ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The role of social support in antiretroviral therapy uptake and retention among pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in the Greater Accra region of Ghana

Introduction The role of social support in antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and retention among pregnant and Postpartum women in Ghana’s capital, Accra, have received limited attention in the literature. This cross-sectional study extends existing knowledge by investigating the role of social support in ART adherence and retention among pregnant and postpartum women in Accra. Methods We implemented a cross-sectional study in eleven (11) public health facilities. Convenience sampling approach was used to recruit 180 participants, out of which 176 with completed data were included in the study. ART adherence in the three months preceding the survey (termed consistent uptake) and ART retention were the outcomes of interest. Initial analysis included descriptive statistics characterized by frequencies and percentages to describe the study population. In model building, we included all variables that had p-values of 0.2 or less in the bivariate analysis to minimize negative confounding. Overall, a two-sided p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data were analyzed using Stata version 14.1 (College Station, TX). Results In the multivariate model, we realized a lower odds trend between social support score and consistent ART adherence, however, was insignificant. Similarly, both the univariate and multivariate models showed that Social support has no relationship with ART retention. Meanwhile, urban residents had a higher prevalence of ART adherence (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 2.04, CI = 1.12–3.73) relative to rural and peri-urban residents. As compared to those below age 30, women aged 30–34 (aPR=0.58, CI=0.34–0.98) and above 35 (aPR=0.48, CI=0.31–0.72) had lower prevalence of ART adherence Women who knew their partner’s HIV status had lower prevalence of ART adherence compared to those who did not know (aPR = 0.62, CI = 0.43–0.91). Also, having a rival or co-wife was significantly associated with ART retention, such that higher prevalence of ART adherence among women with rivals relative to those without rivals (aOR = 1.98, CI = 1.16–3.36) Conclusion Our study showed that social support does not play any essential role in ART adherence among the surveyed pregnant and postpartum women. Meanwhile, factors such as having a rival and being under the age of Thirty play an instrumental role. The study has signaled the need for ART retention scale-up interventions to have a multi-pronged approach in order to identify the multitude of underlying factors, beyond social support, that enhance or hinder efforts to achieve higher uptake and retention rates.

Source: UG
The Role of Socioeconomic Factors, Psychological Motivations, and Social Networks in Women’s Participation in Community-Based Fishery Management in Ghana

Women’s participation in community-based decision-making in managing natural resources such as fishery is considered crucial to the sustainability of the fishery industry. However, women experience the brunt of inequality in fishery tasks and decision-making despite their crucial contributions. Using survey data (N = 400) from an ethnographic study on Ghanaian female fisherfolk, we examine the factors affecting women’s participation in community-based fishery decision-making. Findings show that while women attended community meetings, only a few held positions in the fishery associations. Whilst education was not a significant factor in women’s community participation, the age of children, women’s ownership of fishery assets as well as psychological characteristics such as trust, interests and gender role attitudes were very crucial. Results further show that network variables such as women’s position in other associations were more important to their participation in community-based fishery decision-making than mere membership in such associations. This study highlights the need for fishery policies aimed at gender equality to move beyond gender structures and economic models toward examining the complexity of factors affecting different aspects of women’s participation in fishery decision-making.

Source: UG
The Role of Soil pH in Plant Nutrition and Soil Remediation

In the natural environment, soil pH has an enormous influence on soil biogeochemical processes. Soil pH is, therefore, described as the “master soil variable” that influences myriads of soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and processes that affect plant growth and biomass yield. This paper discusses how soil pH affects processes that are interlinked with the biological, geological, and chemical aspects of the soil environment as well as how these processes, through anthropogenic interventions, induce changes in soil pH. Unlike traditional discussions on the various causes of soil pH, particularly soil acidification, this paper focuses on relationships and effects as far as soil biogeochemistry is concerned. Firstly, the effects of soil pH on substance availability, mobility, and soil biological processes are discussed followed by the biogenic regulation of soil pH. It is concluded that soil pH can broadly be applied in two broad areas, i.e., nutrient cycling and plant nutrition and soil remediation (bioremediation and physicochemical remediation).

