Random Effects Regression Models Research Articles

Population-level benefits of increasing influenza vaccination uptake among Italian older adults: results from a granular panel model.

The impact of seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) on mortality is still controversial; some studies have claimed that increasing vaccination coverage rates is beneficial, while others have found no significant association. This study aimed to construct a granular longitudinal dataset of local VCRs and assess their effect on pneumonia- and influenza-related (P&I) mortality among Italian adults aged ≥ 65 years. NUTS-3 (nomenclature of territorial units for statistics) level data on SIV coverage were collected via a survey of local data holders. Fixed- and random-effects panel regression modeling, when adjusted for potential confounders, was performed to assess the association between local SIV coverage rates and P&I mortality in older adults. A total of 1,144 local VCRs from 2003 to 2019 were ascertained. In the fully adjusted fixed-effects model, each 1% increase in vaccination coverage was associated (P < 0.001) with a 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3-0.9%) average over-time decrease in P&I mortality. With an annual average of 9,293 P&I deaths in Italy, this model suggested that 56 deaths could have been avoided each year by increasing SIV coverage by 1%. The random-effects model produced similar results. The base-case results were robust in a sensitivity analysis. Over the last two decades, Italian jurisdictions with higher SIV uptake had, on average, fewer P&I deaths among older adults. Local policy-makers should implement effective strategies to increase SIV coverage in the Italian senior population.

Understanding the utility of "Talk-to-Me" an online suicide prevention program for Australian university students.

Australian university students are at risk of experiencing poor mental health, being vulnerable to self-harm and suicidal ideation. "Talk-to-Me" is a suicide ideation prevention Massive open online course (MOOC) previously showing it can support Western Australian university students' knowledge of identifying and responding to suicide ideation in themselves and others. A multi-site one-group pre-test/post-test design with a 12-week follow-up explored the efficacy of "Talk-to-Me" for university students Australia-wide, evaluating the influence of COVID-19 and location. Overall, 217 students (55% female; mage = 24.93 years [18, 60]) enrolled in this study from 2020 to 2021. Participants' responses to suicidal statements, mental health literacy, generalized self-efficacy, help-seeking behavior, and overall utility of the program were collected at baseline, post-MOOC (10 weeks from baseline) and 12-week follow-up. The effect of time and location interaction was explored using a random-effects regression model. Findings indicated significant improvement in participants' knowledge of positive mental health support strategies (ES = 0.42, p < 0.001) and recognizing appropriate responses to suicidal statements (ES = 0.37, p < 0.001) at 10-weeks, with further improvement at 12 weeks follow-up (ES = 0.47 and 0.46, p < 0.001). Students reported higher generalized self-efficacy at the 12-week follow-up compared to baseline (ES = 0.19, p = 0.03) and an increased tendency to seek professional help for mental health issues (ES = 0.22, p = 0.02). These findings provide preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the "Talk-to-Me" program in supporting ‎university students across Australia to increase their suicide-related knowledge and skills, ‎general self-efficacy, and overall mental fitness.

The influence of internal audit departments on external municipal audit reports

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the voluntary implementation of an internal audit department (IAD) by municipalities has any influence on external auditors' opinions.Design/methodology/approachThis study population comprises the 308 Portuguese municipalities, from which the authors extracted a sample of 179. Financial and audit reports were collected from the period under analysis (2014–2017). The sample was then divided into two groups: municipalities that had voluntarily implemented an IAD and those that had not. Internal audit departments were characterized according to their robustness – whether they were more or less robust. First, a descriptive statistical analysis of the dataset was performed to analyze the representativeness of the sample and to extract insights. To address the research questions, ordinal random effect regression models were considered.FindingsContrary to the authors' expectations, the voluntary implementation of an IAD had no influence on the audit report type. However, when the authors refined the approach to include the robustness of the IAD, it became clear that this variable does influence the report issued by the external auditor.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the current literature by determining the effects of the robustness of IADs on municipality audit reports. As far as the authors know, this paper is novel. Since auditing plays an important role in the transparency of public financial statements and in promoting equity, this study shows that a robust IAD is an advantage in the pursuit of these goals.

