ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors hindering hypertension control: perspectives of front-line health professionals in rural Ghana

Objective: Hypertension (HTN) control remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Health professionals influence patient adherence and self-management practices for HTN particularly in rural and lower socio-economic communities in SSA. Contextual evidence on the reasons for the suboptimal control of HTN in clinical settings is crucial to improving health delivery practices for HTN and preventing HTN related-complications. Study design: A cross-sectional qualitative study. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted among 40 purposively sampled front-line health professionals in seven health facilities in northern Ghana. Data were analysed using a thematic approach through pre-identified and evolving themes. Results: We identified three key themes underlying the poor HTN control. First, health professionals’ barriers included communication difficulties, poor collaboration and referrals among health professionals and limited training on HTN and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Secondly, health systemerelated barriers included limited health personnel, drug shortages, inadequate facilities and equipment and challenges with National Health Insurance (NHIS). The third theme was patient-related barriers including non-adherence, use of traditional treatments, sociocultural factors and lack of appreciation. Conclusion: A holistic public health approach, which builds upon health professionals’ capacities, harnesses and integrates into existing health policy and systems structures and empowers and collaborates with communities could contribute to improving HTN control in rural settings. Health policymakers need to consider the sociocultural, economic and geographical characteristics in such settings, which influence health service delivery practices in designing and implementing HTN interventions. There is also a need for health policy to integrate NCD training and management of multiple and comorbid conditions into the training curriculum of health training institutions to build health professionals capacity to facilitate the uptake of evidence-based NCD interventions and manage the double burden of diseases.

Source: UG
Factors influencing a long-term relationship between healthcare providers and patients – perspectives of patients at a public regional hospital, Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that influence patients’ long-term relationship with healthcare providers in healthcare delivery at hospitals. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered using 170 patients in a cross-sectional survey with quantitative research methods at a public regional hospital. Results were obtained using descriptive analysis and regression analysis. Findings – Generally, the study found that the health-related factors (the reception of staff, providers’ attitude, waiting time, competence and expertise and the hospital environment) that influence patients’ long-term relationship with the healthcare providers/hospital were statistically significant (p<0.001). The findings showed that overall 90.0 per cent of the patients were very satisfied with the overall healthcare services at the hospital. Research limitations/implications – Limited sample size, lack of examination of healthcare providers’ perspectives and non-application of qualitative methods make it difficult to give a true picture of how these can enhance patients’ intent to keep a long-term relationship with the healthcare providers/ hospital. Practical implications – The paper suggests that health policymakers and practitioners need to enhance measures that will make patients satisfied leading to their long-term commitment and cordial relationship with the healthcare providers/hospital. Social implications – The study demonstrated how health-related factors will be associated with the patients’ agreement/intent to keep a long-term relationship with their service providers at hospitals. Thus, the overall hypothesis was true that there is a relationship between patients’ satisfaction with the healthcare experienced and their long-term relationship with healthcare providers/hospital. Originality/value – This is one of the few studies conducted on the topic in the context of Ghana’s health sector. It recommends that there should be a good interpersonal relationship between healthcare providers and patients, as patients’ satisfaction is not based on only receiving treatment at the health facility.

Source: UG
Factors Influencing Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among Persons Living with Hiv in Accra Metropolis

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an essential component in the management of HIV/AIDS. This research explored the factors influencing adherence to ART among persons living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the Accra Metropolis. An explorative descriptive qualitative design was used to explore the factors influencing adherence to ART among PLWHIV. A total of fourteen (14) participants living with HIV were purposively recruited from the ART clinic in a public Hospital in the Accra Metropolis. In-depth interviews were conducted with each participant lasting about 30-45 minutes. The social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura was used as an organizing framework. The study described the participants‟ behavioural adherence to ART and identified the cognitive and personal factors influencing such adherence. The findings revealed that the factors influencing adherence to ART are categorised into behavioural adherence, personal factors, treatment and self-efficacy factors and environmental factors. Consequently, there is the need for continuous education of PLWHIV on the benefits of adherence to ART.

Source: UG
Factors influencing adherence to the new intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy policy in Keta District of the Volta region, Ghana

Background: About 25% of pregnant women in malaria-endemic areas are infected with malaria and this accounts for about 15% of maternal deaths globally. Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxinepyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is one of the main strategies for prevention of malaria in pregnancy. A new recommendation was made by the World Health Organization (WHO) that at least three doses of IPTp-SP should be administered before delivery. This study sought to determine the factors influencing adherence to the new IPTp-SP policy in Keta District, Volta region, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study among 375 nursing mothers at four selected health facilities in Keta district, Ghana was conducted using a structured questionnaire to interview participants. Sampling proportionate to the size of facility was used to determine the number of nursing mothers from each facility based on the caseload. For each facility systematic random sampling was used to select eligible nursing mothers. Data was analyzed using STATA 15. Chi-square was used to test bivariate association between categorical variables and adherence. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine sociodemographic, individual and institutional factors influencing adherence to IPTp-SP. Result: About 82.1% of participants adhered to the WHO policy recommendations of at least three doses of IPTp- SP. However, only 17.1% received Ghana’s five dose coverage recommendation. The proportion of IPTp-SP coverage for IPTp1 was 98.9%; IPTp2 95.5%; IPTp3 80.8%; IPTp4 39.5%; IPTp5 17.1%. Conclusion: Adherence to IPTp-SP was satisfactory according to WHO’s policy recommendation, however, majority of the participants had less than the five doses recommended in Ghana. Number of Antenatal Care (ANC) visits and knowledge of malaria were the main determinants of adherence to IPTp-SP.

