Working Paper 91 - Health Expenditures and Health Outcomes in Africa

This paper provides econometric evidence linking African countries’ per capita total as well as government health expenditures and per capita income to two health outcomes: infant mortality and under-five mortality. This relationship is examined, using data from 47 African countries between 1999 and 2004. Health expenditures have a statistically significant effect on infant mortality and under-five mortality. The magnitude of our elasticity estimates are in consonance to those reported in the literature. For African countries, our results imply that total health expenditures (as well as the public component) are certainly important contributor to health outcomes. In addition, we find that both infant and under-five mortality are positively and significantly associated with Sub-Saharan Africa. The reverse is true for North Africa. While ethnolinguistic fractionalization and HIV prevalence positively and significantly affect the health outcomes, higher numbers physicians and female literacy significantly reduce these health outcomes. These results have important implications for attaining the targets envisioned by the Millennium Development Goals. The data implications are also discussed.

Working Paper 92 - Education Expenditures and School Enrolment in Africa: Illustrations from Nigeria and Other SANE Countries

Using panel data of African countries from 1990 to 2002, this paper studies the relationship between government expenditure on education enrolments, with illustration from Nigeria and other SANE (South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, and Egypt) countries at the primary and secondary school levels. The results show that government expenditure on education has a positive and significant direct impact on primary and secondary education enrolment rates. Among the SANE, Nigeria has the greatest positive influence on increasing both primary and secondary education enrolment rates. The paper also finds that other policy interventions, such as consolidating and sustaining democracy, accelerating national income, and international community fulfilling its aid promises to Africa, can also be helpful in moving African countries (including the SANE) toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As such, higher expenditure alone is not sufficient to achieve the MDGs or to attain higher quantum and quality of human capital.

Determinants of Academic Success in Agricultural Science Subject among Senior Secondary School Students

The study examined determinants of academic success in Agricultural science among senior secondary school students in Oru L.G.A. of Imo State, Nigeria. Cross sectional data generated from 200 students drawn from 2 secondary schools randomly selected from the lists of secondary schools in Oru L.G.A of Imo State was used. Descriptive statistical tools such as percentages and frequency tables, as well as regression analysis were used in analyzing the data. Results of the analysis showed that likeness or interest in agricultural science subject by the students, occupation of the parents of the students, type of accommodation which symbolized environmental influence on the students, the level of teaching experience possessed by the teachers, level of class attendance by the students, togetherness of the parents and the educational level of the parents of these students were statistically significant determinants of academic success in agricultural science subject among senior secondary school 1 and 2 students in the State. It is therefore recommended that the Government should boost and sustain the interests of these students through the provision of the requisite instructional materials. The recruitment of qualified and well experienced teachers was also advocated in order to sustain the interests in agricultural science subject. Keywords: Success, Senior Secondary Students, Agricultural Scienc

Optimizing the Benefits of Conversion of Depleted Oil Reservoirs for Underground Natural Gas Storage in Nigeria

Underground natural gas storage in depleted oil reservoir was examined with reservoir Z-16T located onshore in Nigeria. The geological information and the production history of the reservoir were gathered, which aided in the computation of the storage capacity at a given pressure as well as at various pressures. The plot of well flowing pressure, Pwf against flow rate, Q shows the deliverability of the reservoir at various pressures. The study which its objectives are to check the suitability of reservoir Z-16T for underground gas storage and to determine the benefits of operating the reservoir as a storage system, shows that the reservoir is ideal for the purpose. The benefits which were derived from the process of operating the storage system include: (1) utilization of the abandoned oil wells of known production histories; (2) recovery of substantial quantities of oil that otherwise might not have been recovered; (3) converting partially depleted oil reservoirs to total depletion types; (4) secondary recovery practice through continuous gas repressuring and repeated gas cycling; (5) producing vaporized oil as natural gas liquids or condensates; (6) preventing the huge wastage of gas through flaring; (7) stopping the greenhouse emission and attracted penalty; (8) utilising already existing facilitiesKeywords: Natural gas, depleted reservoir, storage, deliverability, leakage, injection, pressure, benefits, secondary recovery, gas flarin

Design and Fabrication of a Pedal Operated Power Generator

Energy conservation is a topical issue and this design proffered an efficient method of doing so. The design was originally conceived to meet the energy needs of those living in rural areas, due to poor access to electricity and also as a model for gym centers and cycle workout studios. Most persons living in these rural areas possess at least a cell phone but lack the means to charge them. This study focused on the design and fabrication of a pedal operated power generator, for the intents of burning fats while yet generating electricity. The power generator was designed to be simple, cheap, durable and easily maintained. It was fabricated using locally sourced materials and is intended to encourage local ingenuity and empower aspiring entrepreneurs especially in developing countries. Its purpose is to efficiently transfer human foot motion less than 60 rpm via a treadle and sprocket-chain step-up to drive a 24V DC permanent magnet generator. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) which is needed to charge low voltage devices like mobile phones, laptops etc. Upon completion, it was found to produce a voltage of 15V and 2.5A at a speed of 483rpm generator speed. The overall efficiency of the system was about 66.6%. Keywords: Energy, pedal, generator, inverter, diod

