Continuous Household Survey Research Articles

Divergence in smoking and drinking trends: Results from age-period-cohort analytical approach

BackgroundSmoking has dropped substantially over time while alcohol consumption has increased. Understanding how smoking and drinking relate to age, time-period or birth cohorts may improve public health measures. MethodThe cross-sectional Continuous Household Survey in Northern Ireland provided bi-annual, household-level data on smoking and drinking from 1985 to 2015. An age-period-cohort approach was employed using 10-year age groups and 9 birth cohorts. A descriptive analysis of smoking and drinking by birth cohort was performed and supplemented by a joinpoint analysis. An Intrinsic Estimator model was used to examine behaviour patterns defined separately by age, time-period, and cohort. ResultsAge effects showed that smoking and drinking peaked during adolescence and young adulthood (relative risk (RR) of age 25–34 vs. all ages: RR smoking = 1.59, RR drinking = 1.61, p < 0.001), followed by a progressive subsequent decline with age. Distinct secular trends were observed whereby smoking decreased over time but non-abstinence rates in relation to alcohol consumption increased substantially from 1985 to 2015. Cohort effects in smoking and drinking suggested that Generation X (born around 1961–1980) appeared to have a slightly higher likelihood of smoking and drinking but this converged with other cohorts over time. ConclusionThe absence of similar policy efforts for alcohol as given to smoking may explain the divergence in secular trends of smoking and drinking. Targeting interventions towards adolescents and young adults may offer the best chance of reducing smoking and drinking prevalence. Cohort effects suggest the need for further research about the relationship between drinking and Northern Ireland's political history.

Effect of Open Market Operations on Income Inequality

Inequality is particularly relevant for public debates on the disaggregate implications of economic policies since they might have distinct effects across different segments of the population. Impact of monetary easing on inequality have recently attracted increasing attention especially in developing countries. This article examined the effect of open market operations on income inequality in Kenya. A quantitative research design method was adopted. The study utilized a quantitative cross-sectional data from the Kenya Continuous Household Survey Programme (KCHSP) for the years 2020 and 2021. Stepwise regression, forward selection model was executed with a threshold of 0.2. Further, the study was supported by Permanent Income Hypothesis, Kuznets Hypothesis and the modernization theory. Income inequality, measured by the Gini coefficient, was the dependent variable. Open market operations (repo, and reverse repo) was the independent variable in the model. The male headed households had a Gini coefficient of 0.58 while a Gini coefficient of 0.59 was attributed to female headed households, across the 47 counties. The results showed that open market operations (reverse repo) had a coefficient of 0.022, p=0.026&lt; 0.05 which was positive and statistically significant at 5% level. The findings indicate that in order to effectively manage income inequality in the country, policymakers should adopt an interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach. This approach should take into account the differential impacts of various policy instruments on income distribution, with a particular focus on demographic segmentation. Additionally, policymakers should combine careful adjustments to monetary policy with targeted social and fiscal measures. These measures should be continuously informed by rigorous data analysis, with the aim of fostering a more inclusive and equitable economy.

Impact of Forced Relocation and Community Integration on Household Well-being of Urban Refugees in Kenya

Forced displacement is a global issue that affects millions of people all over the world. Refugees are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or other forms of violence. The majority of refugees often end up in urban areas, where they face numerous challenges, including social exclusion, limited access to basic services, and economic marginalization. This study examines the relationship between forced displacement, social cohesion, and household welfare outcomes of urban refugees in Kenya. The study utilized household data on urban refugees in Kenya sourced from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), 2020 [85], and, the Kenya Continuous Household Survey (KCHS), 2019 [41]. The study estimates were regressed using the Ordinary Least Squares method and diagnostic tests were done to determine the accuracy of the estimates. The study found that an additional member in an urban refugee household led to an asset increment of 6.7%. The study further found that an additional habitable dwelling in an urban refugee household increased family assets by 71.9%. Utilization of mobile banking services, having nuclear members abroad, and participation in community-based organizations also had a positive impact on family asset accumulation in a refugee household. The study also found that utilization of mobile money transfer (M-PESA), negatively influenced family assets. This study contributes to the literature on Urban refugees as it gives insights into factors that can improve welfare and enhance social cohesion between refugees and host communities in Kenya. Gaps have also been identified in the mandate of UNHCR beyond the camps and the role of the Kenyan Government in urban housing programs for refugees.

