scholarly journals Mobile Communication Technology and National Identity in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghyun Danny Choi ◽  
Benjamin Laughlin ◽  
Anna Schultz
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Mobile Internet ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Survey Interviews ◽  
Mobile Communication Technology ◽  
Media And Communication

We examine how the expansion of mobile internet infrastructure affects national identity in sub-Saharan Africa. In diverse societies where elections are contested along ethno-communal lines, we argue that access to mobile internet undermines national identity because it facilitates voter exposure to the polarizing tendencies of internet-based social media and communication platforms. Applying a difference-in-differences design on mobile coverage maps and geocoded survey data of more than 50,000 African citizens, we show that access to mobile internet reduces identification with the nation by up to 5--7 percentage points. To establish support for our electoral mechanism, we exploit as-if random variation in the timing of individuals' survey interviews relative to presidential elections, during which we argue divisive and polarizing forces are at their peak. Our analysis shows that electoral proximity intensifies the negative effect of mobile internet. These findings highlight how technological innovations can inhibit the process of state-building in diverse societies.

scholarly journals Relationship between changing malaria burden and low birth weight in sub-Saharan Africa: A difference-in-differences study via a pair-of-pairs approach

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyu Heng ◽  
Wendy P O'Meara ◽  
Ryan A Simmons ◽  
Dylan S Small
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Malaria Burden ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background:According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2018, an estimated 228 million malaria cases occurred worldwide with most cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Scale-up of vector control tools coupled with increased access to diagnosis and effective treatment has resulted in a large decline in malaria prevalence in some areas, but other areas have seen little change. Although interventional studies demonstrate that preventing malaria during pregnancy can reduce the rate of low birth weight (i.e. child’s birth weight <2500 g), it remains unknown whether natural changes in parasite transmission and malaria burden can improve birth outcomes.Methods:We conducted an observational study of the effect of changing malaria burden on low birth weight using data from 18,112 births in 19 countries in sub-Saharan African countries during the years 2000–2015. Specifically, we conducted a difference-in-differences study via a pair-of-pairs matching approach using the fact that some sub-Saharan areas experienced sharp drops in malaria prevalence and some experienced little change.Results:A malaria prevalence decline from a high rate (Plasmodium falciparum parasite rate in children aged 2-up-to-10 (i.e. PfPR2-10) > 0.4) to a low rate (PfPR2-10 < 0.2) is estimated to reduce the rate of low birth weight by 1.48 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 3.70 percentage points reduction, 0.74 percentage points increase), which is a 17% reduction in the low birth weight rate compared to the average (8.6%) in our study population with observed birth weight records (1.48/8.6 ≈ 17%). When focusing on first pregnancies, a decline in malaria prevalence from high to low is estimated to have a greater impact on the low birth weight rate than for all births: 3.73 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 9.11 percentage points reduction, 1.64 percentage points increase).Conclusions:Although the confidence intervals cannot rule out the possibility of no effect at the 95% confidence level, the concurrence between our primary analysis, secondary analyses, and sensitivity analyses, and the magnitude of the effect size, contribute to the weight of the evidence suggesting that declining malaria burden can potentially substantially reduce the low birth weight rate at the community level in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among firstborns. The novel statistical methodology developed in this article–a pair-of-pairs approach to a difference-in-differences study–could be useful for many settings in which different units are observed at different times.Funding:Ryan A. Simmons is supported by National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR002553). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Information technology and insurance development in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 026666692110289
Author(s):  
Taiwo Akinlo
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Life Insurance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Method Of Moment ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Insurance Premiums ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Insurance Development

The study examined the relationship between information technology and insurance development in 40 sub-Saharan African countries during the period 2000-2017. The study employed System Generalised Method of Moment for the estimations. Life insurance premiums, non-life insurance premiums and total insurance premiums are used to measure life insurance, non-life insurance and total insurance, respectively. The information technology is measured by mobile phone, fixed telephone and Internet penetrations. The study found that the Internet promotes non-life insurance while its effect on life and total insurance is insignificant. The mobile phone produced a negative effect on life insurance, non-life insurance and total insurance. However, fixed telephone significantly contributed to life insurance, non-life insurance and total insurance. Based on these findings, there is a need for insurers to encourage their client to use information technology tools for insurance activities and also increase their interaction with their customers.