Bridging the knowledge gap of biomedical HIV prevention tools among sub-saharan african immigrants in France. Results from an empowerment-based intervention

IntroductionBiomedical HIV prevention tools are available in France to prevent new infections. However, evidence suggests a lack of knowledge of these tools among sub-Saharan African immigrants, who are particularly affected by HIV due to social hardship, an indirect factor of HIV acquisition. We analysed the impact of an empowerment-based intervention on the knowledge of treatment as prevention (TasP), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in a population of precarious sub-Saharan African immigrants. MethodsData were collected throughout the MAKASI project. Following an outreach approach, participants were recruited in public places based on their precarious situations and followed for six months (0, 3, 6 months) between 2018 and 2021. Participants were randomized into two groups and received an empowerment intervention sequentially (stepped wedge design). We used random-effects logistic regression models to evaluate the intervention effect on the knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention tools. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04468724. ResultsThe majority of the participants were men (77.5%), and almost half of them had arrived in France within 2 years prior to inclusion (49.3%). At baseline, 56% of participants knew about TasP, 6% knew about PEP and 4% knew about PrEP. Receiving the intervention increased the odds of knowing about PEP (aOR = 2.02 [1.09–3.75]; p < 0.026). Intervention effects were observed for TasP and PrEP only after 6 months. We found significant time effects for PEP (at 3 months, aOR = 4.26 [2.33–7.80]; p < 0.001; at 6 months, aOR = 18.28 [7.39–45.24]; p < 0.001) and PrEP (at 3 months, aOR = 4.02 [2.10–7.72]; p < 0.001; at 6 months, aOR = 28.33 [11.16–71.91]; p < 0.001). ConclusionsWe showed that the intervention increased the knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention tools. The effect of the intervention was coupled with an important time effect. This suggested that exposure to the intervention together with other sources of information contributed to increased knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention tools among precarious sub-Saharan African immigrants.

The effect of telephone health coaching and remote exercise monitoring for peripheral artery disease (TeGeCoach) on health care cost and utilization: results of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPeripheral artery disease (PAD) is the third most prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In 2016, costs per patient associated with PAD exceeded even the health-economic burden of coronary heart disease. Although affecting over 200 million people worldwide, a clear consensus on the most beneficial components to be included in home-based exercise programs for patients with peripheral artery disease is lacking. The aim of the study was to examine the health care use and costs caused by the 12-month patient-centered ‘Telephone Health Coaching and Remote Exercise Monitoring for Peripheral Artery Disease’ (TeGeCoach) program in a randomized controlled trial.MethodsThis is a two-arm, parallel-group, open-label, pragmatic, randomized, controlled clinical trial (TeGeCoach) at three German statutory health insurance funds with follow-up assessments after 12 and 24-months. Study outcomes were medication use (daily defined doses), days in hospital, sick pay days and health care costs, from the health insurers’ perspective. Claims data from the participating health insurers were used for analyses. The main analytic approach was an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Other approaches (modified ITT, per protocol, and as treated) were executed additionally as sensitivity analysis. Random-effects regression models were calculated to determine difference-in-difference (DD) estimators for the first- and the second year of follow-up. Additionally, existing differences at baseline between both groups were treated with entropy balancing to check for the stability of the calculated estimators.ResultsOne thousand six hundred eighty-five patients (Intervention group (IG) = 806; Control group (CG) = 879) were finally included in ITT analyses. The analyses showed non-significant effects of the intervention on savings (first year: − 352€; second year: − 215€). Sensitivity analyses confirmed primary results and showed even larger savings.ConclusionBased on health insurance claims data, a significant reduction due to the home-based TeGeCoach program could not be found for health care use and costs in patients with PAD. Nevertheless, in all sensitivity analysis a tendency became apparent for a non-significant cost reducing effect.Trial registrationNCT03496948 (www.clinicaltrials.gov), initial release on 23 March 2018

