Assessment of Factors Influencing the Development and Sustainability of Small Scale Foundry Enterprises in Nigeria: A Case Study of Lagos State

The study identifies types of small scale foundry enterprises operating in Lagos State and also assesses their development and sustainability. Data for the study were obtained from thirty (30) selected small scale foundry enterprises in Lagos and randomly sampled one hundred and fifty (150) of their consumers using questionnaire, focus group discussion (FGD) and Key informant Interview (KII). Data was analyzed using simple frequency method, statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) and qualitative analysis from the FGD and KII. The study revealed that the majority of the foundry enterprises jobbing foundries. The management strategy of the enterprises in terms of reliability (2.11), product and service quality (2.29), and business relationship with consumers (2.09) were satisfactory. Overall ranking shows erratic power supply, flooding market with imported goods, difficulty in obtaining raw materials, flooding the market with imported goods, low linkage between the knowledge institution and the industry, policy discontinuity as factors that highly affect the development of the foundry enterprises. It was concluded that most foundries in Lagos State in Nigeria are jobbing foundries and the remaining few are production foundries. Also, the rate of development of the foundry sector in Nigeria is very low. It was recommended that government policy continuity, provision of soft loan to foundry entrepreneurs, stable power supply, availability of raw materials at low cost, improving the linkage between the knowledge institution and the industry would enhance the development and sustainability of the small scale foundry enterprises in Nigeria

Raising Employability Bar and Building Entrepreneurial Capacity in Youth: A Case Study of National Social Investment Programme in Nigeria

 Nigeria is no doubt currently among the countries embattled with a high rate of unemployment. Due to the present economic challenges, which have lasted over a decade. To examine the impact level of the social investment programme on the beneficiaries, qualitative research was carried out and the instrument was structured on complete open-ended, by one-one interview and online platforms (Whatsapp and Facebook groups). N-teach (150,000 beneficiaries), N-health (20,000 beneficiaries) and N-agro beneficiaries (30,000 beneficiaries) of batch A 2016 constituted the population, with a calculated sample size of 399. The sustainability level of N-power programme was also ascertained as the difference between the average initial sample size and adjustable sample sizes were roughly similar while testing at margin error of 5, 10, 15 and 20% using 95% confidence level. The findings of the study reveal that micro-businesses such as fishery, piggery, provision store, computer business centres and among others have been established with the aid of the monthly stipend and entrepreneurial skills have been acquired through the devices given and daily exposure at work. It however, recommended that the programme should be adopted by every regime at both the state and national level. The batch A beneficiaries who are likely at the exit stage, should either be giving seed capital and the remaining, permanent job. Also, the government should as a matter of sporadic reduction in social vices and the creation of more businesses should expand the scope of the programme

Factors influencing the uptake of influenza vaccination in African American patients with heart failure: Findings from a large urban public hospital

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that annual influenza vaccination may prevent acute heart failure exacerbation episodes and improve survival. OBJECTIVE: Determine the influenza vaccination rate among African American patients with heart failure and identify predictors of uptake. METHODS: African American patients with heart failure were recruited at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta GA between October 1, 2017 and April 28, 2018 (N = 281). All participants completed a questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age of the sample was 50.5 ± 11.5 years (58% male). The influenza vaccination rate among the patients was 46% (n = 129/281). Patients who received vaccination information and recommendation from their physician, especially cardiologists, were significantly more likely to be vaccinated than those who did not (P\u3c0.05). Major reasons for declining vaccination included fear of getting sick from influenza vaccine and distrust of the pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendation of influenza vaccines by physicians during medical consultations and cardiology visits may improve uptake rates in heart failure patients

Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention in a turbulent environment: The mediating role of entrepreneurial skills

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurship learning on individual propensities to entrepreneurial activities in the context of a turbulent environment. The paper draws from a cross-sectional survey of 331 students of the University of Maiduguri in Maiduguri Northeast Nigeria, and Bayero University Kano, in Northwest Nigeria — both cities heavily affected by conflict and terrorist insurgency. The results of the structural equation modelling indicate that the impact of entrepreneurship education (EE) on entrepreneurial intention is fully mediated by entrepreneurial and management skills. Further, the results show that entrepreneurial skills have significant impacts on respondents’ risk taking and self-efficacy, and EE is an effective moderator of political instability in the sense that EE weakens the negative impact of perceived political instability on entrepreneurial intention. By bringing together the interactions of entrepreneurship education with individual attributes and environmental factors, the paper makes a significant contribution to a new body of research examining the impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial and micro/small business development in sub-Saharan Africa and conflict contexts. It also highlights the importance of entrepreneurship development as part of a multi-faceted policy intervention in conflict contexts characterised by widespread youth unemployment and alienation from the State