Source: UG
Factors influencing adoption of eHealth technologies in Ghana

This study covers factors influencing the adoption of electronic health (eHealth) technologies in Ghana. The study was designed as a quantitative survey with questionnaire as the main method of data gathering. A total of 1640 questionnaires were administered to users and potential users of eHealth technologies in both public and private healthcare centres in Ghana. The study concludes that institutional characteristics and healthcare manager characteristics have a high influence on eHealth adoption. However, factors related to performance expectancy and effort expectancy only have low influence on the adoption of eHealth devices and systems. Accordingly, the study makes recommendations to policymakers for improving eHealth adoption in the health sector.

Source: UG
Factors influencing adverse events reporting within the health care system: The case of artemisinin-based combination treatments in northern Ghana

Background: The use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria was a policy recommended by World Health Organization. In 2004, Ghana changed her first-line anti-malarial drug policy to use ACT. This study examined factors affecting adverse events reporting in northern Ghana after the introduction of ACT. Methods: This was a qualitative study based on sixty in-depth interviews with health workers, chemical shop owners and patients with malaria who were given ACT at the health facilities. Purposive sampling method was used to select study participants. The interviews were transcribed, coded into themes using Nvivo 9 software. The thematic analysis framework was used to analyse the data. Results: Study respondents reported body weakness and dizziness as the most frequent side effects they had experienced from the used of ACT. Other side effects they reported were swollen testes, abdominal pain and shivering. These side effects were mostly associated with the use of artesunate-Amodiaquine compared to other artemisininbased combinations. Patients were not provided information about the side effects of the drugs and so did not report when they experienced them. Also long queues at health facilities and unfriendly health worker attitude were the main factors affecting adverse events reporting. Other factors such as wrong use of ACT at home, farming and commercial activities also affected effective adverse events reporting in the study area. Conclusion: Patients' lack of knowledge and health sector drawbacks affected side effect reporting on ACT. Intensive health education on likely side effects of ACT should be provided to patients by health workers. Also, improving health worker attitude toward clients will encourage patients to visit the health facilities when they react negatively to ACT and, subsequently, will improve on adverse events reporting. © 2016 Chatio et al.

Source: UG
Factors Influencing Birth Preparedness Among Pregnant Women In Offinso South Municipality

Birth preparedness (BP) is a major factor to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. The main purpose of the study was to determine factors that influence birth preparedness among pregnant women. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used with a sample size of 395 pregnant women in their third trimester recruited for the study at the Offinso South Municipal. A multistage sampling strategy was used for the study. First, the computed sample size was divided equally among the five sub-municipalities. A simple random sampling technique was then used to recruit respondents attending the antenatal clinics at each sub-municipality. A standardized questionnaire was adopted from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and modified to suit the purpose and focus of the study. The data was managed and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 21. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, Pearson (r) correlation was done to determine the relationships between the variables and birth preparedness. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were done to control for possible confounding variables. P-values less than 0.05 were taken as showing significant associations at a 95% confidence level. The findings revealed that pregnant women have good attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and behavioural intention towards birth preparedness. The women were motivated by themselves, their husbands and their peers to do birth preparedness. Moderate and strong positive correlations were established among the study variables. Behavioural intention predicted birth preparedness and partially mediated the relationships between the study variables and birth preparedness. However, minority of the respondents still demonstrated low and poor attitude, socio-cultural beliefs, perceived behavioural control and readiness to do birth preparedness. Therefore, health promotion strategies on birth preparedness are recommended.

Source: UG
Factors influencing career choice of tertiary students in Ghana: A comparison of science and business majors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence Ghanaian tertiary students’ career choices. The paper explores the dimensionality of the career choice factors within the Ghanaian context and also ascertains their degree of influence on students’ career choices. Design/methodology/approach The study employs survey method of research and a set of questionnaire was used to examine the factors that influence students’ career choices. A total of 354 undergraduate students from the Ashesi University College in Ghana participated in the study. Factor analysis was conducted on the career choice factors and differences in response between science and business students were ascertained by means of independent sample t-test. Findings The findings of this study indicate that university students in Ghana place much premium on intrinsic value and employability/financial prospect in their career choice decisions than such factors as prestige and desired working conditions. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study are relevant for policymakers and tertiary education providers interested in making the study of science an attractive option for university students in Ghana. Originality/value The findings of this paper highlight some of the underlining reasons for the unpopularity of the study of sciences among university students in Ghana.

