With Increasing Privatization And A Young Population Explosion In Africa, Micro-Credit Extension Can Play Quality Life Improving Roles

As governments increasingly privatize, microcredit extension can be used to foster development and increase SRH And RMNCAH uptake among Ugandan Youths 13-35 years.

Background: African Governments need to increasingly use Microcredit or Micro finance services as precursors and catalysts for many other social services and development goals. This has outcome implications in many areas including:HIV, SRH, RMNCAH and increasing household level living standards. The aim of the report is twofold: explore the categories that made Microcredit a catalyst for quality life practices; how Key Populations (KP) can use Microcredit to engage in quality life improving practices.

Methods: Community immersion, literature review and key informant interviews were used to generate the report between December 2015-February 2019 in 15 Ugandan Town Councils. 230 respondent were eligible out of 330. Eligibility was based on age; 5-7 months grace period after first loan withdrawal; small interest on loans ranging 0.002-0.009%; membership to more than one group or social collateral; did not have to deposit money in bank as collateral; plans set aside to ensure food sustenance; number of months in business between 6 months and 3 years; had plans for long term investments; and requested first/kick-starter loan equal to or below Ugx. 2,000,000.00. 

Results: All 230 with median age 26(IQR (13-35) reported self employment for past two years, flexibility to innovate, engage in self care and saved for food. One hundred seven (107/230) tested for HIV at least five times in 2018. A disaggregation of respondents: 101 Straight females; 90 Straight males; 22 Transgender; 7 Lesbians; 20 Gay males. All respondents were below 35 years. 53 with median age 22 (IQR13-35) were living with HIV among whom 7 are Transgender; 5 are Gay males. Microcredit supports participation in quality life practices, ability to form, maintain collateral viable groups and links businesses in the service sector that follow market demands. These businesses were linked into food consumption (72) operated a food kiosk- and a side grocery) with median age 27 (IQR 23-35); telephone kiosks operation (25) with median age 19 (IQR 13-35); attire and shoes (22) with median age 20(IQR 13-35); movie kiosk (8) artisanry (12); brick-making (32); carpentry (9); Boda-riders (7) with median age 23 (IQR 13-35); event planning and hosting (23) with median age 30(IQR 23-35); stationery (27) with median age 25 (IQR22-35); grocery shops (20) with median age 27 (24-35); and commitment to nurture goodwill and credibility e.g. return the money. 

Conclusions and Recommendations: Young people can be empowered to engage in SRH uptake. Microcredit extension catalyzes market linkage, increases citizen self preservation provisions, is linked to opportunities for social integration, through entrepreneurship and wealth creation. It increases Household income base, a precursor for self care. Age is linked to service sector start-ups and ventures. More younger people are living with HIV. The role party politics plays in addressing young persons’ concerns needs further study.