Women’s Knowledge, Participation in Village Savings And Loan Associations and Household Security in Tausa Sub- Location, Kenya

Abstract

Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) aim to improve women’s financial inclusion and household welfare in rural Kenya, yet evidence on how knowledge influences participation and how participation affects food security is limited.
Objective:
This study examined the association between women’s knowledge of VSLAs and membership, and the relationship between membership and household food security in Tausa Sub-Location, Taita Taveta County.
Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 464 women. Data included socio-demographic characteristics, VSLA knowledge, membership and household food security measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Chi-square tests and t-tests explored associations between knowledge, participation and food security. Binary logistic regression identified association between knowledge and participation while ordered logistic regression and propensity score analysis assessed the association between membership and household food security.