Application of the Human Opportunity Index in Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Administration Process and Its Implication on Service Quality in Healthcare Units

This research aims to determine the inequality of opportunities in the health sector. Researchers identified three primary sources of information in a database search to construct the organizational health index: the permanent continuous household survey, the quarterly provincial household survey, and the administrative records of the Department of Health Statistics system. The study employed a data matching mechanism to merge the two databases but discovered discrepancies in the live birth and death data, leading to a lack of confidence in the data's quality. The results show that the evolution of health opportunities in the last decade is generally positive, although there are still gaps in access to health insurance and health checks during pregnancy. The study found that the gap was primarily due to socioeconomic differences between individuals. An analysis of changes in the organizational health index in the health sector shows that sectoral policies play a significant role in improving access to health services. This increase in access was primarily achieved by the region's health policies, which ensured proportional increases for all individuals. However, there needs to be a greater focus on equal opportunities for access to health services to ensure that all individuals have equal access to quality health services.

An investigation into patterns of Alcohol drinking in Scotland after the introduction of minimum unit pricing.

In 2018, Scotland became the second country to implement minimum unit pricing (MUP) for all types of alcoholic beverages. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the policy. Three national household-level surveys were used: Scottish Health Surveys (2008-2021), Health Surveys in England (2011-2019), and Northern Ireland Continuous Household Survey (2011-2015). First, a generalized ordered logistic model examined patterns of drinking solely in Scotland from 2008-2021 covering current drinking, drinking categories and the weekly consumption (in alcohol units). Secondly, difference-in-difference (DID) analysis was employed to examine changes in "social drinking" behaviours in Scotland after the announcement in 2012 (2011-2015, Northern Ireland and England as comparators) and after the adoption of the policy in 2018 (England as a comparator, with two timeframes 2016-2019 and 2013-2019). Overall, drinking in Scotland began to decline prior to 2012 and dropped further with the enactment of MUP in 2018. In response to MUP, the likelihood of abstention increased along with a slight decrease in the prevalence of heavy drinking. The overall amount of drinking fell by about 8% after 2012 and 12% after 2018 (as compared to 2008-2011 level), with a significant decline seen in moderate drinkers but not of those who drank at hazardous or harmful levels. The DID analyses confirmed the reduction in current drinking in Scotland starting since 2012 and continued post-MUP in 2018. This study points to the impact of MUP in Scotland with a potential role for 'policy signalling' by the Scottish Government's with a multiple-buy discount ban and MUP's announcement since 2011-2012. Indications of impact include a clear decline in alcohol consumption levels and a small but noteworthy change in prevalence of overall drinking and heavy drinking.

The case for individualised public health interventions: Smoking prevalence and inequalities in Northern Ireland 1985-2015

BackgroundWhile smoking prevalence in high income countries has declined over time, socioeconomic inequalities in smoking have widened. This study is one of the few studies to examine the longitudinal pattern of income-related smoking inequalities and only the second using concentration indices in its analysis. MethodIncome-related smoking inequalities were measured using concentration indices using the Northern Ireland Continuous Household Survey data. Smoking inequalities were compared quantitatively and visually across three periods: 1985–1995, 1997–2005 and 2007–2015. Joinpoint analysis was used to measure the overall time trend of smoking inequalities. Subgroup analysis was used to examine the nature of change in smoking inequalities across population sub-groups. FindingsThroughout 1985–2015, smoking was more concentrated among the poor (standard concentration index of-0·131, p < 0·001). While prevalence declined sharply across population, income-related inequalities increased sharply in general and within subgroups. Income-related smoking inequalities were significantly larger among high educated group and those who were employed. No structural break was observed with respect to the adoption of any specific policy measures over the period. ConclusionCurrent approaches to tobacco control may be ill-suited to addressing smoking inequalities and may indeed be counterproductive. More tailored approaches that address the specific needs of population sub-groups or more draconian approaches such as extensions to prohibition may be required to reduce prevalence further while avoiding a widening of inequalities.