The effects of socioeconomic factors on particulate matter concentration in China's: New evidence from spatial econometric model

As a result of rapid industrialization and urbanization, China is now facing a host of environmental problems that have serious health implications. Studies of air pollution's impact on human health are vital in many fields, including epidemiology, environmental science, and the social sciences. To ensure the effective growth of socioeconomic sectors, it is critical to investigate the effect of socioeconomic factors on primary air pollutant particulate matter (PM2.5) and the driving mechanism. We conducted group-wise (i.,e. divide data in 5 different periods, D1 (2002–2006), D2 (2007–2011), D3 (2012–2016), D4 (2017–2021) and D5(2002–2021) spatial autocorrelation and spatial panel regression analyses of PM2.5 emissions using panel data from 34 provincial-level administrative units in China from 2002 to 2021 to understand the factors influencing air pollutant emissions. This study adds to the literature by considering comprehensive features and spatial effects in the panel-data econometric framework of the different areas. The spatial features analysis reveals that pollutant emissions in these regions decreased during the study period, although socioeconomic and natural factors are essential sources of PM2.5. PM2.5 emissions also showed significant positive spatial autocorrelations. Several statistical tests were run to examine the spatial autocorrelation among the regions. The results of a random effect regression model and geometric weighted regression (GWR) revealed that both socioeconomic and natural factors were statistically significant for PM2.5, though to varying degrees depending on region type. Positive and statistically significant results were obtained for China when considering the impacts of urban population, urban green space, economic growth, and economic spending. China has a positive and significant link with the exploitation of energy and natural resources. In light of these findings, we have developed several ideas for addressing air pollution and improving environmental sustainability, such as increasing regional collaboration and reforming the economy.

Sustainable cereal production: A spatial analytical approach using the Ghana living standards survey

Ghana as one of the countries south of the Sahara, depends solely on cereals as a major staple food. Ironically, Ghana's economy depends on large importation from the global north, particularly Asia, due to systemic production deficits. The probability of farming households producing enough cereals and the constraints to meeting domestic supply remains imperative. Therefore, the current research focussed on the Ghana Living Standard Survey seventh round (GLSS7) involving 15,045 cereal farmers nationwide. By estimating the probability of farming households producing cereals and the factors that constrain cereal production. Using random-effects regression models, the empirics show that farming households are expected to produce 5.87 tonnes of cereals annually. Specifically, farming households headed by males are expected to produce 6.01 tonnes of cereal crops in a year, 0.14 tonnes more than female-headed households. Non-poor households are expected to produce 6.82 tonnes of cereals in a year compared with an expected production of 6.29 tonnes by poor households. Cereal production is constrained by wealth status, gender, and age of household heads. Our findings attempt to inform and shape policy towards sustained cereal production in Ghana, and by implication countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in Ghana, should bring on board a structural policy that will address constraints related to gender, wealth, and age of household heads to enhance sustainable cereal production.

Crime as an excuse for not providing internet in specific neighbourhoods: a quantitative approach to broadband ‘Red Zones’ in Santiago de Chile

ABSTRACT While internet connectivity is a key promise of progress and the rule of law, criminal contestation of state control over territory is considered one of the main obstacles for development. This article provides the first known quantitative approach to the link between urban lawlessness and internet provision. Taking the Santiago Metropolitan Region (SMR) – the capital of Chile – as a case study, the authors discuss the origins of Red Zones (areas where telecommunication companies do not provide fixed broadband). A first hypothesis is based on the corporate excuse given by telcos for Red Zones: criminal activities – and not just socioeconomic discrimination – are a force majeure that impede internet connectivity in specific neighbourhoods. An alternative hypothesis acknowledges criminal governance in Latin American cities, admitting the possibility of criminal redistribution being favourable to internet connectivity where state control is contested. Employing a random effects regression model with panel data from 52 boroughs during the 2012–2020 period, the two hypotheses are tested. Contestation of the territorial control by the state is significantly and positively correlated to fixed broadband connectivity in the SMA. In contrast, lower connectivity is linked to higher presence of poor households, favouring a profit-based explanation for the Red Zones. The results hold when replacing the percentage of contested territory per borough with the murder rates. This research contributes to heterodox views within institutional economics and highlights the need of state-led redistribution in order to retake control of contested territories.

