Published
2020-07-20
Issue
Section
Articles
How to Cite
HIV/Aids, Infant Mortality and Economic Growth: A Systematic Assessment of Their Causal Relationship in Nigeria
Sede, Peter
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7715-6367
Oghenerurie, Precious Uzezi
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5305-4411
Abu, Prince Oshoke
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7799-0634
Eniye, Blessing Adesuwa
Access Bank Nigeria PLC, Nigeria.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1861-015X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.502.2020.72.87.97
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Infant mortality, Economic Growth, Vector error correction model (VECM).
Abstract
Nigeria has the second largest HIV/AIDS burden in the world and this has been closely associated with adverse economic effects and in turn HIV/AIDS has hindered economic growth in the past decades. In this study, the Vector Error Correction Model was employed to investigate the relationship among HIV/AIDS, infant mortality and economic growth in Nigeria using time series data from 1980-2015. Mixed results were recorded as on one hand, HIV/AIDS impacts positively on infant mortality through Mother-To-Child-Transmission while on the other hand, economic growth was found to be positively correlated with HIV/AIDS. This is because, in most countries, including Nigeria, relatively rich and better educated men and women have higher rates of partner change. We therefore recommends that to achieve the desirable objective of sustainable economic growth, the health sector should be given a larger budgetary allocation and support as the current government expenditure on health is not making any significant impact.