Combined intake of sugar‐sweetened beverages and sugar‐containing ultra‐processed foods is associated with an increase in body mass index during early childhood

Sugar-containing ultra-processed (SUP) foods and beverages consumption has increased globally in recent years and contributes to the rising global trends of obesity and diet-related chronic non-communicable diseases. However, there are limited longitudinal studies of SUP foods and beverages intake and weight gain in children. To examine associations between intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and SUP foods and changes in body mass index during early childhood. Multistage sampling was used to select a nationally representative sample of Uruguayan children living in urban areas from the 2012-2013 Continuous Household Survey. The sample for this analysis included all children aged 0-3 years 11 months with dietary data in 2013-2014 (wave 1; n=2611) and in 2015-2016 (wave 2; n=2383). Multilevel regression modelling tested the association between children's consumption of SSB and SUP foods and change in BMI z-score (BMIz). In multivariable-adjusted models, intake of SSB and SUP foods (in combination but not individually) in both waves was positively associated with change in BMIz over 2 years β coefficient: 0.13 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.23). BMIz decreased among non-consumers (β: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.00, p=0.048). Associations were significant for SUP foods but not SSB foods individually. Children consuming ≥2 SSB and SUP foods (vs. <2) at baseline had increased BMIz (p for trend=0.02). Early and current intake of SSB and SUP foods and beverages was associated with increases in BMIz in children over 2 years.

On international household survey data availability for assessing pre-pandemic monetary and multidimensional poverty in developing countries

ABSTRACT Data availability plays a crucial role in the fight against poverty. Yet, it lags behind the data available on most other economic phenomena. This paper catalogs and reviews existing data availability for low- and middle-income countries with a view to break the cycle of outdated poverty data and strengthen statistical systems – while drawing readers’ attention to existing information and experiences. Countries that generate and analyze frequent and accurate poverty data are identified to show what is possible and to better document what is already available. Results show that data for both monetary and multidimensional poverty dramatically increased since 1980. Sixty countries already produce annual updates to key statistics, and some have continuous household surveys with cost-cutting synergies. International agencies have explored short surveys for comparable data but the success and uptake of these have not followed expected patterns. Certain regions have agreed on harmonized variable definitions across countries, and new technologies reduce lags between data collection and analysis. These existing resources and experiences can inform much-needed efforts to expand data availability.

Education Mismatch and Wages in Mauritius: Premium or Penalty

Abstract The paper investigates into the link between education mismatch and wages in Mauritius. It adds to the existing literature on education mismatch and labour market outcomes by using Mauritius as a case study in Africa, where overeducation is a growing concern, with graduates struggling to find jobs corresponding to their education level and field, the so-called vertical and horizontal mismatches. This supply-demand inadequacy ascends from a mix of factors and one of them can be termed as the ‘diploma disease’. Using the Continuous Multi-Purpose Household Surveys from 2013 to 2017, the pooled estimation results find evidence for a wage penalty of 1.3% for overeducated individuals compared to perfectly matched workers. A wage penalty of around 9.6% is also noted for undereducated workers compared to their perfectly matched counterparts. Heckman two step estimation approach is adopted to account for sample selection bias whilst the instrumental variable two stage least squares is applied to cater for the endogeneity of overeducation. The wage penalty for overeducation and undereducation under Heckman estimation method compares to ordinary least squares estimates with slight differences in the magnitude of the wage penalty. Once we account for endogeneity, the wage penalty for overeducated workers rose to 11% while that of overeducation did not change.

Divergent Inequality Trajectories in Intermediate Cities: The Role of Income From Pensions and Transfers in Reducing Inequality

In the last 18 years, Colombia has seen a modest reduction in income inequality compared to other Latin American countries as measured by the Gini index. However, when the scale is reduced and cities are observed, remarkably diverse trajectories are evident: some cities have had a notable reduction, while others have stagnated. This article focuses on four Colombian cities with divergent trajectories in the evolution of inequality. Through an analysis of income distribution using data from the Continuous Household Survey (2002-2005) and the Extensive Integrated Household Survey – GEIH by its Spanish acronym (2008-2018), and following the decomposition methodology suggested by Azevedo et al. (2013), this article focuses on the role of income from pensions and transfers in the variation of the Gini. Administrative records are used to mark the proposed analyses more robust. The results highlight the differentiated role of transfers in reducing inequality and that of pensions in increasing it.