Does corporate governance matter in the cleanup of reported oil spills? Evidence from Nigeria

PurposeThis study aims to examine whether corporate governance mechanisms – board size, board independence and CEO duality – influence the actions of oil companies operating in Nigeria to clean up oil spills from their facilities.Design/methodology/approachBoth binary logistic regression (linear) and random-effects logistic regression models were used to test three hypotheses using a unique data set of 1,262 oil spill events involving 24 oil companies from 2017 to 2019.FindingsThe study found that board size and board independence are positively related to oil spill cleanup.Practical implicationsPrivate oil companies in Nigeria should encourage larger and more independent boards in their corporate governance (CG) structures, as these boards may be more effective in serving the interests of stakeholders by bringing diverse knowledge and experience to the boards. Similarly, regulators should extend the enforcement of CG codes to private firms.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the influence of CG attributes on oil spill cleanup.

Does Online Dating Challenge Gendered Divisions of Household Labor?

Abstract Online dating has modified how people find and select partners. In addition to outcomes already observed (e.g., exogamy), we argue that by subverting normative dating scripts, online courtship practices may set the course for partnerships that display more egalitarian divisions of routine household labor. This may be particularly true for the married and for lower-educated women, who generally report the least egalitarian allocation of domestic work. Furthermore, we posit that the relationship between meeting context and household labor will be partially explained by the selectivity of those who search for partners online but also by mechanisms specific to online dating that allow for greater relationship quality. We use 2008–2019 German Family Panel (pairfam) data in random-effects regression models to predict sharing of routine housework among women in marital and cohabiting opposite-sex unions (N = 3305). We find that meeting online is associated with greater sharing of housework for married women with lower-education, and that the link is robust even after accounting for observed selection into online dating via entropy balancing weights. Contrary to expectations, partnership quality has no mediating effect. Much of the positive association remains unexplained, suggesting that the different ways men and women negotiate power in the dating phase in digital versus non-digital partner markets may indeed play a role in how gender is enacted later on.

The Impact of Working Capital Management on Profitability: Evidence from Non-Financial Firms Listed in NEPSE

Efficient working capital management (WCM) is expected to contribute positively to the firm's profitability. With the aim of analyzing the impact of WCM on the profitability of non-financial firms listed in NEPSE, this paper has used current ratio (CR), debt ratio (TDTA), current assets to total assets (CATA), current liabilities to total assets ratio (CLCA) and inventory conversion period (ICP), receivable conversion period (RCP), payable deferral period (PDP), and cash conversion cycle (CCC) as the measures of WCM. This paper has used annual panel data of 12 non-financial NEPSE-listed firms from 2005/06 to 2019/20. Based on the result of the Breusch and Pagan Lagrangian multiplier and Hausman tests, the study found the Random Effect model as the appropriate regression model. Using the Random Effect regression model, this paper has found the significant impact of WCM on profitability. Likewise, this paper found a significant negative impact of the current ratio (CR) and debt ratio (TDTA) and a significant positive impact of the ratio of current assets to total assets (CATA) on profitability. Further, the finding also reveals that there is an insignificant negative impact of the inventory conversion period (ICP) and receivable conversion period (RCP) and an insignificant positive impact of the payables deferral period (PDP). Thus, this paper concludes that Nepalese non-financial firm can increase their profitability by decreasing the current ratio (CR) and debt ratio (TDTA) and increasing the ratio of current assets to total assets (CATA).