scholarly journals The impact of antenatal care on under‐five mortality in Ethiopia: a difference‐in‐differences analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Oduse ◽  
Temesgen Zewotir ◽  
Delia North
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
P Value ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa, as opposed to other regions, has the highest under-five mortality rates yet makes the least improvement in reducing under-five mortality. Despite the decline, Ethiopia is among the top ten countries contributing the most to global under-five mortalities. This article examines the impact of the number of antenatal care and the timing of first antenatal care on child health outcomes. We specifically investigated if the utilization of antenatal care services positively affects the reduction of under-five mortality. Methods We employ a difference-in-differences design with propensity score matching to identify direct causal effects of antenatal care on under-five mortality based on the Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey data of 2011 and 2016. Our sample includes 22 295 women between the ages of 14–49 who had antenatal care visits at different times before delivery. Results The study revealed 1 481 cases of reported under-five mortality. 99.0% of that under-five mortality cases are women who had less than eight antenatal care visits, while only 1% of that is by women who had eight or more antenatal care visits. Antenatal care visit decreases the likelihood of under-five mortality in Ethiopia by 45.2% (CI = 19.2–71.3%, P-value < 0.001) while the timing of first antenatal care within the first trimester decreases the likelihood of under-five mortality by 10% (CI = 5.7–15.6%, P-value < 0.001). Conclusions To achieve a significant reduction in the under-five mortality rate, Intervention programs that encourages more antenatal care visits should be considered. This will improve child survival and help in attaining Sustainable Development Goal targets.

Dividend Policy as a Driver of Corporate Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-13
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Otitolaiye ◽  
Tunji Siyanbola
Keyword(s):  
Dividend Policy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Firm Age ◽  
Dividend Payout ◽  
Significant Negative Effect ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Corporate Growth ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sub Saharan

Dividend policy remains an important topic in modern corporate finance. Researchers, managers, and business owners seek to understand the optimal dividend policy. This study examined dividend policy as a driver of corporate growth in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence in Nigeria. The ex-post facto research design was adopted to analyse how dividend policy spur the growth of active insurance companies in the Nigerian Stock Exchange using secondary data of the sampled firms for 2007 – 2018 while utilising descriptive and inferential (regression) statistics in data analysis. The findings reveal that dividend policy in terms of dividend payout has an insignificant negative effect on corporate growth of insurance companies in Nigeria (?= -8.09E-05, p=0.77; Adjusted R2=0.4093; F(4,139)=3.29; p=0.00 with the controlling effect of efficiency, firm age and leverage which have a significant effect on corporate growth of insurance companies in Nigeria. Specifically, the study reveals that efficiency has a significant negative effect on corporate growth (?=-5.29, p<0.05); while firm age discloses a significant positive influence on corporate growth (?=0.417, p<0.05); as leverage exerts a significant negative effect on corporate growth (?=0.052, p<0.05). Therefore, the study concludes that dividend policy does not significantly drive insurance companies' dividend payout growth. The study recommends that insurance companies' management retain more of their profits, improve their efficiency, and control their leverage to further growth.

scholarly journals The consequences of China's impending economic crisis on global economy

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 24-41
Author(s):  
Mavhungu Abel Mafukata
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Chinese Economy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Economic Practice ◽  
Specific Objective ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sub Saharan

The main objective of this paper is to predict the consequences of China's impending economic crisis on global economy – with reference to Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular. The specific objective of this paper is to investigate and explore the increasing dominance of economic practice of China in SSA. China is a critical principal player in the economy of SSA. China's influence and dominance of the SSA economy might have negative effect on SSA in case of any implosion of the Chinese economy. Data were collected from print and electronic sources extracted from the vast body of empirical scholarship of different disciplines on China in SSA.  The results of this paper revealed that China is indeed dominating the economy in SSA. Pointers are that China's economic implosion would have consequences for SSA in the same way as the 2008-2009 global economic recession had around the world. This  paper positively predicts that China's economic and financial implosion remains a possibility, and would impact on SSA.

Economic freedom, competition and bank stability in Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Sarpong-Kumankoma ◽  
Joshua Yindenaba Abor ◽  
Anthony Q. Q. Aboagye ◽  
Mohammed Amidu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Freedom ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Bank Stability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Stability

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the potential implications of economic freedom and competition for bank stability.Design/methodology/approachUsing system generalized method of moments and data from 139 banks across 11 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries during the period 2006–2012, this study considers whether the degree of economic freedom affects the relationship between competition and bank stability.FindingsThe results show evidence of the competition-fragility hypothesis in SSA banking, but suggests that beyond a setting threshold, increases in market power may also be damaging to bank stability. Financial freedom has a negative effect on bank stability, suggesting that banks operating in environments with greater financial freedom generally tend to be less stable or more risky. The authors also find evidence of a conditional effect of economic freedom on the competition–stability relationship, implying that bank failure is more likely to occur in countries with greater economic freedom, but with low competition in the banking sector.Practical implicationsThe results suggests to policy makers that a moderate level of competition and economic freedom may be the appropriate policy to ensure the stability of banks.Originality/valueThe study provides insight on the competition–bank stability relationship, by providing new empirical evidence on the effect of economic freedom, which has not been previously considered.

