Poor Countries Research Articles

INTRODUCTION TO THE POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PLANS (PRSP): PROCESS AND EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW

Purpose- This study tries to describe a comprehensive overview of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan papers. This is a crucial document that any current economist should understand. Currently, the globe is implementing seventeen development goals listed on the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda. Methodology- The empirical review through several reports and works that addresses several themes that are pertinent to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Plans document, including the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan (IPRSP) and the Complete Poverty Reduction Strategy Plans (PRSP) was done. The work also describes how historically the concept of poverty reduction strategy plans (PRSP) came to exist. It covers the time from when the PRSP method was presented in 1999 up to date. Also, the work explains the main principles that must be included in preparing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Plans (PRSP) documents and challenges that face poor countries in the implementation of their corresponding poverty reduction strategy plans (PRSP) is discussed. Findings- The paper finalize by looking at different discussions and views on whether these plans really help the poor countries, or they are just another mode of empowering the poor countries and international finance institutions will be given. By the end of this review a reader should be able to grasp and overview of overall concept of the poverty reduction strategy plans. Conclusion- The study concluded that the plans help developing countries due to noticeable development progress in developing countries.

Exploring the Dynamics of Trade in Developing Countries: A Panel ARDL Analysis of Renewable Electricity, Labor Force, and Economic Factors

This study looks at how important economic, environmental, and labour force variables interact with trade dynamics in emerging nations. The study examines the relationship between trade and renewable power generation, labour force participation, and economic indicators throughout the period from 2000 to 2023 using a panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach. With the exception of CO2 emissions, which show a negative correlation, the results show a strong positive association between trade and the variables under investigation. These results highlight the significance of sustainable economic development methods in promoting trade growth in poor countries and throw insight on the intricate processes influencing trade patterns.

Why Poor Countries were the Least Affected by COVID-19?

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Improving access to palliative care to mitigate multi-dimensional breast cancer suffering.

e24084 Background: The breast cancer (BC) divide persists as a global health and equity challenge. IARC data show that in low human development index (HDI) countries – 1/27 women is diagnosed with BC in their lifetime and 1/48 die from it. In very high HDI countries, BC is more common (1/12), but death is much less so (1/71). Hence, BC generates a substantial burden of serious health-related suffering (SHS) worldwide, and a particularly high and unmet demand for end-of-life care in poorer countries. This research links to three Lancet Commissions (LC): the forthcoming report of LC on BC, follow-up to LC Global Access to Palliative Care (PC), and LC on Cancer and Health Systems. We apply the concept of SHS to delineate and measure PC need for BC. This research is the first to explore disease-specific SHS, building on previous estimates that did not differentiate across cancers. Focusing on BC adds knowledge on: experiences of suffering across the cancer continuum including survivorship; dimensions of suffering specific to women and especially young women; and, differences in symptoms of suffering by stage of diagnosis. Methods: To identify symptoms and dimensions of suffering and to estimate the BC-specific SHS burden, 14 experts, most from the Lancet BC Commission, based in 12 countries of varying HDI, participated in: 1) an online survey on days of SHS and days receiving PC; 2) focus groups to discuss BC need for generalist and specialist PC from time of diagnosis; and 3) structured interviews to refine and deepen data. Results: Stage IV disease and end-of-life account for most PC consultations; no PC consultations were recommended in earlier stages. Experts concluded BC-specific SHS must be differentiated for metastatic disease based on staging, and highlighted symptoms of suffering associated with gender, reproductive age and sexuality ignored in previous work. They estimated an annual average PC need of approximately 175 days for decedents, and over 50 days per year for non-decedents estimated to live 4 years with SHS. Unmet need is high as BC decedents reported receive about 75 days, and non-decedents about 90 days of PC prior to the last year of life. Oncology experts focus on PC being only for final disease stage, yet PC experts stress the need for earlier PC integration into the BC trajectory, including survivorship. Conclusions: With 669,500 deaths in 2023, the burden of BC-specific SHS total is estimated at over 118 million days a year. These numbers represent suffering from pain, dyspnea, fatigue, as well as range of other symptoms that could benefit from PC. Yet, PC is unavailable for the majority in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, some BC symptoms of suffering are under-recognized globally. Health and cancer should prioritize this substantial opportunity to respond to patient, family and caregiver suffering by investing in appropriate PC access and capacity development.

