The Impact of Financial Development on Investment: a Review of International Literature

This article summarises the empirical literature on the impact of financial development on investment. It presents a topical analysis of empirical research that focuses mainly on the interaction between financial development and investment, determinants and measurement of both financial development and investment, and empirical findings on the relationship between the two variables under discussion. The study concludes that most of the research done on the relationship between financial development and investment is highly skewed towards assessing the relationship using mostly bank-based financial development indicators, as compared to the market-based financial development indicators. Given the number of studies assessed, the impact of financial development on investment appears to be inconclusive, at best. Moreover, the study shows that the relationship between these two macroeconomic variables seems to differ from country to country; it is dependent on the proxies used to measure the level of financial development, as well as the methodology employed

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in a premature dizygotic female twin: a case report

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome is a congenital disease that is rare and has low prevalence worldwide. It presents classically with features of macroglossia, abdominal wall defects (omphalocele), and macrosomia at birth. Other typical manifestations include facial nevus simplex, ear lobe abnormalities (creases and/or pits), transient hypoglycemia, and renal abnormalities seen on ultrasound. We report a case of a female preterm infant of twin gestation presenting at our level 4 hospital’s newborn unit with typical features of the syndrome. We aimed to create further awareness on the diagnosis in secondary health institutions and management of common features and complications of the syndrome. There is a paucity of pictorial evidence of morphology and literature related to the syndrome in an African child and this case report aims to improve that. No case has been previously reported in the Kenyan setting

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Rainfall Variations over Kenya

This paper presents analysis of spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall variability over Kenya between 1971 and 2010. Rainfall data was obtained from 26 stations in Kenya, out of total 34 synoptic stations which were analyzed at monthly, seasonal and annual scales. Monthly Climate Research Unit (CRU) and Global Precipitation Climate Centre (GPCC) data sets were used. Results showed that CRU data performs better than GPCC when subjected to evaluation and comparison with station data. The findings showed that the highest and lowest annual rainfall was recorded in 1997 (1309.1.2mm) and 2000 (609.4mm) respectively. Maximum mean annual rainfall (2087.0mm) was observed on Kisii station, while the least mean annual rainfall (203mm) was reported at Lodwar station. The highest recorded total rainfall within the analysis domain occurred at Kisii location (3673.6mm), while the least was recorded at Lodwar location (54.2mm). Further results reveal that among the seasons, a noticeable decrease in March, April and May (MAM: 95.5.0mm) and slight increase in October to December (OND: 65.3mm). Overall the findings demonstrated that there is significant decrease in rainfall over Kenya and this is in line with recent trends of global warming as reported by last intergovernmental panel on climate change report (IPCC report). The significance of these findings is that it could support various policy makers and development partners in the field of climate science working in Kenya both on local to large scale related industries. Keywords: Spatial-temporal variability, Climatology, Kenya

THE SEQUENCING OF FINANCIAL REFORMS AND BANK-BASED FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN MAURITIUS

This paper presents the sequencing of the financial reforms and financial sector development in Mauritius. With the aid of selected data from the World Development Indicators and the Financial Structure database, the paper also gives an analysis of the resultant changes (due to reforms) in the banking sector of Mauritius during the post-financial reform period. Inclinations show increased financial development, which can mainly be explained by increased personal credit, deposits and financial products, and increased bank competition. The maintenance of a stable macroeconomic environment, as well as a strong prudential regulation and supervision landscape, are some of the factors that have enabled financial development to become a success in Mauritius

Training for real: matching employer needs to training supply

For 40 years, the Water, Engineering and Development Centre of Loughborough University has trained engineers in the practical requirements for infrastructure services in low- and middle-income countries. This was started to rectify a mismatch between what was being taught in universities and what was being done in practice. Often this gap was addressed by ad hoc, uncoordinated, costly and often ineffective training courses. This mismatch is still apparent and so researchers explored why training providers are not meeting employers' needs. The action research went behind training needs analysis to examine the dialogue between the 'suppliers' (universities) and the 'demands' of the employers (local authorities and water utilities), across the water and sanitation sector in Uganda, through a series of forums, interviews, workshop appraisals and case studies, as well as trialling innovative training techniques. The research identified areas for improvement, especially in the area of employer engagement, skill needs and the management of human resource development

