In Malaysia, 31.6 million people live below the national poverty line, meaning they live on less than $1.90 a day. In 2014, World Bank reported that 0.6 percent of the population lived below the national poverty line.

While this statistic may seem optimistic, Malaysia still has big problems in trying to reduce HIV for the country’s poorest. Malaysia is ranked seventh highest in the prevalence of HIV in the adult population amongst all Asian countries. 

Current Situation

The Malaysia AIDS Council reported in 2016 that there were 3,397 new cases of the HIV infection. This number contributed to the overall population of people living with HIV in Malaysia, which is reportedly 93,089 people. Additionally, there were 911 AIDS-related deaths that same year. 

After failing to meet their Millennium Development Goal in reducing HIV/AIDS amongst the population, the government responded by introducing a variety of harm reduction programs. These programs predominately aim to reduce the amount of drug injection users in the country, since they are particularly vulnerable to HIV contraction.

Reduction Programs

World Bank reports that HIV harm reduction programs are the “most cost-effective” programs in terms of future savings. The projection of long-term benefits from 2006 to 2050 indicated savings of around $22 million. 

These types of programs have significantly reduced the number of new HIV cases amongst drug injection users. World Bank reports that in 2005 there were around 4,000 new cases of HIV within the Malaysian population. In 2017, the statistic dropped to merely 115 new cases. The prevalence of HIV in Malaysia amongst drug injection users reduced between 2009 and 2017, from 22 percent to 13.4 percent.

The Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme

Created in 2006, The Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) was introduced by the Ministry of Health and the Malaysian AIDS Council. It was a community-based health care service, primarily for people who inject drugs. As of 2012, they reached more than 24,000 registered people.

The activities of the NSEP in Malaysia include exchanging used needles for sterile ones, disposing of needles in a safe manner, educating, providing rehabilitation and encouraging safer sex practices through condom distribution. The service also provides Drop-In Centers that allow patients to receive counseling, light treatment, meals and a place to rest.

Patients receiving aid from NSEP are typically aged from 25 to 50. People under 18 cannot visit the Drop-In centers and are referred to other services. There are currently 17 Outreach Sites associated with the program in all states within Malaysia- excluding Sabah and Sarawak.

Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT)

Methadone Maintenance Therapy is a form of drug replacement therapy. It functions by incrementally decreasing the amount of the drug injected into the user, slowly weaning them off the substance. The amounts are so low that users do not feel high when using it, and the process helps reduce the desire to inject altogether. This type of therapy reduces drug-related crimes and allows users to recover and return to work.

It became apparent after implementation of harm reduction therapy that many drug injection users were fishermen from the city ports on the east coast peninsula of Malaysia.

Successes

In 2011, the collective programs have reached approximately 35,000 injecting drug users. The latest National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS hoped to expand its reach to 136,000 drug users by 2015, which would equate to about 80 percent of the injecting drug user population in Malaysia.

Although not entirely fulfilled, the amount of the drug user population that began receiving Opiate Substitution Therapy, similar to Methadone Maintenance Therapy, was 50.4 percent by 2015. This was based on an estimate of the overall number of drug injection users in the country, which was 170,000 people.

The numbers show a drastic drop from the pandemic’s original scope. In 2002, there were 6,978 new cases of HIV, while in 2016 there were only 3,397 reported. This is a 60 percent drop in new cases of HIV in Malaysia. Out of all the new cases, 2,984 were sexually transmitted, while 377 were transmitted via drug use, which proves the success of implemented programs.

In 2015, the Global AIDS Response Report showed that there were almost 900 facilities throughout the country, both governmental and private, aimed at rehabilitation and therapy for HIV patients. This is a tremendous increase from the previous number in 2006, that was less than 100 facilities.

The projection of HIV cases in Malaysia shows a steady decline from its original peak in 2002. There are clear advancements in eradicating the disease amongst the population. More work needs to be done, yet the progress thus far is very promising.