Towards A Debt-Overhanged Economy: Causes and Consequences for the Economy of Pakistan

The reliance on debt is not only essential but also a key factor in economic growth of poor countries like Pakistan because of a meager tax base and an annuity of fiscal deficit. Trade surplus is a common tool that covers the budget deficit but twin deficit makes the economic conditions worst. The excessive borrowing can stimulate the economic cycle in the short run but in the in the long-run it creates the issues of debt-overhang. This timely study is an attempt to investigate the short-run and long-run dynamics of debt on the economy of Pakistan. The empirical results (ARDL co-integration) suggests that long-run relationships exist among the variables under consideration such as Exports and Remittances have negative effects on debt, while other variables have positive effects. The Error-Correction-Model (ECM) analysis indicates mean-reverting behavior, where the dependent variable returns to its long-run equilibrium. Post-estimation tests support the model's assumptions. The Jarque–Bera test shows that residuals exhibit normal distribution. CUSUM and CUSUMsq tests indicate reliability and stability of the regression model. There is a long-run relationship between exports of goods and services (EGS), imports of goods and services (IGS), gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), net official development assistance (NOD), personal remittances (PRR), and debt in Pakistan. In the long-run, Exports of goods and services have a negative impact, Imports of goods and services have a significantly positive impact, Gross fixed capital formation has a positive impact, Net official development assistance has a positive impact, Personal remittances have a negative impact on debt respectively. However, Trade as a percentage of GDP has an insignificant impact on debt in the long run. The study also found that the impact of each variable on Debt is different in the short run. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the factors that affect Debt in Pakistan.

China’s role in sovereign debt restructuring

As the world’s largest bilateral lender to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), China faces challenges dealing with some sovereign borrowers in debt distress under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The current global sovereign debt landscape suggests that the fundamental challenge of sovereign debt restructuring in the developing world is not China, but rather how to equitably address unsustainable debt owed to multiple categories of creditors. Nonetheless, by offering early-stage debt relief, China can alleviate the burden on borrowers who disproportionately owe significant debt to China and prevent trapping itself in unpaid debts. China’s policy decision will determine whether it can avoid the same mistake that Western creditors made of eventually losing all financial claims on many debt-distressed, heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) by the mid-2000s. Furthermore, a considerate approach by China is key to achieving the dual goals of mitigating LMICs’ debt distress and vulnerabilities to climate change by applying a climate-centered approach toward sustainable socio-economic development. China can contribute to creating better global debt governance, which should go hand in hand with global environmental governance and have critical economic, political, and social implications.

Book Review: Migration as Economic Imperialism: How International Labour Mobility Undermines Economic Development in Poor Countries by Immanuel Ness

Book Review: <i>Migration as Economic Imperialism: How International Labour Mobility Undermines Economic Development in Poor Countries</i> by Immanuel Ness

Attitudes Towards Economic Inequality in a Global Perspective: Evidence from the World Value Survey

Scholars have explored the factors responsible for shaping people’s attitudes towards economic inequality. Yet, this research has focused exclusively on Western countries. This is an important limitation: only by looking at the different world regions, scholars can fully elucidate the major factors involved. To address this, the paper examines data from the World Value Survey, a database of representative samples drawn from more than one hundred countries. The analyses reveal that people tolerate economic inequalities more when they have higher salary, are better educated, are male, and live in poorer countries. The data also indicates that a country’s level of income inequality has no impact on the attitude towards economic inequality reported by citizens. Altogether, these findings elucidate the general factors shaping people’s views on inequality worldwide, contributing to understanding in which conditions people support egalitarian policies.

Premature agglomeration?: Two phases of development with spatial sorting

AbstractClusters in the developing world do, to a large extent, attract low‐educated individuals, and these clusters are in some cases, characterized by urbanization without industrialization. This contrasts starkly to clusters in advanced economies that attract high‐skilled individuals and entrepreneurs. In this paper, we develop a model of agglomeration and spatial sorting that is consistent with these two types of different agglomeration processes in developed and developing countries. We show that a poor country that has an agglomeration with low skilled individuals, may get stuck in this equilibrium, but that free mobility of human capital from the outset nevertheless is superior from the perspective of total social welfare.

