Essential Services Research Articles

The Prevalence of Killer Yeasts in the Gardens of Fungus-Growing Ants and the Discovery of Novel Killer Toxin named Ksino.

Attine ants perform essential ecosystem services through the harvesting of substrates for fungiculture. Cultured fungi are a food source for attine ants. Characterizing antifungal toxin-producing yeasts (killer yeasts) is vital to understanding how they might protect gardens from invasion by unwanted fungal species. This study describes a new toxin named Ksino from the yeast Candida sinolaborantium , a member of a new group of putative toxins found across many different species of fungi. This work supports the role of killer yeasts in the ecology of fungicultures and competition between fungi. The observed high prevalence of killer yeasts in fungal gardens also enables the discovery of novel antifungal molecules with the potential to be applied against disease-causing fungi.

Tropical forest cover, oil palm plantations, and precipitation drive flooding events in Aceh, Indonesia, and hit the poorest people hardest.

Tropical forest loss and degradation in watersheds disrupt essential ecosystem services that regulate water flow, often causing devastating floods that impact agricultural productivity and impoverish downstream communities. Despite its importance, evaluations of the interconnectedness between the depletion of hydrological services and flooding lack an evidence-base in the Global South and, therefore, have little influence on policy dialogue. In this study, we focus on the forest-rich province of Aceh, Indonesia, using local and national newspaper articles to compile information on flood events between 2011 and 2018. We explored spatio-temporal flood patterns with a combination of climatic, topographic, and environmental factors. We compiled 2,029 reported flood events in mainland Aceh located in 20 of the 21 districts/cities, with a disproportionately high occurrence (71%) in four districts. The trend of flood events exhibited an increasing pattern between 2011 and 2018. Over this period, floods displaced ~158,000 people and damaged ~24,500 houses and ~11,500 ha of agricultural land. Our generalized linear mixed-effect model found that reported flood events were more likely to occur in areas with lower tree cover, more oil palm plantations, and higher precipitation. Areas with a lower human population density and higher poverty rates were found to be most susceptible to flooding events. Our findings highlight the critical link between forest preservation and flood prevention, and the irreplaceable role that forests play in ensuring the well-being of local communities, especially those affected by poverty. Our study underscores the importance of considering these interconnected factors in future land use and economic development plans and policies.

The Alarming Exodus of Nigerian Professionals: The Devastating Consequences of Human Capital Flight and Migration on Nigeria's Economic Development

Purpose: This study rigorously investigates the phenomenon of human capital flight and migration in Nigeria, emphasizing the alarming exodus of skilled professionals and its profound implications for the nation's economic development. By contextualizing brain drain within the broader landscape of labour mobility, this work seeks to elucidate the factors driving the migration of educated individuals, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology. Materials and Methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research synthesizes qualitative data from academic literature, policy documents, and empirical studies, alongside quantitative analysis drawn from migration statistics and socioeconomic metrics. This robust methodological framework supports a comprehensive exploration of the interplay between migration, brain drain, and national development, facilitating a deeper understanding of the ramifications of skilled labour loss. Findings: The findings indicate that Nigeria's alarming exodus of professionals is intricately linked to a confluence of factors, including systemic corruption, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited employment prospects. This human capital flight significantly undermines the quality and accessibility of essential services in critical sectors, leading to substantial socio-economic disparities. Consequently, the loss of skilled labour constrains Nigeria's competitive edge and stunts its economic resilience and growth potential. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: This inquiry extends beyond descriptive analysis to propose a nuanced framework for understanding the theoretical implications of human capital flight and migration in developing economies. It underscores the urgent need for policymakers to undertake comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of this phenomenon, fostering a conducive environment that retains talent while enhancing human capital investment and innovation capacity.

