Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Growth and Financial Sector Development in Small Open Developing Economies

The present paper examines the causal linkage between foreign direct investment(FDI) and economic growth - in Cote’ d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone – with financial development accounted for over the period 1970-2005 within a trivariate framework which applies Granger causality tests in a vector error correction(VEC) setting. Three alternative measures of financial sector development - total liquid liabilities, total banking sector credit and credit to the private sector – were employed to capture different ramifications of financial intermediation. Our results support the view that the extent of financial sophistication matters for the benefits of foreign direct investment to register on economic growth in Ghana, Gambia and Sierra Leone depending on the financial indicator used. Nigeria, on the other hand, displays no evidence of any short- or long-run causal flow from FDI to growth with financial deepening accompanying. In sum, therefore, what should be of utmost urgency is concerted efforts in most of these countries, which have typically been in the throes of economic reforms, to upgrade their financial structure to better position them to reap the desirable growth promoting effects of FDI flows.Financial development; Foreign direct investment; Vector error correction; Economic growth; Economic reforms

Synthesis, ionization constant, toxicity, antimicrobial and antioxidant screening of 1-Phenyl-3-(phenylamino) propan-1-one and Phenyl (2-[phenyl amino) methyl] phenyl) peroxyanhydride Mannich bases

Synthesis of 1-Phenyl-3-(phenylamino) propan-1-one (BO1) and Phenyl (2-[phenyl amino) methyl] phenyl) peroxyanhydride (BO2) both of which are Mannich bases were achieved in this study. Analysis and characterisation of the Mannich Bases were also achieved by UV, IR, and NMR Spectroscopy. The ionization constant (pKa) of the products is also reported.  The pKa at 8.1 obtained by non-aqueous titration may enable the lone pair of electron on nitrogen in the compounds to be protonated at physiological pH. The result of the Brine shrimp lethality test showed that both BO1 and BO2 with LC50 values 17345.1µg/ml and 33520µg/ml respectively, were non – toxic. The result of the antimicrobial screening of BO1 and BO2 using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aereus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiellae pneumoniae, Salmonellae typhi, Candida albicans, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger and Penicillum nonatum showed that the two compounds possess significant antimicrobial activity when compared with the standards, Gentamicin and Tioconazole. In vitro antioxidant screening of both compounds by DPPH free radical scavenging method, scavenging effect on Hydrogen peroxide and peroxide oxidation by Ferric thiocyanate method showed that the compounds possessed significant antioxidant activity when compared with antioxidant standards Ascorbic acid, BHA and ?-Tocopherol . They possessed the highest %inhibition in peroxide oxidation by Ferric thiocyanate method. Keywords: Mannich bases, 1-Phenyl-3-(phenylamino) propan-1-one, Phenyl (2-[phenyl amino) methyl] phenyl) peroxyanhydride, ionization constant, antimicrobial, antioxidan

Sociodemographic factors influencing adherence to antenatal iron supplementation recommendations among pregnant women in Malawi: Analysis of data from the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey

Background and Aim: Maternal morbidity and mortality statistics remain unacceptably high in Malawi. Prominent among the risk factors in the country is anaemia in pregnancy, which generally results from nutritional inadequacy (particularly iron deficiency) and malaria, among other factors. This warrants concerted efforts to increase iron intake among reproductive-age women. This study, among women in Malawi, examined factors determining intake of supplemental iron for at least 90 days during pregnancy.Methods: A weighted sample of 10,750 women (46.7%), from the 23,020 respondents of the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS), were utilized for the study. Univariate, bivariate, and regression techniques were employed. While univariate analysis revealed the percent distributions of all variables, bivariate analysis was used to examine the relationships between individual independent variables and adherence to iron supplementation. Chi-square tests of independence were conducted for categorical variables, with the significance level set at P < 0.05. Two binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate the net effect of independent variables on iron supplementation adherence.Results: Thirty-seven percent of the women adhered to the iron supplementation recommendations during pregnancy. Multivariate analysis indicated that younger age, urban residence, higher education, higher wealth status, and attending antenatal care during the first trimester were significantly associated with increased odds of taking iron supplementation for 90 days or more during pregnancy (P < 0.01).Conclusions: The results indicate low adherence to the World Health Organization’s iron supplementation recommendations among pregnant women in Malawi, and this contributes to negative health outcomes for both mothers and children. Focusing on education interventions that target populations with low rates of iron supplement intake, including campaigns to increase the number of women who attend antenatal care clinics in the first trimester, are recommended to increase adherence to iron supplementation recommendations

Entrepreneurial orientation among migrants and small and medium enterprises

This qualitative study seeks to enrich the understanding of migrants’ perceived experience in running small businesses in Auckland, New Zealand. The study will also examine what motivated migrants into business, their experiences in labour market as well as the challenges they faced in running a business. The study focuses on African migrant small business owners excluding South Africans as this population has been extensively researched and documented (Meares et al., 2011; Warren, 2003). The theoretical foundation of the study rests on labour disadvantage and cultural theories. In-depth open ended face-to face interviews between 11-20 participants selected through purposive sampling will be used to collect data. Thematic analysis will be used to analyse data collected

Preliminary Investigation on Production of Brown Ink from Gmelina arborea (ROXB) Fruit Extract