#509 Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children in Chad

Abstract Background and Aims The objective of our study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of Nephrotic Syndrome (SN) in children from three major hospitals in one of the world's poorest countries, Chad. Method This observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, and multicenter study took place over a period of 36 months (1 January 2019–31 December 2021) and was carried out in three hospitals in N'Djamena, Chad. Children aged 1–15 years presenting with NS were included in the study. Results Out of 16,776 children hospitalized or followed up with in outpatient clinics, 24 cases of NS were identified, yielding a prevalence of 0.14%. The median age at presentation was 6.16 years (1–10). Nineteen children were male (sex ratio 3.8). Eight cases were classified as impure NS (33.3%). Edema was present in all patients, while oliguria was present in 29.16% (n = 7), and arterial hypertension was present in 20.83% (n = 5) of cases. Mean proteinuria, albuminemia, and total proteins were 2.86 g/L, 19.13 g/L and 30.41 g/L, respectively. The median serum creatinine was 87.3 µmol/L (75–1375 µmol/L). Three patients experienced acute renal failure upon admission. Four patients had secondary NS. All idiopathic NS patients (n = 20) who had received corticosteroid therapy had a 90% response rate to steroids. Non-responsive or relapsed patients underwent kidney biopsy (n = 7), revealing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS; n = 4) as the most common histological lesion, followed by minimal change disease (n = 2) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (n = 1). The median length of hospitalization stay was 10.67 (5–27) days. None of the patients with idiopathic NS died. At the last follow-up, sixteen patients (80%) achieved long-term complete remission with normal renal function; however, four of those had subsequent relapses. One patient with secondary NS died. Conclusion In Chad, childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome predominantly affects young males; steroid sensitivity is as high as 95%, and in the long-term, 80% of patients achieve remission with normal renal function.

#2418 Effects of correction of acidosis on body composition and biochemical parameters in CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Abstract Background and Aims Metabolic acidosis is a common problem in patients of chronic kidney disease and patients on maintenance hemodialysis. In resource poor countries, due to financial constraints frequency of dialysis and compliance to medication is adversely affected. This leads to worsening of clinical condition of patient and requirement of in hospital care, many times intensive care, further increasing cost of treatment. Metabolic acidosis has implications on bone and muscle health. Aim of our study was to assess the changes in body composition (fat percentage and lean body mass), changes in third space fluid, biochemical parameters, number of admissions and requirement of blood transfusions before and after correction of metabolic acidosis. Method This was a prospective, observational study. 25 patients on maintenance hemodialysis at our center were included in the study. Bio-impedance analysis (BIA), biochemical parameters (Complete blood counts, renal function tests, serum calcium and phosphorous, liver function tests, Blood gas analysis) were done at baseline before starting bicarbonate supplementation. Number of admissions and blood transfusions in 3 months prior to initiation of bicarbonate supplementation were noted. The oral bicarbonate supplementation was increased from baseline, based on the baseline blood gas analysis. The same parameters were assessed after 3 months and analyzed. Results At the end of 3 months we observed that there was significant reduction (p &amp;lt; 0.05) in total leucocyte counts (mean 8100/cumm to 6800/cumm), urea (mean 113.7 mg/dL to 83.72 ng/dL), creatinine (mean 7.87 mg/dL to 6.68 mg/dL), phosphorous (mean 5.18 mg/dL to 4.43 mg/dL), SGOT (mean 56.52 IU to 25.2 IU) and SGPT (mean 46.48 IU to 22.88 IU) with a trend of decrease (p ≤ 0.1) in percentage of extra cellular water (27.31% to 25.03%), lean body mass (44.27 kg to 43.0 kg) and trend of increase (p ≤ 0.1) in body fat composition (15.62 kg to 18.82 kg) and body fat percentage (26.924% to 31.90). There was a reduction in third space fluid (0.88 lit to 0.43 lit). The number of hospitalizations reduced (15 three months prior to initiation of therapy to 7 after initiation of therapy) and number of blood transfusions required also reduced (21 before initiation to 10 after initiation of therapy). Conclusion We concluded that correction of acidosis probably reduces the inflammation in patients of CKD on maintenance hemodialysis. This could be seen from the reduced total leucocyte counts, liver enzymes, urea and creatinine values. Changes in body composition with increased total fat mass, fat percentage and decreased lean mass was also noted. There was also a significant reduction in hospitalizations and number of blood transfusions.

#1640 Alternative complement pathway disorders in the transplant setting—experience from a large volume center