Financial Toxicity in the Clinical Encounter: A Paired Survey of Patient and Clinician Perceptions

ObjectiveTo compare the agreement between patient and clinician perceptions of care-related financial issues. Patients and MethodsWe surveyed patient-clinician dyads immediately after an outpatient medical encounter between September 2019 and May 2021. They were asked to separately rate (1-10) patient’s level of difficulty in paying medical bills and the importance of discussing cost issues with that patient during clinical encounters. We calculated agreement between patient-clinician ratings using the intraclass correlation coefficient and used random effects regression models to identify patient predictors of paired score differences in difficulty and importance of ratings. Results58 pairs of patients (n=58) and clinicians (n=40) completed the survey. Patient-clinician agreement was poor for both measures, but higher for difficulty in paying medical bills (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.375; 95% CI, 0.13-0.57) than for the importance of discussing cost (−0.051; 95% CI, −0.31 to 0.21). Agreement on difficulty in paying medical bills was not lower in encounters with conversations about the cost of care. In adjusted models, poor patient-clinician agreement on difficulty in paying medical bills was associated with lower patient socioeconomic status and education level, whereas poor agreement on patient-perceived importance of discussing cost was significant for patients who were White, married, reported 1 or more long-term conditions, and had higher education and income levels. ConclusionEven in encounters where cost conversations occurred, there was poor patient-clinician agreement on ratings of the patient’s difficulty in paying medical bills and perceived importance of discussing cost issues. Clinicians need more training and support in detecting the level of financial burden and tailoring cost conversations to the needs of individual patients.

Intellectual Capital and Shareholders’ Wealth. The Economic Value Added Approach

The role of intangible assets such as intellectual capital promoting corporate competitiveness and further shareholders’ value has attracted attention in the finance literature. This study investigated intellectual capital efficiency as a source of creating shareholders’ wealth in Nigeria. To achieve the study's aim, correlational research design was adopted. The study’s data were collected from content analysis of financial statements of listed service companies in Nigeria. The sample used in this study includes 17 service firms listed on the Nigeria Exchange Group from 2011 to 2022. The VAIC model was utilized to estimate intellectual capital. Descriptive statistics were conducted while some diagnostic tests were piloted before the regression analysis. The random effect regression model was used to verify whether the studied variables impact shareholders’ wealth of listed service companies in Nigeria. Findings indicated that value added intellectual coefficient as a measure of intellectual capital has a significant positive association with shareholders’ wealth. Results further revealed that human capital efficiency, relational capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency (as components of intellectual capital) are significantly and positively associated with shareholders’ wealth while structural capital efficiency has a positive but not significant relationship with shareholders’ wealth creation. The study concludes that efficient management of intellectual capital can enhance shareholders’ wealth in listed service companies in Nigeria and recommends amongst others that firms should make strategic plans regarding intellectual capital and intangible assets as it can increase corporate competitive advantage.

Agreement between self-reported illicit drug use and biological samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Studies often rely on self-report and biological testing methods for measuring illicit drug use, yet evidence for their agreement is limited to specific populations and self-report instruments. We aimed to examine comprehensively the evidence for agreement between self-reported and biologically measured illicit drug use across all major illicit drug classes, biological indicators, populations, and settings. We systematically searched peer-reviewed databases (Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO) and grey literature. Included studies reported 2x2 table counts or agreement estimates comparing self-reported and biologically measured use published up to March 2022. With biological results considered the reference standard and use of random effect regression models, we evaluated pooled estimates for overall agreement (primary outcome), sensitivity, specificity, false omission rates (proportion reporting no use that test positive) and false discovery rates (proportion reporting use that test negative) by drug class, potential consequences attached to self-report (i.e., work, legal or treatment impacts), and timeframe of use. Heterogeneity was assessed by inspecting forest plots. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020182499. From 7,924 studies, we extracted data from 207 eligible studies. Overall agreement ranged from good to excellent (>0.79). False omission rates were generally low while false discovery rates varied by setting. Specificity was generally high but sensitivity varied by drug, sample type, and setting. Self-report in clinical trials and situations of no consequences was generally reliable. For urine, recent (i.e., past 1-4 days) self-report produced lower sensitivity and false discovery rates than past month. Agreement was higher in studies that informed participants biological testing would occur (diagnostic odds ratio: 2.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-6.9). The main source of bias was biological assessments (51% studies). While there are limitations associated with self-report and biological testing to measure illicit drug use, overall agreement between the two methods is high, suggesting both provide good measures of illicit drug use. Recommended methods of biological testing are more likely to provide reliable measures of recent use if there are problems with self-disclosure. The Australian Government.

