Public Aid Research Articles

Assessment of the influence of healthcare financing strategies on universal health coverage: a case of Garissa County, Kenya

Background: Universal health coverage aims to ensure that all people can use the promotive, preventive, and curative health services they need, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship. This study aimed to assess the influence of healthcare financing strategies on universal health coverage in Garissa County, Kenya. Methods: The research design for this study was an analytical cross-section study. The study used a mixed research methodology approach where both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained for triangulation purposes. Purposive, systematic, and simple random sampling techniques were employed to recruit study participants in this study. Results: The findings indicated that UHC coverage in Garissa County had been achieved only to a moderate extent. The results indicated that public healthcare financing had a positive and significant influence on UHC coverage in Garissa County (β=0.459; p<0.05). The results indicated that healthcare financing through aid had a positive and significant influence on UHC coverage in Garissa County (β=0.249; p<0.05). The results indicated that private healthcare financing had a negative and not significant influence on UHC coverage in Garissa County (β=-0.092; p>0.05). Conclusions: The results led to the conclusion that public and healthcare aid financing were the most appropriate financing approaches to achieve a notable improvement in UHC coverage in the county. The study also concluded that private health financing had a negative impact on the attainment of UHC.

Ideology, financial circumstances, and attitudes toward public and private foreign aid

Does ideology influence voter preferences for foreign aid in the same way it does for domestic redistribution? Economically vulnerable left-leaning citizens, who are normatively strong proponents of government aid, may not be as committed to increasing actual spending. Such citizens may see themselves as competing with the foreign poor for domestic resources. Similarly, while affluent right-leaning citizens may oppose increasing foreign aid due to skepticism about government spending, this might not extend to private donations. Instead, they may view non-governmental organizations and charities as alternatives that leverage private expertise to assist poor countries. Using four years of public opinion data from 15 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development donor countries, I find support for the conditional effect of ideology and economic self-interest on both public and private aid attitudes. By focusing on three different measures—the morality of aid, public aid spending, and private donations—I further explore variations in aid attitudes.

Recent evidence on the sovereign-bank nexus in the euro area

This paper estimates sovereign-bank default risk spillovers in the euro area. Spillovers spiked at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and of the Russian invasion of Ukraine but remained contained during the March 2023 banking sector turmoil. Panel regressions find that higher banks’ sovereign exposures increase spillovers between the creditor bank and the borrowing sovereign. Countries with lower GDP growth, higher default probabilities, and a higher debt burden transmit more risk to banks. Larger, less capitalized and more funding-risk-exposed banks convey more default risk to sovereigns. Public aid to the financial sector reduces spillovers.

A Quest for State Contracts: Public Procurement and the Shaping of Competitiveness in Development Consulting

What does it take to win a public contract in development consulting? I address this question based on interviews with 27 public buyers and private vendors of consulting services in Sweden, as well as an in-depth archival analysis of the consultancy procurements undertaken by the Swedish public aid agency, Sida, during 2018–2020. Results point to three dimensions of competitiveness in consulting: social, organizational and individual. These unravel a number of contradictions in contracting practices and discourses, tied to Sida’s evolving negotiation of new public management paradigms. Specifically, they illustrate how success in tendering depends not (only) on adhering to free-market ideals of cost-efficiency or public sector tenets of transparency and fairness. Importantly, it relies on relational labour and investments in the largely informal social fabric of contracting.

The Impact of the Optimization Strategy of the Public Transportation System on Sustainable Urban Development

As urbanization accelerates and awareness of environmental conservation rises, the optimization and modernization of public transportation systems, crucial to urban infrastructure, encounter novel challenges and prospects. While public transportation has evolved in the past few years, the city still grapples with issues of inefficiency and poor passenger contentment, hindering its sustainable growth. In this context, there's an immediate need to investigate the ways in which creative optimization strategies can enhance the efficiency of public transit systems and aid in building cities that are both environmentally sustainable and conserve resources. Based on the above, this paper focus on the optimization strategy of the public transportation system and its impact on sustainable urban development. Firstly, the analysis focuses on the current status and challenges of public transportation systems, examining how these relate internally to objectives of sustainable development. Secondly, the leading strategies and technical frameworks for optimizing public transportation systems are presented from theoretical and technical aspects, especially the application value of big data analysis, intelligent scheduling systems, and energy-saving and emission-reduction technology. In addition, the researchers constructed a model to analyze the positive effects of optimization strategies on urban traffic flow, system efficiency, and environmental quality. They verified the actual effectiveness of these strategies through case analysis. To sum up, the research highlights the vital importance of effective and eco-friendly public transportation in lessening city traffic jams, enhancing the living standards of inhabitants, and curtailing carbon emissions. Furthermore, it offers practical experience and strategic advice for other cities.