Source: UG
Role of species composition in malaria transmission by the Anopheles funestus group (Diptera: Culicidae) in Ghana

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Contemporary International Relations: A Case Study of the Olympic Games

Actors in the international system have and continue to use conventional diplomacy in inter-state relations but have not always been successful in achieving their objectives. Recent times have seen sports utilized by actors as a soft power tool in diplomatic relations between states. Though it is often argued that sports and politics should not mix, the popularity and the socio-economic nature of sports have gained the attention of states and international organizations in the international system. This study sought to examine the relationship between sports and international relations, by exploring sports diplomacy. Using the Olympic Games as a case study, the study explored how actors in international relations harnessed the platform provided by the Olympic Games to advance diplomatic initiatives. Among other things, the study, based on qualitative approach with interviews of persons from different backgrounds in diplomacy and the sports sector finds that participating in the various editions of the Olympic Games have presented nations the opportunity to exhibit their image across the globe and improve its relations with other nations. The study revealed that among the actors that engaged the Olympic Games for diplomatic purposes were North and South Korea at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. Among the manifestations of sports diplomacy that emerged from the activities of the above countries was the unification of the women’s ice hockey team for the first time in their history, as well as marching together under a unified Korean flag at the opening ceremony of the Games. The study also finds that sports have seen a vast transformation in contemporary times, shifting from the everyday form of exercise to a lucrative industry and this can largely be attributed to major sporting events such as the Olympic Games. On the basis of this, the study concluded that sports plays a key role in international relations and that indeed sports diplomacy is a critical component of the diplomatic platforms available in international relations. It was therefore recommended that Governments should prioritize sports in its foreign policies and assign some focus on harnessing international sporting events to promote their diplomatic objectives. Also, the IOC should put in place initiatives that would promote peaceful relations between warring nations or otherwise conflict regions. Thus, sports should be seriously considered by countries as an alternative form of diplomatic dialogue.

Source: UG
The Role of Street Food Vendors in the Transmission of Enteric pathogens in Accra

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
The role of teacher support in students' academic performance in low- and high-stakes assessments

Teachers' impact on learning outcomes is well supported, but more robust evidence is needed on the complex indirect pathways through which teacher support impacts performance in low-versus high-stakes examinations. This study sought to understand the divergent mechanisms through which teachers' support for students affects their performance on low- and high-stakes assessments. Bayesian structural equation modeling with the Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm and data from Ghana were used to test mediated, unmediated, and moderated mediated relationships. The results show that a typical student's high-stakes exam performance increases by approximately 13 % for each one-unit increase in teacher support. A chain mediation effect also exists through student homework behavior and low-stakes everyday performance. Student gender is also a moderator. These results could aid in identifying the malleable leverage points associated with low- and high-stakes assessments. Such empirical clarity would help education administrators to develop appropriate professional development programs that enhance teachers' support roles, enabling them to respond better to learning disparities and related challenges.

Source: UG
The role of termites in soil formation in the tropical semi-deciduous forest zone, Ghana

Soil Macrofauna especially insects have been recognized as being an important factor in regulating soil processes and thereby the soil profile development. The influence of earthworms is well documented and it is the dominant member of the soil macrofauna influencing the soil formation processes in the temperate zone. In the tropics, termites and ants play the major role in the nutrient recycling and the movement and transportation of soil material. This paper describes the influence of termites on the soil formation in the tropical wet semi-deciduous forest in Ghana at the north coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The termites form distinct soil horizons especially at the summits of the landscapes where gravel free soil horizons are formed upon gravel rich horizons, and in some cases soil heaps are formed after the decomposition of huge trees.