Zakat As a Corporate Social Responsibility: How Does It Affect the Financial Performance of Islamic Banks?

Islamic banks should actively engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities as part of their moral obligations to contribute to society and surroundings. This study aims to investigate the influence of Zakat contribution, as a proxy of CSR, on the financial performance of Islamic banks in Malaysia. The study used panel-data analysis, whereby the annual reports of 11 local Islamic banks in Malaysia were analyzed over a ten-year period from 2010 to 2019. Fixed- and random-effect regression model analyses were conducted to analyze the results of the study. The findings reveal that there is a positive and significant relationship between Zakat contribution and the financial performance proxied by Return on Asset (ROA) and Return of Equity (ROE) of the Islamic banks in Malaysia. Hence, the findings of the study confirmed the importance of social elements, like Zakat, in the operations of Islamic banks, as well as in the banks’ performance.

Relationship between marketing strategy and profitability in industrial firms: Evidence from Jordan

A marketing strategy is a firm’s overall plan for reaching prospective consumers and turning them into permanent customers of their services or products. This paper aims to investigate the link between profitability and marketing strategy to understand how firm profitability influences marketing strategy. Moreover, it assesses the impact of return on assets (ROA) on the company’s marketing strategy. The study uses random effect regression models; a marketing strategy is measured using a sales expenses ratio, which equals sales expenses over total assets. The firm size is a control variable represented by the total sales normal logarithm. The study sample comprises Jordanian industrial shareholder companies; the analysis period is from 2005 to 2020. The study collected 808 annual observations. The findings reveal that ROA has a statistically significant effect on marketing strategy, but its components have no effect. The adj-R2 (the explanatory power) for model 1 is 18.8%, and for model 2 is 11.4%. Therefore, the main conclusion is that ROA components do not have any incremental information content in explaining the marketing strategy variance. The study recommends industrial firms in Jordan increase their profitability by adopting a diverse marketing strategy, focusing on customer satisfaction, investing in market research, using social media, and developing a strong brand image.

DO BUSINESS CHARACTERISTICS AND ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECT EFFECTIVE TAX RATE? AN EVIDENCE FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA

The corporate tax burden is known to have a substantial impact on company management and the formation of national policy. One of the ways to measure the tax burden is by using effective tax rate (ETR). Prior research suggests that each region‘s characteristics may influence ETR within the region to varying degrees. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the impact of business characteristics and economic factors on ETR in Southeast Asia. There are 852 Southeast Asia companies used as samples in this study. The data is taken from S&amp;P Capital over five periods from 2015-2019 and examined using a random effect regression model by STATA. The findings indicate that business characteristics and economic factors have a limited impact on ETR. By highlighting the factors that affect ETR in Southeast Asia, companies and policymakers can make better tax plans and policies.

