ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Accessibility of Library Resources and Support Services by Distance Learners: A Study of University of Cape Coast Library

The purpose of this paper is to determine the knowledge and accessibility of library resources to the distance students in the University of Cape Coast. The study adopted a mixed methodology with the use of both interview guide and questionnaire. It was supported by documentary analysis of 271 data, comprising 270 respondents from the Distance Learners of the Cape Coast centre of College of Distance Education (CoDE), UCC and one Distance Education Librarian. Data for the study were collected between 1st and 22nd February 2019 with the help of a colleague. Some major findings are as follows: Distance learners generally appreciate the services and support libraries offer, but the scope of service accessibility is limited mainly due to lack of awareness. Also, so far, the library’s effort is not good enough as far as distance user awareness of library services and practicality of information literacy instruction for distance learners in the University are concerned. The study is limited to the Cape Coast centre of the College of Distance Education only, excluding the postgraduate students. The following are the implications of the study: Firstly, the library must increase efforts to make itself visible enough to distance learners. This will help distance learners who enrol in academic programmes to graduate from the school after tapping into the library resources. Secondly, the library should be dynamic and respond to the specific needs of distance learners and also connect directly with faculties involved in the distance programme.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and attitude of patients with diabetes in government hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia mainly due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin hormone. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of clients with diabetes and its relationship with self-management practices in Government hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional survey and adopted stratified sampling technique to select 201 respondents. Questionnaires were used for data collection with a reliability coefficient of 0.8. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21. Results: Knowledge on diabetes was high with the overall mean percentage of 72.8%. Diabetes patients had positive attitude with mean percentage of 84.4%. There was also significant relationship between knowledge of diabetes and self-management practices (p=0.0001) as well as attitude of diabetes patients and self-management practices (p=0.001). Conclusions: Diabetes patients in the Upper West Region have in-depth knowledge on the disease condition, self- management practices and positive attitude. These sign of awareness of the disease will very much assist in making the control of the condition easier in the area.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and Attitude of Patients with Diabetes in Government Hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia mainly due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin hormone. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of clients with diabetes and its relationship with self-management practices in Government hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional survey and adopted stratified sampling technique to select 201 respondents. Questionnaires were used for data collection with a reliability coefficient of 0.8. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21. Results: Knowledge on diabetes was high with the overall mean percentage of 72.8%. Diabetes patients had positive attitude with mean percentage of 84.4%. There was also significant relationship between knowledge of diabetes and self-management practices (p=0.0001) as well as attitude of diabetes patients and self-management practices (p=0.001). Conclusions: Diabetes patients in the Upper West Region have in-depth knowledge on the disease condition, self-management practices and positive attitude. These sign of awareness of the disease will very much assist in making the control of the condition easier in the area.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and attitude of patients with diabetes in government hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia mainly due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin hormone. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of clients with diabetes and its relationship with self-management practices in Government hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional survey and adopted stratified sampling technique to select 201 respondents. Questionnaires were used for data collection with a reliability coefficient of 0.8. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21. Results: Knowledge on diabetes was high with the overall mean percentage of 72.8%. Diabetes patients had positive attitude with mean percentage of 84.4%. There was also significant relationship between knowledge of diabetes and self-management practices (p=0.0001) as well as attitude of diabetes patients and self-management practices (p=0.001). Conclusions: Diabetes patients in the Upper West Region have in-depth knowledge on the disease condition, self management practices and positive attitude. These sign of awareness of the disease will very much assist in making the control of the condition easier in the area.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and attitudes of diabetes patients on self management practices in government hospitals in the Upper West Region

The study aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitudes of diabetes clients on self-management practices in public hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The research was a cross-sectional survey. It adopted stratified sampling technique to select 201 respondents. A questionnaire was used in the study for data collection with a reliability coefficient of 0.8.The data was analysed using the SPSS version 21. The findings of the study revealed that diabetic patients are highly knowledgeable about the disease. Also to a greater extent patient demonstrated a positive attitude toward diabetes. The study also revealed to a significant extent that patients hadfew barriers regarding selfmanagement practices. The clinics provided several services to diabetic patients. It was also evident that diabetes patients to a greater extent adhere to prescribed self-management practices. There was also significant relationship between knowledge and attitudes of diabetes clients and self-management practices. It further revealed that demographic factors have no effect on self management practices. Finally, there was a significant difference among the hospitals and their self-management practices

Source: UCC
Knowledge and Attitudes of Diabetes Patients on Self-management Practices in Government Hospitals in the Upper West Region

The study aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitudes of diabetes clients on self-management practices in public hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The research was a cross-sectional survey. It adopted stratified sampling technique to select 201 respondents. A questionnaire was used in the study for data collection with a reliability coefficient of 0.8. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21. The findings of the study revealed that diabetic patients are highly knowledgeable about the disease. Also, to a greater extent patient demonstrated a positive attitude toward diabetes. The study also revealed to a significant extent that patients had few barriers regarding self-management practices. The clinics provided several services to diabetic patients. It was also evident that diabetes patients to a greater extent adhere to prescribed self-management practices. There was also significant relationship between knowledge and attitudes of diabetes clients and self-management practices. It further revealed that demographic factors have no effect on self-management practices. Finally, there was a significant difference among the hospitals and their self-management practices.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and attitudes of NGOs towards their tax obligations – a study of selected NGOs in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area, Western Region, Ghana.