Back to school after COVID-19 pandemic: Resumption or transitional disruption?

Since its onset in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has globally disrupted school operations, leading to a shift to some form of homeschooling arrangements. After two years, in March 2022, the government of Malaysia officially reopened all schools, ending its homeschooling program. In this paper, we exploit a purposefully designed, nationwide, cross-sectional survey of government-owned primary and secondary schools in Malaysia to document student learning experiences during the early months of the home-to-school transition. Our empirical analysis and choice of indicators is guided by a conceptual framework that distinguishes between two competing hypotheses related to school reopening experiences: resumption vs transitional disruption. We find that 59 % of secondary and 72 % of primary level students report that they are happy to be back in school. School reopening also coincides with a significant reduction in educational-related worries (e.g., concerns over dropout, learning loss, and loss of interest in study) and indices of negative emotions (i.e., feelings of being tense, depressed, and restless), particularly among secondary school students. More importantly, those satisfied upon return to school report a statistically significant reduction in worries related to learning loss. These correlations support the resumption hypothesis. Yet our data highlights an important puzzle: Even after school reopening, one-third of students report that they do not learn more, at least one-fifth report a struggle to catch up on studies, and up to 40 % are concerned about learning loss. The majority of learners additionally report not receiving more support from teachers and parents. Recipients of public aid as well as private (i.e., parental) support report being happy about school reopening and are less likely to report “not learning more.” We conclude by discussing these somewhat paradoxical findings and the need for remedial measures beyond financial support for struggling learners to minimize post school reopening, transitional disruptions.

The communication of public aid in the European Union: the case of Next Generation European funds

The communication of public aid in the European Union: the case of Next Generation European funds

Sustainable Employment Creation through the Polish Investment Zone in Lagging Regions

The article aims to identify the firm-level effects of public support within the Polish Investment Zone (PIZ) on firms’ employment located in lagging regions of Poland, signalling insights into sustainable employment creation. Utilising a difference-in-differences framework and accounting for controls, including the firms’ size, age, leverage, other public aid programmes, subsidies, and firm-level fixed effects, our objective is to ascertain the average treatment effects (ATEs) of the programme, particularly concerning the creation of additional workplaces. To ensure the reliability of our findings, we conducted robustness checks utilising alternative econometric approaches and scrutinise changes in the duration of both the pre- and post-treatment periods. No significant ATEs were observed in the year of the treatment or in one to three years following treatment. This outcome remains robust to variations in the econometric approach, the set of variables considered, and alterations in the length of both pre- and post-treatment periods. This article contributes to an ongoing discussion marked by a lack of consensus regarding the effectiveness of special economic zones in fostering sustainable employment and reducing unemployment rates by presenting the effects of the PIZ and directing policy attention towards more qualitative aspects of created workplaces, fostering sustainable employment.

Extended postpartum outcomes with systematic treatment of and management of postpartum hypertension program

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the long-term effect of a quality improvement initiative at one-year post delivery. Study DesignThis was a retrospective study of 1480 patients who delivered between October 2018 and June 2020 at the study institution and were enrolled in the Systematic Treatment and Management of PostPartum Hypertension Program (STAMPP). Patients received standardized cuffs, education, and follow-up. At the six-week postpartum follow-up, patients were again given instructions to establish follow-up. Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome was a visit with a primary care physician (PCP) or cardiologist between 6 weeks and 1 year postpartum. ResultsA total of 939 (63 %) patients had some follow-up within twelve months. Of these, 113 (12 %) and 175 (19 %) had follow-up with cardiology and primary care providers, respectively. Patients with no follow-up were more likely to have public aid (73.9 % vs 60.3 %; p < 0.001). 77 % identified as Black, with only 12 % of this cohort following up with cardiology and 13 % with a PCP. ConclusionsDespite specific counseling about long term follow-up, a minority of patients completed one year follow-up, notably amongst Black patients and those with public insurance. Further work is needed to optimize long-term follow-up after HDP to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, especially amongst high-risk patients.