Prevalence and types of anemia among people with tuberculosis in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) and anemia are public health problems related with high morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, anemia is frequently manifested among people with TB in Africa, prevalence ranging from 25 to 99%. The presence of anemia is associated with an increase in individuals’ susceptibility to TB and poor treatment outcomes. Studies have reported heterogeneous estimate of prevalence of anemia among people with TB in Africa. This review aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia among newly diagnosed people with TB n Africa. We searched studies in Medline/PubMed, Cochrane library, ScienceDirect, JBI database, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, WorldCat, Open Grey, Scopus, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, ProQuest, and African Journals Online that reported the prevalence of anemia at TB diagnosis. Two reviewers performed data extraction with pre-defined inclusion criteria. A random-effects logistic regression model was used to pool the prevalence of anemia and levels of anemia with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in STATA version 14. Heterogeneity and publication biases were explored. A total of 1408 studies were initially identified, and seventeen studies with 4555 people with TB were included in the analysis. The prevalence of anemia among people with TB in Africa was 69% (95% CI 60.57–77.51). The pooled prevalence of anemia of chronic disease was 48% (95% CI 13.31–82.75) and normocytic normochromic anemia was 32% (95% CI 13.74–50.94) while mild anemia was 34% (95% CI 20.44–46.86). Females were more anemic than males at TB diagnosis in Africa (74% vs. 66%). The finding indicates that anemia is a common co-morbidity present among people with TB, especially among females. Mild anemia and normocytic normochromic anemia were more common at TB diagnosis. The finding indicates that anemia is a common co-morbidity present among people with TB in Africa region. Hence, it is recommended to instigate a routine anemia screening at TB diagnosis to improve treatment outcomes.

Determinants of commercial bank’s non-performing loans in Bangladesh: An empirical evidence

Non-performing loan (NPL) is a red flag, providing signal of jeopardize for a country’s economy. With respect to increase in NPLs, banking sector of Bangladesh has trapped in gridlock. This problem has become an alarming issue for bank’s sustainability. The present study investigates the determinants of commercial bank’s NPLs in Bangladesh. Due to data deficiency, the study collects data from 30 sampled commercial banks in Bangladesh over the period from 2011 to 2020, as during 2011, the total scheduled commercial banks in Bangladesh were 34. The study performs Random Effect Regression Model, Fixed Effect Regression Model, and one step GMM system to get the robust and significant result. The study reports that firm-specific factors like lag of NPLs, loan loss provision to total equity ratio, equity-to-total asset ratio, capital adequacy ratio, net loan to total deposit and borrowing ratio, return on equity, and macroeconomic factors such as inflation, and GDP ratio are the crucial determinants of NPLs in Bangladesh. The study concludes that commercial banks should operate its activities more efficiently and avoid reckless lending along with mandatory capital requirement in order to reduce NPLs and to ensure profit for their shareholders. The analysis of the study would provide insight guidelines regarding bank’s credit risk management procedures and systems to country’s regulatory body in order to design and adopt required prudential regulations in credit policy.

Changes in parents' mental health related to child out-of-home care placements: A Swedish national register study

BackgroundLiterature on outcomes of children in out-of-home care (OHC) is extensive. However, less is known regarding associations of such placements with parental mental health disorders (MHD). ObjectiveThis study investigated changes in hospitalization rates due to MHD among parents, four years before and after placement of their child in OHC. Participants and settingWe used data on 4067 members (Generation 1) of the RELINK53 cohort (individuals born and living in Sweden in 1953) and their 5373 children (Generation 2) in OHC. MethodsUsing random effects regression models, associations between OHC and MHD were examined separately for fathers and mothers. Nested models were tested exploring associations with parent and child/placement-related factors. Marginal effects were computed to assess mean rates of hospitalization annually. ResultsOverall, mothers had higher mean hospitalization rates than fathers. Compared to the year of placement, hospitalization rates were significantly lower in the four years before placement for mothers (9.9 %, 9.5 %, 10.5 %, 12.1 %, respectively) and fathers (5.9 %, 7.6 %, 8 %, 9.8 %, respectively). Mothers showed highest hospitalization rates at the year of placement (26.6 %), while fathers, one year after placement (13.4 %). Hospitalization rates declined significantly directly after placement among mothers, but an unclear and non-significant pattern of results was found among fathers. ConclusionsMost parents have higher hospitalization rates at and directly after placement. Potential hypotheses underlying these findings are discussed, including psychosocial gender differences and opportunities to seek care as means of reunification. There is an urgency to develop strategies to better support these parents throughout the process.