Table 7 Definition of variables

Total COVID-19 cases

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa

[34]

COVID-19 severity

Also called the severity of infection, as the extent of illness in people infected with the corona virus

[34]

Average poverty

Refers to the average monthly income of people living in a situation of material inferiority compared to the most privileged individuals

[45]

Poverty incidence

Measures the poverty rate, i.e., the number of people below the poverty line

Poverty depth

Measures the difference between the average income level of the poor and the poverty line

Poverty severity

Examines income differences within poor populations

Multidimensional poverty index

Poverty is multidimensional when it is related to several factors, including education, health and standard of living

Extreme poverty

A person is living in extreme poverty if he or she does not have the income to meet basic food needs, usually defined on the basis of minimum caloric requirements

Population size

The size of the population in the African country

[5]

Population density

The average number of inhabitants in Africa given per square kilometer

GDP per capita

Measures the level of per capita income in African countries

Official development

assistance

Provides information on the importance of global governance in the fight against the spread of the disease

Health expenditure per capita

The quality of the health care system, as represented by the level of per capita health expenditure in African country

Gini index

This index highlights income inequality in the aggregate population level

[45]

Corruption control

Indicators of institutional quality (poor: -2.5; good: 2.5)

Government effectiveness

Indicators of institutional quality (poor: -2.5; good: 2.5)

[46]