Akpalu, WisdomAmegashie, J. AtsuKaruaihe, Selma Tuemumunu2023-02-102023-02-102022-07Akpalu, W., Amegashie, J.A., Karuaihe, S.T. 2022, 'COVID -19 morbidity and mortality in tropical countries : the effects of economic, institutional, and climatic variables', Scientific African, vol. 16, art. e01257, pp. 1-10, doi : 10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01257.2468-2276 (online)10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01257https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/89388Despite the significant and rising human and economic costs of the novel coronavirus dis- ease (COVID-19), our knowledge on its epidemiology remains limited necessitating expe- dited research to aid public policy. This study contributes to the knowledge gap by focusing on exploring the effects of potential covariates (economic, institutional, and climatic condi- tions) on COVID-19 in tropical countries. Using an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression, our results showed a non-linear relationship between temperature and infection-to-test ratio. Specifically, temperatures warmer than 18 °C can favor the spread of the disease. In addition, strikingly, countries with better democratic principles registered more positive cases than their counterparts at high levels of corruption.en© 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.Tropical countriesTemperatureInstitutionsDemographyCOVID-19 pandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Ordinary least square (OLS) regressionArticle