A Neutrosophic Approach to Study Agnotology: A Case Study on Climate Change Beliefs

Misinformation and biased information significantly impact public perception and political decisions, especially on critical issues such as climate change and environmental conservation. This study aims to understand how indeterminacy and contradiction influence public perception and policy formulation by applying neutrosophic theory to model the complexity and multi-dimensionality of ignorance. Using neutrosophic Likert scales, we capture a nuanced spectrum of opinions on the scientific certainty of human impact on climate change. The results are analyzed through a k-means clustering algorithm to identify patterns and segment participants into groups based on their levels of truth, indeterminacy, and falsehood. This approach reveals deeper insights into public perceptions and aids in evaluating their implications for effective communication and policy-making.

Health-related quality of life and influencing factors of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in China

BackgroundParoxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare blood disorder, leading to various complications and impairments in patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Limited research has been conducted to evaluate the HRQOL of Chinese patients with PNH. Understanding the HRQOL in this specific population is crucial for providing effective healthcare interventions and improving patient’ health outcomes. This study aimed to assess HRQOL of Chinese patients with PNH, and identify key determinants.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted during 2022 to recruit patients with PNH in China. The study population was recruited from PNH China, one of the largest public welfare PNH patient mutual aid organization in China. Data were collected via an online questionnaire including the EQ-5D-5L (5L), and social-demographic and clinical characteristics. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the characteristics of the participants and their HRQOL. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were adopted to explore key factors affecting HRQOL.ResultsA total of 329 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 35.3 (10.0) years, with 52.3% of them being male. The patients reported more problems in Anxiety/Depression (81.5%) and Pain/Discomfort (69.9%) dimensions compared to the other three 5L dimensions. The mean (SD) of 5L health utility score (HUS) and EQ-VAS score were 0.76 (0.21) and 62.61 (19.20), respectively. According to multiple linear regression, initial symptoms (i.e., Anemia [fatigue, tachycardia, shortness of breath, headache] and back pain) and complication of thrombosis were significant influencing factors affecting 5L HUS. Total personal income of the past year, initial symptom of hemoglobinuria and complication of thrombosis were significantly influencing factors of VAS score. Social-demographic and clinical characteristics, such as gender, income, and thrombosis, were also found to be significantly related to certain 5L health problems as well.ConclusionOur study manifested the HRQOL of PNH patients in China was markedly compromised, especially in two mental-health related dimensions, and revealed several socio-demographic and clinical factors of their HRQOL. These findings could be used as empirical evidence for enhancing the HRQOL of PNH patients in China.

Public–Private Development Cooperation: Interface and Conflicting Logics in the Formation of a Strategic Partnership

Public–private development partnership constitutes the core of a deepening normative agenda that places private actors as active development agents and as means through which other development objectives are pursued in partnership with publicly funded aid actors. This normative agenda may challenge international development. This article goes beyond the official policy level to explore the formation of public–private development cooperation in practice, not just on paper. It zooms into the partnership between a Norwegian NGO and a multinational company and their joint project to renovate an old vocational college in Ethiopia to serve the private actor’s need for qualified workers. The article shows how a publicly funded development project becomes a proxy for private interests, but argues that the diversion of public aid is not due to bad intentions or conflicting interests. Rather, it is the result of interface situations created by the public–private partnership agenda and its intentional merger of actors with distinct institutional logics, accountabilities and rationales. The article demonstrates how actors put together as part of the public–private partnership agenda end up undermining the agenda itself because of the interface situations created in the nexus of public and private actors.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of First Aid Management of Epistaxis among the General Population in Najran Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Nasal bleeding, epistaxis, is a common emergency. Few Saudi studies exist on epistaxis awareness and first aid management. We aimed to assess knowledge and attitude of adults in Najran, Saudi Arabia towards epistaxis first aid management, as well as their association with sociodemographic factors.Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was carried out involving general adults of Najran, Saudi Arabia, using a snowball sampling method. A pretested questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorized as good/positive or poor/negative. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out with odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and logistic regression analysis to investigate factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards epistaxis first aid management using SPSS Software.Results: The study included 518 participants with 58.9% experienced nosebleeds. Common causes were hypertension (24.5%) and nose injuries (23.7%). Factors as nasal dryness, blood thinner use, and tumors/nasal polyps were also identified. Around 60.2% believed first aid was necessary and 59.5% had good knowledge about epistaxis first aid management. Participants with university/higher education, employed in health sector, and with previous experience with nosebleed were more knowledgeable, more likely to have positive attitudes, and showed significantly higher ORs for knowledge and attitude scores compared to others.Conclusion: The study showed fair knowledge and attitude of Najran adults towards epistaxis first aid management with sociodemographic variables showing varying associations. Educational initiatives are needed especially for those with lower education, non-health sectors, and not experienced nosebleeds, to improve public first aid knowledge and attitudes.Keywords: Epistaxis; Knowledge; Attitude; First aid management; Saudi Arabia

