ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
How Much Do We Really Know About Sociosexuality in Ghana?

Sociosexuality describes a person’s willingness and preparedness to engage in uncommitted sexual activity with various sexual partners. Sociosexuality has impor‑ tant implications for sexual health and HIV prevention because it mostly involves willingness to engage in casual sex. Yet to date, there are no prior studies on socio‑ sexuality and its correlates in Ghana. To fll this gap, this study explored the asso‑ ciation between sociosexuality (attitude, desire, and behaviour), gender, sexual sensation seeking, sexual attitudes, and religiosity in romantic relationships among participants (N=315; men=164, women=151) from Ayawaso West Wuogon municipality in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data were analysed using Hier‑ archical Multiple Regression. Results showed that, compared with women, men reported higher unrestricted sociosexuality. Further, sexual sensation seeking and sexual attitudes were positively associated with sociosexuality. However, personal religiosity was not associated with sociosexuality. Sexual attitudes interacted with sexual sensation seeking in infuencing sociosexuality. Our results suggest that some Ghanaian men seem to view uncommitted sex as an appropriate sexual behaviour, consistent with prevailing masculine sexual script norms. The fndings indicate that sexual risk reduction programmes in Ghana should target sociosexuality and sexual sensation seeking.

Source: UG
How often are Ghanaian gallbladder stones cholesterol-rich

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of symptomatic gallbladder stone disease in Ghana increased almost four-fold between 1966 and 1991, little is known about the composition of and aetiopathogenesis of these stones, nor about their suitability for non-surgical (dissolution) treatments. METHODS: To study this, gallstones from 67 out of 90 patients coming to cholecystectomy were retrieved and, based on their external appearance, classified provisionally as cholesterol(chol) (n = 8), black pigment (n = 28) and brown pigment (n = 31) stones. The gallstones were then homogenised, their cholesterol(chol) content measured chemically and the stones re-classified as cholesterol-poor (< 10% chol by weight), intermediate (10-75% chol) and cholesterol-rich (> 75% chol). The relationship between the initial and the definitive classifications was then examined and the biliary bacteriology (carried out on fresh samples of gallbladder(GB) bile obtained by fine needle aspiration) on gallstone composition, analysed. RESULTS: The external appearance correctly predicted stone composition in the 28 thought, initially, to have black pigment stones (all of whom had stones containing < 10% chol by weight, on chemical analysis) and the eight believed, originally to have "cholesterol" stones (all of whom had stones with > 75% chol) but it proved unreliable in the 31 considered, at the time of surgery, to have brown pigment stones (mean chol content 58+ SEM 35%; range 0-98%. By chemical analysis, more than half the patients 35 of 67 or 52% had cholesterol-poor stones, nine (13% of the total) had intermediate stones, while 23 (34%) had cholesterol-rich stones. Cholesterol-rich gallstones were also more frequent in women than in men (p < 0.03). Only nine of 43 patients (21%) whose GB bile was aspirated, had positive bacterial cultures. There was no obvious difference in stone composition between those with positive, and those with negative, cultures. CONCLUSION: Since the majority of Ghanaian patients with cholecystolithiasis have gallbladder stones with < 75% chol by weight, when active treatment is indicated surgery is more appropriate than dissolution therapy. However contrary to common belief, cholesterol-rich gallstones do occur in West Africa: 34% of the present series had stones with > 70% chol by weight.

Source: UG
How optimal is Ghana’s single-digit inflation targeting? An assessment of monetary policy effectiveness in Ghana

Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to estimate an optimal inflation rate for Ghana and second, to investigate factors that account for the differences between observed and target inflation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explored the questions within two econometric frameworks: the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Threshold Regression Models using data spanning the period 1965–2019. Findings: The study estimated a range of 5–7% optimal inflation for Ghana. While this confirms the single-digit inflation targeting by the Bank of Ghana, the range is lower than the central bank’s band of 6–10%. The combined behaviours of the central bank, banks and external outlook influence inflation target misses. Practical implications: The study urges the central bank to continue pursuing its single-digit inflation targeting. However, it implies that there is still room for the Bank to further lower the current inflation band to achieve an optimal outcome for growth and welfare. Again, the Bank should commit to increased transparency and accountability to enhance its credibility in attaining the targeted inflation. Originality/value – The study is one of the first attempts in Africa and Ghana to estimate optimal inflation target and investigate the underlying factors for deviation from the targets

Source: UG
How participation in deliberative engagement affects awareness of, and attitudes towards, genomics research and data sharing: evidence from rural Ghana