Minimum wage and employment: a gender perspective for Mauritius

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the employment effect of the minimum wage in Mauritius, a country that has recently introduced an economy-wide national minimum wage. As women have low labor force participation rate and higher unemployment rate compared to men, this study sheds light on the impact of the national minimum wage on male and female employment.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework based on the labor–leisure model of Blundell et al. (2007) incorporating the minimum wage as an important variable influencing the employment decision of the individual serves as the methodological backdrop of this paper. It applies the difference-in-difference estimation technique and uses micro data from the Continuous Multi-Purpose Household Survey for the period 2017–2019.FindingsThe results show that minimum wage has a significant negative impact on overall employment. With the imposition of the national minimum wage, the probability that an individual, currently earning less than the minimum wage, remains employed is 0.525 lower than that of a worker earning above the minimum wage level. Moreover, using sex-disaggregated data, the analysis demonstrates the negative employment effects of the minimum wage adversely impact women more than men.Originality/valueThis is a first attempt to estimate the effect of the newly introduced national minimum wage on employment in Mauritius. While the effects of a minimum wage vary across different segments of the economy, this study adopts a gender perspective by comparing the impact of the minimum wage on male and female employment.

Labor market and crisis: an analysis of sectoral segmentation in Brazilian rural

Abstract: The article aims to analyze which factors contributed to the inequality across income distribution of Brazilian workers in rural areas, occupied in agricultural and non-agricultural activities. Quantile regression with sample selection bias correction and counterfactual decomposition of income by quantiles were applied, using the microdata from the National Continuous Household Survey (PNAD-C) for the years 2012 and 2019. The results showed that there is income inequality favorable to workers occupied in non-agricultural activities concerning agricultural activities, which is intensive for those with lower incomes, as well as for those with high incomes. The presence of sectorial segmentation was also confirmed, of which the largest portion in 2012 corresponds to the labor market duality. However in 2019, in lower quantiles the segmentation obtained greater explanatory power for the difference in income between the groups, while in higher quantiles the theory of human capital prevailed.

Segmentación en el ingreso por trabajo según condición migratoria, género y ascendencia étnico-racial en Uruguay

La incorporación de los inmigrantes recientes en el mercado de trabajo uruguayo se ha caracterizado por una mayor concentración en ocupaciones de media y alta calificación, con importante incidencia de la sobreeducación. Este proceso ocurre en un mercado de trabajo ya segmentado por distintos ejes de desigualdad por clase ocupacional, género y ascendencia étnico-racial. Este artículo examina si la condición migratoria introduce un nuevo eje de segmentación. Los resultados derivados del análisis de los ingresos por trabajo con base en la Encuesta Continua de Hogares del período 2013-2017, muestran que efectivamente esto es así. La condición migratoria y la duración de la estancia en Uruguay se entrelazan con otras capas de segmentación del mercado laboral uruguayo, pero de manera variable a lo largo de la distribución del ingreso.

Vulnerable employment in Mauritius: experience of an upper-middle-income country

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed light on the socio-economic characteristics of workers engaged in vulnerable jobs in Mauritius. The study has a particular focus on the gender and youth dimensions of vulnerable employment. The study also provides a pre-crisis and post-crisis analysis of vulnerable employment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses several waves of the continuous multi-purpose household survey, which is a high-quality individual-level data set, to study vulnerable employment. Several definitions of vulnerable employment are used to identify the workers employed in vulnerable jobs. These include “own-account” workers and “contributing family workers”.FindingsThe results obtained suggest that women and young workers have a lower probability of being in vulnerable employment. Marital status, age and education are also important variables influencing the probability of being in vulnerable employment.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper has important policy implications regarding welfare and education policies. Appropriate mechanisms need to be put in place for the social protection and training of workers so that they do not end up in vulnerable jobs.Originality/valueThis paper studies Mauritius as it is a small island economy vulnerable to external shocks. Vulnerable unemployment has often been understudied as the focus of many studies has been solely on employment, and the quality of employment has often not been considered.