Airline price responses in the face of demand shocks: European lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

We exploit the exogenous demand shock in the aviation sector that resulted from the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic to investigate how airlines responded in terms of pricing strategies. By using monthly fare data for flights operated within the EU-27 member states over the period 2017–2022 and by quantifying the intensity of pandemic cycles through a stringency index, we estimate price regressions at the route–airline level. Our findings reveal that the demand drop has prompted lower fares and increased intertemporal price dispersion. Furthermore, we show that fare cuts are not explained by airlines operating fewer flights. By analyzing heterogeneous price responses to the demand shock as determined by various route and airline characteristics, we find a stronger reaction on international markets and greater resilience of low-cost airlines. We also show that the regulations in the form of public service obligations and state aid programs for airlines helped the beneficiaries but not travelers.

Coordination and modularization: the experience of the joint prevention and control mechanism to COVID emergencies in China.

The integration of disparate emergency resources and the improvement of emergency response teamwork are the underlying trends and shared requirements for building resilience in an era of multiple global public health crises. This study investigated the emergency response with emergency collaboration networks of each functional module and the overall Joint Epidemic Prevention and Control Mechanism (JPCM) network in China's COVID outbreak prevention and control. The study employed a scholarly framework of "the integration of JPCM coordination and emergency collaborative modularization" to explore the attributes of JPCM using social network analysis. The data were obtained from administrative records from JPCM's official website, spanning January 2020 to December 2022. The study examined the JPCM coordination and found several functional working modules of JPCM, such as Interrupt Spread, Manage Supply, Medical Rescue, Restore Work and Production, and Implement Responsibility modules. The network structure indicators showed that the Manage Supply module had the most extensive network connectivity, the shortest communication distance, and the most consistent collaboration. The E-I index of the overall JPCM network and the Manage Supply network were - 0.192 and - 0.452, respectively (at p < 0.001 and p < 0.05), indicating more internal relationships than external relationships. The E-I index of the Medical Rescue and Implement Responsibility collaboration networks were 0.122 and 0.147, respectively (at p < 0.001 and p < 0.05), indicating more external relationships than internal relationships. The QAP regression analysis showed that the most vital driver on the overall JPCM network was the Interrupt Spread module, followed by the Implement Responsibility and Medical Rescue modules. The Interrupt Spread module initiated emergency coordination with most departments and agencies. The Manage Supply module ensured the flow of medical supplies and survival essentials, while the Medical Rescue module addressed the core aspects of the health emergency response. The Restore Work and Production module repaired the halt in production and livelihoods caused by the outbreak, strengthening and developing emergency coordination and roles across emergency organizations. The Implement Responsibility module provided more heterogeneous emergency response resources for the overall JPCM coordination, complementing the COVID cross-organizational emergency response coordination. The study on the JPCM case in China improves public health emergency management and aids informed decision-making.