The study was carried out to assess the potential of producing brown ink from Gmelina arborea fruit extract and to compare the ink produced with commercial ink using ink flotation test. The Gmelina arborea fruit extract was gotten by soaking the fruits in water for two hours, after which they were squeezed manually to extract the juice. Five different concentration levels (100%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20%) of the ink were produced using ethanol as diluent and coconut vinegar as additive to preserve the ink from biodegradation and to enhance its stability and permanence on paper once it has dried. The prepared ink was compared with the commercial ink (control) to determine the best concentration level for optimal ink penetration on selected paper surfaces. The results showed that 40% concentration level of the prepared ink has the best penetration time of 5.2

Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in southwest Nigeria

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal and child mortality, and to the vicious cycle of ill-health and poverty worldwide and thus, requires urgent intervention. This cross-sectional study therefore assessed the prevalence and contextual factors associated with teenage pregnancy in south-west Nigeria.Method: A total of 350 consenting teenagers between ages 13 and 19 were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. The validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics of teenagers, risk factors and prevalence of teenage pregnancy.Results: The mean age ± SD of the respondents is 16.79 ± 1.52 years. Majority (341, 97.4%) of them were single. More than a quarter (28%) of the girls were sexually active with over half sexual debut occurring at age 16 and thereafter, while, pleasure was the most cited reason (59.2%) for engaging in sexual intercourse. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy and childbirth was 7.7% and 3.4% respectively, with over half (59.3%) of the pregnancy resulting into an abortion. Individual and socio-economic factors such as age, early marriage, ethnicity, lack of formal education, family disruptions, poverty, early sexual debut, sex for financial gains, having pregnant sibling, use of alcohol, social media naive and a positive attitude towards premarital sex significantly increase the vulnerability of girls to becoming pregnant.Conclusion: The findings of this study show that though numerous, these contextual factors are largely modifiable through effective policy and interventions on early marriage, comprehensive sexuality education, ensuring girls enrolment in schools, community poverty alleviation programmes targeted at vulnerable girls and families as well as addressing gender norms that expose girls unduly

Myositis Ossificans Circumscripta of the Supra-orbital Region: A Case Report

Myositis ossificans circumscripta is a pathological condition characterized by formation of bony tissue within the skeletal muscles following repeated trauma. A case of myositis ossificans circumscripta of the supra-orbital region in a 25-year-old man is presented and the pertinent literature is reviewed. To the best our knowledge this benign lesion has not been reported previously in the orbital region the world literature. Clinically the patient presented with a swelling and proptosis of the right eye. Radiologically there was a rounded opacity with well defined margin. Lesion was initially misdiagnosed as a fibro-osseous lesion; however microscopic examination indicated matured myositis ossificans. Lesion was excised via a bicoronal flap. Careful clinical, radiological and pathologic evaluation is required to make this uncommon diagnosis in an unusual location such as the supra-orbital region to avoid unnecessary surgical mutilation of the patient.La Myosite circumscripta ossificane est un état pathologique caractérisé par la formation de tissu osseux dans le muscle squelettique à la suite des traumatismes répétés. Un cas de la myosite circumscripta ossificane de la région supra orbitale chez un homme âgé de 25 ans est ici présenté et aussi la pertinence de la littérature est révisée. A notre connaissance, cette lésion bénigne n'a pas été signalée précédemment dans la région orbitale de la littérature du monde. Cliniquement le patient s'est présenté atteint du gonflement et du propose de l'œil droit. Radiologiquement, il y avait une opacité arrondie avec des marges bien définies. Lésion a été au départ mal diagnostiqué comme une fibro-lésion osseuse ; toutefois, l'examen microscopique avait indiqué la myosite ossification mûre. Lésion a été excisée par l'intermédiaire d'un bicoronal flap. Prise en charge clinique, radiologique et évaluation pathologique est nécessaire pour faire ce diagnostique rare dans une situation inhabituelle telle que la région supra orbitale afin d'éviter les mutilations chirurgicales évitable chez le patien

A Review of Rhesus Iso-Immunization in a Nigerian Obstetric Population

Context: Haemolytic disease of the newborn, a problem that has not been sufficiently investigated in the Nigerian population, leads to significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the incidence of Rhesus (Rh) isoimmunization and the utilisation rate of Rh-immunoprophylaxis in our population. Methods: A review of the clinical records of all Rh-negative pregnancies, booked at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta between July, 1996 and June, 2000. The mothers' and infants' records were analysed for age, parity, ante-natal antibody status and some selected characteristics in the infant. Results: Seventy-seven Rh-negative pregnancies were managed, accounting for 2.6% of the total obstetric population. Those who received immuno-prophylaxis following previous abortions and deliveries were 15.4 % and 38.2% respectively. Initial testing, at booking, for sensitization was not done in 36.5% of the women, while 63.4% had no follow-up testing. The incidence of ante-natal sensitization was 1.3%. The time of onset of neonatal jaundice was 26.5 + 14.6 hours (mean + SD) in Rh-positive infants, compared to 44.4 + 17.8 hours in Rh-negative infants (p = 0.07). The haematocrit of both groups of infants were similar [42.8 + 5.8 versus 44.5 + 5.3; p = 0.6]. There was no perinatal death. The partners' Rh-status was determined in 59.7% and the infants' Rhesus group in 71.6%. Immunoprophylaxis rate was poor (44.8%). The majority of those who declined immunoprophylaxis did so for financial reasons. Conclusion: The risk of haemolytic disease of the newborn with its attendant perinatal morbidity and mortality is real in our community, yet the rate of Rh-immunoprophylaxis remains quite low in our obstetric population. (Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 2001, 18(2):69-72