ICT service exports in South Asia: a cross-country forecasting approach

Abstract Background We aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its cross-country variation among hypertensive individuals in rural Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We also explored the factors associated with CKD in these populations. Method We studied baseline data from the Control of Blood Pressure and Risk Attenuation-Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (COBRA-BPS) trial, an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial on 2643 hypertensive adults ≥40 years of age from 30 randomly selected rural clusters, 10 in each of the three countries. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g. Determinants for CKD were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results The overall prevalence of CKD was 38.1% (95% confidence interval 36.2–40.1%): 21.5% with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 24.4% with UACR ≥30 mg/g. CKD prevalence varied across the three countries (58.3% in Sri Lanka, 36.4% Bangladesh and 16.9% Pakistan; P <0.001). The factors independently associated with higher odds of CKD were older age, being unmarried, higher 24-h urinary sodium excretion, presence of diabetes, elevated systolic blood pressure, diuretic use and living in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (versus Pakistan). Conclusions The prevalence of CKD is alarmingly high in community-dwelling hypertensive adults, with significant cross-country variation in South Asia. Our findings underscore the urgency for further research into the etiology of CKD and address associated factors in targeted public health strategies with hypertension care outreach services in rural South Asia. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02657746

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Productivity and Economic Growth in South Asia and China (Distinguished Lecture)

The Pakistan Development Review ◽

10.30541/v44i4ipp.479-503 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 44 (4I) ◽

pp. 479-503

Author(s):

T. N. Srinivasan

Keyword(s):

South Asia ◽

Risk Taking ◽

Labour Force ◽

Physical Capital ◽

Labour Force Participation ◽

Incentive Structure ◽

Investment Policies ◽

Tfp Growth ◽

Cross Country ◽

Trade And Investment

This paper, begins with a discussion of the well-known issues involved in defining and measuring total factor productivity (TFP) and its contribution to growth (as well as the possible contribution of growth to productivity), the economic theory underpinning productivity, and policies that impact on and influence changes in productivity. It is followed by, first, a selective discussion of the studies on cross-country variation in productivity levels and growth, and then the experience of South Asia and China in a comparative perspective across the region and across the developing world. The share of South Asia in global GDP and its growth has remained stagnant since the early nineties. Disturbingly, except India, the rest of South Asia experienced a decline in TFP growth between 1989-95 and 1995-2003. The paper concludes that for achieving sustained productivity growth, well-functioning social and economic institutions are important, since through their incentive structure they influence, labour force participation, savings and accumulation of human and physical capital, risk-taking and innovation as well as efficiency of resource allocation. Public policies, particularly macro-economic, foreign trade and investment policies, matter a great deal.

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