ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Adherence to anti-hypertensive medication regimens among patients attending the G.P.H.A. Hospital in Takoradi - Ghana.

Background: Adherence is the extent to which a person’s medication-taking behaviour coincides with the healthcare providers’ medical advice. It includes both dosing regularity and timing of intake. Many physicians face the problem of non-adherence among their hypertensive patient population. During the first year of treatment 16 – 50% of patients stop taking their high blood pressure medications. Overall, it is estimated that only about 30 – 50% of patients with hypertension adhere precisely to their hypertension medication regimens. Adherence is important in the treatment of hypertension Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the extent of non-adherence to hypertensive medication regimen in G.P.H.A. Hospital, Takoradi. The reasons for non-adherence in the study were also evaluated. Methods: A prospective study of 150 hypertensive patients on medication for at least 6 months, who reported at the OPD of this hospital, was carried out. The Morisky questionnaire was administered to the patients and reasons for non-adherence sought. Pregnancy related hypertensive patients were excluded in this study. Results: The study revealed that total adherence to anti-hypertensive medications regimens was 19.3% and partial or medium adherence was 49.3%. Hence the adherence rates (i.e. those who took their medications ≥ 75%) to anti-hypertensive medicines in the institution was 68.6% and the non-adherence rate was 31.4%. The major reasons for non-adherence were forgetfulness (45.4%) by the patient to take medications on time or missed doses and side effects of the medications (20.8%). Finance (10.4% was also a problem for the paying patients who have to make up-front payment to re-fill their medicines. Conclusion: The prevalence of adherence among hypertensive patients in this health facility was 68.6%. Thus, indicating the need for adherence counselling.

Source: KNUST
Adherence To Antiretroviral Therapy And Its Impact On Clinical And Immunologic Outcomes

Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with achieving success in virologic suppression, CD4 cell recovery, and improved patient well-being. Most of these researches reporting on the impact of adherence to HAART on treatment outcomes are published works from resource rich setting with little or no literature from Ghana. This study was therefore conducted to assess the impact of adherence to HAART on clinical and immunologic outcomes at two nationally designated HIV treatment centers in Kumasi, Ghana. The study was a prospective non- randomised study of HIV- infected patients at Aniwaa medical center and Bomso specialist hospital, private health facilities in the Kumasi metropolis. The patients were recruited to initiate antiretroviral therapy. A total of 86 patients were enrolled and 85 completed. Data collection lasted for 1 year 1 month. Patients were assessed for their level of adherence to HAART over a nine month period during interviews and pill counts. Patients who took ≥95% of their medication were classified as adherent whiles those who took ≤ 95% of their regimen were described as non- adherent. Data regarding clinical outcomes were collected at baseline, 3 month, 6 month and 9 th month, whereas data on immunologic outcomes were collected at baseline, 6 month and 9 month respectively. The data obtained was coded, entered into SPSS version 20.0 and analyzed. Over 90% of the participants were adherent to their therapy. Common reasons for missing medications were side effect (44.7%), forgetfulness (42.4%), being away from home (42.4%). The mean CD4 count at baseline was 235cells/uL, 6 th month (394cells/uL) and 9 th month (469cells/uL). Mean number of opportunistic infections and signs and symptoms was 3.34 and 4.79 at baseline, 1.56 and 2.03 at 3 rd month, v 1.12 and 1.16 at 6 th month and 1.00 and 1.13 at 9 th month. Overall physical health of patients improved from poor at baseline to good at the 9 th month. Adherence to HAART was a strong predictor of immune recovery, growth and clinical progression but adherence was seen not to be the only predictor of treatment outcomes. Baseline CD4 count was also found to predict outcomes for HIV infected patients. The most frequently used ARV in combination therapies was Tenofovir. Majority of patients in the study were adherent. After the nine months of study, both immunologic and clinical outcomes of patients significantly improved.

Source: KNUST
Adherence to health and safety practices in roof construction in Ghana

Adherence is the state of being or the ability to become attached to something. Therefore being attached to something depends on some conditions available for cooperation by all stakeholders involved. The aim of this study was to identify factors for adherence of health and safety practice in roof construction. The objective w as to identify factors that influence workmen to adhere to health and safety and the relative impact these factors have on the roofing companies in Ghana. Literature though scanty, discovered three major categories of factors that influenced adherence of health and safety practices. The review served as the bases for collecting Quantitive data which was used to design the questionnaire for the research. Data collected was analysed using mean score to find the relative importance. The study revealed that the identified adherence factors highly influence health and safety, with provision of safety incentives, client require safety compliance on their site and care for personal safety ranked highly among all three categories irrespectively and also has significant impact in the roofing companies. The response rate towards certain factors highlighted gaps in roof work practices. The study recommended that roofing companies should implement these factors to their advantage so as to reduce casualties or fatalities, improve on work performance and for customer satisfaction and feedback. In addition, appropriate state institution should be empowered to enforce adherence to health and safety or if possible make it a prerequisite for establishing a roofing contracting business. In conclusion, roofing companies in Ghana should set up necessary procedures within their organization based on the results from respondents irrespective of the financial commitment to also help gain international recognition.

Source: KNUST
Adherence to anti-diabetics a case study of out-patients attending the diabetic clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi.

Non-adherence to diabetes treatment leads to poor glucose control and increases the risk of disease complications. The prevalence and factors associated with non-adherence in resource limited settings should be determined so as to lower the impact of diabetes that is on the increase, on the health systems which are already overburdened with communicable diseases. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of adherence to antidiabetic medicines among patients attending the diabetic clinic and factors contributing to non-adherence at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital A cross-sectional study was conducted at the diabetic clinic of the KATH. A list of all patients attending the diabetic clinic for at least the past two years was obtained. A simple random method of sampling was used to select the desired sample size from the patient list. Data was collected via personal interviews using a structured questionnaire and also from the patient medical records. The structured questionnaire was administered to each patient after consenting to participate in the study. The questionnaire was in the form of exit interviews. Information provided by the respondents was counter checked with their medical records. The level of adherence to anti-diabetic medication among the respondents revealed that majority of them; constituting 64.2% had a high adherence level. The correlation between patients’ socio-demographic and adherence rate to anti diabetic therapy indicated that adherence among women was high represented by 69.6%. Adherence was high among participants less than 55 years (54.9%), among participants living with their family (90.1%), among participants who were knowledgeable about their disease condition and the effect of defaulting their anti-diabetic medication (64.5%) and high among participants who have been diagnosed of diabetes for less than 3 years (47.04%). This study revealed a high level of adherence among the participants. Also patients with knowledge of default consequences are more likely to adhere to their antidiabetic medications (p=0.046).

Source: KNUST
Adherence to Works Contract Procedures under the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663)

The Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) is to streamline the various identified challenges and anomalies and its main objective is to promote fairness, transparency for public procurement to be non-discriminatory. The Act is to ensure judicious, economic and efficient use of public funds to achieve value for money. Its implementation has been reported to be quite problematic characterized by irregularities. The study is to identify these challenges and their effect on adherence to post contract procedure for works at the Assembly level. There were face-to-face interviews with staffs responsible for procurement management for the Entity on identified thematic areas with personal observations and documentary proofs. Analysis of data was done in the various thematic areas using descriptive and qualitative data analysis. The study confirmed existence of some of the challenges and in spite; Assemblies have demonstrated appreciable level of adherence in other to meet the requirement of Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development’s Annual Assessment. Assemblies’ efforts are largely affected by the lack of the review of the Act; delay in release of funds which affects project implementations and there was no penalty for delay in contract executions as clients default on their responsibility in honouring payments certificates. It is recommended that; Assemblies are encouraged to improve their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to supplement the statutory funding sources. Regular communication between PPA and Entities should be encouraged. Local Government Service should collaborate with PPA for training of staffs. PPA must review thresholds to eliminate the bureaucracy at the Assembly and to improve management’s compliance, enhance performance and to introduce sanctions.

Source: KNUST
Adinkra symbols in national development

This research work is based on the Adinkra symbols. The basic theory of the study is that at the present time there is a growing wave of interest in the Adinkra symbols which far outweighs the extent to which the history and meanings of the symbols are known by people. It is assumed that once this issue is addressed the Adinkra symbols could make significant contributions to various sectors of national development. The Akans of West Africa are credited with the historical custodianship of the symbols. This is with specific reference to the ancient Gyaman Kingdom of the present La Cote d’Ivoire, and the Ashantis of Ghana. The scope of coverage of the work deals with the origins, technical qualities, functions and applications of the Adinkra symbols. The controversy surrounding some notions of Islamic origins, Gyaman origins or Ashanti origins is resolved in favour of an earlier Ashanti custodianship. However the search for more distant origins is speculatively expanded to cover a broad historical perspective that traces some symbols as far back as to ancient Egypt. This is facilitated through an analytic and comparative study based on the shapes of the symbols and the etymological survey of their names in the Akan language. The study brings out issues concerning their indigenous functions, through the state of the art, to some suggested uses of some Adinkra symbols. Pertinent contemporary issues concerning the symbols, and dealing with a number of desirable diversifications, are given some serious consideration. These include social, economic, political, religious, environmental and other specialised uses of the Adinkra symbols. The potential functions of the symbols (from archaeology to zoology) are also treated. Most especially, the study brings to view the suggestion that the Adinkra symbols may serve as a tool in resolving some questions related to functional literacy. In this regard attempt has been made in the study to decipher these Adinkra symbols as a “readable script” in the Akan language. Finally the research work is presented as a means of suggesting keys to the appropriate applications of the Adinkra symbols for the purpose of national development.

Source: KNUST
Adjustment towards Retirement

In all 114 respondents were randomly selected from the various departments in the public sector in the Dormaa Municipality to serve as participants in a non-experimental survey. It takes considerable time and a resource to prepare an individual to enter employment just as the individual has to be prepared to leave employment when one is due for retirement. Many retirees in developing countries including Ghana do not have decent retirement life. This is because most Ghanaian workers and their employers do not prepare for this new phase of life. This explains why many retirees in Ghana live destitute life without having accommodation for themselves. In the developed economies one’s letter of appointment also states his /her retirement date. This makes it easier for workers to be better prepared to adjust towards retirement. Since this is not done in developing countries, it makes it difficult for workers to adjust their life lifestyles when they are approaching retirement. In Ghana, there is often no clear cut policy on retirement planning. It is in view of this, that this study was undertaken in the Dormaa Municipality. The main objective of this research is to find out how the Ghanaian worker adjusts towards retirement in terms of finance, health, accommodation and leisure. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) and a logistical regression model were used to analyse the data which was obtained through the use of structured and unstructured questionnaire. Generally, the workers in the Dormaa Municipality were found to adjust better towards retirement. They were therefore found to be well prepared for retirement. However, whereas the males were better prepared in accommodation, the females were better prepared financially. It was concluded that most Ghanaian workers are aware of retirement, yet little is done about it in terms of preparation and adjustment. Various recommendations were given with regard to how adjustment towards retirement could be done. It is also recommended that the new pension should be fully implemented to ensure that the first beneficiaries of the new pension scheme would not suffer since nothing has been heard about the second and third tier which is expected to enhance the non-taxable cash lump sum of the prospective retirees. The retirement date of all workers should be attached to their appointment letters. Furthermore, all the public education of SSNIT officials should first target the employers. This public education should be done for all workers when they have between 15 and 10 years to retire. This would make the public education effective and beneficial to all who would attend them.

Source: KNUST
Administration of local community forest rights in the high forest zone of Ghana: The case of forest fringe communities in Tano-Offin forest reserve, Ashanti Region

Forest rights and how they are administered constitute a major cause of deforestation and forest degradation. This study examined the administration of statutory local forest community rights against the expectation of forest fringe communities in the high forest zone of Ghana. The study was carried out in the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve in Ashanti Region, a hot spot of deforestation and degradation in the forest zone. A case study approach with qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and analysis was applied. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Eight categories of forest uses and benefits were identified showing substantial and varied uses of the forest reserve by the local people, but they have limited knowledge of the statutory forest rights and access protocols. Overall, 40% to 55% accessed forest uses and benefits across the regimes but as fewer as 19% to 30% were aware of community rights. Yet more people were aware of forest rules (42% to 56%), community responsibilities (23% to 32%) and procedures (22% to 31%) than rights. The people depended on their forebears, government/FC and community for knowledge of forest rights and access protocols. Across the regimes 1% to 9% cited their forebears, 6% to 42% the government/FC and 19% to 39% the community. Only in the Plantation regime that because of MTS forestland cultivation that the people most frequently cited the government/FC otherwise the community was most cited across the regimes. Thus in the absence of a structured awareness creation and education by the FC, knowledge passed on from the forebears and the community has shaped people‟s perceptions and attitudes. The people‟s potentials for collaborative forest management are not fully tapped as they lack formal forest management responsibilities in many respects. To them, the FC is insensitive to their concerns as it pursues forest management principles that exclude their course. They suggested that education on forest rights, improvements in access to forest resources and pragmatic participatory management regime will enhance sustainable management of the reserve. The study recommends a realignment of FC‟s collaborative management to include a pragmatic programme of education on local forest rights and prioritization of local socio-economic aspirations.

Source: KNUST
ADOPTING A LOGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE OPERATIONAL PROCESSES AND OUTCOMES OF KNUSTSpace ON RESEARCH, LEARNING AND TEACHING: A CASE OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH OUTPUT BY ACADEMIC STAFFS AND STUDENTS

In recent years, there is an expansive consensus on the significance of openness and dissemination of information resources globally. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) keeps on changing the creation, storage, distribution, preservation and management of empirical scholarly output which has brought numerous products and services to users of this digital resources (Essel, 2010). ICT is changing the face of libraries by making them more competitive to meet the complex and divergent needs of its clients with the introduction of Open Access Institutional Repositories (OA-IRs) with free and unending online access to full content of electronic scholarly outputs of an institution, irrespective of geographical location of users (Osei-Poku & Essel, 2011). Presently, higher education institutions have gradually acknowledged that institutional repositories (IR) are essential and very powerful infrastructure that can serve as an engine of change (Verma and Shukla, 2014; Budu, 2015; Mostofa, Begum and Mezbah-ul-Islam, 2015). The concept of Institutional Repository (IR) has set a new dimension in managing information and intellectual resources which have helped in research, learning and teaching in the Internet era. As research, learning and teaching remain the main ingredients for attaining a higher educational growth and development, there is the need to constantly develop and upgrade digital infrastructure in order to allow scholars gain access to outlets of intellectual resources. Inspired by the open access movement, KNUST has implemented an open access institutional repository called “KNUSTSpace” which store, distribute, preserve and manage KNUST academic scholarly outputs. It was the first open access institutional repository in Ghana and was set up in July 2009 (Lamptey & Corletey, 2011; Essel, 2010; Essel & Osei-Poku, 2011). According to Oliver and Swain (2006), there are numerous challenges relating to the advent of a new publishing model which IR fall within. Monitoring and supporting the growth of IRs to detect and address significant issues linked to its development is one challenge. Considering the focus on the development and implementation of IRs, little has been done to evaluate them (Davis & Connolly, 2007) of which KNUSTSpace is no exception. Since the inception (9 years ago) of KNUSTSpace, no evaluation has been conducted to assess the inputs and outputs of the repository, and how users (students and lecturers) are benefiting from the IR in terms of research, learning and teaching activities (Lamptey, personal communication, April 20, 2016). Hence, the need to consider the input, output and outcome of KNUSTSpace towards improving its quality and further developments in research, learning and teaching, with respect to KNUST academic user experience and gains. Voorbij and Ongering (2006) opine that only user studies can reveal the reasons, gains, outcomes and problems experienced by IR users.

Source: KNUST
Admission path, family structure and outcomes in Ghana’s public universities: evidence from KNUST students enrolled in the social sciences

At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, first year enrolment increased by 1466.81% from 708 in 1961/1962 to 11,093 in 2011. In the 2013/2014 academic year, the total student population was 45,897. There are now five main admission paths, comprising regular, mature, fee paying, less endowed, and protocol/staff admissions. The number of dropouts and fails has risen steeply, for example, at the end of the 2013/2014 academic year, roughly 22.11% of the 1239 students were either withdrawn or repeated at the Faculty of Social Sciences due to non-performance. This paper examined the impact of the admission path and family structure on university students’ academic outcomes. A logistic model was applied to individual-level data obtained from 1000 students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Sciences in the university. The results indicated that the regular and mature admission paths have a positive impact on performance whilst the fee-paying admission path has a significant negative influence on academic performance. It wasalsofoundthatthefamilystructure(livingwiththefatherandmotherandthemotheronly) has a significant positive influence on performance. The study recommended that lecturers should bemotivated to conductadditionalclasses foracademicallyweakstudents.Counselling units should also identify students who experienced disruption in home life and raise their aspirations.

Source: KNUST