Insurance and Actuarial Science Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://196.220.97.103:4000/handle/123456789/114

Browse

Now showing 1 - 5 of 13

Firm-Specific Determinants Variable of Insurers’ Insolvency in Zimbabwe
(Acta Universitatis Danubius, 2024) Aluko, T.O.; Makumbe, K.C.
Insurance companies safeguard the resources necessary for various other economic sectors to enhance economic growth and foster favourable investment opportunities. This study examines the determinants of insolvency for non-life insurers in Zimbabwe. This was achieved by examining the impact of firm-specific variables on solvency. A panel of secondary data from 2017 to 2022 selects seventeen non-life insurance businesses from Zimbabwe. Insurance and Pension Commission (IPEC) reports provide the financial statements for these non-life insurance companies. The research examines two explanatory factors: investment performance and return on assets (profitability). The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) regression model guides the investigation into the relationship between these factors and solvency. This study employs the solvency ratio as a proxy for solvency. The study’s results indicate that a firm’s size and claims ratio have a positive impact on the investment performance and profitability of non-life insurers experiencing insolvency. To manage investment portfolios properly, the paper recommends short-term insurers hire qualified and experienced investment analysts. To encourage insurance companies to honour claims and maintain their financial stability even when losses increase, the regulator must publish a risk-based capital structure and prioritise the implementation of policies and regulations that support sound financial management practices among non-life insurance companies.
HIV status and contraceptive use in Zimbabwe among sexually active adolescent girls and women: Secondary analysis of Zimbabwe Demographic Health survey data
(SAMJ Research, 2024-06) Musuka, G.; Murewanhema, G.; Mukandavire, Z.; Chingombe, I.; Cuadros, D.; Mutenherwa, F.; Dzinamarira, T.; Eghtessadi, R.; Malunguza, N.; Mapingure, M.
BACKGROUND. Understanding the pattern of contraceptive use among women living with HIV is critical for formulating relevant public health interventions to improve the uptake and use of reliable methods in this population. This helps to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies. OBJECTIVE. In this secondary data analysis, we aimed to describe contraceptive use by HIV-positive and HIV-negative sexually active adolescent girls and women, using data from the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (2015-16). METHOD. We used statistical analysis to determine the association between the use of various methods of contraception and HIV status using the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, 2015-16 data. RESULTS. Overall, the contraceptive use prevalence in this study was 60%. Sexually active adolescent girls and women on the Pill and injections were less likely to be HIV-positive compared with those not using any method of contraception (odds ratio (OR)= 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI)(0.45-0.64), p= 0.001; and OR= 0.75, 95% CI (0.59-0.96), p= 0.020, respectively). Those using either a male or female condom were more likely to be HIV-positive, OR= 3.36, 95% CI (2.63-4.28), p= 0.001. CONCLUSIONS. This study revealed that there is still a considerable unmet need for contraception among the study population, highlighting the need to devise strategies to increase contraception uptake among women. Statistically significant differences were noted in the use of condoms, with those who are HIV-positive having a higher use of condoms compared with those who are HIV-negative. This may reflect that HIV-positive individuals have received appropriate counselling messages on the need to use barrier methods.
Perceptions of Healthcare Workers on the Attributes of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System in Zimbabwe
(2024) Mteliso, F.; Adalier, A.; Malunguza, N.J.; Chiyaka, E.T.
Objective: To investigate healthcare workers' perceptions of the integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers (HCWs) was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 to assess their perceptions of the IDSR system attributes. Results: Of the 409 respondents, 12 (2.9%) reported no prior training on disease surveillance. The IDSR was deemed simple, acceptable, useful, and timely by most participants. There were sharp differences in perceptions of flexibility and simplicity between doctors and the other healthcare professionals. However, acceptability, timeliness, and usefulness were uniformly perceived. Healthcare workers with at least 11-years’ experience perceived the usefulness of the IDSR system significantly higher than those with lesser years of experience. However, work experience did not have an impact on HCWs perceptions of the simplicity, timeliness, and flexibility of the IDSR system. Conclusions: Most healthcare workers have positive perceptions of the IDSR approach. However, there are reservations about how well the system can adapt to changing conditions and demands (flexibility) and how well it simplifies the implementation processes. These findings demonstrate the necessity of adopting cutting-edge strategies for capacity building as well as ongoing professional development of healthcare professionals responsible for the implementation of the IDSR strategy.
An Analysis of Factors Affecting the Performance of Insurance Companies in Zimbabwe
(2017) Mazviona, B. W.; Dube, M; Sakahuhwa, T.
The study sought to examine factors affecting the performance of insurance companies in Zimbabwe. We utilized secondary data from twenty short-term insurance companies. The data was for the period from 2010 to 2014. We used factor analysis and multiple linear regression models to determine the factors affecting performance and identifying their impact. Our findings revealed that expense ratio, claims ratio and the size of a company significantly affect insurance companies’ performance negatively. Whilst leverage and liquidity affect performance positively. We recommend that insurance companies should introduce mechanisms that reduces operational costs such as automated systems.
Risk and Concentration of Portfolios on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange after Currency Reform
(2014) Mazviona, B. W.; Nyangara, D.
Aims: The objectives of this study are to assess the level and impact of concentration of portfolios on the ZSE and to determine the number of stocks to be held in a concentrated portfolio to achieve effective risk reduction. Study Design: Portfolio Model. Place and Duration of Study: Zimbabwe, Department of Insurance and Actuarial Science and Department of Finance, between February 2013 and March 2013. Methodology: We analysed the level of concentration of portfolios held on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE). The market capitalization weights and the daily closing prices of 62 stocks in the industrial index for the four-year period form 19 February 2009 to 31 December 2012. Results: The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index and the Roll measure of concentration were employed to analyse the level of concentration of portfolios mimicking the industrial index and it was observed that portfolios held on the ZSE are highly un concentrated with an approximate measure of 14% under the HHI measure as at 31 December 2012. The daily returns over the period were calculated and used to estimate the risk of the portfolio. The findings indicates that stocks in the industrial index of the ZSE have relatively low correlation due to the small difference in risk between equally weighted portfolios with nocorrelation and equally weighted portfolios with historical correlation. Conclusion: The empirical evidence highlights that an optimal portfolio size averaging 20 to 25 stocks of the Industrial Index stocks will have to be included in order to achieve effective risk reduction.

Browse

Recent Submissions