Source: UG
Factors Influencing Change in Behavior among Residents with Drug Addiction in a Mental Hospital in Ghana

Aim Health and nutrition in early childhood are essential for survival, growth and adult life outcomes. As such, a number of global and national interventions have been pursued to improve early childhood health and nutrition. However, child malnutrition is pervasive and endemic across the sub Saharan Africa. This paper therefore assesses the nature and trends of socioeconomic inequalities in child stunting. The paper proceeds to decompose the causes of such socioeconomic-related inequalities over the period covered. Subjects and methods We used data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) for ten sub-Saharan African countries conducted between 2000 and 2016. The study employs an extension to the concentration index for binary health outcomes to measure socioeconomic inequalities in stunting and decompose the causes of inequalities in stunting using a generalized decomposition technique based on recentered influence function regressions. Results The results show substantial pro-rich inequalities in child stunting across sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence of stunting are concentrated among children living in households with low socioeconomic status. In spite of persistent declines in the prevalence of stunting among children under 5 years across the study countries since 2000, trends in socioeconomic inequalities in stunting are mixed. We find significant contributions of child, maternal, and household characteristics to inequalities in child stunting. Conclusion The results suggest that there is the need to design and target nutrition-based interventions at children in low socioeconomic households. In addition, promoting female education and improving access to health and nutrition information will be key to improving child nutrition across the region.

Source: UG
Factors Influencing Change in Behavior among Residents with Drug Addiction in a Mental Hospital in Ghana

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the factors that influence the achievement of the state of sobriety in a drug addiction rehabilitation center. Materials and Methods: A qualitative research approach using an exploratory descriptive design was used. In-depth interviews of 12 residents who received care at a drug addiction rehabilitation center in southern Ghana were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. The participants (residents) were purposively selected for the study from December 2015 to May 2016. The average length of each interview was about an hour. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis. Results: The research revealed that the attitude of health professionals/counselors, residents, and their social support network influenced the change process. Moreover, discomfort produced by drugs/substances and a broadened knowledge base in drugs/substances influenced change. Conclusions: The factors that influenced behavior change were multifactorial. However, positive and negative human factors and the rehabilitation program were instrumental. No single change agent could bring about the desired behavioral change in drug addiction rehabilitation.

Source: UG
Factors Influencing Child Adoption among Women with Infertility in the Bawku Municipality

Having a child is an essential part of every marriage especially in a typical Ghanaian society where children are required for the continuity of lineage. Child adoption provides an alternative for having children and can be used to meet the needs of women who are unable to produce their own children. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing child adoption among women with infertility in the Bawku Municipality. The study was a qualitative research with an exploratory descriptive design. Fifteen women attending fertility clinic at the Presbyterian Hospital, Bawku who met the inclusion criteria were purposively sampled for the study. Data were collected by interviewing the women using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study revealed that the women suffered both psychological and social consequences of infertility. The findings also indicated that the concept of child adoption is known to the women and there were various reasons why some will prefer either informal or formal child adoption. However, the process and requirements for child adoption were not well known by the women. The women stated that the benefits of child adoption include happiness, divine blessings from God, the child being a source of helping hand and also getting a child of your preferred gender. The women also stated the barriers associated with adopting a child as reaction of husbands, psychological dissatisfaction, perceived future uncertainties and unacceptability/discrimination by community members. Some of the women had a positive conviction on their ability to engage in child adoption while others had a negative conviction. The sources of information on child adoption as listed by the women include community members, mass media and religious sources. With regards to behaviours towards child adoption, some women were willing, others were not and yet others were ambivalent. The findings of this study have laid the grounds for efforts to be directed towards educating and supporting infertile women and their partners to explore the option of child adoption.

Source: UG
Factors influencing consumer loyalty towards 3G mobile data service providers: evidence from Ghana

collected from 235 third-generation MDS users. Findings from our partial least square–structural equation modelling analysis indicated that the effects of service quality on trust and satisfaction were significant, subsequently impacting loyalty. Interestingly, our results showed a significant effect of corporate image on trust, but not on satisfaction and loyalty. Our results should help MDS providers by improving strategies on customer retention and loyalty in order increase their market share and profitability. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Source: UG
Factors influencing consumer loyalty: evidence from the Ghanaian retail banking industry

Purpose The increasing number of banks in the Ghanaian banking industry has brought about intense competition in the industry. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to examine the factors that influence retail banking customers’ loyalty intentions. Design/methodology/approach In order to validate the proposed research model, the study adopts a survey design. Data were collected from 565 customers of the top performing banks in terms of customer deposits. Data analysis employed the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) using SmartPLS version 3. Findings Results from the PLS–SEM analysis indicated that satisfaction, service quality and trust had significant effect on loyalty, with satisfaction having the most significant effect. Interestingly corporate image was found to have a significant effect on both satisfaction and trust but not on loyalty. In all, the proposed model accounted for 63.3 percent of the variation in loyalty. Research limitations/implications The current study samples customers from only the top performing banks in Ghana. The use of cross-sectional data makes it impossible to study how customers’ perceptions change over time. Results from this study could, however, help managers of banks in designing strategies aimed at improving customer loyalty in order to consolidate their market share. Originality/value This paper adds to existing works that focus on loyalty in the retail banking sector, especially from the context of a developing economy. The study draws attention to the interrelationship among service quality, perceived value, satisfaction, image, trust and loyalty.

Source: UG