Effect of Cyber Security on Business Sustainability of Listed Microfinance Banks in Nigeria

In Nigeria, microfinance banks (MFB) face the burden of investing in cyber security to protect their databases, prevent monetary losses, maintain customer trust, and remain afloat in a competitive business environment. However, there are incessant cyber risks and attacks by criminals who gain undue access to the cyber-space of MFB and cause financial and non-financial loss. The objective of this quantitative study was to examine the effect of cyber security on the business sustainability of three listed, and most valued MFBs in Nigeria. The population of the study was 315 senior, medium and junior employees of three MFBs in Nigeria. As the target population was manageable, the research adopted a census. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the formulated hypothesis was analysed using multiple regression. The study found that cyber security has a significant and positive impact on the sustainability of MFB in Nigeria. Data availability account for the largest contribution to the sustainability of MFBs, followed by data confidentiality and data integrity. Employees in a MFB uphold that data availability, confidentiality, and integrity are pivotal elements of cyber security that influence the sustainability of their organisations in Nigeria. Given these results from the viewpoint of employees, MFBs are implored to regularly review and strengthen their risk management strategy and adopt a more integrative approach of human-centric cybersecurity, which brings technology and human elements together to address current and future cyber risks and build and sustain consumer trust in digital financial transactions. The implication of the study and areas for future research are highlighted

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Entrepreneurial Marketing And SMEs Growth In Post Covid-19 Era In Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Purpose: This study aimed at examining the effect of entrepreneurial marketing on SMEs growth in the post- Covid-19 Era in Awka Anambra State Nigeria. Research methodology: The study adopted a qualitative research design with five participants. An in-depth interview was used to elicit relevant information from the respondents. Data generated were carefully transcribed, reviewed, and harmonized. Thematic categories were created and categorized into two major themes- technological-driven marketing and need-oriented entrepreneurial marketing. Results: The study revealed that need-oriented marketing and technology-driven marketing are pivotal to the growth and sustainability of SMEs in the post-Covid-19 Era. Limitations: The restriction on gathering of people more than ten by the State Government due to the Covid-19 limited our study as the researchers would have loved to have a group and interactive decisions with the participants. Contribution: The result of this study will serve as an eye-opener to Nigerian policymakers and SME operators to key into modern entrepreneurial marketing tools and selvage her already depressed economy