Análise da variabilidade dos preços de construção

A enorme variabilidade dos preços de construção submetidos pelos empreiteiros nos concursos em Moçambique tem sido uma ocorrência sistemática nos últimos tempos. A variabilidade em si é algo normal num ambiente competitivo, mas a suasignificativa magnitude torna o facto preocupante. Diferenças de preços da ordem de mais de 70% ou mesmo mais de 100% registam-se com frequência. O facto é revelador de algo de anómalo no mercado de construção que urge analisar. Estetrabalho debruça-se sobre a prevalência e magnitude da variabilidade dos preços de construção. Para o efeito, foram realizadas entrevistas com profissionais da construção e recolhidos dados de preços de concurso correspondentes aos últimoscatorze anos. Empregou-se estatística descritiva na análise dos dados com enfoque para o coeficiente de variação, a margem vencedora e a amplitude máxima. A análise permite concluir a prevalência de níveis elevados de variabilidade depreços ao longo dos últimos anos, independentemente da dimensão do projecto. A média do coeficiente de variação é de cerca de 26%, com um máximo de 52% e mínimo de 7%. É de interesse estudar as causas profundas do fenómeno

Cement production output and prices trends in Mozambique

Cement plays a key role in construction of infrastructures around the world. Indeed, it is regarded as one of the most important materials. Its role in the construction industry in Mozambican is even much more significant than in other countries due to the entrenched construction conception, practices and customs. As such, the share of cement cost in the total construction cost has been very significant. Whenever cement prices fluctuate, there have been tremendous impacts on construction costs and, consequently, on its demand. The resulting shock waves propagate through the economy in general as well as housing and labour markets, in particular. There has been a perception that relatively high cement prices are due to the local low production capacity. Recent years have witnessed huge increase in cement production capacity as a result of good economic growth and good economic prospects. This research analyses cement prices and production capacity trends over the last ten years in Mozambique in an attempt to determine any sort of association among the two variables. Preliminary results suggest that cement prices have had some relationship with production capacity in the current context. Without the significant production capacity increase over the last years, prices would have soared tremendously, given the strong association of production costs with currency value. However, the strength of relationship between production capacity and prices has not been determined due to the fact that there are many other factors at play, which require a detailed assessment

Multi-site cholera surveillance within the African Cholera Surveillance Network shows endemicity in Mozambique, 2011–2015

<div><p>Background</p><p>Mozambique suffers recurrent annual cholera outbreaks especially during the rainy season between October to March. The African Cholera Surveillance Network (Africhol) was implemented in Mozambique in 2011 to generate accurate detailed surveillance data to support appropriate interventions for cholera control and prevention in the country.</p><p>Methodology/Principal findings</p><p>Africhol was implemented in enhanced surveillance zones located in the provinces of Sofala (Beira), Zambézia (District Mocuba), and Cabo Delgado (Pemba City). Data were also analyzed from the three outbreak areas that experienced the greatest number of cases during the time period under observation (in the districts of Cuamba, Montepuez, and Nampula). Rectal swabs were collected from suspected cases for identification of <i>Vibrio cholerae</i>, as well as clinical, behavioral, and socio-demographic variables. We analyzed factors associated with confirmed, hospitalized, and fatal cholera using multivariate logistic regression models.</p><p>A total of 1,863 suspected cases and 23 deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR), 1.2%) were reported from October 2011 to December 2015. Among these suspected cases, 52.2% were tested of which 23.5% were positive for <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> O1 Ogawa. Risk factors independently associated with the occurrence of confirmed cholera were living in Nampula city district, the year 2014, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and the primary water source for drinking.</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>Cholera was endemic in Mozambique during the study period with a high CFR and identifiable risk factors. The study reinforces the importance of continued cholera surveillance, including a strong laboratory component. The results enhanced our understanding of the need to target priority areas and at-risk populations for interventions including oral cholera vaccine (OCV) use, and assess the impact of prevention and control strategies. Our data were instrumental in informing integrated prevention and control efforts during major cholera outbreaks in recent years.</p></div

Tested and confirmed cases of cholera through Africhol, Mozambique, 2011–2015.

<p>Tested and confirmed cases of cholera through Africhol, Mozambique, 2011–2015.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of cholera suspected cases, 2011–2015, Mozambique.

<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of cholera suspected cases, 2011–2015, Mozambique.</p

Epidemic curves, Africhol outbreak sites, Mozambique, 2011–2015: Cuamba District, Montepuez District and Nampula City.

<p>Epidemic curves, Africhol outbreak sites, Mozambique, 2011–2015: Cuamba District, Montepuez District and Nampula City.</p