Background Deliberative engagement offers an opportunity for communities to provide informed opinions on complex ethical, legal, and social issues in genomic research and biobanking. However, its use is limited, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Ghana. This study examines the influence of deliberative engagement on participants’ awareness of genomic research and attitudes towards data sharing. Methods This research forms part of a larger mixed-methods study exploring deliberative methods for community engagement in genomics research in Ghana. Using a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design, 66 participants completed a baseline survey assessing awareness of genomic research and attitudes toward data sharing. Following this, a deliberative workshop was conducted with facilitated discussions. Post-engagement surveys measured changes in awareness and attitudes, and Fisher’s exact test was used to assess statistical significance. Results Respondents (aged 47–67 years; mean 57, SD 4.2) were predominantly male (65%), with 18% having no formal education. Significant improvements were observed in participants’ awareness of genomic research (51–90%, p = 0.001) and confidence in consent processes ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Other variables, including willingness to share samples and trust in data governance, showed no significant change. Conclusions This study demonstrates that deliberative engagement could enhance awareness of genomic research and offers a promising approach to informing, educating, and fostering dialogue on complex ethical issues in genomic research and biobanking, particularly in resource-limited settings. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Source: UG
How ready are communities to implement actions to improve diets of adolescent girls and women in urban Ghana?

Background: Ghana has reached an advanced stage of nutrition transition, contributing to an increase in nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, particularly amongst urban women. Community involvement is an important factor in the success of efforts to promote healthy eating. The readiness of populations to accept a range of interventions needs to be understood before appropriate interventions can be implemented. Therefore, this study assessed how ready urban communities are to improve diets of women of reproductive age in Ghana. Methods: Using the Community Readiness Model (CRM), in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 key informants from various sectors in low income communities across two cities in Ghana: Accra and Ho. The CRM consists of 36 open questions addressing five readiness dimensions (community knowledge of efforts, leadership, community climate, knowledge of the issue and resources). Interviews were scored using the CRM protocol with a maximum of 9 points per dimension (from 1 = no awareness to 9 = high level of community ownership). Thematic analysis was undertaken to gain insights of community factors that could affect the implementation of interventions to improve diets. Results: The mean community readiness scores indicated that both communities were in the “vague awareness stage” (3.35 ± 0.54 (Accra) and 3.94 ± 0.41 (Ho)). CRM scores across the five dimensions ranged from 2.65–4.38/9, ranging from denial/resistance to pre-planning. In both communities, the mean readiness score for ‘knowledge of the issue’ was the highest of all dimensions (4.10 ± 1.61 (Accra); 4.38 ± 1.81 (Ho)), but was still only at the pre-planning phase. The lowest scores were found for community knowledge of efforts (denial/resistance; 2.65 ± 2.49 (Accra)) and resources (vague awareness; 3.35 ± 1.03 (Ho)). The lack of knowledge of the consequences of unhealthy diets, misconceptions of the issue partly from low education, as well as challenges faced from a lack of resources to initiate/sustain programmes explained the low readiness. Conclusions: Despite recognizing that unhealthy diets are a public health issue in these urban Ghanaian communities, it is not seen as a priority. The low community readiness ratings highlight the need to increase awareness of the issue prior to intervening to improve diets.

Source: UG
How to bring research evidence into policy? Synthesizing strategies of fve research projects in low-and middle-income countries

Background: Addressing the uptake of research fndings into policy-making is increasingly important for research ers who ultimately seek to contribute to improved health outcomes. The aims of the Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development (r4d Programme) initiated by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation are to create and disseminate knowledge that supports policy changes in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This paper reports on fve r4d research projects and shows how researchers engage with various stakeholders, including policy-makers, in order to assure uptake of the research results. Methods: Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted with principal investigators and their research partners from fve r4d projects, using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews explored the process of how stakeholders and policy-makers were engaged in the research project. Results: Three key strategies were identifed as fostering research uptake into policies and practices: (S1) stakehold ers directly engaged with and sought evidence from researchers; (S2) stakeholders were involved in the design and throughout the implementation of the research project; and (S3) stakeholders engaged in participatory and transdis ciplinary research approaches to coproduce knowledge and inform policy. In the frst strategy, research evidence was directly taken up by international stakeholders as they were actively seeking new evidence on a very specifc topic to up-date international guidelines. In the second strategy, examples from two r4d projects show that collaboration with stakeholders from early on in the projects increased the likelihood of translating research into policy, but that the latter was more efective in a supportive and stable policy environment. The third strategy adopted by two other r4d projects demonstrates the benefts of promoting colearning as a way to address potential power dynamics and work ing efectively across the local policy landscape through robust research partnerships. Conclusions: This paper provides insights into the diferent strategies that facilitate collaboration and communica tion between stakeholders, including policy-makers, and researchers. However, it remains necessary to increase our understanding of the interests and motivations of the diferent actors involved in the process of infuencing policy, identify clear policy-infuencing objectives and provide more institutional support to engage in this complex and time-intensive process.