The relationship between transport infrastructure and output growth in rural nodal municipalities within South Africa

Transport infrastructure is an integral part of economic and social development in many countries, including South Africa. Economic growth theories state that a sound transport system enhances accessibility and output. Despite this, rural areas in South Africa face widespread poverty, poor infrastructure and limited access to essential services. This paper aims to examine the impact of transportation infrastructure investment on the output growth of rural nodal district municipalities in South Africa. This study focuses on two main objectives 1) investigating the relationship between transport infrastructure investment and output growth in rural nodal district municipalities and 2) understanding the causal relationship between transportation infrastructure investment and output growth in rural nodal district municipalities—this analysis uses panel data from 2012 to 2019. We used Fisher type (ADF and PP) panel unit root tests (Maddala & Wu,1999) to determine if the variables were stationary. Additionally, we employed Pedroni tests (1999) to ascertain the presence of cointegration among the variables. Once cointegration was confirmed, our study utilised the Panel VECM. A Panel Granger was then conducted to analyse the direction of causality between transportation infrastructure investment and output growth. This study recommends that the government should improve investments in transportation to improve the output of rural nodal district municipalities.

Spatial Distribution and Environmental Correlates of Cataract and Glaucoma Prevalence in Damaturu LGA, Nigeria

Study’s Excerpt/Novelty This study presents spatial analysis of cataracts and glaucoma within Damaturu Local Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria, leveraging hospital records from Yobe State University Teaching Hospital to identify demographic distributions and spatial trends of these eye conditions. It employs both Arc Map software and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) for comprehensive data evaluation, addressing the challenge of string data types in age group records to provide precise demographic insights. The research's emphasis on middle-aged and older individuals' susceptibility and the critical need for targeted healthcare interventions offers new perspectives on managing and mitigating the impact of cataracts and glaucoma in developing regions. Full Abstract The rising prevalence of blindness and vision impairments, particularly due to cataracts and glaucoma, poses significant challenges in developing countries with limited access to essential healthcare services. This paper delves into the spatial analysis of cataracts and glaucoma in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria, aiming to uncover spatial trends and demographic distributions of these eye conditions within the region. Drawing data from Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, where records of patients with Glaucoma and Cataract diseases were periodically documented, the study included a total of 187 patients. An essential aspect of the analysis focused on mapping the age groups affected by cataracts and glaucoma, providing valuable insights into the vulnerability of different age cohorts to these diseases. The data encompassed age groups ranging from 20 to 80 years, with notable concentrations observed between ages 25 to 60 and 25 to 80 years, indicating the higher susceptibility of middle-aged and older individuals. It's noteworthy to mention that due to the nature of data collection at the hospital, the age group values were recorded as string data types, represented by unique values for each case. This necessitates a detailed understanding of the age demographics affected by cataracts and glaucoma to tailor healthcare interventions effectively. To correct any errors or ambiguities, the data was also evaluated and analyzed using the Arc Map software with variables and the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) was also be used for analysis along with the administrative boarders. The study's conclusion underscores the critical need for intensified management and treatment of patients with progressive cataracts and glaucoma cases, emphasizing the importance of optic disc excavation and addressing distorted vision fields. These findings align with previous hospital-based studies, highlighting the ongoing challenges and the imperative for targeted healthcare strategies to address the growing burden of these eye conditions comprehensively. In essence, this research contributes valuable insights into the spatial and demographic aspects of cataracts and glaucoma in Damaturu LGA, advocating for focused healthcare interventions and management protocols to enhance patient outcomes and mitigate the impact of these prevalent eye diseases.

Saving the Health Care Safety Net: Progress and Opportunities.

The health care safety net provides essential clinical care and social services for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured populations in the United States. Despite these important functions, the health care safety net has experienced recurrent financial instability, growing market pressures, and workforce strain. Payment reform has also introduced unique challenges for safety net providers related to measuring and reaching quality benchmarks. A common theme among these challenges is that many of them result from applying standard health policy approaches to the safety net instead of using safety net-specific approaches. This review describes progress toward strengthening the safety net, key challenges, and opportunities moving forward.

Buzzing towards Resilience: Investigating the Spatial Alignment of the Desert Pallid Bee, Centris pallida, and Its Host Plants in Response to Climate Change.

