An Empirical Analysis of the Effect of Government Expenditure on Economic Growth in Nigeria (1981-2013)

The study adopted the ex-post facto research design using the ordinary least square regression analysis to estimate the model specified. Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) was adopted as the dependent variable while government capital expenditure (CAPEXP) and government recurrent expenditure (RECEXP) represent the independent variables. Two hypotheses which flowed from the research questions were tested with the application of Granger Causality Test, Johansen Rank Cointegration Test and Error Correction Mechanism. There is a confirmation of the existence of a long run relationship and an indication that 2 cointegrating vectors exist at 5% level of significance. From the results, RECEXP Granger Cause RGDP while RGDP Granger Cause RECEXP. CAPEXP Granger Cause RGDP while RGDP Granger Cause CAPEXP. CAPEXT Granger Cause RECEXP while RECEXP does not Granger Cause CAPEXP. Thus, the study recommends amongst others, increased investment on the productive sectors of the economy, such as infrastructure, education and health. However, government should plug all leakages that have hitherto hindered effective and commensurate results from government spending in the past. Keywords: Government expenditure; Economic growth; OLS; Nigeria.

A randomized control trial of phototherapy and 20% albumin versus phototherapy and saline in Kilifi, Kenya

Objective: The study evaluated the efficacy of phototherapy and 20% albumin infusion to reduce total serum bilirubin (TSB) in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia. The primary outcome was a reduction of TSB at the end of treatment. The secondary outcomes were the need for exchange transfusion, inpatient mortality, neurological outcomes at discharge, and development outcomes at 12-months follow-up. Results: One hundred and eighteen neonates were randomly assigned to phototherapy and 20% albumin (n = 59) and phototherapy and saline (n = 69). The median age at admission was 5 (interquartile range (IQR) 3–6) days, and the median gestation was 36 (IQR 36–38) weeks. No significant differences were found in the change in TSB (Mann–Whitney U =609, p = 0.98) and rate of change in TSB per hour after treatment (Mann–Whitney U = 540, p = 0.39) between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of participants who required exchange transfusion (χ2 (2) = 0.36, p = 0.546); repeat phototherapy (χ2 (2) = 2.37, p = 0.123); and those who died (χ2 (2) = 0.92, p = 0.337). Trial registration The trial was registered in the International Standardized Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN); trial registration number ISRCTN89732754

Neonatal jaundice and developmental impairment among infants in Kilifi, Kenya

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is common in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), and it is associated with sepsis. Despite the high incidence, little has been documented about developmental impairments associated with NNJ in SSA. In particular, it is not clear if sepsis is associated with greater impairment following NNJ. Methods: We followed up 169 participants aged 12 months (57 cases and 112 controls) within the Kilifi Health Demographic Surveillance System. The diagnosis of NNJ was based on clinical laboratory measurement of total serum bilirubin on admission, whereas the developmental outcomes were assessed using the Developmental Milestones Checklist and Kilifi Development Inventory. Results: There were significant differences between the cases and controls in all developmental domains. Cases scored lower in language functioning (mean [M] = 6.5, standard deviation [SD] = 4.3 vs. M = 8.9, SD = 4.6; p \u3c .001); psychomotor functioning (Mdn = 23, interquartile range [IQR] = 17–34 vs. Mdn = 31.0, IQR = 22.0–44.0; Mann–Whitney U = 4,122, p = .002); and socio‐emotional functioning ([Mdn = 30.0, IQR = 27.0–33.0 vs. Mdn = 34.0, IQR = 30.0–37.0], Mann–Whitney U = 4,289, p \u3c .001). There was no evidence of association between sepsis and psychomotor (rpb = −.2, p = .214), language (rpb = −.1, p = .510), and socio‐emotional functioning (rpb = .0, p = .916). Significant and medium to large portions of the variance (34–64%) in the developmental outcomes among children who survived NNJ were associated with home birth, low maternal education, and feeding problems during the first days of life. Conclusions: NNJ is associated with developmental impairments in the early childhood years; however, NNJ associated with sepsis does not lead to more severe impairment. Prenatal and postnatal care services are needed to reduce the negative impact of NNJ for children from low resourced settings

Socioeconomic status, anthropometric status, and psychomotor development of Kenyan children from resource-limited settings: a path-analytic study

Abstract: Background—Sub-optimal physical growth has been suggested as a key pathway between the effect of environmental risk and developmental outcome. Aim—To determine if anthropometric status mediates the relation between socioeconomic status and psychomotor development of young children in resource-limited settings. Study design—A cross-sectional study design was used. Subjects—A total of 204 (105 girls) children from two resource-limited communities in the Coast Province, Kenya. The mean age of these children was 29 months (SD=3.43; range: 24–35 months). Outcome measure—Psychomotor functioning was assessed using a locally developed and validated measure, the Kilifi Developmental Inventory. Results—A significant association was found between anthropometric status (as measured by weight-for-age, height-for-age, mid-upper arm circumference, and head circumference) and psychomotor functioning and also between socioeconomic status and anthropometric status; no direct effects were found between socioeconomic status and developmental outcome. The models showed that weight, height and to a lesser extent mid-upper arm circumference mediate the relation between socioeconomic status and developmental outcome, while head circumference did not show the same effect. Conclusion—Among children under 3 years living in poverty, anthropometric status shows a clear association with psychomotor development while socioeconomic status may only have an indirect association

Replication Data for: A Randomized Control Trial of Phototherapy and 20% Albumin Versus Phototherapy and Saline in Kilifi, Kenya

This is a replication dataset for "A Randomized Control Trial of Phototherapy and 20% Albumin Versus Phototherapy and Saline in Kilifi, Kenya". The data were obtained from a parallel randomised controlled trial of phototherapy and 20% albumin versus phototherapy and saline. The study was conducted at Kilifi county hospital from 2006 to 2011.</p

Confirmatory factor analysis (Hierarchical factor solution).

<p>Confirmatory factor analysis (Hierarchical factor solution).</p

Confirmatory factor analysis (The unidimensional model).

<p>Confirmatory factor analysis (The unidimensional model).</p

Item level analyses of the BDI.

<p>Item level analyses of the BDI.</p

Means differences between the three subscales of the BDI-II.

<p>Means differences between the three subscales of the BDI-II.</p

A randomized control trial of phototherapy and 20% albumin versus phototherapy and saline in Kilifi, Kenya

Objective The study evaluated the efficacy of phototherapy and 20% albumin infusion to reduce total serum bilirubin (TSB) in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia. The primary outcome was a reduction of TSB at the end of treatment. The secondary outcomes were the need for exchange transfusion, inpatient mortality, neurological outcomes at discharge, and development outcomes at 12-months follow-up. Results One hundred and eighteen neonates were randomly assigned to phototherapy and 20% albumin (n = 59) and phototherapy and saline (n = 69). The median age at admission was 5 (interquartile range (IQR) 3–6) days, and the median gestation was 36 (IQR 36–38) weeks. No significant differences were found in the change in TSB (Mann–Whitney U =609, p = 0.98) and rate of change in TSB per hour after treatment (Mann–Whitney U = 540, p = 0.39) between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of participants who required exchange transfusion (χ2 (2) = 0.36, p = 0.546); repeat phototherapy (χ2 (2) = 2.37, p = 0.123); and those who died (χ2 (2) = 0.92, p = 0.337). Trial registration The trial was registered in the International Standardized Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN); trial registration number ISRCTN89732754