– Taylor Jennings

Photo: Flickr

Italy, one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, has been ranked relatively low in US News’ 2018 Best Countries report. Italy placed 15th in a list of 80 countries following the Nordic countries, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. This came as a shock to many non-Italians, as Italy is often idealized and tourism often highlights the best of the country, not its realities. To understand this ranking, here are 10 facts about living conditions in Italy:

10 Facts About Living Conditions in Italy

1. Housing
   Housing in Italy, particularly in the northern and center cities, is very expensive. Cities like Milan and Rome are some of the most expensive cities, not just in Italy, but in the world: Milan ranks 50^th and Rome 58^th on the list of most expensive cities in the world. Despite the region—north, center, or south—the cost of housing greatly increased from 21 percent in 2005 to 24 percent in 2014 and has stayed above this level since. This increase was actually noted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as one of the strongest rises in the OECD.
2. Income
   General income in Italy is relatively low and has been turbulent since 2005. Moreover, between 2010 and 2014, the average household net wealth fell by 18 percent. Though there were signs of real recovery in 2015, household net-adjusted disposable income fell again in 2016 and was reportedly 10 percent lower than in 2005. This massive decline has also been noted to be one of the largest falls in the OECD.
3. Poverty
   There is a massive gap between the wealthy and the poor in Italy, both geographically and financially. Geographically, much of the wealthy live in the north of Italy, while many of the poorer Italians live in the south. Moreover, as the OECD has noted, Italian income is distributed the most unevenly across Italian households than any other country. The OECD states that this is due to the fact that the average income of those in the top quintile is almost six times higher than those in the bottom quintile. However, the poverty level in Italy is growing. 14 percent of households across the country were labeled as income poor in 2016.
4. Gender Equality
   The gender inequality in Italy is one of the biggest reasons behind poor life quality ratings. It was found that in Italy, women are 15 percent more likely to be unemployed and, even when employed, they are 75 percent more likely to be employed in low-paying jobs. As the OECD has noted, the gender gap in Italy is one of the largest compared to other countries under inspection by the OECD.
5. Health
   Italy’s healthcare system, the Italian National Health Service (SSN), is one of the country’s redeeming facets. The SSN is a universal, egalitarian public system guaranteeing assistance to all citizens. However, its one downfall is that the wait time for examination is often lengthy; it can reach a couple months, even with an urgent case. Nevertheless, the overall health of Italy has increased by 7.5 points since 2005, which places the country just below the OECD average in health.
6. Environmental Quality
   Although Italy is known for its beautiful scenery and landscapes, overall air pollution increased by 3 percent between 2005 and 2013 and has been rising since. Much of this pollution is due to poor sanitization; a vicious cycle has been created where poor sanitation creates pollution and pollution generates poor sanitation. Moreover, the OECD has received many complaints in the last few years about decreasing water quality in Italy.
7. Civic Engagement
   There is an overall unrest with Italian civics. This is more substantial in the younger generations, but Italian civics has nevertheless seen a general decrease in participation. Voter turnout, like many other countries in the OECD, has decreased in Italy. The last known statistic is that 75 percent of Italy’s population voted in the 2013 general elections, which was significantly less than the 84 percent recorded in 2006. Moreover, a staggering 89 percent of Italians believe that there is widespread corruption across their government, which is much higher than the OECD’s average of 59 percent who believe this. Finally, perhaps as a result of the increasing belief in widespread corruption, only 38 percent of Italians say that they have confidence in the government.
8. Education
   Although OECD’s recent data in Italy’s upper education system is unassessable, there are a few positives to highlight. Between 2014 and 2016, the rate of people in upper education increased by just under one percent and has been slightly increasing since. Additionally, the gender gap in education outcomes in Italy has decreased and now seems to favor women.
9. Employment
   Italy’s employment rate has not improved substantially since 2005. The unemployment rate, currently at 12 percent, is currently reported to be three times higher for younger generations as opposed to the current middle-aged generation. The unemployment rate is the third highest in the entirety of the OECD.
10. Life Satisfaction
    In the past decade, the Italian population’s life satisfaction has fallen from 6.7 to an average of 5.9 on a scale out of 10. This is significantly lower than the OECD’s average and causes concern as it continues to decrease.

