is essential to enhancing household resilience and reducing poverty.
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spelling doaj-art-947b795abfa347f0b0938f3cdc8865382025-08-20T01:49:43ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-05-0125111010.1186/s12889-025-22929-4Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional studyYeshiwas Ewinetu Tegegne0Nigusie Gashaye Shita1Department of Economics, Debre Markos UniversityDepartment of Statistics, Debre Markos UniversityAbstract Background Multidimensional poverty, encompassing deprivations in education, health, and living standards, is a significant challenge in rural Ethiopia. Despite various development initiatives, poverty remains pervasive in the West Gojjam Zone of northern Ethiopia. This study aims to assess the extent of multidimensional poverty in this region and identify key factors contributing to the likelihood of households experiencing it. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the West Gojjam Zone, involving 628 rural households selected through a multi-stage sampling approach. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the multidimensional poverty index (MPI), focusing on poverty incidence, gap, and severity. A binary logistic regression model was applied to examine the relationship between household characteristics and the likelihood of being multidimensionally poor. Results The study revealed that 93.95% of households in the West Gojjam Zone experience multidimensional poverty, with an intensity of 61.17% and an adjusted multidimensional headcount ratio of 57.47%. Key factors associated with a lower likelihood of multidimensional poverty include land ownership, off-farm income, year-round road access, the frequency of agricultural extension services, and access to loans. Conversely, the age of household heads is positively associated with an increased likelihood of poverty, with older household heads being more vulnerable. Conclusions The findings highlight that multidimensional poverty in the West Gojjam Zone is primarily driven by limited access to land, financial services, infrastructure, and agricultural support. Furthermore, older household heads are particularly at risk. To address these challenges, the study recommends policies that focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, expanding access to financial services, improving road infrastructure, and fostering non-farm income-generating activities. Strengthening agricultural extension services is essential to enhancing household resilience and reducing poverty.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22929-4Multidimensional povertyRural householdsWest Gojjam ZoneBinary logistic regressionPoverty alleviationEthiopia
spellingShingle Yeshiwas Ewinetu Tegegne
Nigusie Gashaye Shita
Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional study
BMC Public Health
Multidimensional poverty
Rural households
West Gojjam Zone
Binary logistic regression
Poverty alleviation
Ethiopia
title Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional study
title_full Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional study
title_short Prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in West Gojjam Zone, northern Ethiopia: a household-based cross-sectional study
title_sort prevalence and associated factors of multidimensional poverty among rural households in west gojjam zone northern ethiopia a household based cross sectional study
topic Multidimensional poverty
Rural households
West Gojjam Zone
Binary logistic regression
Poverty alleviation
Ethiopia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22929-4
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