scholarly journals Health System Productivity In Sub-Saharan Africa: Tuberculosis Control In High Burden Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esso - Hanam ATAKE
Keyword(s):  
Technological Change ◽  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Tuberculosis Control ◽  
System Productivity ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

Abstract Background: 21 of the 30 countries with a high tuberculosis (TB) burden are in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). SSA is also home to 74% of all HIV-positive TB patients reported worldwide in 2014. This paper analyses the productivity changes of TB programs and decompose this productivity down into technological change and technical efficiency. Method: this study was carried out in 16 SSA countries where TB is highly endemic and covers the period 2009-2016. The data is taken from the annual reports of global TB Program. We used the Hicks-Moorsteen index to compute and decompose total factor productivity (TFP), and the β-convergence and σ-convergence tests to check for convergence patterns among SSA countries. Results: The largest increase in the TFP (35.7%) in 2016 with respect to the base year corresponds to the cutbacks in inputs (9.1%) and a positive change in outputs (0.9%). We found that technological change has been the main driver of the TFP growth, and that increasing technical efficiency may be the first objective in efforts to improve the TFP of TB programs. Our findings support the hypothesis of convergence among SSA countries in the fight against TB. Moreover, corruption was considered as one of the most important determinants of tuberculosis control in SSA countries.Conclusion: the findings suggest that improving the technical efficiency of TB programs mainly calls for better resource allocation, capacity building in governance and management of programs, improved training of the health providers and stronger prevention policies. An efficient use of funds will arguably reduce the number of tuberculosis cases and TB burden. The Global Fund must closely monitor all the grants in its portfolio and respond decisively and urgently to any instances of corruption.

scholarly journals Are Resource-Rich Countries More Attractive than Countries with Good Institutions to Foreign Direct Investors in Sub-Saharan Africa?

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman ◽  
Shaohua Yang ◽  
Azizah Omar
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase ◽  
Empirical Estimates ◽  
Resource Endowment ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Panel Fixed Effects ◽  
Ssa Countries

Africa is no longer behind in the race of acquiring global share of foreign direct investment (FDI) compared to other developing regions. This study uses FDI dataset of 27 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries and examines what drives the recent trend of higher FDI flows to Africa. A variety of empirical techniques (e.g. cross-section OLS, panel fixed effects and dynamic GMM) are employed for identifying main drivers of FDI in African countries. The finding of this research suggests that resource endowment is the main driver attracting FDI to SSA countries. More specifically, empirical estimates suggest that a one-standard deviation increase in resource endowment in the SSA countries is associated with an increase in FDI ranging from 34% to 83%. Empirical result also suggests that between institutions and resource endowment, resource endowment is the most robust determinant of FDI in SSA countries.

scholarly journals A Review of Energy Communities in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Transition Pathway to Energy Democracy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2128
Author(s):  
Amollo Ambole ◽  
Kweku Koranteng ◽  
Peris Njoroge ◽  
Douglas Logedi Luhangala
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Global North ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Energy Justice ◽  
Design Proposal ◽  
Ssa Countries

Energy communities have received considerable attention in the Global North, especially in Europe, due to their potential for achieving sustainable energy transitions. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), energy communities have received less attention partly due to the nascent energy systems in many emerging SSA states. In this paper, we argue that these nascent energy systems offer an opportunity to co-create energy communities that can tackle the energy access challenges faced by most SSA countries. To understand how such energy communities are realised in the sub-region, we undertake a systematic review of research on energy communities in 46 SSA countries. Our findings show that only a few energy projects exhibit the conventional characteristics of energy communities; In most of these projects, local communities are inadequately resourced to institute and manage their own projects. We thus look to stakeholder engagement approaches to propose co-design as a strategy for strengthening energy communities in SSA. We further embed our co-design proposal in energy democracy thinking to argue that energy communities can be a pathway towards equity and energy justice in SSA. We conclude that energy communities can indeed contribute to improving energy access in Africa, but they need an enabling policy environment to foster their growth and sustainability.

scholarly journals Household structure, maternal characteristics and children’s stunting in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from 35 countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Olanrewaju Oladimeji ◽  
Emmanuel Kolawole Odusina ◽  
Ghose Bishwajit
Keyword(s):  
Birth Interval ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Household Structure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Rural Children ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries ◽  
Childhood Stunting