Towards a sector-wide framework for capacity development: the 'training for real' project for Uganda

The human resources are the most important resources for delivering Millennium Development Goals. This fact was recognised by policy makers in the Uganda water and sanitation sector, who, with the support of their development partners commissioned the ‘Training For Real’ (TFR) action research project. The TFR project aimed at motivating human resource development managers in the sector and training providers to be responsive to the demands of employers and make professional development of water and sanitation sector staff more relevant. The activities of the TFR project comprised of setting up a sector HRD thematic group and enhancing their professional capacities; research into current practices of capacity development; survey of perceived impact of past training activities; organising forums that brought together key stakeholders in the sector with academics in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); piloting innovative methods of delivering capacity development; and support stakeholder institutions in information and knowledge management. These activities have paved way for a sector-wide framework for human resource development and capacity building, and this fits well with the trend existing in the Uganda water/sanitation sector of adopting Sector Wide Approaches (SWAps) in management of the programmes

Prevalence and mortality of epilepsies with convulsive and non-convulsive seizures in Kilifi, Kenya

Objectives: The prevalence of all epilepsies (both convulsive and non-convulsive seizures) in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMIC), particularly sub-Saharan Africa is unknown. Under estimation of non-convulsive ep- ilepsies in data from these countries may lead to inadequate and sub-optimal allocation of resources to control and prevent epilepsy. We determined the prevalence of all types of epilepsies and compared the mortality be- tween convulsive seizures and non-convulsive seizures in a resource limited rural area in Kenya. Methods: Trained clinicians identified cases of epilepsy in a randomly selected sample of 4,441 residents in the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System site using a cross-sectional survey design. Seizure types were classified by epileptologists using the current guidelines of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). We estimated prevalence for epilepsy with convulsive seizures and non-convulsive seizures and for epilepsy with non-convulsive seizures only and compared premature mortality between these groups of seizures. Results: Of the 4441 people visited, 141 had lifetime epilepsy and 96 active epilepsy, which is a crude prevalence of 31.7/1,000 persons (95% CI: 26.6-36.9) and 21.6/1,000 (95% CI: 17.3-25.9), respectively. Both convulsive and non-convulsive seizures occurred in 7% people with epilepsy (PWE), only convulsive seizures in 52% and only non-convulsive seizures in 35% PWE; there was insufficient information to classify epilepsy in the remainder 6%. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of lifetime people was 23.5/1,000 (95% CI: 11.0-36.0), with the adjusted prevalence of epilepsy with non-convulsive seizures only estimated at 8.2/1,000 (95%CI:3.9-12.6). The mortality rate in PWE was 6.3/1,000 (95%CI: 3.4-11.8), compared to 2.8/1,000 (2.3-3.3) in those without epilepsy; hazard ratio (HR) =2.31 (1.22-4.39; p=0.011). The annual mortality rate was 11.2/1,000 (95%CI: 5.3- 23.4) in PWE with convulsive and non-convulsive seizures and none died in PWE with non-convulsive seizures alone. Conclusions: Our study shows that epilepsy with non-convulsive seizures is common and adds to the prevalence of previously reported estimates of active convulsive epilepsy. Both epilepsy with convulsive seizures and that with non-convulsive seizures should be identified for optimising treatment and for planning resource allocation

Technical notes on drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene in emergencies

