The achievement of sustainable development in Kenya has been hindered by the prevalence of HIV. The effects of HIV on sustainable development have been given less academic attention. HIV prevalence prevents people from achieving good health and well-being, which then makes them unable to conduct activities that lead to sustainable economic growth. The paper found that the prevalence of HIV causes economic hardship, destroys human capital development and human resources by reducing life expectancy and increasing mortality rates. It was equally found that the prevalence of HIV undermines social stability and mobility, reduces economic investments, influences food insecurity and makes people vulnerable. The paper found that the prevalence of HIV reduces labor supply and productivity, increases the cost of health services, promote inequality and poverty. The paper found that the prevalence of HIV was caused by the failure to integrate religion, culture and science infrastructure to achieve a holistic treatment acceptance and adherence that would overcome all misconceptions people have towards the disease. The paper found that while science provides effective HIV treatments, religious and cultural perspectives often shape community attitudes toward the disease. It was found that engaging religious and cultural as well as health workers or health advocates can help reduce stigma and promote ART adherence by aligning treatment messages with faith-based principles. The paper found that the integration that incorporates religion, culture, and science into HIV interventions would promote a more inclusive healthcare system that respects diverse beliefs while ensuring evidence-based treatment is accessible and widely accepted. The study was conducted through a qualitative methodology. Data was collected from secondary sources that included published articles, books and occasional papers as well as reports. Collected data was interpreted and analyzed through document analysis techniques.
Open-source software (OSS) has emerged as a transformative tool whose implementation has the potential to modernise many libraries around the world in the digital age. OSS is a type of software which permits its users to inspect, share, modify, and enhance through its freely accessed source code. The accessibility and openness of the source code permits users to manipulate, change, and improve the way in which a piece of software, program, or application works. OSS solutions therefore provide cost-effective alternatives that enable libraries to enhance their technological infrastructure without being constrained by proprietary systems. Hence, many countries have initiated and formulated policies and legislative frameworks to support the implementation and use of OSS library solutions such as DSpace, Alfresco, and Greenstone. The purpose of the study reported on was to investigate the leveraging of OSS to modernise public libraries in South Africa. Content analysis was adopted as the research methodology for this qualitative study, which was based on a literature review integrating insights from the researchers’ experiences with the use of OSS in libraries The findings of the study reveal that the use of OSS has the potential to modernise public libraries, especially those located outside cities or urban areas. These libraries are often less well equipped with the necessary technology infrastructure to meet the demands of the digital age, such as online books and open access materials. The study culminated in an OSS framework that may be implemented to modernise public libraries. This framework may help public libraries to integrate OSS solutions and further allow users access to digital services.
This research examines data from 1989 to 2022 across 48 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries using a novel panel data regression approach to uncover how conflict undermines economic stability. The study identifies the destruction of infrastructure, disruption of human capital development, and deterrence of investment as primary channels through which conflict negatively impacts economies. These findings support the hypothesis that armed conflict severely hampers economic performance in SSA, highlighting the urgency for effective conflict resolution strategies and robust institutional frameworks. The negative impacts extend beyond immediate losses, altering income growth trajectories and perpetuating poverty long after hostilities cease. Regional spillover effects emphasize the interconnectedness of SSA economies, where conflict in one country affects its neighbors. The research provides innovative insights by disaggregating impact pathways and employing a robust methodology, revealing the complexity of conflict's economic consequences. It underscores the need for comprehensive policy interventions to foster resilience and sustainable development in conflict-prone regions. While there is evidence of potential post-conflict growth, the overall net effect of armed conflict remains profoundly negative, diminishing economic prospects. Future research should focus on strengthening long-term resilience mechanisms and policy measures to enhance the peace dividend. Addressing the root causes of conflict and investing in peace-building efforts are essential for transforming SSA's economic landscape and ensuring sustainable growth and development.
Municipal authorities in industrialized and in developing countries face unceasingly the issues of congestion, insufficiency of transport means capacity, poor operability of transport systems and a growing demand for reliable and effective urban transport. While the expansion of infrastructure is generally considered as an undesirable option, in specific cases, when short links or ring roads are missing, new infrastructure projects may provide beneficial solutions. The upgrading and renewal of existing networks is always a challenge to the development of a modern city and the welfare of citizens. Central governance and management of transport systems, the establishment of smart and digital infrastructure, advanced surveillance and traffic monitoring, and intra-city energy-harvesting policy are some of the steps to be taken during the transition to a green and sustainable urban future.
Municipal authorities have also to consider other options and strategies to create a citizen-friendly setting for mobility: diminish the need for trips (digitalization of services, e-commerce, etc.), shift from private to public transport and transform the urban form to promote non-motorized transport in favor of the natural environment and public health. A citizen-friendly policy based on the anticipation of future needs and technological development seems to be a requisite for European cities searching for a smooth integration of their networks into urban space.
Developing countries have witnessed a rise in infrastructure spending over the past decades; however, infrastructure spending in most developed countries, particularly the US, continues to decline. As a result, in 2021, the US Congress passed a Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which invests $1 trillion in the country’s infrastructure every year. Using the principal component analysis and VAR estimation, we analyzed the impact of infrastructure (transportation and water, railway networks, aviation, energy, and fixed telephone lines) on economic growth in the US. Our findings show that infrastructure spending positively and significantly impacted economic growth. Additionally, the impulse response analysis shows that shocks to infrastructure spending had positive and persistent effects on economic growth. Our results suggest that infrastructure investment spurs economic growth. Based on our findings, sustained public spending on transport and water, railway networks, aviation, energy, and fixed telephone lines infrastructure by the US government will positively impact economic growth in the country. The study also suggests that policies that promote infrastructure spending, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) passed by the US Congress, should be enhanced to boost economic growth in the US.
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