Abstract Background Adequate nutrition in early childhood is a necessity to achieve healthy growth and development, as well as a strong immune system and good cognitive development. The period from conception to infancy is especially vital for optimal physical growth, health and development. In this study we examined the influence of household structure on stunting in children <5 yrs of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Methods Demographic and Health Survey data from birth histories in 35 SSA countries were used in this study. The total sample of children born within the 5 yrs before the surveys (2008 and 2018) was 384 928. Children whose height-for-age z-score throughout was <−2 SDs from the median of the WHO reference population were considered stunted. Percentages and χ2 tests were used to explore prevalence and bivariate associations of stunting. In addition, a multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to stunted children. All statistical tests were conducted at a p<0.05 level of significance. Results More than one-third of children in SSA countries were reportedly stunted. The leading countries include Burundi (55.9%), Madagascar (50.1%), Niger (43.9%) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (42.7%). The percentage of stunted children was higher among males than females and among rural children than their urban counterparts in SSA countries. Children from polygamous families and from mothers who had been in multiple unions had a 5% increase in stunting compared with children from monogamous families and mothers who had only one union (AOR 1.05 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.09]). Furthermore, rural children were 1.23 times as likely to be stunted compared with urban children (AOR 1.23 [95% CI 1.16 to 1.29]). Children having a <24-mo preceding birth interval were 1.32 times as likely to be stunted compared with first births (AOR 1.32 [95% CI 1.26 to 1.38]). In addition, there was a 2% increase in stunted children for every unit increase in the age (mo) of children (AOR 1.02 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.02]). Multiple-birth children were 2.09 times as likely to be stunted compared with a singleton (AOR 2.09 [95% CI 1.91 to 2.28]). Conclusions The study revealed that more than one-third of children were stunted in SSA countries. Risk factors for childhood stunting were also identified. Effective interventions targeting factors associated with childhood stunting, such as maternal education, advanced maternal age, male sex, child’s age, longer birth interval, multiple-birth polygamy, improved household wealth and history of mothers’ involvement in multiple unions, are required to reduce childhood stunting in the region.

Preconception Care in Sub Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Prevalence and Its Correlation With Knowledge Level Among Women in Reproductive Age Group

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demelash Woldeyohannes ◽  
Yohannes Tekalegn ◽  
Biniyam Sahiledengle ◽  
Desta Erkalo ◽  
Zeleke Hailemariam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preconception Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries ◽  
Reproductive Age Group

Abstract BackgroundThe aim of the preconception care (PCC) is to promote the health of women in the reproductive age before the conception in order to reduce preventable poor pregnancy outcomes. Although there are several published primary studies from Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries on PCC, they do not quantify the extent of PCC Utilisation, Knowledge level about PCC and the association between them among women in the reproductive age group in this region. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled utilisation of PCC, Pooled knowledge level about PCC and their association among women in the reproductive age group in Sub Saharan Africa.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Science Direct, Hinari, Google Scholar and Cochrane library were systematically searched for literature. Additionally, the references of appended articles were checked for further possible sources. The Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 tests were used to assess the heterogeneity of the included studies. A random-effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate pooled the prevalence of PCC, knowledge level of PCC and their correlation among reproductive aged women in Sub-Saharan African countries.ResultsOf the identified 1593 articles, 20 studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled utilisation of PCC and good knowledge level towards PCC among women of reproductive age group in Sub Saharan Africa were found to be 24.05% (95% CI: 16.61, 31.49) and 33.27% (95% CI: 24.78, 41.77), respectively. Women in the reproductive age group with good knowledge level were two times more likely to utilize the PCC than the women with poor knowledge level in Sub Saharan Africa (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.16, 4.76). ConclusionIn SSA Countries, the utilisation of PCC and knowledge towards PCC were low. Additionally, the current meta-analysis found good knowledge level to be significantly associated with utilisation of PCC among women in the reproductive age. These findings indicate that, it is imperative to launch programs to uplift knowledge level about PCC utilisation among women in reproductive age group in SSA countries.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards spotted fever group rickettsioses and Q fever in Laikipia and Maasai Mara, Kenya

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Ndeereh ◽  
Gerald Muchemi ◽  
Andrew Thaiyah
Keyword(s):  
Q Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Sub Saharan

