ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Trends in antenatal care visits and associated factors in Ghana from 2006 to 2018

Introduction: Given that maternal mortality is a major global health concern, multiple measures including antenatal care visits have been promoted by the global community. However, most pregnant women in Ghana and other sub Saharan African countries do not attain the recommended timelines, in addition to a slower progress towards meet‑ ing the required minimum of eight visits stipulated by the World Health Organization. Therefore, this study explored the trends in antenatal care visits and the associated factors in Ghana from 2006 to 2018 using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Methods: The study used women datasets (N =7795) aged 15 to 49 years from three waves (2006, 2011, and 2017-2018) of the Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (GMICS). STATA version 14 was used for data analyses. Univariable analyses, bivariable analyses with chi-square test of independence, and multivariable analyses with robust multinomial logistic regression models were ftted. Results: The study found a consistent increase in the proportion of women having adequate and optimal antena‑ tal attendance from 2006 to 2018 across the women’s sociodemographic segments. For instance, the proportion of mothers achieving adequate antenatal care (4 to 7 antenatal care visits) increased from 49.3% in 2006 to 49.98% in 2011 to 58.61% in 2017-2018. In the multivariable model, women with upward attainment of formal education, health insurance coverage, increasing household wealth, and residing in the Upper East Region were consistently associated with a higher likelihood of adequate and/or optimal antenatal care attendance from 2006 to 2018. Conclusion: Women who are less likely to achieve optimal antenatal care visits should be targeted by policies towards reducing maternal mortalities and other birth complications. Poverty-reduction policies, promoting mater‑ nal and girl-child education, improving general livelihood in rural settings, expanding health insurance coverage and infrastructural access, harnessing community-level structures, and innovative measures such as telehealth and telemedicine are required to increase antenatal care utilization.

Source: UG
Trends in financing of basic education in Ghana – a political economy analysis

Purpose – Using a political economy framework, this paper examines the financing trend, by investigating three systematic spikes occurring between 2004 and 2016. The study aims to provide a useful review of the interaction of politics, financial decisions and educational outcomes. Additionally it provides a useful guide, especially to academics, to identify political and economic conceptualizations that will predict expenditure decision-making of political actors and to be able to provide policy advice on the future effect of such decisions on availability and accessibility of public goods. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts a secondary data analysis approach, drawing upon secondary data sources such as from the Ministry of Education, budget statements from the Ministry of Finance, as well as relevant policy documents. Additional information for the study was also extracted from the manifestos of the two leading political parties in Ghana – the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress and their viewpoints on financing of education in Ghana. Findings – Using two epochal years when financing of education peaked (2008 and 2012), which coincided with election years, the trend lends itself to being interpreted as opportunistic spending. It appears to give credence to a conclusion that the increases in spending are more politically directed and nonneutral. Originality/value – This paper fulfills an identified need to study the trend of basic education financing in Ghana, which will help policy actors make better-informed decisions with the introduction of the novel “adaptive opportunism” framework analysis tool.

Source: UG
Trends in indigenous forms of mutual cooperation: Cases from Ghana

Mutual cooperation has been a feature of African societies, particularly of Ghana. In the pre-colonial era, traditional societies relied on cooperation to mobilize social capital. Through a network of interdependence, individuals exchanged different types of help based on their relationship. Colonial rule, the impact of urbanisation, education and religion led to the invention of new forms of ethnic or indigenous voluntary associations in urban areas, which acted as bridges between the migrants and their communities. Indeed, these changes find explanation in the complexity theory, which helps us to understand the changes associated with the voluntary associations in terms of emergence, adaptability and self-organisation. This study, which was a case study research, collected data from leaders and members of associations through in-depth interviews and documentary sources. The result reveals that as associations adapt through co-evolution and internal and external changes, those who are not able to change to their environment atrophy. Those associations, such as the Mpraesoman kuo the Peki Union and BONABOTO, that have adapted to their environment continue to be in a state of flux.