Collection of fact sheets prepared by WEDC and WHO to assist those working immediately or shortly after and emergency to plan appropriate responses to the urgent water, sanitation and hygiene needs of the affected communities. 2nd edition updated to incorporate the results of recent research and reflect current best practice. The fact sheets are: 1 Cleaning hand dug wells 2 Cleaning and rehabilitating boreholes 3 Cleaning and disinfecting water storage tanks and tankers 4 Rehabilitating small-scale piped water distribution systems 5 Emergency treatment of drinking-water at the point of use 6 Rehabilitating water treatment works after an emergency 7 Solid waste management in emergencies 8 Disposal of dead bodies in emergency conditions 9 How much water is needed in emergencies 10 Hygiene promotion in emergencies 11 Measuring chlorine levels in water supplies 12 Delivering safe water by tanker 13 Planning for excreta disposal in emergencies 14 Technical options for excreta disposal in emergencies 15 Cleaning wells after seawater floodin

Identifying gaps in HIV policy and practice along the HIV care continuum: evidence from a national policy review and health facility surveys in urban and rural Kenya.

The last decade has seen rapid evolution in guidance from the WHO concerning the provision of HIV services along the diagnosis-to-treatment continuum, but the extent to which these recommendations are adopted as national policies in Kenya, and subsequently implemented in health facilities, is not well understood. Identifying gaps in policy coverage and implementation is important for highlighting areas for improving service delivery, leading to better health outcomes. We compared WHO guidance with national policies for HIV testing and counselling, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, HIV treatment and retention in care. We then investigated implementation of these national policies in health facilities in one rural (Kisumu) and one urban (Nairobi) sites in Kenya. Implementation was documented using structured questionnaires that were administered to in-charge staff at 10 health facilities in Nairobi and 34 in Kisumu. Policies were defined as widely implemented if they were reported to occur in?>?70% facilities, partially implemented if reported to occur in 30-70% facilities, and having limited implementation if reported to occur in?<?30% facilities. Overall, Kenyan national HIV care and treatment policies were well aligned with WHO guidance. Policies promoting access to treatment and retention in care were widely implemented, but there was partial or limited implementation of several policies promoting access to HIV testing, and the more recent policy of Option B+ for HIV-positive pregnant women. Efforts are needed to improve implementation of policies designed to increase rates of diagnosis, thus facilitating entry into HIV care, if morbidity and mortality burdens are to be further reduced in Kenya, and as the country moves towards universal access to antiretroviral therapy

Menstrual cups and sanitary pads to reduce school attrition, and sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study in rural Western Kenya

Objectives: Conduct a feasibility study on the effect of menstrual hygiene on schoolgirls’ school and health (reproductive/sexual) outcomes. Design: 3-arm single-site open cluster randomised controlled pilot study. Setting: 30 primary schools in rural western Kenya, within a Health and Demographic Surveillance System. Participants: Primary schoolgirls 14–16 years, experienced 3 menses, no precluding disability, and resident in the study area. Interventions: 1 insertable menstrual cup, or monthly sanitary pads, against ‘usual practice’ control. All participants received puberty education preintervention, and hand wash soap during intervention. Schools received hand wash soap. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Primary: school attrition (drop-out, absence); secondary: sexually transmitted infection (STI) (Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea), reproductive tract infection (RTI) (bacterial vaginosis, Candida albicans); safety: toxic shock syndrome, vaginal Staphylococcus aureus. Results: Of 751 girls enrolled 644 were followed-up for a median of 10.9 months. Cups or pads did not reduce school dropout risk (control=8.0%, cups=11.2%, pads=10.2%). Self-reported absence was rarely reported and not assessable. Prevalence of STIs in the end-of-study survey among controls was 7.7% versus 4.2% in the cups arm (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 0.48, 0.24 to 0.96, p=0.039), 4.5% with pads (aPR=0.62; 0.37 to 1.03, p=0.063), and 4.3% with cups and pads pooled (aPR=0.54, 0.34 to 0.87, p=0.012). RTI prevalence was 21.5%, 28.5% and 26.9% among cup, pad and control arms, 71% of which were bacterial vaginosis, with a prevalence of 14.6%, 19.8% and 20.5%, per arm, respectively