The role of emergency aid in mitigating the local effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Espírito Santo, Brazil

ABSTRACT This paper estimates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the microplanning regions of Espírito Santo, Brazil, and evaluates how the public policy emergency aid (auxílio emergencial, Portuguese acronym) mitigates its effects. We use the hypothetical partial extraction method in an interregional input-output system. The main results reveal that emergency aid attenuated the impact of the pandemic in all microregions, particularly in the poorest ones. The main effects were observed in the service activities. The applied modelling is able to evaluate the effects of national public policy, considering the specificities of local economies.

Cycling and heart failure: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Cycling, an aerobic exercise, is believed to have a more effective rehabilitative impact on patients with heart failure. Previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of exercise in patients with HF. However, a precise causal relationship remains unknown. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate the potential causal relationship between regular cardiac cycling and heart failure (HF) development. Data from the IEU OpenGWAS project, an extensive genetic study involving a diverse group of European males and females was used to determine how choices related to physical activity, such as cycling, impact cardiovascular well-being. To ensure reliability and robustness, the MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and random effects with inverse variance weighting methods were used. The key findings were summarized using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The MR-Egger, weighted mean, and inverse variance weighted (IVW) estimated superiority ratios were 0.960 (95% CI: 0.909-1.013), 0.985 (95% CI: 0.962-1.009), and 0.982 (95% CI: 0.966-0.998), respectively, indicating a significant association between cycling and a decreased risk of heart failure. These findings suggest that cycling, a form of moderate and easily accessible physical activity, may be a protective factor against HF. These findings correlate with those of previous studies regarding the crucial role of regular physical activity for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. The outcomes of this MR analysis can be used in the development of public health policies and aid individuals making lifestyle choices that promote heart health.

AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC OBSTETRIC AID ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

One of the main fields of state policy in the field of healthcare is the development of infrastructure. The infrastructure in the state’s healthcare system is associated with huge investments in the development of new treatment methods and the construction of new medical facilities, as well as the provision of up-todate medical devices. The actuality of the chosen topic lies in the fact that practice shows the development of domestic healthcare, as well as the provision of medical care to the population, being determined by the availability level of medical equipment in medical organizations. The purpose of the review: To study the availability of medical devices in public obstetric aid organizations in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methodology: The paper used analysis of the data from public obstetric aid organizations in the Republic of Kazakhstan concerning the availability of medical equipment for 2022 for 9 types of medical devices. Results: This review provides analytical information on the availability of medical equipment in public obstetric aid organizations in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Conclusions: As a result of the analysis, the insufficiency of medical equipment in public obstetric aid organizations in the Republic of Kazakhstan is noted. Therefore, in the course of implementing new projects for the construction of healthcare facilities, equipment issues are solved by increasing the current percentage of medical devices and availability of new medical devices through the introduction of innovative technologies, which in turn positively affects the quality of medical care to the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Natural selection or strategic adaptation? Entrepreneurial digital technologies and survival of the species

Research on firm survival has primarily focused on input and outcomes. We shift the conversation by performing a systematic analysis of moderating role of firm size in the relationship between firm survival and strategic adaptation. After establishing a theoretical framework, we empirically assess the impact of strategic adaptation through digital transformation and public financial aid on the likelihood of firm survival. We find that smart working helped small firms, while home delivery and e-commerce had no effect on their survival. In contrast, liquidity support from the government and deferral of credit benefited micro firms. Our study emphasizes the importance of analyzing survival probabilities by differentiating firms by size, with the ultimate goal of exploring how selection or strategic adaptation processes may variably impact them.

The Media Pluralism Principle, The Financing of Public Broadcasters, and EU Law

AbstractIn the rise of authoritarian trends in Hungary and in Poland, public broadcasters play a crucial role in supporting the political forces in power. There are many examples which show how public broadcasters influence public opinion by selective coverage and distorted remit. While the problem of media plurality is often commented upon from the perspective of fundamental rights or the rule of law, another relevant perspective is that of internal market and economic law. The article analyses how can one make sure that the use of public funds to support State media does not lead to the distortion of citizens’ rights to be informed. The article argues that the current EU State Aid framework allows the balance of Member States’ prerogatives in respect to media freedom and content with the risk of EU-imposed censure. The article analyses the place of media pluralism in EU law and demonstrates that media pluralism has been integrated within the internal market framework, including an analysis of recent amendments to the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Then, it focuses on the relationship between media pluralism, public service broadcasting and EU State aid law.