On Discrimination and Allocation with Continuous and Dichotomous Variables

In discriminant analysis involving continuous and categorical variables, the simplest and conventional procedure is to assign an arbitrary numerical score to each possible state of the categorical variables and proceed as if all variables are continuous. A discrimination procedure is suggested for use in a situation where the discriminating variables are mixtures of more than one Continuous variable and one Dichotomous variable. The performance of the suggested procedure is compared alongside that of the conventional Fisher’s Linear Discriminant and Logistic Discrimination procedures based on their error rates. The suggested procedure performed better when compared with the other procedures. Hence, the suggested procedure will be applicable for such situation. Keywords: Dichotomous, Continuous, Discriminant Analysis, Error Rat

Human papilloma virus genotype distribution and risk factor analysis amongst reproductive aged women in urban Gambia

Purpose. Cervical cancer is the most frequently diagnosed female cancer in The Gambia, representing approximately 30% of cases. In 2014, the quadrivalent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine was introduced, which offers protection against HPV genotypes 6, 11, 16 and 18. To evaluate the potential effectiveness of this vaccine, genotype distribution and risk factor analysis were assessed. Methodology. Endocervical samples (n=232) were collected from women aged 20-49 years residing in urban Gambia. A questionnaire was administered to capture socio-demographic and cervical cancer risk factors. HPV detection and genotyping was performed by PCR amplification of the L1 major capsid gene and analysis of sequenced PCR products. Results/ Key Findings. The prevalence of HPV was 12% (28/232) and the high risk (HR) genotype HPV 52 (5/28) was the most prevalent genotype. HR-HPV sequences had high identity (≥ 90 %) to isolates which originated from America, Europe and Asia but not from Africa. Half (14/28) of participants were co-infected with Ureaplasma urealyticum/parvum, which increases the risk of progression to cervical cancer. Female genital mutilation and the use of hormone contraception for >5 years were identified as potential risk factors for HPV infection. Ethnicity-associated differences were also noted; participants of the Fula ethnic group had a higher prevalence of HR-HPV infection (31.3%) compared to the Mandinka (18.8%) and Wollof (12.5%) groups. Conclusion. These data may have a significant public health impact as the HPV quadrivalent vaccine may be of limited value if the circulating non-HPV 16/18 HR-genotypes are responsible for cytological abnormalities of the cervix

Chronic Environmental exposure to Alternaria tenuis may manifest symptoms of neuropsychological illnesses: A study of 12 Cases.

Toxigenic mold exposures are shown to lead to illnesses most of which are just being unraveled. This paper reports the findings in cases of 12 white female office workers who presented with symptoms of neuropsychological illnesses, most likely, due to indoor environmental toxigenic mold exposures. Their major complaints were: weakness and numbness in legs, dizziness, loss of memory, light-headedness and vertigo, fatigue, getting lost in familiar territory, and confused thoughts. The subjects were evaluated by testing immunologic, basic EEG, and comprehensive neuropsychological tests. Abnormal antibodies to Alternaria tenuis, Pullularia pullulans, and Epicoccum nigrum antigens were found in all the subjects' serum, and they were quite different from the abnormal levels of Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, and Penicillium, Cladiosporium genera found in their indoor environment. EEG examination was abnormal all the subjects with 10 Hz posterior dominant activities in 6 out of 12, which were synchronous, symmetrical and attenuated on eye opening and eye-closure. There was an evidence of tremor of the extremities in 3 subjects. These particular subjects' reflex was abnormal, and they had accommodation paresis. Gross neuropsychological abnormalities including those observed in the brain-damaged population and significantly below non-brain damaged functioning was observed. These findings seem to indicate that chronic exposures to Alternaria tenuis, Pullularia pullulans, and Epicoccum nigrum might have neuropsychological effects, and that most likely, only one abnormal antibody to toxigenic mold antigen could have the most dominant adverse toxic exertion leading to the observed neuropsychological effects. It is concluded therefore, that chronic exposures to certain toxigenic molds might lead to neuropsychological manifestations and that although, it is acknowledged that the contaminations of the indoor environment by toxigenic molds are directly related to the adverse health effects on the occupants, there could be a situation where such relationship does not exist. @JASE