Source: UG
How to bring research evidence into policy? Synthesizing strategies of five research projects in low‑and middle‑income countries

Background: Addressing the uptake of research findings into policy-making is increasingly important for researchers who ultimately seek to contribute to improved health outcomes. The aims of the Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development (r4d Programme) initiated by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation are to create and disseminate knowledge that supports policy changes in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This paper reports on five r4d research projects and shows how researchers engage with various stakeholders, including policy-makers, in order to assure uptake of the research results. Methods: Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted with principal investigators and their research partners from five r4d projects, using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews explored the process of how stakeholders and policy-makers were engaged in the research project. Results: Three key strategies were identified as fostering research uptake into policies and practices: (S1) stakeholders directly engaged with and sought evidence from researchers; (S2) stakeholders were involved in the design and throughout the implementation of the research project; and (S3) stakeholders engaged in participatory and transdisciplinary research approaches to coproduce knowledge and inform policy. In the first strategy, research evidence was directly taken up by international stakeholders as they were actively seeking new evidence on a very specific topic to up-date international guidelines. In the second strategy, examples from two r4d projects show that collaboration with stakeholders from early on in the projects increased the likelihood of translating research into policy, but that the latter was more effective in a supportive and stable policy environment. The third strategy adopted by two other r4d projects demonstrates the benefits of promoting colearning as a way to address potential power dynamics and working effectively across the local policy landscape through robust research partnerships. Conclusions: This paper provides insights into the different strategies that facilitate collaboration and communication between stakeholders, including policy-makers, and researchers. However, it remains necessary to increase our understanding of the interests and motivations of the different actors involved in the process of influencing policy, identify clear policy-influencing objectives and provide more institutional support to engage in this complex and time-intensive process.

Source: UG
How To Optimize Materials and Devices via Design of Experiments and Machine Learning: Demonstration Using Organic Photovoltaics

Most discoveries in materials science have been made empirically, typically through one-variable-at-a-time (Edisonian) experimentation. The characteristics of materials-based systems are, however, neither simple nor uncorrelated. In a device such as an organic photovoltaic, for example, the level of complexity is high due to the sheer number of components and processing conditions, and thus, changing one variable can have multiple unforeseen effects due to their interconnectivity. Design of Experiments (DoE) is ideally suited for such multivariable analyses: by planning one's experiments as per the principles of DoE, one can test and optimize several variables simultaneously, thus accelerating the process of discovery and optimization while saving time and precious laboratory resources. When combined with machine learning, the consideration of one's data in this manner provides a different perspective for optimization and discovery, akin to climbing out of a narrow valley of serial (one-variable-at-a-time) experimentation, to a mountain ridge with a 360° view in all directions.

Source: UG
How to scale-up: a comparative case study of scaling up a district health management strengthening intervention in Ghana, Malawi and Uganda

Background The need to scale up public health interventions in low- and middle-income countries to ensure equitable and sustainable impact is widely acknowledged. However, there has been little understanding of how projects have sought to address the importance of scale-up in the design and implementation of their initiatives. This paper aims to gain insight into the facilitators of the scale-up of a district-level health management strengthening intervention in Ghana, Malawi and Uganda. Methods The study took a comparative case study approach with two rounds of data collection (2019 and 2021) in which a combination of different qualitative methods was applied. Interviews and group discussions took place with district, regional and national stakeholders who were involved in the implementation and scale-up of the intervention. Results A shared vision among the different stakeholders about how to institutionalize the intervention into the existing system facilitated scale-up. The importance of champions was also identified, as they influence buy-in from key decision makers, and when decision makers are convinced, political and financial support for scale-up can increase. In two countries, a specific window of opportunity facilitated scale-up. Taking a flexible approach towards scale-up, allowing adaptations of the intervention and the scale-up strategy to the context, was also identified as a facilitator. The context of decentralization and the politics and power relations between stakeholders involved also influenced scale-up. Conclusions Despite the identification of the facilitators of the scale-up, full integration of the intervention into the health system has proven challenging in all countries. Approaching scale-up from a systems change perspective could be useful in future scale-up efforts, as it focuses on sustainable systems change at scale (e.g. improving district health management) by testing a combination of interventions that could contribute to the envisaged change, rather than horizontally scaling up and trying to embed one particular intervention in the system.