Wild bees are vital for the pollination of native plants and crops, providing essential ecosystem services. Climate change is known to impact biodiversity and species distributions, but insects adapted to desert ecosystems may exhibit unique physiological, behavioral, and evolutionary responses. The desert pallid bee (C. pallida), a solitary bee native to the arid southwestern United States and northern Mexico, primarily forages on yellow palo verde (P. microphylla), blue palo verde (P. florida), and desert ironwood (O. tesota). This study used MaxEnt to estimate the current and projected geographical overlap of suitable habitats for C. pallida and its host plants. Here, we used MaxEnt to estimate the current and forecasted overlapping geographically suitable habitat of C. pallida with all three host plants. We forecasted potential environmentally suitable areas for each species to the year 2040 using the current distribution model and climate projections with moderate CO2 levels. We found a continued spatial alignment in the suitable area of the bee and its host plants with a 70% increase in the range overlap area, though shifted to higher average altitudes and a slight northern expansion. These findings may provide insight to stakeholders on the conservation needs of desert-dwelling pollinators.

Особливості і розвиток технологій виявлення витоків трубопроводів тепло- та водопостачання в умовах зношеності та мілітарних впливів

The article is dedicated to analyzing the current state of underground heat and water supply pipelines in Ukraine, particularly under conditions of significant wear and tear and military impacts. The challenges associated with the operational detection of hidden leaks are exami¬ned, as well as the capabilities of known methods for identifying damaged sections and leak locations. The development of acoustic and correlation leak detectors is discussed as a promi¬sing direction for improving pipeline diagnostics in war conditions and amid network dete¬rioration. Several innovations are proposed, including a new parametric correlation method, spatial-frequency selection of useful leak signals, and other advancements to enhance the diag¬nostics of critical infrastructure. These measures aim to improve the effectiveness of leak de¬tection, ensure the continuity of essential services, and strengthen the resilience of the energy system in the face of current challenges.

Assessing coastal community resilience to climate change in Central Vietnam through the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI)

Abstract This study investigates the climate resilience of coastal communities in Vietnam's Nghe An province, a region highly exposed due to its extensive coastline and dense population. Employing the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI), the research assesses the resilience of three districts — Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, and Nghi Loc — to climate-induced disasters. The analysis reveals good to high overall resilience across five dimensions (physical, social, economic, institutional, and natural). Dien Chau boasts the highest score (4.06), followed by Quynh Luu (4.04), and Nghi Loc (4.01). While strong infrastructure and essential services contribute to high physical resilience, social capital development requires further attention. Economic resilience is bolstered by employment rates, but income and asset accumulation need improvement. Effective policies and disaster risk management strategies highlight strong institutional resilience. Natural resource management demonstrates adaptability, but land-use planning warrants enhancement. This study underscores the districts' good preparedness for climate challenges while pinpointing areas for improvement across all CDRI dimensions. By addressing these vulnerabilities, Nghe An's coastal communities can further strengthen their resilience.

The X-Minute City: Analysing Accessibility to Essential Daily Destinations by Active Mobility in Seville

The concept of the “x-minute city” emphasises connected, mixed-use, and functionally dense urban areas where residents can access most daily necessities within a short walk or bike ride. By promoting proximity to essential destinations and sustainable transport options, this approach reduces the need for extensive travel and minimises environmental impact. This paper analyses the readiness of cities to function as x-minute cities and identifies necessary interventions. Using a reproducible and scalable methodology based on open data and software, the study assesses the accessibility of key urban amenities within specified timeframes. Cumulative accessibility metrics are calculated for different destination categories, considering both walking and cycling. In the case of Seville, accessibility requirements outlined in policy documents are already met for many essential services, particularly public facilities. The study identifies neighbourhoods that excel in accessibility and others that require improvement in adhering to x-minute city principles. The methodology and findings can inform planning and policy decisions in other cities, guiding efforts to enhance amenity provision, test accessibility scenarios, and target intervention areas.