Source: UG
Trends in malaria admissions at the Mbakong Health Centre of the North West Region of Cameroon: A retrospective study

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
Trends in malaria admissions at the Mbakong Health Centre of the North West Region of Cameroon: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Malaria is the leading cause of death worldwide. It is urgent to assess the impact of interventions and scaled-up control efforts. Despite reported reduction in malaria prevalence in Africa, the trends in Cameroon are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the trends in malaria admissions among febrile patients seeking treatment over a seven-year period (2006&#8211;2012) in an endemic area in Cameroon, hypothesizing a declining trend. This period followed changes in malaria treatment policy. The objectives were to identify possible trends in malaria admissions and to evaluate the impact of changes to treatment guidelines on the prevalence. Methods Data was collected through consultation and perusal of laboratory and prescription registers of the Mbakong Health Centre. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and SAS Statistics. Results Analysis revealed that 4,230 febrile patients were received from 2006&#8211;2012. Of these febrile cases, 29.30% were confirmed positive. Between 2006 and 2012 confirmed malaria positive cases of those tested fluctuated, dropping from 53.21% in 2006 to 17.20% in 2008; then rising to 35.00% in 2011 and, finally, dropping to 18.2% of those tested in 2012. The prevalence in females and males across all age groups were similar: a slightly higher risk of males to have malaria (OR&#8201;=&#8201;1.08, 95% CI 0.94-1.25) were not practically significant. Of those tested, the 5 to&#8201;&lt;&#8201;15&#160;years and the 1 to&#8201;&lt;&#8201;5&#160;years age groups were the hardest hit by malaria in the area. A practically visible and significant association was observed between the age and gender with regards to the number of malaria positive results (Pearson &#215;2&#8201;=&#8201;153.675, p&#8201;&lt;&#8201;0.00001, Cramer&#8217;s V&#8201;=&#8201;0.352). Malaria prevalence exhibited a fluctuating yet declining trend, as observed over the 28 quarters between January, 2006 and December, 2012. Conclusions The changes to the treatment guidelines appear to result in a declining trend as was observed between 2006 and 2008. However, malaria admissions fluctuated between 2008 and 2012. There is, therefore, a need to step up control efforts of especially the vulnerable groups, such as the very young.

Source: UG
Trends in malaria case management following changes in the treatment policy to artemisinin combination therapy at the Mbakong Health Centre, Cameroon 2006–2012: A retrospective study

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Trends in multiplicity of plasmodium falciparum infections among asymptomatic residents in the middle belt of Ghana

BACKGROUND: Malaria is the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in children living in the Kintampo districts in the middle part of Ghana. This study has investigated the multiplicity of infection (MOI) within asymptomatic residents of the Kintampo districts, and the influence of age and seasonality on MOI, by studying the distribution of the polymorphic Plasmodium falciparum antigen merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2). METHODS: DNA was extracted from an asymptomatic cohort of children and adults infected with P. falciparum during the period November 2003 to October 2004. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out and multiplicity of infection (MOI) was determined. RESULTS: Children under 10 years of age had an average MOI of 2.3 while adults 18 years and above had an average MOI of 1.4. Children below five years had high and low average MOIs of 2.8 in the March/April survey and 0.9 in the May/June survey respectively. A similar trend in the monthly distribution of MOI was observed for the entire cohort. IC/3D7 strains outnumbered the FC27 strains throughout the year by a ratio of about 4:1 with the difference between the prevalence of the two strains being least marked in the March/April survey, at the beginning of the rainy season. MOI was not linked to the level of malaria transmission as measured by the entomological inoculation rate. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The impact of interventions, introduced since this baseline study was carried out on the parasite diversity of asymptomatic residents will be the subject of further investigations.

Source: UG
Trends in multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infections among asymptomatic residents in the middle belt of Ghana

Abstract Background Malaria is the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in children living in the Kintampo districts in the middle part of Ghana. This study has investigated the multiplicity of infection (MOI) within asymptomatic residents of the Kintampo districts, and the influence of age and seasonality on MOI, by studying the distribution of the polymorphic Plasmodium falciparum antigen merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2). Methods DNA was extracted from an asymptomatic cohort of children and adults infected with P. falciparum during the period November 2003 to October 2004. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out and multiplicity of infection (MOI) was determined. Results Children under 10 years of age had an average MOI of 2.3 while adults 18 years and above had an average MOI of 1.4. Children below five years had high and low average MOIs of 2.8 in the March/April survey and 0.9 in the May/June survey respectively. A similar trend in the monthly distribution of MOI was observed for the entire cohort. IC/3D7 strains outnumbered the FC27 strains throughout the year by a ratio of about 4:1 with the difference between the prevalence of the two strains being least marked in the March/April survey, at the beginning of the rainy season. MOI was not linked to the level of malaria transmission as measured by the entomological inoculation rate. Discussion/conclusion The impact of interventions, introduced since this baseline study was carried out on the parasite diversity of asymptomatic residents will be the subject of further investigations.