Source: UG
The role of the Codex Alimentarius process in support of new products to enhance the nutritional health of infants and young children

The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other recommendations relating to foods, food production, and food safety. Among other functions, it is responsible for setting international standards for safety and hygiene. Codex food standards and guidelines directed at foods produced primarily for young infants and children have important implications for maintaining nutritional status and health, especially given the positioning of these products as components of established World Health Organization (WHO)/UNICEF-recommended feeding strategies. Recently, new products targeted at this age group (e.g., lipid-based nutrient supplements and micronutrient powders) have been produced and used but these are not totally covered under existing Codex guidelines or standards. The objective of this paper is to review the role of the Codex process and specifically to suggest revisions to existing Codex guidelines on formulated complementary foods (Guidelines for Formulated Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and Young Children, CAC/GL 08-1991) to encompass this new category of fortified complementary foods and home fortificants. In reviewing the existing guidelines, potential areas for revision included the sections on the recommended nutrients in these foods and their intended use. Updating the Codex guidelines provides the opportunity to encourage production and use of new products for children and help ensure that such foods, when used as directed, do not interfere with breastfeeding. The revised guidelines would help governments develop national regulations covering all forms of formulated complementary foods. They would also lessen impediments to international trade by providing clear guidance for foods used in feeding programs and for young children, particularly in developing countries. © 2010, The United Nations University.

Source: UG
The Role of the Informal Sector in Solid Waste Management in the GAMA, Ghana: Challenges and Opportunities

Solid waste is one of the most discussed environmental issues, especially in urban centres where both public and private sectors are active participants in its management. This increased attention has been due to the continuous insanitary and health threatening conditions, in spite of governments’ huge budgetary interventions. Meanwhile, for most urban poor, waste collection and recycling is a common means for eking out a living, yet this potential for improving solid waste management appears untapped by the authorities. Using mainly qualitative research techniques, this study examines the role of the informal sector and promotes dialogue on the potential of this sector in solid waste management. The findings show that the practice has become a survival strategy for thousands among the urban poor and that, the proper integration of the sector into the existing solid waste management policies can lead to sustainable management practices and possibly help alleviate poverty

Source: UG
The Role of the International Organisation for Migration in Preventing Human Trafficking In West Africa: A Case Study of Ghana.

Human trafficking is happening in every corner of the globe. Since it is a hidden crime, the full scale of the menace of human trafficking cannot be definitely detected and tackled by any country on its own. Ghana is not exempted from the universal challenge of trafficking in persons, as Ghana endures as a destination, source and transit country for trafficking in persons. In a quest to control this phenomenon globally, IOM as an intergovernmental organisation concerned with migration issues, has a counter trafficking unit in its country offices that works with states to combat trafficking internally and internationally. This study analyses the extent of collaboration between IOM, the Government of Ghana and other related state institutions in preventing Human Trafficking in West Africa, with specific reference to Ghana. The study is purely qualitative and relies primarily on literature review and interviews for data collection and analyses. Major findings from the study reveal that the activities done by the IOM in cooperation with the Government of Ghana and other agencies to prevent the phenomenon of human trafficking in Ghana included awareness creation, lobbying for effective legislation against human trafficking, promotion of economic development, assisting in capacity building and development of the “FREE TO BE ME” Tool Kit. The intervention by the IOM in preventing human trafficking in Ghana has yielded some successes including sensitization and advocacy through education, and assistance in the formulation of legislative laws to criminalize human trafficking. IOM also assisted in the formation of an Anti-Trafficking Units for both the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service to identify human trafficking cases within and across borders and to also sanction culprits, rescue trafficked victims and help reintegrate them back into society. IOM also implemented capacity building training, workshops and seminars and also promotion of economic development through education, by providing technical and vocational trainings to empower people economically. These achievements serve as deterrent to people involved in human trafficking in Ghana. However, IOM has encountered some challenges in its quest to help prevent human trafficking in Ghana. These challenges include poverty and economic hardships, poor cooperation, and lack of political will on the part of the government. The study therefore concludes that, The IOM has played a significant role in cooperation with other stakeholders in the prevention of human trafficking in Ghana. To this end, the study recommends that the Government of Ghana should continue to collaborate effectively with states and other international agencies such as the IOM, UNICEF, UNODC, among others, to effectively help tackle the menace of human trafficking in Ghana.