Leveraging IoT Technology for Transformative Impact in the Maritime Sector

The maritime sector is undergoing a transformative shift driven by the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) era. IoT permits real-time data collection, monitoring, and evaluation of maritime assets, leading to improved operational efficiency, stepped forward protection, and value financial savings. By integrating IoT sensors into ships, ports, and cargo, stakeholders can optimize gas intake, control vessel maintenance, tune shipment movements, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Furthermore, IoT enables predictive protection, decreasing downtime and extending gadget lifespan. The usage of IoT in maritime logistics also promotes transparency within the supply chain, assisting in more specific direction-making plans and reducing delays. This summary explores the key packages of IoT inside the maritime region, addressing its ability to revolutionize transport operations, enhance sustainability, and power innovation across the enterprise. Via manner of its very nature, the delivery and logistics organization desires an in-depth and powerful statistical alternative for fulfillment management and choice-making. A specific technique is needed for the marine enterprise due to the complicated and various environments. The naval enterprise's short adoption of IoT generation will make it an awful lot less tough to administer essential services like vessel monitoring, emissions control, preventative protection, protection, and welfare. The IoT answers defined in this article are tailor-made to the business enterprise's present-day needs. The hints are normal with the venture, which intends to offer an interactive remark route on maritime and survey or IoT systems to fill the market need due to the speedy growth of the smart Maritime & Surveying business enterprise. By its very nature, the delivery and logistics company wishes for an in-depth and powerful facts alternative for fulfillment control and selection-making. A specific method is wanted for the marine company due to the complex and diverse environment. The naval enterprise's short adoption of IoT generation will make it much less tough to administer essential offerings like vessel tracking, emissions control, preventative protection, protection, and welfare. The IoT solutions defined in this newsletter are tailored to the organization's current wishes. The tips are regular with the undertaking, which intends to provide an interactive observation course on maritime and survey or IoT structures to fill the market want because of the speedy boom of the smart Maritime & Surveying commercial corporation

The influence of minimum dietary diversity on undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia: a multilevel mixed-effect analysis based on 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey.

Undernutrition persists as a critical issue in developing countries like Ethiopia due to poor feeding practices for infants and young children. The impact of dietary diversity on children's health in Ethiopia remains unclear, necessitating further investigation to develop effective prevention strategies. To examine the association between minimum dietary diversity and undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia. Data from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey, including 1,501 women with children aged 6-23 months, were analyzed using STATA version 17 software. Child stunting, wasting, and underweight were assessed using Z-scores. Dietary diversity was measured using minimum dietary diversity. Multilevel logistic regression analysis determined associations, presenting results as crude odds ratios (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 10.99% of children had adequate minimum dietary diversity, with Addis Ababa (44.57%) and Somalia (1.47%) showing the highest and lowest prevalences, respectively. The highest stunting prevalence was in the Amhara region (45.86%), while Addis Ababa had the lowest (9.78%). Wasting was lowest in Addis Ababa (1.09%) and highest in Tigray (17.07%). Underweight prevalence ranged from 2.17% in Addis Ababa to 33.33% in Tigray. Children with adequate minimum dietary diversity (MDD) had significantly lower odds of stunting (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.96), underweight (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.27, 0.99), and wasting (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.97) compared to those who had inadequate minimum dietary diversity (MDD). This study highlights the association between minimum dietary diversity and stunting, wasting, and underweight among Ethiopian children aged 6-23 months. Urgent nutrition-specific interventions are needed, particularly in regions with high undernutrition rates and low dietary diversity. Targeted interventions focusing on promoting diverse and nutritious diets for children, along with improving access to essential healthcare services, are imperative to mitigate the burden of undernutrition and ensure the well-being of Ethiopia's youngest population and reinforcing existing programs is crucial to address this public health issue effectively.

Shallow drainage of agricultural peatlands without land-use change: have your peat and eat it too

IntroductionDrainage for agricultural purposes is one of the main drivers of peatland degradation, leading to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biodiversity loss, and soil eutrophication. Rewetting is a potential solution to restore peatlands, but it generally requires a land-use shift to paludiculture or nature areas.MethodsThis study explored whether three different water level management techniques (subsoil irrigation, furrow irrigation, and dynamic ditch water level regulation) could be implemented on dairy grasslands to yield increases in essential ecosystem services (vegetation diversity and soil biogeochemistry) without the need to change the current land use or intensity. We investigated vegetation diversity, soil biogeochemistry, and CO2 emission reduction in fourteen agricultural livestock pastures on drained peat soils in Friesland (Netherlands).ResultsAcross all pastures, Shannon-Wiener diversity was below 1, and the species richness was below 5. The plant-available phosphorus (P) was consistently higher than 3 mmol L−1. None of the water level management (WLM) techniques enhanced vegetation diversity or changed soil biogeochemistry despite a notable increase in water table levels. The potential for CO2 emission reduction remained small or even absent. Indicators of land-use intensity (i.e., grass harvest and fertilization intensity), however, showed a strong negative correlation with vegetation diversity. Furthermore, all sites’ total and plant-available P and nitrate exceeded the upper threshold for species-rich grassland communities.DiscussionIn conclusion, our research suggests that incomplete rewetting (i.e., higher water tables while maintaining drainage) while continuing the current land use does neither effectively mitigate GHG emissions nor benefit vegetation diversity. Therefore, we conclude that combining WLM and reducing land-use intensity is essential to limit the degradation of peat soils and restore more biodiverse vegetation.