These facts about living conditions in Italy highlight that there is much room for improvement. Although much of the country sees a high amount of tourism, it isn’t enough to generate a steady economy or to close the large gap between the poor and wealthy. There is still hope for Italy, but a substantial amount of work remains to be done.

– Isabella Agostini
Photo: Flickr

Much of what is generally known about Russia today is from generalized statements stemming from stereotypes. These stereotypes don’t acknowledge the rich culture the country harbors, nor do they acknowledge that despite the economy—which, in the last two decades, has been turbulent—the standard of living in Russia has significantly increased. Below are facts about the living conditions in the Russian Federation to combat the some of these stereotypes.

Top 10 Facts About Living Conditions in the Russian Federation

1. Housing
   As of 2018, the housing standard in the Russian Federation is lower than the standard upheld by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). For example, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is about $16,657 per year, which is lower than the OECD average of $30,563 a year. Many in the Russian Federation take pride in owning property, and large properties at that. In fact, the main asset for the overwhelming majority of Russians is their residential real estate. However, real estate prices in city centers are outrageously high and can compete with prices in cities like Shanghai amongst others. Though many hold onto their properties, it is too expensive for some to maintain and thus, generates a cycle of debt that increases poverty. The OECD states that to combat this cycle, it would be in the best interest of many Russians to sell their property.
2. Income
   Indeed, income in the Russian Federation has struggled to meet the rising prices of city life and the overall cost of living. In the years between 2011 and 2014, Russia saw an 11 percent increase in disposable income and an expansion in the consumer economy, however, the economic crises in 2015 and 2016 took its toll on the country. This has thus ranked the Russian Federation as below average in income, wealth and earnings. According to a survey named the Global Wealth Report, within the 12 months between 2015 and 2016, the average income of households decreased from $12,086 to $10,344. In fact, this fall in income continued in 2016, where wages fell nearly 95 percent. Moreover, the ruble—the currency used in the Russian Federation—has decreased in value. In 2007, the U.S. dollar was equal to about 25 rubles, yet it fell in 2016 to 64 rubles.
3. Poverty
   Many steps have been taken to improve the poverty in the Russian Federation, however, it remains one of the largest impoverished countries with a developed economy. As of 2017, 89 percent of the overall wealth of the country is controlled by 10 percent of households—this is higher than both the U.S. and China. In 2016, 13.4 percent of the Russian population lived below subsistence levels, and though this number has improved, the poverty level in Russia is still very high. In fact, the Accounting Chamber predicts that by 2019 there will be about 20.4 million people, in Russia, living below the poverty line. The gap between the rich and poor is growing, and it is hindering the possibilities of improvements to living conditions in the Russian Federation.
4. Transportation
   Overall transportation in the Russian Federation is struggling. Though public transport exists, again, many Russians, out of pride, opt for owning a car. In fact, in 2016 it was found that Russia had 58 cars per 100 households. In 2017 alone about 1,595,737 new cars were sold in total. Yet, the preference of cars over public transport has made traffic unbearable nearer to the cities. It is said that the traffic around Moscow is far worse than rush hour in many cities worldwide.
5. Health
   Overall health and life expectancy have been rated as moderate by Forbes. In 2005, life expectancy for men and women was low, 58.8 and 72 years respectively. Though it has drastically improved and is close to the average of OECD, it remains that access to health care and education is not guaranteed for all.
6. Climate and Environment
   The climate and environment have proven to be one of Russia’s biggest enemies in maintaining a high rating in living conditions. There is a high level of pollution in the cities, and though not as bad as other cities, it remains a noticeable problem. Secondly, the weather which though not in the direct control of the Russian people is often too extreme for many humans to handle.
7. Life Satisfaction
   Many in the Russian Federation share an overall low satisfaction with life. Though it is not alarmingly low, the numbers still put Russia on par with other countries like Ukraine. On average, Russians gave their satisfaction a rating of 6 (on a 0-10 scale) which was only slightly lower than the average OECD rating of 6.5. It was stated by many that amongst other things listed here, water quality and safety could improve.
8. Civic Engagement
   Unfortunately, the Russian Federation also has a below average rating in civic engagement and social connections. Much of this can be tied back to wealth, and many of the poor feeling that they do not have the capability of changing their environment. In fact, the voter turnout in the Russian Federation was at 65 percent, which though not much lower than OECD’s 69 percent, is still quite low.
9. Education
   Though access to education is not guaranteed for all, the Russian Federation actually ranks above the average in education. Over 95 percent of 25-64 aged adults aged have completed upper secondary education. This is significantly higher than the OECD average of 74 percent. Moreover, test scores are much almost 10 points higher than the OECD’s average. There is not a divide between genders in education either, as 94 percent of men successfully complete high school, while 96 percent of women do the same.
10. Employment
    Though there has been a turbulent past with unemployment in the Russian Federation, the country has, in the last 8 years, seen a huge effort towards ending unemployment. Currently, the unemployment rate is 4.1 percent as of July 2018; this is only slightly larger than the U.S. at 3.8 percent.  It was found that about 75 percent of men have paid work, while 65 percent of women have the same. Overall, about 70 percent of people from ages 15-64 have a paid job, which again, is above the OECD employment average of 67 percent.