Abstract Background and Aims Complement alternative pathway disorders, atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), are rare diseases with a high rate of recurrence after kidney transplantation. Due to limited availability of testing, patients may go undiagnosed, indicating testing during pretransplant evaluation. Posttransplant thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare complication of transplantation. A large number of post transplant TMAs is regarded as secondary, either to immunosuppressive drugs or transplant itself. In select cases, complement alternative pathway disorders analysis is warranted. Method We retrospectively reviewed all patients in whom complement system diagnostic work-up was performed in the transplant setting in our center, from 2017 to 2022. Complement system analysis in isolated histological TMA of the allograft, without extrarenal manifestations and with known cause of native kidneys ESRD, was not performed routinely. Patients in whom alternative pathway disorders were confirmed were compared with those with no abnormalities detected by complement system analysis. Results 12 patients were identified, 75% male, median age 39.5 years (IQR 28-60.25). 8 patients were evaluated before transplantation. 4 of the 8 patients were referred for transplantation with diagnosed aHUS. Genetic testing was used for recurrence risk stratification. In living donor transplantations 2 donors were tested as well. One patient was referred from a neighboring resource poor country and was not on eculizumab therapy. He was homozygous for a high risk causative mutation. He was declined for living related donor kidney transplant, due to risk to the donor and unavailability of eculizumab. Compassionate use request was initiated. One patient was referred as possible C3G and repeat complement analysis revealed elevated C3Nef. Out of 3 patients, previously diagnosed as CKD of unknown origin or immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, 2 were diagnosed during pretransplant evaluation: one as C3G and the other as aHUS. 4 patients were evaluated posttransplant. One analysis was performed due to recurrent C3G of the allograft, with confirmed competent dysregulation. 2 analyses were in liver transplant recipients, both with systemic TMA. Severe overactivation with consumption of complement was proven in one and treated with eculizumab. The characteristics of patients with diagnosed disorders of the complement system and those without are shown in Table 1. Conclusion Transplant physicians should keep a high volume of suspicion for complement dysregulation disorders, both during the pretransplant work-up and when evaluating TMA and recurrent GN posttransplant. Special caution should be advised when a patient is referred as chronic GN, MPGN or unknown cause ESKD at a young age.

Enhancing public health in developing nations through smartphone-based motor assessment.

Several protocols for motor assessment have been validated for use on smartphones and could be employed by public healthcare systems to monitor motor functional losses in populations, particularly those with lower income levels. In addition to being cost-effective and widely distributed across populations of varying income levels, the use of smartphones in motor assessment offers a range of advantages that could be leveraged by governments, especially in developing and poorer countries. Some topics related to potential interventions should be considered by healthcare managers before initiating the implementation of such a digital intervention.

Analysis of Stock Market Trends for Market Capitalization and Securities Management: An approach to Nepalese Stock Market

Attraction towards share market is increasing day by day. Relevance for guiding people towards purchase and sale of share is also increasing everywhere in the world. Nepal is a poor country having well developed share market, but some sort of hurdles and technical disparities are still creating problems in operation of this market. Increasing economic crisis for last two years has made this market critical. Decrease in price of share is caused by increasing losses in business and industry at present. The main objective of the study is to examine the growth trend of the Nepalese securities market. It helps to analyze the trend of Nepalese stock market in terms of market capitalization, number of transaction, number of securities traded and number of securities listed and to examine the space of primary market growth in Nepal. this work is motivated by the works of (see[6-31]).

Inequalities: The Economic Foundation

Inequality takes many forms, but it starts with inequality of wealth and incomes. From that flows inequality is social mobility, life expectancy, educational attainment and even happiness. And the inequality of wealth and income is very extreme – both withing countries and between rich and poor countries. The gaps are hardly narrowing, if at all. Behind extreme inequality is the concentration of the bulk of wealth in the form of the ownership of productive capital in just a few adults in the world – no more 1% of 8bn people. That concentration has arisen because of the economic structure of the capitalist mode of production as it has spread across the world in the last century. While that basic structure remains in place, redistribution policies for income and wealth will be inadequate. A fundamental change in the social and economic formation of modern economies is required.

International Student Mobility in the Context of Migration and Development

The impact of international student mobility on the development in countries of origin is an under-researched topic in migration studies. In a global knowledge economy, immigration countries in the Global North perceive international students almost exclusively as ideal immigrants who are (mostly) young, flexible, and highly skilled when they enter the labour market after graduation. However, international students can play an important role for their countries of origin. For instance, our own research on international students and alumni from selected countries in the Global South (Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, and Indonesia) studying in Germany and the United States shows that they transfer development-related knowhow back to their country of origin by doing diverse activities in leading positions. They do that through return migration as well as by remaining in the country of graduation (by creating transnational social networks from abroad) and through circular mobility. However, these processes need more institutional support. Therefore, international student mobility should be an integral part of global migration governance, where scholarships for students from poor countries are the key drivers for international mobility. These considerations can stimulate the broader discussion about international migration and development.