Integrating basic human values with forest ecosystem services: pathways to sustainable forest management.

The article explores the intricate relationship between basic human values and forest ecosystem services (FES). The study highlights the critical role that forests play in providing essential services for biodiversity, forest products, climate stabilization and human well-being, and emphasizes the need to understand and integrate human values into forest management and planning. Through a novel approach, this study explores how the concept of "forest" can elicit considerations of fundamental human values that diverge from conventional classifications and measurements of forest values. The study uses a comprehensive methodology, including surveys and content analysis, to uncover the hierarchical structure of human values associated with forests. This approach enables the identification of fundamental values that remain constant despite situational variations. The main results reveal a hierarchical structure of values, with Apollonian values being more prevalent than Dionysian ones. The study shows significant differences in the importance attributed to different FES, reflecting underlying value differences between residents. The study makes a novel contribution by systematically examining the links between human values and FES and proposing a profound and sustainable approach to forest management that takes into account the psychological dimensions of human-forest interactions. The study suggests that recognizing and incorporating the intrinsic human values into forest ecosystem service frameworks can improve sustainable forest management practices and ultimately foster a deeper connection between people and the forest environment.

Agile project management for sustainable residential construction: A study of critical success factors

Sustainability principles should be incorporated into all decision-making stages for residential construction projects to ensure maximum revenue while maintaining essential residential building services. This study identifies and analyzes the critical success factors (CSFs) necessary for implementing agile project management (APM) in residential construction projects. Data were collected from 120 professionals in the Nigerian construction industry through questionnaire surveys to understand the implementation of APM. The CSFs were obtained from previous research and analyzed within the specific context of the Nigerian construction industry through questionnaire surveys. The CSFs were grouped into two main categories using exploratory factor analysis: dynamic project optimization and agile project foundations. The model for the CSFs was developed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The study found that the dynamic project optimization element had the most significant impact on the model, highlighting its importance as a key CSF in APM implementation. These results support the adoption of APM within Nigeria’s construction industry as stakeholders and professionals seek effective strategies to reduce costs and improve sustainability.

Collective Capabilities Complete a Neighbourhood

This article argues for the need for attention to agency as well as structure in planning for complete neighbourhoods and communities, drawing upon collective capabilities theory and driven by a community-engaged research approach. While complete communities planning proposes to provide more fulsome social and physical infrastructure to residents in a context of urban growth and change in Canadian cities, contemporary efforts tend to neglect or disdain the agency and empowerment of residents. This logic and rationale for complete communities planning has shifted compared to the origins of neighbourhood planning in Canada, as will be exemplified here drawing upon the case of Vancouver. The application of the theory of collective capabilities in complete communities planning offers a path forward that is not naïve to the challenges posed by participatory planning and that views organizations other than the government as having collective capabilities to plan. We demonstrate the potential of this through the case of our community-engaged research partnership based at the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House. The project mobilized spatial and statistical research to document the extent of inequities and needs experienced in South Vancouver neighbourhoods as well as the collective capabilities of residents working through the neighbourhood house hub to provide essential services and do effective neighbourhood planning.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mother and child health - the case of Ghana.