Source: UG
Trends in Public Sector Reforms

The public sector has an enormous impact on all citizens in Ghana and other African countries for the following reasons: (a) it provides goods and services (sanitation, water, electricity) that are important for development; (b) it seeks to promote the general welfare of citizens; (c) it spearheads economic policy making and management; (d) it is responsible for the maintenance of law and order. To the ordinary citizen, the public sector provides passable roads during the rainy season, clinics with drugs and qualified personnel to go to when he/she is ill and well-equipped schools for his/her children to attend. It has been pointed out that one dominating interest in the public sector is the public interest, which sets limits to the influence of the self-interests in politics and administration. Against this background, this chapter addresses the following issues: a) reviews the literature on the reform of the public sector in Ghana in the pre and post-structural adjustment programme (SAP) period; b) identifies the major thrust of the reforms and the factors that have contributed to either their success or failure; and c) recommends measures that can be implemented to move forward the reform of public sector

Source: UG
Trends in Spatio-Temporal Rainfall Variability in Ghana, (1951-2000)

Rainfall variability in humid West Africa (south of 8oN) is less studied than that of the Sahelian zone, the data for which are responsible for the general consensus of a downward rainfall trend in West Africa over the last few decades. Such a generalization may not be useful for modelling and planning purposes. Rainfall mechanisms in the drier Sahel and the humid Guinea Coast region differ; the former region has a single rainfall peak (in summer) but the latter region has a bi-modal seasonal distribution. It is therefore not necessarily true that a failure in the rainfall regime in one zone – and its subsequent impact on agriculture and livelihood – means the same for the other. In fact, it has been observed that a warmer South Atlantic is associated with more rainfall in the Guinea Coast region and less rainfall in the Sahel (Gu and Adler, 2003). It is also suggested that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon (ENSO) may be more strongly associated with Sahelian rainfall than with that of the Guinea Coast region (Ward et al., 2004). Therefore there is a need to investigate rainfall trends and variability in the humid areas to better inform agricultural decision-makers. Agricultural productivity has decreased in recent decades following declining rainfall since the early 1970s, with the rainfall showing signs of improvement after 2000. This analysis will contribute to the knowledge of rainfall trends and aid in agricultural and allied industrial decision-making in this important agro-climatic zone. The study utilizes annual rainfall totals over 50 years to identify the spatial and temporal dimensions of rainfall variability in Ghana by comparing the characteristics of the period 1951 to 1970 and 1981 to 2000, hereafter referred to as P1 and P2 respectively. Specific emphasis is placed on the subhumid area of mid-Ghana because of its national and regional significance to agricultural production and food security.

Source: UG
Trends in spousal age difference at first marriage in Sub-Saharan Africa

Spousal age differences are highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, where trends in age at first marriage indicate an increase for both men and women. However, the net outcome for spousal age difference is difficult to predict without explicit analysis of these distributions. This study examines differentials in spousal age for women in first union. Further, it examines differences within population sub-groups and across countries, focusing on the influence of age at marriage and educational attainment. The analysis pools 144 survey datasets from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted between 1980 and 2020 in 34 countries. OLS regression analysis was used to predict the spousal age difference at marriage with five-year cohorts used to study time trends. The analysis finds a decline of 1.7 years in the spousal age difference at first marriage between the earliest (1980–1984) and most recent (2014–2019), indicating that there has been minimal reduction in age at first marriage over four decades, despite rising ages at marriage for females. Increasing age at first marriage and educational attainment of women partly explain the decline observed over time.

