This article uses data collected across the four Waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) to construct a measure of social cohesion for South Africa. We compare our index to one derived using the Afrobarometer data and find a large degree of consistency in trends in the index and its constituent components over time across the two datasets. However, there is less consistency in the measures once one moves to lower levels of geographic disaggregation. We also find far less variability in the constructed index relying on NIDS panel data as opposed to the repeated cross-sections from Afrobarometer. Having derived the index, we then correlate it with a variety of indicators of social and economic well-being. We show that higher levels of education, per capita income and employment are positively associated with higher social cohesion whilst social cohesion is negatively associated with poverty, service delivery protest and perceptions of crime. In addition, municipal policy and competence are closely associated with higher social cohesion. Whilst this work is exploratory, it is encouraging, and suggests new opportunities for future research to begin to take the link between social cohesion and economic and social development seriously.

Abstract:The multi-dimensional nature of social exclusion requires several perspectives in understanding its causes and consequences. Focus on the topic is largely centred around questions of material deprivation. However, as poverty and inequality are inextricably linked to questions of access and inclusion, a holistic approach is required. Consequently, we explore how imposed relational asymmetries which manifest as differences in the ability to exercise personal agency and in turn, engender wealth inequalities, affect social cooperation in future interactions. To do this, we generate wealth inequalities through two Prisoner's Dilemma games, where one party is excluded from participating in the determination of the outcomes of the game. The effects of this asymmetry in social participation on ex post cooperation is examined using a Public Goods game. We find that the presence of prior asymmetric influence in social decision-making subsequently reduces contributions to the public good, independent of endowment level. This reduction in social welfare is driven by the under-contribution from players who were excluded in prior social interactions. Simply put, the data shows that a history of social exclusion reduces subsequent public goods provision, independent of material inequality.

BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccine coverage remains low in many low and middle-income countries despite widespread access. To understand the dynamic decision-making process around vaccination and provide evidence for future vaccine promotion campaigns, we identified predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among South African adults, including those who did not believe in the vaccine’s safety or efficacy.MethodsData from two longitudinal telephone surveys in late 2021 and early 2022 of unvaccinated South African adults were used to model COVID-19 uptake. Predictors of interest informed by the theory of planned behaviour included vaccine attitudes and beliefs, social norms, perceived behavioural control and vaccine intentions. Responses to open-ended questions provided insights into key reasons for getting vaccinated.ResultsAmong panel participants (n=1772), 19% reported being vaccinated between Survey 1 and Survey 2. Vaccine uptake was greater among participants who reported wanting to get vaccinated ‘as soon as possible’ (+27 percentage points, p<0.01). Vaccine uptake was greater among participants who believed that the vaccine is effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and/or death (+12 percentage points, p<0.01) and lower among those who believed that the vaccine is unsafe (−9 percentage points, p<0.01). Among participants who did not believe the vaccine is safe, living with someone already vaccinated against COVID-19 increased vaccine uptake (+6 percentage points, p<0.05). At Survey 1, the intention to get vaccinated as soon as possible was positively associated with perceived risk of illness from COVID-19 (+9.2 percentage points, p<0.05), the belief that most people in their area had been vaccinated (+7.0 percentage points, p<0.05) and living with someone already vaccinated against COVID-19 (+6.6 percentage points, p<0.05).ConclusionStudy findings underscore the predictive power of intentions and of beliefs about disease risk, vaccine safety and vaccine efficacy. Social proof interventions hold promise for increasing vaccination intentions and overcoming concerns about vaccine safety.

Introduction Despite a high number of recorded COVID-19 infections and deaths in South Africa, COVID-19 vaccine coverage remained low in March 2022, ten months into the national vaccine roll-out. This study provides evidence on the correlates of vaccine intentions, attitudes towards vaccination and opinions about mandates. Methods We used data from the second COVID-19 Vaccine Survey (CVACS), a telephone survey conducted February-March 2022 among 3,608 South African adults who self-reported not being vaccinated against COVID-19. The survey instrument was designed in consultation with government, policymakers, and civil society; and segmented the sample into four distinct groups with different vaccine intentions (synonymous with vaccine hesitancy levels). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes and behaviours associated with the different vaccination intentions groups. Thematic coding of responses to open-ended questions elicited insights on reasons for not being vaccinated and attitudes towards mandates. Results Intentions to get vaccinated were greater among individuals with lower socio-economic status (Mann-Whitney Z=-11.3, p<0.001); those believing the vaccine protects against death (Kruskal-Wallis 𝛸2=494, p<0.001); and those who perceived themselves at risk of COVID-19-related illness (𝛸2=126, p<0.01). Vaccine intentions were lower among individuals who believed that the vaccine causes death (𝛸2=163, p<0.001); believed that the vaccine is unsafe for the babies of pregnant/breastfeeding mothers, or the chronically ill (𝛸2=123, p<0.01); those not trusting government health information about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine (Kendall’s 𝜏=-0.41, p<0.01); and those in opposition to mandates (𝜏=0.35, p<0.001). Only 25% supported mandates, despite 48% thinking mandates would work well, with 54% citing individual rights as their main reason for mandate opposition. Conclusion The profile of individuals not vaccinated against COVID-19 as of March 2022 differed markedly by self-reported vaccination intentions, underscoring the importance of tailored demand-creation efforts. To achieve comprehensive vaccination coverage, interventions to instill trust in government health information, and in the safety and efficacy of vaccines are required early in a vaccination program given the rapid emergence of pervasive vaccine hesitancy. Mandates remain an option to increase coverage but need to be carefully considered given widespread opposition.