The lockdown measures in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have led to a wide range of unintended consequences for women and children. Until the outbreak of COVID-19, attention was on reducing maternal and infant mortality due to pregnancy and delivery complications. The aim of this study was to interrogate the impact of lockdown measures on women and children in two contrasting districts in Ghana - Krobo Odumase and Ayawaso West Wuogon. This study adopted the mixed-method approach using both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative study relied on two data collection methods to explore the impacts of COVID-19 control measures on women and children in Ghana. These were: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs; n = 12) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs; n = 18). The study complemented the qualitative data with survey data - household surveys (n = 78) which were used to support the nutrition and school closure data; and policy data gathered from government websites consisting of government responses to COVID-19. The qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach with codes generated apriori with the NVIVO software. The quantitative data used percentages and frequencies. Engagements with participants in the study revealed that the lockdown measures implemented in Ghana had consequences on child and maternal health, and the health care system as a whole. Our study revealed, for example, that there was a decrease in antenatal and postnatal attendance in hospitals. Childhood vaccinations also came to a halt. Obesity and malnutrition were found to be common among children depending on the location of our study participants (urban and rural areas respectively). Our study also revealed that TB, Malaria and HIV treatment seeking reduced due to the fear of going to health facilities since those ailments manifest similar symptoms as COVID 19. Government responded to COVID-19 using different strategies however the policy response resulted in both intended and unintended consequences especially for women and children in Ghana. It is recommended that national policy directions should ensure the continuous provision of child and maternal healthcare services which are essential health services during lockdowns.

"I Don't Know What I'm Going to Meet Today": Home Care Workers' Decision-Making About Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The home care workforce provides supportive healthcare services to older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need for knowledge that can better support this high-risk and understudied group of essential workers. The study aimed to understand decision-making about safety and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study design used a descriptive qualitative study approach, and 34 participants completed individual video or phone interviews. The results were organized into three themes specific to decision-making around safety and well-being for home care workers (HCWs) during the pandemic: 1) Responsibility, commitment, and dedication to their clients led HCWs to continue to provide essential services, 2) Safety concerns did not prevent HCWs from reporting to work, and 3) HCWs expressed more concern about clients than their own safety. Understanding the experiences of HCWs can offer important insights for developing strategies and policies to address the safety of these essential yet often overlooked healthcare professionals.

Holistic support framework for doctors training as rural and remote general practitioners: a realist evaluation of the RVTS model.

To develop theory about how and why the supervision and support model used by the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) addresses the professional and non-professional needs of doctors (including many international medical graduates) who are training towards general practice or rural generalist fellowship while based in the same rural or remote practice. We conducted a realist evaluation based on the RAMESES II protocol. The initial theory was based on situated learning theory, networked ecological systems theory, cultural theory and geographical narcissism theory. The theory was developed by collecting empirical data through interviews with 27 RVTS stakeholders, including supervisors, participants and RVTS staff. The theory was refined using a project reference and a stakeholder advisory group and confirmed using individual meetings with experts. Theory about how the contexts of person, place and program interacted to address professional and non-professional needs. The RVTS program offers remote access to knowledgeable and caring supervisors, real-time tailored advice, quality resources and regular professional networking opportunities, including breaks from the community. It worked well because it triggered five mechanisms: comfort, confidence, competence, belonging and bonding. These mechanisms collectively fostered resilience, skills, professional identity and improved status; they effectively counteracted the potential effects of complex and relatively isolated work settings. This theory depicts how a remotely delivered supervision and support model addresses the place and practice challenges faced by different doctors, meeting their professional and non-professional needs. The participants felt valued as part of a special professional group delivering essential primary health care services in challenging locations. The theory could be adapted and applied to support other rural and remote doctors.

Crowding-out effect of tobacco consumption on household food expenditures in Cameroon

This study delves into the critical issue of household budgets in Cameroon, specifically focusing on the impact of tobacco expenditure. Tobacco use often represents a significant portion of a household’s financial resources, potentially leading to a phenomenon known as the “crowding-out effect.” This effect describes a situation where increased tobacco spending leads to a decrease in the budget allocated to other essential goods and services. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, this study employs a quantitative approach. The analysis utilizes data from a nationally representative household survey conducted in Cameroon during 2014 (ECAM4). A two-stage least squares (2SLS) technique is implemented to address a potential statistical issue known as endogeneity, which could otherwise skew the results. The study’s findings reveal a concerning trend: tobacco expenditure has a negative impact on the budget shares allocated to essential goods such as food, clothing, and household equipment. This negative impact appears to be particularly pronounced for male consumers within households. Based on these findings, the study suggested that implementing tobacco control policies could lead to significant improvements in household well-being and overall health status. These policies, by encouraging a reduction in tobacco use, could free up resources that could then be reallocated towards essential goods, ultimately improving household financial stability and health outcomes.