Source: UG
The Role Of The Media In Ghana's Foreign Policy

The media have often been identified as one of the major competing domestic interests that impact on foreign policies of states. This recognition of the media is seen through the contribution they make to foreign policy. This work takes a look at the media's role and their contribution to foreign policy in the CPP, NLC, PP and the NDC regimes. It also looks at how they helped in shaping foreign policies and their influence on these regimes. The work relied mainly on secondary sources of data in analyzing the media's contribution to foreign policy in Ghana under the above stated regimes. It sees the media as not initiator of foreign policy making but as a mouthpiece that most policies of the governments become known and discussed by the public, thereby helping to shape some of such foreign policies. It further played the role of proselytizing and sensitizing people on government's foreign policies especially during the CPP regime under Nkrumah from 1957-1966. The findings of the research point to the fact that for the public to be very active in enriching government's foreign policies and for the nation to benefit from that, the media need to be proactive in their contribution to the decision-making level of foreign policies of governments.

Source: UG
The Role of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Fighting Against Book Haram in Africa.

Boko Haram’s religious militancy and terrorist activities have become a major national, regional and international concern; as its terrorist violence has spread beyond the borders of Nigeria to Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and Mali. The group has survived many counter-terrorist attempts to defeat it. Nigeria has constituted the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) made up of Chad, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger in fighting Boko Haram in its attempt to end the Boko Haram menace. The study sought to find out why the Joint Task Force and how effective has the Task Force been in ending the Boko Haram menace? The study was a qualitative one that sourced data from both primary and secondary sources. The study found out that given the trends of Boko Haram terrorist activities that have spread to all the members of the Joint Task Force except Benin, the member states’ knowledge of the terrains and Boko Haram’s tendency for safe havens when hard pressed, the Joint Task Force is best suited for fighting the Boko Haram menace. The Joint Task Force has been very successful in rendering the group inactive. Roads, bridges, and communities that had been closed to the public have now become safe for civilians to return to and carry out their livelihood activities. The Task Force has, however, faced challenges such as inadequate resources, Nigeria’s preponderance and the lack of trust among the member states, and the poor economies and common poverty of the member states that limit its effectiveness. The work concluded that given the resurgence of religious militant groups and the relative deprivation that characterizes the regions in which the group is active; it is early days yet to conclude that the Task Force has defeated Boko Haram. The study recommends that Nigeria should offer greater respect, collaboration, magnanimity towards other members of the MNJTF, since fighting religious militant and terrorist groups comes at a great cost; and solidarity among troop-contributing states is a sine qua non to defeating Boko Haram

Source: UG
The role of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in the control of communicable Diseases and malnutrition in Ghana

The initial aim of the founding fathers of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR)was to develop the Institute into an international centre of medical research covering the entire scope of medical sciences. However in August 1984. an Evaluation Team from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) recommended that in order to achieve immediate impact on the health and welfare of the people in greatest aced, the Institute was to carry out research on priority health problems in support of programmes for the control of communicable diseases and malnutrition

Source: UG
The Role of the Private Sector in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences From Four Health Systems

As societies urbanize, their populations have become increasingly dependent on the private sector for essential services. The way the private sector responds to health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic can determine the health and economic wellbeing of urban populations, an effect amplified for poorer communities. Here we present a qualitative document analysis of media reports and policy documents in four low resource settings-Bangladesh, Ghana, Nepal, Nigeria-between January and September 2020. The review focuses on two questions: (i) Who are the private sector actors who have engaged in the COVID-19 first wave response and what was their role?; and (ii) How have national and sub-national governments engaged in, and with, the private sector response and what have been the effects of these engagements? Three main roles of the private sector were identified in the review. (1) Providing resources to support the public health response. (2) Mitigating the financial impact of the pandemic on individuals and businesses. (3) Adjustment of services delivered by the private sector, within and beyond the health sector, to respond to pandemic-related business challenges and opportunities. The findings suggest that a combination of public-private partnerships, contracting, and regulation have been used by governments to influence private sector involvement. Government strategies to engage the private sector developed quickly, reflecting the importance of private services to populations. However, implementation of regulatory responses, especially in the health sector, has often been weak reflecting the difficulty governments have in ensuring affordable, quality private services. Lessons for future pandemics and other health emergencies include the need to ensure that essential non-pandemic health services in the government and non-government sector can continue despite elevated risks, surge capacity to minimize shortages of vital public health supplies is available, and plans are in place to ensure private workplaces remain safe and livelihoods protected.

Source: UG