Source: UG
Trends in the characteristics of maxillofacial fractures in Nigeria. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Purpose The study purpose was to assess the changes in the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in 2 different study periods. Patients and Methods We conducted retrospective study of 341 patients treated for maxillofacial fractures between January 1978 and December 1982 and a prospective study of 483 patients treated between January 1995 and December 1999 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were collected on age, gender, etiologic factor, and site of injury. Results The male-to-female ratio reduced in the second period by a factor of 2.0. Patients in the age groups of 21 to 30 years and older than 60 years increased by a factor of 1.8 and 2.9, respectively, in the second period. Assaults, falls, sporting injuries, and industrial accidents in the second period increased by a factor of 1.4, 1.5, 3.5, and 1.5, respectively. The ratio between road traffic accidents and other causes changed from 3.4:1 to 2.2:1 in the second period. Mandibular fractures increased by 2% in the second study period. Conclusion The data confirmed that although other etiologic factors are increasing in number, road traffic accidents remains the major etiologic factor of maxillofacial fractures in Nigeria. There is a need to enforce seat belt use, speed limit, and drink driving laws to reduce maxillofacial injuries caused by road traffic accidents; to organize preventive programs to minimize assaults, and to legislate the wearing of headgear by industrial workers. It has been observed that the incidence and pattern of fractures of the maxillofacial region have changed over the years.1 The most common cause of facial fractures in the world in the past was road traffic accidents,2, 3, 4 and 5 but recent research has revealed that at the present time, the most frequent cause in many nations is assaults.6 Periodic verification of the etiology of maxillofacial fractures helps to assess the proficiency of road safety measures such as speed limit, drunk driving, and seat belt laws and the behavioral patterns of people in different countries and helps to recommend other ways in which injuries to the face can be averted.7 In global literature, studies that examined the changes in pattern of maxillofacial fractures were conducted in Great Britain,8 Germany,9 and The Netherlands,10 but none have been conducted in this region of world. This study, which compares 2 timespans at a Nigerian hospital, was embarked on to review variations in the pattern of maxillofacial fractures and to compare it with similar studies in other regions of the world.

Source: UG
Trends in the development of archaeology and heritage studies in Ghana

The discipline of Archaeology and Heritage studies is of cardinal importance in Ghana, largely because writing as a medium of heritage and historical transmission was a relatively recent introduction. Western written documentation on Ghana's past has superficial time-depth going only as far back as the fifteenth century AD. This gave the impression, in historical terms, of a country of utter darkness in pre-European times. Moreover, the European interpretation of Ghana's cultural heritage record was replete with biases and distortions and depicted African peoples and traditions as backward and stagnant entities. This distorted image is seen by modern African scholars as literary product of colonial scientific imperialism. For the onerous task of correcting this negative image, and providing an authentic reconstruction of past heritage, that portrays long-range time-depth, Ghana's scholars have to rely chiefly on archaeology which currently provides scientific chronology back to 40,000 years at least and also on oral traditions, ethnographies and art history. These are all authentic indigenous sources. They provide the raw material for local academics to process and package the only export commodity that is most unique to Ghana that is its historical and cultural heritage.

Source: UG
Trends in the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation and its Effect on Delivery Outcomes in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana

Rational: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is prevalent in northern Ghana, as the practice is seen as a passage rite to women adulthood and thus undertaken just before marriage. Objectives: We determined the changes in trend of FGM in deliveries at the Navrongo War Memo-rial hospital, and compared the outcomes and FGM status. Design: Retrospective extraction and analysis of delivery data at the hospital from 1st January 1996 to 31st December 2003. Results: Of the 5071 deliveries, about 29% (1466/5071) were associated with FGM. The high-est prevalence (95% CI) of 61.5% (50.9, 71.2) was in women aged 40 years and above, and the lowest of 14.4% (11.7, 17.0) was in women below 20 years. The all-age prevalence of FGM showed a significant decline (p-value for linear trend < 0.01) from 35.2% in 1996 to 21.1% in 2003. About 6% (89/1466) of mothers with FGM had stillbirths compared with about 3% (123/3605) of mothers without FGM. Again FGM was associated with 8.2% (120/1466) caesarean section rate compared with 6.7% (241/3605) in mothers without FGM. Mean birth weight and frequency of low birth weights were not significantly associated with FGM status. Conclusion: Although there is a high rate of FGM among mothers in the district and is associated with a higher proportion of stillbirths and caesar-ean sections, practice has shown a significant de-cline in the district in recent years due to the pre-vailing campaigns and intervention studies. There is therefore the need to sustain the ongoing inter-vention efforts.

Source: UG