Co-creation of entrepreneurship education: challenges and opportunities for university, industry and public sector collaboration in Nigeria

Against the backdrop of a Nigerian government directive to make entrepreneurship education compulsory in Nigeria’s higher education institutions, this chapter assesses the current state of entrepreneurship education provision and how a new model of partnership between university, industry and public sector stakeholders can facilitate improved delivery and better outcomes of EE programmes. The chapter therefore draws from the Triple Helix theory to propose a new conceptual framework to examine the prospects and opportunities for multi-stakeholder co-creation of entrepreneurship education. The framework is further explored in the light of the case study of Covenant University, a leading Nigerian university that has had some considerable success in delivery of EE programmes. The chapter concludes with recommendations a new collaborative approach to entrepreneurship education design and delivery, and support for the emergence of new entrepreneurial universities that are better equipped for both knowledge production and knowledge capitalisation

Global, regional, and national incidence and mortality burden of non-COVID-19 lower respiratory infections and aetiologies, 1990–2021 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) are a major global contributor to morbidity and mortality. In 2020–21, non-pharmaceutical interventions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic reduced not only the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but also the transmission of other LRI pathogens. Tracking LRI incidence and mortality, as well as the pathogens responsible, can guide health-system responses and funding priorities to reduce future burden. We present estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 of the burden of non-COVID-19 LRIs and corresponding aetiologies from 1990 to 2021, inclusive of pandemic effects on the incidence and mortality of select respiratory viruses, globally, regionally, and for 204 countries and territories. Methods We estimated mortality, incidence, and aetiology attribution for LRI, defined by the GBD as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, not inclusive of COVID-19. We analysed 26 259 site-years of mortality data using the Cause of Death Ensemble model to estimate LRI mortality rates. We analysed all available age-specific and sex-specific data sources, including published literature identified by a systematic review, as well as household surveys, hospital admissions, health insurance claims, and LRI mortality estimates, to generate internally consistent estimates of incidence and prevalence using DisMod-MR 2.1. For aetiology estimation, we analysed multiple causes of death, vital registration, hospital discharge, microbial laboratory, and literature data using a network analysis model to produce the proportion of LRI deaths and episodes attributable to the following pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Chlamydia spp, Enterobacter spp, Escherichia coli, fungi, group B streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, influenza viruses, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella spp, Mycoplasma spp, polymicrobial infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and other viruses (ie, the aggregate of all viruses studied except influenza and RSV), as well as a residual category of other bacterial pathogens. Findings Globally, in 2021, we estimated 344 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 325–364) incident episodes of LRI, or 4350 episodes (4120–4610) per 100 000 population, and 2·18 million deaths (1·98–2·36), or 27·7 deaths (25·1–29·9) per 100 000. 502 000 deaths (406 000–611 000) were in children younger than 5 years, among which 254 000 deaths (197 000–320 000) occurred in countries with a low Socio-demographic Index. Of the 18 modelled pathogen categories in 2021, S pneumoniae was responsible for the highest proportions of LRI episodes and deaths, with an estimated 97·9 million (92·1–104·0) episodes and 505 000 deaths (454 000–555 000) globally. The pathogens responsible for the second and third highest episode counts globally were other viral aetiologies (46·4 million [43·6–49·3] episodes) and Mycoplasma spp (25·3 million [23·5–27·2]), while those responsible for the second and third highest death counts were S aureus (424 000 [380 000–459 000]) and K pneumoniae (176 000 [158 000–194 000]). From 1990 to 2019, the global all-age non-COVID-19 LRI mortality rate declined by 41·7% (35·9–46·9), from 56·5 deaths (51·3–61·9) to 32·9 deaths (29·9–35·4) per 100 000. From 2019 to 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation of associated non-pharmaceutical interventions, we estimated a 16·0% (13·1–18·6) decline in the global all-age non-COVID-19 LRI mortality rate, largely accounted for by a 71·8% (63·8–78·9) decline in the number of influenza deaths and a 66·7% (56·6–75·3) decline in the number of RSV deaths. Interpretation Substantial progress has been made in reducing LRI mortality, but the burden remains high, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with its associated non-pharmaceutical interventions, global incident LRI cases and mortality attributable to influenza and RSV declined substantially. Expanding access to health-care services and vaccines, including S pneumoniae, H influenzae type B, and novel RSV vaccines, along with new low-cost interventions against S aureus, could mitigate the LRI burden and prevent transmission of LRI-causing pathogens. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and Department of Health and Social Care (UK)

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundEstimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period.Methods22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution.FindingsGlobal all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations.InterpretationGlobal adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic