ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Health services planning and management under a Decentralised Administration: case study of Tamale Metropolis

Centralized planning in many African countries and particularly in Ghana was seen as being responsible for the under-development of these countries. People who were the beneficiaries of the programmes and projects were not involved in the decision- making, planning and management of the development processes. In 1982, the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government initiated the democratization and devolution of power as well as the re-organization of the structures and roles of the bureaucracy. A decentralized planning system that integrates social, economic, political as well as spatial factors with bottom-up structures were put in place in order to address the problems of planning inherent in the centralized system. This was supported by the necessary legal provisions. Based on this all sector departments were also to restructure and decentralize their planning machinery. The Ministry of Health’s (MOH) initiative to decentralize and strengthen health service delivery have not resulted in improvements, particularly in the areas of integration of health services planning and inter-sectoral collaboration and coordination. This study therefore assessed the capacity of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) to plan and produce plans that satisfy the health needs of the people and whether in doing so the people who are the direct beneficiaries are involved and participate in the planning and management processes. The assessment focused on the variable concepts of decentralized administration, planning and decision-making, involvement and participation and inter-sectoral collaboration. Apart from obtaining information on the variables through the administration of questionnaires and discussions, interviews were held with community opinion leaders and all stakeholders in the Metropolis. Findings and conclusions drawn from the study indicated among others, that decentralization and decentralized planning has not taken firm roots in the Metropolis due to the absence of the lower structures to support the planning process. Involvement and participation at both the Assembly level and the sectoral level is weak. A significant recommendation (based on the findings of the study) is that Tamale Metropolitan Assembly should take the necessary steps to put in place the necessary structures that promote participatory planning at the Metropolitan as well as at the Metropolitan Health Management Team (MHMT) level.

Source: KNUST
Health Safety and Environment (Hse) Record Keeping Practices on Community-Based Infrastructural Projects in the Upper East of Ghana

The study examines Health Safety and Environment (HSE) record keeping practices on Community-Based Infrastructure Projects (CBIPs) in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Its specific objectives included: to outline the importance of HSE record keeping practices on projects, identify the best practices of HSE record keeping and lastly, identify the challenges with HSE record keeping practices on projects. Based on preliminary data analyzed, it was quite clear that majority of the target group had proper understanding of Health Safety and Environment (HSE) issues at the community level. The study was carried out in a manner that enabled the researcher to make an objective analysis by using the quantitative research strategy which involved a questionnaire survey. The target group for this research was the Planning Units, the Works Departments (which consisted of Project Managers, Planners, Engineers) at the municipal/district assemblies. A total of seventy (70) questionnaires were administered and fifty-eight (58) responses were recovered representing a higher returned percentage of 82.86%. The analysis of the data gathered was done using Relative Importance Index. The research identified lack of rules and criteria for fitting the organization’s arrangement of standard procedures and methodology to fulfill health safety and environment explicit needs of the undertaking as a challenge impeding health safety and environment record keeping practices on projects at the community level. In addition, it identified some of the best practices of keeping health safety and environment records on projects to include financial data repositories containing information such as labour hours, incurred costs, budgets, and any project cost overruns. The research also underscored the significance of health safety and environment record keeping practices on projects as it helps identify or confirm if a problem exists, allow for early corrective action. As part of the recommendations, it was recommended that there should be standardized HSE templates specifically for record keeping on projects and these made available and mandatory for every project at initiation or inception and incorporated into the project documentation.

Source: KNUST
Health worker density in deprived Amansie Central District: implications for the realisation of universal health coverage goal.

Assessment of the number and availability of health workers has recently been a major discussion for the realization of Universal Health Coverage goals. An initiative by government towards the plan of action by WHO to achieve this objective was to post as many health workers as possible to the rural areas which are bedeviled with weak staff strength. As reported by WHO, globally only 38% of the nursing workforce remains in the rural areas, where almost half of the world’s population lives. The general objective of the study was to determine the health worker density and its influences on achieving the universal health coverage in the Amansie Central District, Ghana. Quantitative data collection techniques with a cross-section study design were employed in this study. The study was conducted in the Amansie Central District with a total population of 103,074 and a sample size of 175. A multistage sampling approach involving probability proportionate to size and Simple random sampling was used. The data were analyzed as descriptive and inferential statistics using STATA 14. The significance level for all Statistical tests was set as 0.05. The study reported the current health staff to be 335 for the district in 2018. The distribution of doctor to health workforce ratio for 2017 showed 1:37; 1:8; and 1:4 for doctor to nurse, doctor to midwives and doctor to other cadres respectively. The coefficients of the negative binomial regression highlighted that job description, training plans, housing for personnel and conditions of service have a statistically significant effect on health worker density. The Kendall’s W test showed the highest ranking factors which influence people to leave their facility were to further education followed by education for children and relocation of partner. Findings from the study alarmed policymakers by exposing the health workforce gap at the district. Though some reports have commended Ghana for some important steps taken to improve the health worker density, however, two years review of the density in the district presented no significant improvement. Management support services such as job description, housing and training for personnel are recommended to improve health worker density.

Source: KNUST
Health, safety and environment( HSE) record-keeping practices on the performance of waste management project: a case study of zoomlion Ghana Limited, Ho

As old as the existence of mankind, waste management forms the foundation on which a nation can effectively and efficiently explore the available human and natural resources across all sectors of its economy to ensure socio-economic growth and development. Consequently, waste management firms strive to achieve optimal and competitive project performance by maintaining cost leadership, operational efficiency, overall supply chain profitability, customer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability. A critical aspect of achieving optimal waste management project performance is health, safety, and environment record keeping. Meanwhile, HSE record keeping is often overlooked or worse still conducted improperly with no project management strategy as the basis. The study sought to unravel health, safety, and environment (HSE) record keeping practices of Zoomlion Ghana Limited at Ho, on projects in the waste management industry and recommend strategies for improvement. By applying the Purposive Sampling approach, Semi-structured interviews and questionnaire administration, the research collected data from 6 heads of department, 36 core staff, 43 project staff and 1 regional manager. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software and Excel spreadsheets were applied in analyzing the data collected and enhanced with frequencies and graphs. It was revealed that HSE record-keeping practices were generally very important. HSE recordkeeping policy framework is particularly lacking. Best HSE record keeping practices being deployed includes corrective implementation measures, using that of governmentapproved record keeping practice regulations, training procedures and financial budgetary allocation, expenditure, and losses from HSE practice. The dominant type of HSE records kept by the organization was on environment impact compliance measures followed by financial losses and their causal factors and accident records and related investigation outcomes. Negative impact of HSE record keeping practices on employees are lateness to work, absenteeism, lack of innovation positive outcome experienced at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Ho. Positive impacts of HSE record-keeping practices however identified were improved management and leadership skills, increase project success, and efficient communication. To rectify the lapses in the waste management industry, firms must adopt an HSE record keeping management engineering model that would ensure a seamless management of HSE data entered at all levels across the organization by employees in real-time.

Source: KNUST
Healthcare seeking behaviour and utilization of reproductive health services among out-of-school female adolescents in the Kintampo municipality

Female adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 represent an important sub-group of the population of Ghana. With the resurgence of STIs and unwanted pregnancy among adolescents, interest in reproductive health problems is gradually gaining attention. Adolescents have insufficient knowledge on how to protect themselves from pregnancies and STIs. Although both male and female adolescents have many reproductive health challenges, the female adolescents have additional burdens that are gender and sex specific. It was therefore the main aim of the study is to assess the health seeking behavior (HSB) and utilization of reproductive health services (RHS) among female adolescents who are out-of-school in the Kintampo Municipality, with specific objectives being to assess the HSB among out-of-school female adolescents in Kintampo; to assess the influence of culture, values and belief systems on HSB among out-of-school female adolescents; to determine the health provider related factors influencing HSB and to assess the factors influencing the use of RHS among out-of-school female adolescents in Kintampo. The research design used was a cross-sectional survey design. The main target of the research group were out-of-school female adolescents. Questionnaires which were administered to obtain information from the respondents for the purpose of the study. The results showed that approximately72.% of the female adolescents in the municipality do not know about family planning services and so do not make maximum use of them. According to them, their religion and age does not permit them to access family planning services. The ability to ensured confidentiality and privacy were found to facilitate the ability of adolescents to seek and utilize RHS in the current study from the health facilities. During an assessment of their reproductive health seeking behavior within the last six to twelve months, it was identified that those who have not accessed family planning during their pregnancy is 69.9%. The study concluded that, the actions of health practitioners does not encourage female adolescents to seek reproductive health services. It was therefore recommended that, health professionals should embark on active sensitization of the youth in order to provide relevant information, education and communication (IE&C) on reproductive services that are underutilized.

Source: KNUST
Healthcare Delivery and Customer Satisfaction in Ghana: a Case Study of the Koforidua Regional Hospital

Quality Health care delivery is a crucial indicator in measuring the developmental challenges of every country. Patients who visit various health care services have different experiences to share regarding quality of the services they receive. The outpatient’s satisfaction assessment study provides the data on their experiences interacting with health professionals at the Koforidua Regional Hospital during treatment. The result of the study provides valuable information for improved health care delivery. The main objective of the study was to explore the level of satisfaction of outpatients with the services of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists and to provide information on outpatient’s expectation of their services. Two hundred and twenty one (221) respondents were used for the study. Analysis of results showed mixed responses. In terms of Physician and Nurses human relations, the respondents rated Physicians far higher than Nurses. Responses from respondents about service provision and the environmental conditions of the hospital were varied. Results revealed that information given by Pharmacists on the issuance of drugs does not include side effects of drugs. In addition, the immediate surroundings of the hospital were clean but areas that need improvement are the public toilet and urinals. Another area that needs urgent attention is the waiting time, which is unbearable. Many of the respondents were aware of their rights. However, the respondents did not know the avenues of seeking redress during violation. It was therefore recommended that the hospital administrators work hard to intensify customer right awareness campaigns, improve efficiency and reduce waiting time, guide patients on drug administration and its side effects, ensure clean operational environment to enhance health care delivery services in the Koforidua Regional Hospital. This means that health care providers should introduce and practice quality improvement measures at the hospital to improve services delivery. The participation of consumers in assessing these qualities issues is therefore very important.

Source: KNUST
Healthcare financing and health seeking behavior in Ghana.

Individuals’ behaviors do differ from one person to the other in the pursuit of health care. This behavior could either be positive or negative depending on the attitude or the perception of the individual towards the disease or infirmity. Despite the widespread of private and public community, district and regional hospitals, clinics and health centers, some individuals still resort to self-medication and other unprofessional sources of care. This study investigated the health seeking behavior of females and males in Ghana given the various financing mechanisms available. Data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) was used for the analysis of the study, particularly data on females and males. The outcome variables for this study included visits health facility and the type of facility visited. The independent variables included in this study were out of pocket payments, health insurance coverage, wealth index, residence, method of payment for health care, convenience of location of health facility, ease of getting care, age, educational level and marital status. The models in the study were estimated using the binomial logistic regression. Data from the GDHS indicated that, of the respondents who visited a health facility, majority visited public/government facility compared with private facility, (87.56% of women and 71.93% of men visited public/government facility). Results from the binomial logistic regression for visiting a health facility showed that, for both women and men, the significant factors that influenced respondents’ decision whether to visit a health facility included educational attainment, wealth index, residence and health insurance coverage. The results further showed that out of pocket payments significantly predicted the type of health facility visited by both women and men. It is recommended that approach to encourage health care utilization should incorporate programs such as expansion in the enrollment of the NHIS, improving living standards through expanding employment opportunities and improved public health campaigns.

Source: KNUST
Heat retention body for kiln construction: a blend of Kenyase Abrem and Tepa clays

Attaining high temperature in locally manufactured kilns for bisque and gloss firing in Ghana has been a major challenge for most potters. Due to this challenge, most refractory materials are imported to build kilns for firing ceramics wares to meet modern demands; in most cases potters import electric kilns to fire their products. The cost of acquiring these kilns and refractory materials are very expensive and leads to high cost of production. Over the years, clay workers in Ghana have tried to compose several bodies made of our local raw materials that could serve this purpose but unfortunately these bodies when used for kiln construction are not able to retain much heat to adequate to fire stoneware, porcelain and high temperature glazes. The researcher adopted the descriptive and experiment research method of the qualitative research design to examine, test and produce low-density refractory brick suitable for the construction of high temperature kilns. It was discovered that, Kenyase Abrem and Tepa clays when composed together into a body produces a refractory material that can fire to a temperature between 1300°C (2372°F) and 1600°C (2912°F). It is therefore recommended that, Kenyase Abrem clay being higher in plasticity than Tepa clay, is appropriate for binding the composed body together for producing low-density refractory bricks for kiln construction. Again, the brick made from the composed body when subjected to open porosity test indicating more air pockets in their internal structure that is suitable for retaining heat in kilns to complete a firing process.

Source: KNUST
Heavy Metal Accumulation in Wastewater Irrigated Soil and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) at Dzorwulu and Airport Residential Area in Accra

Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils due to human activities is a major concern globally. In this work, heavy metals accumulation in wastewater irrigated soil and lettuce at Dzorwulu and Airport residential area in Accra were investigated. Ten (10) soil samples were taken from each site. Soil properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and heavy metals content were determined using standard procedures. Lettuce samples from the farms were analysed for heavy meals. The soils were found to be sandy clay loam and sandy loamy in texture and moderately to slightly alkaline. The organic carbon contents were found to be relatively low (0.90 ± 0.06 and 1.18 ± 0.02) for Dzorwulu and Airport residential area respectively. The mean CEC ranged between 1.58 ±0.03 and 1.75 ± 0.04 for Airport residential area and Dzorwulu samples respectively. The soil EC result indicated low salt accumulations at both sites. The sequence of heavy metal levels in the soil samples from Airport residential area was in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd > Cr whilst that of Dzorwulu was in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd. The Enrichment Factor results for soil samples from Dzorwulu showed minimal enrichment for Zn, Cu and Cr whiles Pb, Ni and Cd showed no enrichment. However, Pb, Cu and Zn were significantly enriched in the soils from Airport residential area. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values showed that soil from the Airport sites were not contaminated with Cr (-0.585), Ni (-0.327) and Cd (-0.524) but slightly contaminated with Cu and Zn. There was moderate contamination from Pb (Igeo 1.100). The Igeo values for Dzorwulu samples showed moderate contamination from Cd, but not from Ni. Results of degree of translocation of these metals by the plants from both sites showed a translocation factor (TF) > 1 for Zn in lettuce samples from Dzorwulu. Heavy metals concentration in the lettuce samples were above the FAO/WHO recommended levels. Overall, the soils from both sides can be described as ranging from unpolluted to moderately polluted. The concentrations of metals in the lettuce indicate the abilities of the lettuce to uptake and accumulate metals from the soil on which it was grown. The levels of these heavy metals might place the consumers of this crop grown on such soils at a health risk with time.

Source: KNUST
Heat transfer analysis of reactive boundary layer flow over a wedge in a nanofluid using Buongiorno’s model

heat transfer of nanofluids. This study investigates the effects of three different chemical reactions—Arrhenius, bimolecular, and sensitized reactions—using Buongiorno’s model. Through similarity transformations, the system of partial differential equations (PDEs) is converted into ordinary differential equations, which are then solved by combining the shooting method with the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg numerical technique. The findings show that the skin friction coefficient is greatly increased by raising the pressure gradient and stretching/contracting wedge parameters. On the other hand, as the thermophoresis parameter, Brownian motion parameter, activation energy, and Lewis number increase, the Nusselt number decreases, signifying a decrease in the efficiency of heat transfer. A higher Sherwood number, on the other hand, indicates increased mass transfer and is brought about by increases in the Lewis number, thermophoresis parameter, activation energy, and Falkner–Skan power-law parameter. These findings provide important information for maximizing heat and mass transfer in nanofluid systems. Key values for the skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt number, and the Sherwood number are given in tabular form, and the results are graphically represented.

Source: KNUST