Indeed, there is much work that can be done by the Russian Federation to improve the standard of living. These top 10 facts about living conditions in the Russian Federation demonstrate that the country is taking steps towards bettering their country, but there remains a lot to improve.

– Isabella Agostini
Photo: Flickr

Agriculture is at the center of the Nigerian economy, providing the main source of livelihood for the majority of Nigerians. The farming sector of this West African country employs about 70 percent of the entire country’s labor force. Nigeria’s small farms produce 80 percent of the total food and 33 percent of this country’s land is under cultivation for this purpose. This is the leading African country in farming because it has the highest levels of productivity and profitability in this particular sector. Agriculture in Nigeria is the foundation of the economy, as keeps the people stable in what they do.

Two Reasons of Agriculture Importance

1. Nigeria is twice the size of Zimbabwe and South Africa combined and has over 200 million people. The people of Nigeria depend on produce from the local farms for their daily meals as more than 80 percent of Nigerians buy their farm produce from the market. This country is at a huge advantage in terms of agriculture profitability because of the huge demand for farm produce.
2. Nigeria has the benefit of having large stretches of fertile land available to cultivate. This country has one of the largest expanses of land in Africa with more than 900 thousand square kilometers and 70 percent of it is able to be cultivated to produce sustenance for the population of Nigeria. This land provides Nigeria with practically an unlimited source of farming food, providing agricultural produces and jobs for the people.

Top Two Most Profitable Types of Farming in Nigeria

1. Nigeria is Africa’s largest rise consumer. It is mainly small-scale farmers who produce rice, sell 80 percent of their total production and only consume 20 percent of their product. This creates a huge market for the consumption of rice by way of the vast population of Nigeria, as well as the larger continent of Africa.
2. Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world. This West African country produces cassava for 20 percent of the world, 34 percent of Africa and 46 percent of West Africa. Despite the fact that Nigeria has an enormous market for cassava, it is mostly grown for family consumption and local sale by smallholders. However, this field faces many challenges because of outdated technology and inadequate storage facilities. These challenges cause agricultural productivity to be low and postharvest losses and waste to be high.

In order to make Nigeria’s agriculture productivity more sufficient, the government and private sector need to develop ways to enhance cassava’s competitiveness in the international market and improve the efficiency of domestic rice production.

Livestock development is also an important aspect of Nigeria’s agriculture. The domestic production of livestock products is far below the national demand, which causes large imports of livestock and livestock products. The livestock sector can create new opportunities for farmers and provide more affordable and healthier diets for future generations.

Through farming and livestock development Nigeria has a stronghold on its agriculture productivity. With the help of the leaders in this West African country, livestock and farming productivity can hopefully improve enormously. Agriculture in Nigeria is so important to the economy and people’s daily lives that, despite its setbacks, it will inevitably prosper.

– Megan Maxwell
Photo: Flickr