Assessing Income Inequality in North-Eastern Nigeria

This study investigates income inequality in rural North-East Nigeria (NEN), using the Harmonized Nigerian Living Standards Survey (HNLSS) data of 2009/2010. Data were analyzed using; descriptive statistics, Gini index and Tobit regression methods. The results indicate that most of the respondents were in their middle age accounting for 35.2% and approximately 68 % with no formal education.  Inequality among  rural folks as reflected by the Gini index of 0.85 is very high,  The tobit results shows that household size, education, age and marital status were all significant at 1% levels. It is therefore recommended that Government should provide an enabling environment for learning to help household improve on their human capital for a sustained poverty reduction. Keywords: Inequality, North- east Nigeria, Poverty, Rural, Tobit model

Clinical factors associated with bone mineral density among individuals with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee: a systematic review

Background and objective: The association of clinical factors of osteoarthritis (OA) with bone mineral density (BMD) is not well understood. We aimed to synthesize evidence regarding the associated clinical factors for low BMD in people with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis. Methods: A systematic literature search limited to human studies was conducted from inception to September 12, 2022. CINAHL, Cochrane, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and African Journal online databases were searched for all clinical factors associated with low BMD (either as osteopenia or osteoporosis). Gray literature or abstracts or protocols, studies with a mixed population of OA without a subgroup analysis for hip and or KOA and non-English were excluded. Following the title and abstract, full-text, screenings, and data extraction, data from eligible studies were synthesized based on the main objective of the study. The Joanna Brigg’s Institute (JBI) Critical Assessment tool was used for quality appraisal. Narrative synthesis and best evidence synthesis were used in the study. Result: Five studies (2 case–control, 3 cross-sectional) were included after screening 3355 titles and abstracts. Clinical factors reported in the five studies included: body mass index (BMI); pain, function, and stiffness; symptom duration; presence of varus/valgus deformity; quality of life; and knee function. Whilst there was limited evidence to support the association between BMD measured at any site of the body and BMI, as well as conflicting evidence for the association of BMD with age and gender, there was insufficient evidence to support the association of BMD with other identified clinical factors of hip and or/ knee OA (p < 0.05). In addition, there is conflicting evidence for the association between BMD measured at the lumbar spine and BMI. Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence on the association between BMD and its associated clinical factors. With the attendant likelihood of bias in existing studies, there is a need for well-designed studies on bone health in OA

Analysis of expenditure path beyond staple foods consumption in Nigeria

Purpose. This study investigates the food expenditure path segmented by staples and non-staples in Nigeria. Methodology / approach. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to sample a cross sectional data of 438 urban households from two randomly selected urbanising states in South West, Nigeria. The study used descriptive statistics such as percentages and means to determine households’ food budget shares and their per capita food expenditure Results. From the expenditure estimates, a differential effect in budget share of food was found with an increase in staples diet of Low Urban Area (LUA) households (33 %). However, consumption of non-staple foods was more pronounced among households residing in high urban areas (HUA) (35 %). Per capita food expenditure was higher for LUA households (N1377.52), while their food shares for processed cereals were equal with those of HUA. Findings suggest a more diverse diets, thus revealing a quality-quantity nexus within urban locations. Originality / scientific novelty. This is the very study that explains urban differential beyond staple food consumption and nutritional outcome. The household food expenditure pattern brought to fore location-specific variations in urban diet in the study area. Practical value / implications. The switch away from consumption of staples was beyond income responsiveness, but, towards changes in level of urbanization. The differential path in per capita expenditures on staple and non-staples are shown to have implications on nutrition within urban areas

Complement-substitution nexus in the Nigerian diet: policy gaps in nutrition

Purpose. This paper examined urban household food demand patterns in Southwest, Nigeria using complement-substitution relationship. Methodology / approach. Through a multistage sampling technique, the study used cross sectional data of 445 households from two states in Southwest Nigeria which are representative of areas with a rapid rate of urbanisation. Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) modeling framework was used to estimate the demand system for seven food groups considered. Results. The potential nutrition benefits of price and income changes in urban food groups was estimated, which explains the different quantity of food purchased by household as price changes. From the result, the root and tuber group accounted for the largest household food budget share (29.4 %) with the least share found in the legume group (3.3 %). Elasticity estimates revealed that the own-price effect was inelastic for all food groups. The uncompensated cross-price elasticities suggest both substitution and complementary association between groups. More substitution relationships were evident when households’ price changes are compensated. Originality / scientific novelty. This paper presents household’s responsiveness to food demanded through price effects with possible nutrition gap in urban diet. Practical value / implications. The complement and substitution relationship in household food price changes may be effective in changing urban consumer behavior towards healthier diets. Empirical knowledge of the complement and substitution effects would likely impact policy changes on household nutritional outcome. This is necessary as the scourge of malnutrition in increasing especially in urban areas

Inclusive Growth pattern in Rural Southwestern Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges

African countries both individually and collectively are still searching for ways to sustain the growth momentum and to ensure that growth translates to poverty reduction, employment opportunities and more inclusive society. To address this issue, this paper looked at the pattern of growth and also argues that there are challenges and opportunities for promoting growth in Nigeria. Inclusive growth encompasses equity, equality of opportunity and protection in market and employment transitions. Using the social concentration curve, the study assesses the pattern of growth across the dimensions of education, water and energy. The study made use of the national household survey data sets collected by the National Bureau of Statistics at two time periods, NLSS 2004 and HNLSS 2009. These data were collected through a multistage sampling technique; data extracted included socio-economic characteristics, human capital, physical capital, social and financial capital variables. The concentration curve suggests that opportunities were distributed equally in terms of access to firewood and land with a downward shift in both years indicating growth inclusive