Source: UG
How women are treated during facility-based childbirth: development and validation of measurement tools in four countries – phase 1 formative research study protocol

Background Every woman has the right to dignified, respectful care during childbirth. Recent evidence has demonstrated that globally many women experience mistreatment during labour and childbirth in health facilities, which can pose a significant barrier to women attending facilities for delivery and can contribute to poor birth experiences and adverse outcomes for women and newborns. However there is no clear consensus on how mistreatment of women during childbirth in facilities is defined and measured. We propose using a two-phased, mixed-methods study design in four countries to address these research gaps. This protocol describes the Phase 1 qualitative research activities.Methods/Design We will employ qualitative research methodologies among women, healthcare providers and administrators in the facility catchment areas of two health facilities in each country: Ghana, Guinea, Myanmar and Nigeria. In-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) will be conducted among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) to explore their perceptions and experiences of facility-based childbirth care, focused on how they were treated by healthcare workers and perceived factors affecting how they were treated. IDIs will also be conducted with healthcare providers of different cadres (e.g.: nurses, midwives, medical officers, specialist obstetricians) and facility administrators working in the selected facilities to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions and experiences of facility-based childbirth care and how staff are treated, colleagues and supervisors. Audio recordings will be transcribed and translated to English. Textual data will be analysed using a thematic framework approach and will consist of two levels of analysis: (1) conduct of local analysis workshops with the research assistants in each country; and (2) line-by-line coding to develop a thematic framework and coding scheme.Discussion This study serves several roles. It will provide an in-depth understanding of how women are treated during childbirth in four countries and perceived factors associated with this mistreatment. It will also provide data on where and how an intervention could be developed to reduce mistreatment and promote respectful care. The findings from this study will contribute to the development of tools to measure the prevalence of mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth.

Source: UG
HPV18 L1 and long control region sequences variation and E6/E7 diferential expression in nasopharyngeal and cervical cancers: a comparative study

Background The role of high-risk human papillomaviruses (hr-HPVs) in cervical cancer (CC) pathogenesis has long been established. Knowledge about the involvement of hr-HPVs in the etiology of nasopharyngeal cancers (NPC) was not well appreciated until the early 2000s when a clear link began to emerge. However, it is not clear whether HPV oncogenesis in the diferent epithelial cancers is associated with L1 gene and long-control region (LCR) sequences variation. This study aimed to investigate the HPV18 L1 gene and LCR sequences variation in cervical and nasopharyngeal biopsies, and assessed E6 and E7 genes expression level in both cancers. Method Four-hundred and three (403) formalin-fxed parafn-embedded tissues originating from nasopharyngeal (NPC) (279) and cervical (CC) (124) sites were collected from a pathology laboratory, Pathologist Without Borders, Accra, Ghana. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was carried out to confrm the presence of cancer on prepared biopsy sections. DNA was extracted from the confrmed cancer biopsies, followed by PCR using MY09/GP5+/6+primers to detect the presence of HPV and specifc primers for the amplifcation of L1 gene and LCR. Sanger sequencing was carried out to determine HPV genotypes, and L1 and LCR sequences variant of HPV18s in CC and NPC biopsies. The HPV18 E6/E7 mRNA expression pattern in both cancers was determined using RT-qPCR. Results Most of the NPC (45%) and CC (55%) biopsies were HPV18 positive. Comparison of HPV18 L1 sequences obtained from cervical and nasopharyngeal cancer tissues, the L1 sequences from the NPC were highly dissimilar with a 59–100% variation among themselves, and in relation to the reference strains. However, the L1 sequences from the CC were more similar with a 91.0–100% variation among the amplifed sequences. Also, the LCR sequences from CC were quite diferent relative to that of NPC. Results for the diferential expression of E6/E7 in the two cancers showed a higher fold change in E6 expression in the CC tissues than the NPC tissues while a reverse expression pat tern was found for E7 gene. Conclusion The current study reports for the frst-time variations in HPV18 L1 and LCR sequences, and diferential expression of E6/E7 genes in NPC compared to CC, suggesting a possible adaptation mechanism of the virus at difer ent cancer sites.

Source: UG