The Influence of Uber on the Tourism Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 004728752095163
Author(s):  
So Young Park ◽  
JunYun Kim ◽  
Bing Pan
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Successful Development ◽  
Public Transportation System ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Tourism Economy

An unreliable and inefficient public transportation system can be a barrier to the successful development of a destination’s tourism industry. Uber, a convenient ride-hailing service, can complement underdeveloped public transport and play a significant role in stimulating the tourism economy by increasing tourists’ mobility and accessibility to attractions and service facilities. Using the data of 48 sub-Saharan African countries, this study conducted propensity score matching and difference-in-differences analysis to empirically examine the influence of Uber on a country’s tourism industry. The results showed that Uber contributed $20 million annually in total tourist spending—$24 per tourist spending—on average, to a country’s economy between 2013 and 2016. However, it did not have a significant influence on the number of international arrivals. The findings of this study provided insights into the benefits of Uber service in promoting per tourist spending by providing a reliable and efficient means of travel.

scholarly journals Impact of Feed the Future initiative on nutrition in children aged less than 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa: difference-in-differences analysis

BMJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. l6540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Ryckman ◽  
Margaret Robinson ◽  
Courtney Pedersen ◽  
Jay Bhattacharya ◽  
Eran Bendavid
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Large Country ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
National Differences ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
The Future ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Feed The Future ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of the US government’s Feed the Future initiative on nutrition outcomes in children younger than 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa.DesignDifference-in-differences quasi-experimental approach.SettingHouseholds in 33 low and lower middle income countries in sub-Saharan Africa.Population883 309 children aged less than 5 years with weight, height, and age recorded in 118 surveys conducted in 33 countries between 2000 and 2017: 388 052 children were from Feed the Future countries and 495 257 were from non-Feed the Future countries.Main outcome measuresA difference-in-differences approach was used to compare outcomes among children in intervention countries after implementation of the initiative with children before its introduction and children in non-intervention countries, controlling for relevant covariates, time invariant national differences, and time trends. The primary outcome was stunting (height for age >2 standard deviations below a reference median), a key indicator of undernutrition in children. Secondary outcomes were wasting (low weight for height) and underweight (low weight for age).ResultsAcross all years and countries, 38.3% of children in the study sample were stunted, 8.9% showed wasting, and 21.3% were underweight. In the first six years of Feed the Future’s implementation, children in 12 countries with the initiative exhibited a 3.9 percentage point (95% confidence interval 2.4 to 5.5) greater decline in stunting, a 1.1 percentage point (0.1 to 2.1) greater decline in wasting, and a 2.8 percentage point (1.6 to 4.0) greater decline in underweight levels compared with children in 21 countries without the initiative and compared with trends in undernutrition before Feed the Future was launched. These decreases translate to around two million fewer stunted and underweight children aged less than 5 years and around a half million fewer children with wasting. For context, about 22 million children were stunted, 11 million children were underweight, and four million children were wasted in the Feed the Future countries at baseline.ConclusionsFeed the Future’s activities were closely linked to notable improvements in stunting and underweight levels and moderate improvements in wasting in children younger than 5 years. These findings highlight the effectiveness of this large, country tailored initiative focused on agriculture and food security and have important implications for the future of this and other nutrition interventions worldwide.

scholarly journals HIV/AIDS and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danjuma Maijama'a ◽  
Shamzaeffa Samsudin ◽  
Shazida jan Mohd Khan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Growth Equation ◽  
Solow Model ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Sub Saharan

<p>This study investigates the effects of the HIV and AIDS epidemic on economic growth in 42<br />sub-Saharan African countries using data spanning from 1990-2013. Unlike previous studies,<br />we use a longer data horizon and take the time lag effect of the epidemic’s incubation period<br />that is, after it might have developed to AIDS into consideration in our estimations. We<br />estimated an empirical growth equation within an augmented Solow model and applied the<br />dynamic system GMM estimator. The results suggest that current HIV prevalence rate –<br />associated with rising morbidity, has a negative effect on GDP per capita growth, conversely<br />AIDS – associated with higher mortality in addition to morbidity, increases per capita GDP<br />growth.</p>

scholarly journals Midwifery workforce profile in Limpopo Province referral hospitals

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam T. Ntuli ◽  
Gboyega A. Ogunbanjo
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Maternity Care ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Referral Hospitals ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa including South Africa, maternal mortality rates remain unacceptably high due to a shortage of registered nurses with advanced midwifery diplomas.Objective: To determine the profile of registered nurses (RNs) involved in maternity care in public referral hospitals of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in all maternity units of Limpopo’s public referral hospitals. The study population comprised of 210 registered nurses, who became the study sample. Data on their educational profile and work experience in midwifery was analysed using STATA version 9.0.Results: The mean age of the 210 registered nurses was 44.5 ± 9.1 years (range 21 to 62). The majority (152/210; 70%) were 40 years and older, 56% (117/210) had been working for more than 10 years, and 63/210 (30%) were due to retire within 10 years. Only 22% (46/210) had advanced midwifery diplomas, i.e. after their basic undergraduate training. Only six (2.9%) of the RNs providing maternity care in these referral hospitals were studying for advanced midwifery diplomas at the time of the study.Conclusion: This study demonstrated a shortage of registered nurses with advanced midwifery training/diplomas in referral hospitals of the Limpopo Province. This has a potentially negative effect in reducing the high maternal mortality rate in the province.

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