The use of continuous household surveys to generate timely data for annual programme outcome monitoring: Experience from the Integrated Family Health Program in Ethiopia

Background: Lack of timely household (HH) level data to inform evidence-based decision-making for improved, timely and targeted health interventions is challenging. Integrated Family Health Program (IFHP) developed and implemented a system for collecting data on an on-going basis at household levels.Objective: To discuss the implementation of the continuous household surveys of the IFHP.Methods: Continuous surveys were used for generating timely data for monitoring outcome indicators. Integrated Family Health Program conducted continuous cross-sectional household surveys in its four major target regions over the past 6 years. This approach facilitated the aggregation of data annually, thus enabling progress to be tracked over time and timely decision-making. A total of 2560 households were interviewed each year and trend report synthesised for use.Result: Key performance indicators in the areas of family planning, and maternal and child health were considered for the study. Time series analysis data revealed overall progress in each outcome indicator. The report was shared among key programme staff to provide data for informed programmatic decision-making.Conclusion: The surveys as part of other programme activities proved to be a feasible and efficient way to generate timely data for programme outcome monitoring. Documenting the design and implementing data collection and feedback mechanism for prospective description and outcome monitoring potentially represents a new paradigm for course correction.Recommendation: Programme implementers should plan integrated continuous programme outcome monitoring mechanism as part of programme design rather than waiting for mid-term or end-term project evaluation.

Effects of the EQUIP quasi-experimental study testing a collaborative quality improvement approach for maternal and newborn health care in Tanzania and Uganda

BackgroundQuality improvement is a recommended strategy to improve implementation levels for evidence-based essential interventions, but experience of and evidence for its effects in low-resource settings are limited. We hypothesised that a systemic and collaborative quality improvement approach covering district, facility and community levels, supported by report cards generated through continuous household and health facility surveys, could improve the implementation levels and have a measurable population-level impact on coverage and quality of essential services.MethodsCollaborative quality improvement teams tested self-identified strategies (change ideas) to support the implementation of essential maternal and newborn interventions recommended by the World Health Organization. In Tanzania and Uganda, we used a plausibility design to compare the changes over time in one intervention district with those in a comparison district in each country. Evaluation included indicators of process, coverage and implementation practice analysed with a difference-of-differences and a time-series approach, using data from independent continuous household and health facility surveys from 2011 to 2014. Primary outcomes for both countries were birth in health facilities, breastfeeding within 1 h after birth, oxytocin administration after birth and knowledge of danger signs for mothers and babies. Interpretation of the results considered contextual factors.ResultsThe intervention was associated with improvements on one of four primary outcomes. We observed a 26-percentage-point increase (95% CI 25–28%) in the proportion of live births where mothers received uterotonics within 1 min after birth in the intervention compared to the comparison district in Tanzania and an 8-percentage-point increase (95% CI 6–9%) in Uganda. The other primary indicators showed no evidence of improvement. In Tanzania, we saw positive changes for two other outcomes reflecting locally identified improvement topics. The intervention was associated with an increase in preparation of clean birth kits for home deliveries (31 percentage points, 95% CI 2–60%) and an increase in health facility supervision by district staff (14 percentage points, 95% CI 0–28%).ConclusionsThe systemic quality improvement approach was associated with improvements of only one of four primary outcomes, as well as two Tanzania-specific secondary outcomes. Reasons for the lack of effects included limited implementation strength as well a relatively short follow-up period in combination with a 1-year recall period for population-based estimates and a limited power of the study to detect changes smaller than 10 percentage points.Trial registrationPan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR201311000681314

Adaptive choice of livelihood patterns in rural households in a farm-pastoral zone: A case study in Jungar, Inner Mongolia

