• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.117-126
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• 2021

Microfinance focuses on economic development at a minute level. Microfinance is adopted to reduce the poverty level in the economic system. This study is conducted to investigate the microfinance institutions' outreach, its growth, and challenges faced by the Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). Data is collected from MFBs and MFIs working in Muzaffarabad as well as from interviews and focus group discussions. Findings are based upon lending, headcount ratio, offers, the value of their offer, and the possible growth chances of microfinance in Muzaffarabad. In addition to this, the challenges associated with microfinance outreach have been highlighted during analysis and guidelines have been provided to the MFBs and MFIs to increase their outreach. The sector is financially unstable which is attributable to its reliance on conventional sources of funding. The industry faces several endogenous as well as exogenous challenges from its environment which obstructs its growth. Further, it helps the policymakers to work on the development of the region and provide the base for further future research work.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.637-646
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• 2021

The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of access to finance on the different dimensions of poverty. To achieve the objectives of the study, the participants/beneficiaries of the Mudra scheme were included and sample of target respondents was extracted through multistage random sampling technique. The sample for the study was taken from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir of India. The study further utilized secondary data from the government official websites and lead banks. A paired t-test was applied to test the impact of access to finance across the various dimensions of poverty by constructing the Multidimensional Poverty Index(MPI), after checking the normality of the data. MPI incorporates dimensions such as education, health, and standard of living.The finding of the study revealed that dimensions of poverty responded positively to access to finance. The study shows that larger access to finance has helped in reducing the multidimensional poverty by having moderate, but positive impact on the standard of living, health, and education, thereby improving the lives of the poor. The present study identified that the level of impact of access to finance is moderate and further explains its importance for policy implications.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.240-248
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• 2016

Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) adversely impacts food security in households of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Little research has focused on food insecurity among PLWHA in India. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of and factors relating to food security in households of PLWHA in the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 173 PLWHA residing in Siliguri and registered at the Anti-retroviral Therapy Centre of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital. Data was collected at the household level with interviews of PLWHA using a food security survey instrument. We analyzed the associations using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of household food security among the participants was 50.9% (88/173). Five years or more of schooling, higher socioeconomic class and males were found to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of food security. A later stage of the disease and the presence of other family members with HIV/AIDS were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of food security. The major coping strategies to deal with food insecurity in the acute phase HIV infection included borrowing money (56.1%), followed by spousal support, loans from microfinance institutions, banks, or money lenders, borrowing food, or selling agricultural products. Conclusions: The present study revealed that only about half of households with PLWHA were food secure. Prior interventions relating to periods of food and economic crisis as well as strategies for sustaining food security and economic status are needed in this area.