Herbal Innovations in Candidiasis Management: A Comprehensive Review of Aloe Vera and Betel Leaf Extract Based Antifungal Gel

Candidiasis is the most prevalent fungal infection in people, and it is caused by C. albicans, both primary and secondary. Herbal medications are still the backbone of around 75-80% of the world's population, primarily in poor countries, for basic health care due to superior cultural acceptance, compatibility with the human body, and less adverse effects. herbal medicines are made from plants or plant parts and are used to cure injuries, diseases, and illnesses, as well as to promote health and healing. Plant-based medicinal products have a vital part in the healthcare of the remaining 20% of the population, who primarily live in developed nations. Aloe vera (Sanskrit Ghritakumari, Kumara; Hindi-Guarpatha, Ghikanvar) is a herb often known as the "medicinal plant" due to its numerous therapeutic characteristics. Aloe vera, botanically known as Aloe barbadensis Miller, is a member of the lily family. Aloe products are quite popular on the market and are extensively utilized in the skin care, cosmetics, medical, healthcare, and food industries. We are now employing piper betel leaf, commonly known as betel leaf (khaupan). Ayurvedic medicine from ancient India cites various medicinal advantages, including its antifungal properties. Candidiasis is the most prevalent fungal infection in people, and it is caused by C. albicans, both primary and secondary “Abstract” is a necessary section in a research paper. It may be constructed by gathering main points (summary) from each section of the research paper.

Economics of Happiness: What Really Counts?

The study of happiness was initially examined psychologically, then expanded to incorporate social and, finally, economic aspects to investigate the reasons for the disparities in happiness levels across countries. Numerous scholars from various fields of expertise have developed an interest in studying happiness as a topic, as it has become a global issue. The notable work of Easterlin known as “Easterlin Paradox” postulates that happiness varies linearly with income at a point in time, both within and across nations. However, the long-term growth rates of happiness and income are not significantly linked. The economics of happiness is a multidisciplinary study of the relationship between economic conditions and subjective well-being or happiness. Happiness economics can be examined from both a microeconomic and macroeconomic perspective, providing valuable insights into both individual well-being and societal gain. The economics of happiness has received a lot of attention recently, especially in terms of understanding the differences in life satisfaction between rich and developing countries. Wealthier countries are happier as a group than poorer countries; happiness seems to increase with wealth up to a limit, but not beyond it. Public policy has a substantial impact on happiness economics by changing the well-being of individuals and society through numerous mechanisms such as fiscal policy, public spending, health impact assessment, and family assistance. The expanding national emphasis on subjective well-being accentuates the need to include happiness in governmental decisions. Keywords: happiness, subjective well-being, Easterlin Paradox

The Role of International Cooperation and Policy Implementation through Political Commitment: An Analysis of COP26 Glasgow Summit in Addressing Climate Change

The interminable international politics of climate change is putting the planet in danger. This article tries to explore the challenges intertwined in the success of climate change. The international politics of climate change seems to have found to be putting the planet in danger and in the risky zone to the life of all. This seems to have found to have tried to explore the challenges intertwined in the success of climate change. The article is derived from the secondary sources of data and it has been found that the de-limit carbon emission directly hampers emerging world in which developing world are reluctant. Secondly, the green economy is found to be infancy. This seems to have found to be unable to meet the needs of the developing world. Western World is seeming to have been found to be blamed for the massive destruction of planet for their mammoth economic growth. The survival of planet or economic growth is found to be the prime question of our time. The poor countries have been found to be in the need of creating jobs, employments and having the boom of the economy as the Western nations have done. So, the poor nations have to be encouraged to create the employments and economic growth not by destroying the ecology and environment but by conserving the climate and ecological condition sound simultaneously. The Western advanced nations have to become more responsible to support the poor countries to have their sustainable development and saving the planet, Earth side by side. The politics in climate change must be avoided since it is concerned to the life of all who are dwelling on the earth.

Tuberculosis-diabetes comorbidities: Mechanistic insights for clinical considerations and treatment challenges.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death among infectious diseases, particularly in poor countries. Viral infections, multidrug-resistant and ex-tensively drug-resistant TB strains, as well as the coexistence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus (DM) greatly aggravate TB morbidity and mortality. DM [particularly type 2 DM (T2DM)] and TB have converged making their control even more challenging. Two contemporary global epidemics, TB-DM behaves like a syndemic, a synergistic confluence of two highly prevalent diseases. T2DM is a risk factor for developing more severe forms of multi-drug resistant-TB and TB recurrence after preventive treatment. Since a bidirectional relationship exists between TB and DM, it is necessary to concurrently treat both, and promote recommendations for the joint management of both diseases. There are also some drug-drug interactions resulting in adverse treatment outcomes in TB-DM patients including treatment failure, and reinfection. In addition, autophagy may play a role in these comorbidities. Therefore, the TB-DM comorbidities present several health challenges, requiring a focus on multidisciplinary collaboration and integrated strategies, to effectively deal with this double burden. To effectively manage the comorbidity, further screening in affected countries, more suitable drugs, and better treatment strategies are required.