From a dynamic process perspective, this study examined households’ adaptive choice of livelihood patterns in the context of changing rural China based on a 12-year continuous household survey in Jungar Banner. By referring to households’ diversified income and vocation, we classified rural livelihood patterns into planting oriented, stockbreeding oriented, half labour and half peasant, non-agriculture oriented, and labour-losing. Results show that different livelihood patterns exhibit distinctive disparities and geographical regularities. Stockbreeding oriented and non-agriculture oriented livelihood patterns are relatively more lucrative. The former was traditionally widely adopted by rural households and the latter has become the most popular in recent years, while the other three patterns are emerging or transitional ones. Then we explored the internal mechanisms of households’ livelihood choices using a multinomial logit model. Results indicate that human capital and physical capital were key factors affecting the differentiation of livelihood patterns, and natural capital was the premise for livelihood pattern transformation. Based on a series of policy interventions, the overall trends in livelihood transitions revealed that the proportion of stockbreeding oriented households and half labour and half peasant households sharply decreased, while the proportion of non-agriculture oriented households and labour-losing households largely increased, and the proportion of planting oriented households increased slightly with their management style transforming from extensive to intensive and specialized. Therefore, government interventions must conform to the transition trends and be tailored to fit different livelihood patterns by adjusting and enforcing each type of capital.

Do Women Have Different Labor Supply Behaviors? Evidence Based on Educational Groups in Uruguay

ABSTRACTThis study uses Uruguay’s historical fluctuation in real wages to set up a natural experiment to measure the relation between women’s labor supply and wages. Using data from the Continuous Household Surveys of the Uruguayan National Statistics Institute, for 1986–2010, it aims to identify and explain heterogeneity in the labor supply behavior of women with different educational backgrounds. It finds that all women groups seek to optimize their remunerated work allocation throughout their life cycle, although women’s labor behaviors vary depending on educational levels. The rising trend of women’s labor force participation is expected to continue; its implications at the intensive margin are ambiguous and depend on how women conciliate paid work with household responsibilities – especially women with less education. These results could inform present debates about designing public policies to facilitate women’s entry into the labor market and cater to their different wage profiles and household care demands.

Using mixed methods to evaluate perceived quality of care in southern Tanzania.

ObjectiveTo compare perceived quality of maternal and newborn care using quantitative and qualitative methods.DesignA continuous household survey (April 2011 to November 2013) and in-depth interviews and birth narratives.SettingTandahimba district, Tanzania.ParticipantsWomen aged 13–49 years who had a birth in the previous 2 years were interviewed in a household survey. Recently delivered mothers and their partners participated in in-depth interviews and birth narratives.InterventionNone.Main Outcome MeasuresPerceived quality of care.ResultsQuantitative: 1138 women were surveyed and 93% were confident in staff availability and 61% felt that required drugs and equipment would be available. Drinking water was easily accessed by only 60% of respondents using hospitals. Measures of interaction with staff were very positive, but only 51% reported being given time to ask questions. Unexpected out-of-pocket payments were higher in hospitals (49%) and health centres (53%) than in dispensaries (31%). Qualitative data echoed the lack of confidence in facility readiness, out-of-pocket payments and difficulty accessing water, but was divergent in responses about interactions with health staff. More than half described staff interactions that were disrespectful, not polite, or not helpful.ConclusionBoth methods produced broadly aligned results on perceived readiness, but divergent results on perceptions about client–staff interactions. Benefits and limitations to both quantitative and qualitative approaches were observed. Using mixed methodologies may prove particularly valuable in capturing the user experience of maternal and newborn health services, where they appear to be little used together.

Glass ceiling and sticky floors: hurdles for Mauritian working women

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the gender wage differential at different points of the wage distribution. It investigates the existence of glass ceilings and sticky floors in the Mauritian labour market. There is no previous empirical work studying gender inequality in the labour market for the small island economy of Mauritius.Design/methodology/approach– To investigate whether wage differentials are higher at the top or bottom ends of the wage distribution, the authors examine the wage disparities across different quantiles of the wage distribution. The gender wage disparities are assessed using quantile regression and decomposition techniques at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th quantiles. Survey data from the Continuous Multi-Purpose Household Survey from 2006 to 2013 is used.Findings– The results reveal that sticky floors are more pronounced than glass ceilings over the years. Further, for the years 2008, 2010 and 2012, it is noted that at the 75th quantiles, the gender wage differentials started to rise showing glass ceiling effects. The combination of both sticky floors and glass ceilings are characterised by the unexplained factors providing evidence for gender discrimination in the Mauritian labour market.Originality/value– This is the first study analysing the glass ceilings or sticky floors in the Mauritian labour market. Though the research is limited to Mauritius, the latter being a small island economy can serve as a case study for other island economies and also for the African continent.