Many factors contribute to misdiagnosis and underreporting of infectious zoonotic diseases in most sub-Saharan Africa including limited diagnostic capacity and poor knowledge. We assessed the knowledge, practices and attitudes towards spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) and Q fever amongst local residents in Laikipia and Maasai Mara in Kenya. A semistructured questionnaire was administered to a total of 101 respondents including 51 pastoralists, 17 human health providers, 28 wildlife sector personnel and 5 veterinarians. The pastoralists expressed no knowledge about SFGR and Q fever. About 26.7% of the wildlife sector personnel in Laikipia expressed some knowledge about SFGR and none in Maasai Mara. None of these respondents had knowledge about Q fever. About 45.5 and 33.3% of the health providers in Laikipia and Maasai Mara respectively expressed knowledge about SFGR and 9.1% in Laikipia expressed good knowledge on Q fever and none in Maasai Mara. The diseases are not considered amongst potential causes of febrile illnesses in most medical facilities except in one facility in Laikipia. Majority of pastoralists practiced at least one predisposing activity for transmission of the diseases including consumption of raw milk, attending to parturition and sharing living accommodations with livestock. Education efforts to update knowledge on medical personnel and One-Health collaborations should be undertaken for more effective mitigation of zoonotic disease threats. The local communities should be sensitized through a multidisciplinary approach to avoid practices that can predispose them to the diseases.

scholarly journals Prospects for sustainable intensification of soybean production in sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-371
Author(s):  
Deepayan Debnath ◽  
◽  
Suresh Babu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Livestock Industry ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Soybean Production ◽  
Soy Meal ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

There is a significant soybean yield gap in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Sustainable intensification of the agricultural sector to reduce such a yield gap is important. Increasing soybean productivity can meet the growing demand for food and feed when complemented with higher soy meal demand by the local livestock industry. This study performs an ex-ante economic analysis to determine the effect of higher soybean production on trade and land use within SSA countries. We find that increasing soybean yield by 50% can increase the total returns from soybean production by 186 million LC (local currency) in Ethiopia and 36 billion LC in Nigeria. We show that soybean yield growth alone is enough to boost soy oil production, as the crushing of the beans produces 18% oil and 79% meal. While increasing productivity may lead to freeing land to produce high-valued cash crops, investors will be reluctant to invest in the crushing facilities in the absence of soy meal demand by the livestock industry. Therefore, policymakers need to establish collaboration between development organisations, private companies, farmers and researchers to achieve this transformation and thereby raise agricultural productivity.

Cross-Border Funding and Microfinance Mission Drift: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-40
Author(s):  
Akem Forkusam
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Mission Drift ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Sources ◽  
Ssa Countries

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has become the top priority for international funders and they are now increasing their cross-border funding to microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the region. This foreign funding is considered an additional source of capital for MFIs in the region who are facing difficulties in meeting the demand of the poor. However, these funds are provided by public and private funders who each have different motives. The paper examines the impact of these different sources of funding on microfinance performance and mission drift in SSA, which is the world’s poorest region. The study utilizes data from 212 MFIs in 30 SSA countries accessed over a three-year period (i.e. 2007, 2009, and 2011). The findings show that cross-border funding does not affect either the social or financial performance of MFIs when time and country effects are accounted for.

An Overview of Population Growth and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
pp. 480-499
Author(s):  
Vincent Sebastian Pande ◽  
Neema Penance Kumburu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Realistic Approach ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

Development efforts in several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are harmed by a combination of many factors, high rates of population growth being among of them. Despite the strong links between population and sustainable development, these issues were not a priority in broader development policies and strategies in SSA. Population and sustainable development had been often addressed separately at policy and programme levels. Despite the fact that decision makers in these countries recognize the importance of population issues for sustainable development, these issues are rarely worked on together, limiting the payoff that could result from integrating the two. This chapter, therefore, re-examines and relates these two concepts to see their compatibility and provides a more realistic approach in converting population growth into economic gains for future development of SSA countries and Africa in general.

Social, Political, and Environmental Impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
pp. 183-219
Author(s):  
Rhys Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Ssa Countries

Some of the most controversial aspects of China’s economic presence in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) relate to the social, political, and environmental impacts. Many of the claims that are made are based on anecdotal evidence, and there is a need for more systematic research on these aspects. In terms of social impacts, the chapter discusses employment, wages, working conditions, and labour rights. Political issues addressed include claims that China’s involvement supports authoritarian regimes, encourages corruption, and leads to conflict and political instability. These claims are not generally supported, and SSA countries have benefitted from the increased policy space that Chinese involvement gives them. The environmental effects of both increased exports to China and the activities of Chinese firms in SSA are analyzed. Contrasting case studies illustrate the negative impacts of China on forestry, and the positive effects of Chinese support for wind and solar power.

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