In a developing country like Ghana, the pivotal role that taxation plays in Government’s efforts at raising revenue required for development cannot be over-emphasised. For an effective and efficient tax system to prevail, the people must exhibit voluntary tax compliance. This can only be achieved when the people know their rights and responsibilities under the tax laws. This work attempts to study the knowledge and attitudes of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) towards their tax obligations. The study focuses on NGOs in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area of the Western Region of Ghana. Among the study’s objectives were to: assess the knowledge of NGOs of their tax obligations; examine their understanding of the tax laws; and also to examine the extent of NGOs’ sensitization on their tax obligations. Two sets of questionnaire were used to solicit the views of sampled NGOs and officials of the Internal Revenue Service. Among findings of the study were that: most NGOs have poor knowledge and understanding of their tax obligations; and that no programme exists for sensitizing NGOs on their rights and obligations.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and attitudes of operators of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality towards taxation

A former South African Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel stated that the obligation to pay one’s fair share of taxes as and when they fall due is part of the new morality which democratic governance must inculcate in every South African. He accepted that tax evasion and fraud are among the most insidious forms of criminality that plague the South African society and that millions of Rand are diverted every day from the fiscus by tax criminals (Oberholzer 2008). Limited research on taxpayers’ knowledge and attitudes of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has been conducted in Ghana. This research reports the results of a study carried out amongst Non-Governmental Organisations in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality by means of interviews and questionnaires. This study employed a cross-sectional survey to obtain data from respondents. Eighty members of staff of NGOs and twenty eight members of staff of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) were sampled for the study. The stratified sampling technique was used in the study. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. This research is important because it will assist government to raise the much needed revenue for development, it will assist government to cut down deficit financing and provide a blue print for effectively taxing NGOs. Among the study’s objectives were to: assess the knowledge of NGOs of their tax obligations; Two sets of questionnaire were used to solicit the views of sampled NGOs and officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority. Among findings of study were that: most NGOs have poor knowledge and understanding of their tax obligations; and that no programme exists for sensitizing NGOs on their rights and obligations.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and attitudes of operators of nongovernmental organizations (NGOS) in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality towards taxation

A former South African Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel stated that the obligation to pay one’s fair share of taxes as and when they fall due is part of the new morality which democratic governance must inculcate in every South African. He accepted that tax evasion and fraud are among the most insidious forms of criminality that plague the South African society and that millions of Rand are diverted every day from the fiscus by tax criminals (Oberholzer 2008). Limited research on taxpayers’ knowledge and attitudes of NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) has been conducted in Ghana. This research reports the results of a study carried out amongst Non-Governmental Organisations in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality by means of interviews and questionnaires. This study employed a cross-sectional survey to obtain data from respondents. Eighty members of staff of NGOs and twenty eight members of staff of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) were sampled for the study. The stratified sampling technique was used in the study. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. This research is important because it will assist government to raise the much needed revenue for development, it will assist government to cut down deficit financing and provide a blue print for effectively taxing NGOs. Among the study’s objectives were to: assess the knowledge of NGOs of their tax obligations; Two sets of questionnaire were used to solicit the views of sampled NGOs and officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority. Among findings of study were that: most NGOs have poor knowledge and understanding of their tax obligations;

Source: UCC
Knowledge and Awareness of HIV/AIDS among High School Girls in Ghana

HIV/AIDS is recognized as a national priority health issue in Ghana. Consequently, the Ghana AIDS Commission and the National AIDS Control Programme were established, among other things, to enhance the knowledge and awareness on the nature, causes, effects and means of managing the spread of HIV/AIDS among populations at risk in Ghana. Through the efforts of these bodies and other stakeholders in health, several awareness creation and sensitization efforts have been targeted at teenage girls, a high risk group in Ghana. This study therefore assesses the knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS among senior high school girls in their teens in Ghana using a sample of 260 female students of West African Senior High School. The data collected were analyzed and discussed under relevant themes and within the context of the literature. The study revealed that generally, senior high school girls were knowledgeable on the nature, modes of transmission, and prevention of HIV/AIDS. There were however some students who exhibited limited knowledge on some issues including the spiritual causes and treatment of HIV/AIDS, contacts and associations with infected persons, as well as determination of HIV infection from appearances rather than testing. The study also raised important concerns about the reluctance of senior high school girls to use condoms as a preventive measure and the need to reorient HIV/AIDS awareness interventions in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and Awareness of Ocular Allergy among Undergraduate Students of Public Universities in Ghana

Background: Ocular allergy is a growing public health problem that greatly impacts the day-to-day life of sufferers and their families. Other aspects of their activities of daily living such as schooling, professional, and social life are affected hence an increased awareness and knowledge of ocular allergies, their detection and treatment is paramount. This study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of ocular allergy among undergraduate students of public universities in Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 1000 students from three selected public universities in Ghana. Each respondent completed a questionnaire that had questions concerning awareness and knowledge of ocular allergy. Results: Out of the 1000 students, 347 (34.7 %) were aware of ocular allergy. Of these 347 students, the level of knowledge of ocular allergy was generally low. Majority of the students had their source of information about ocular allergy from the media and the internet. There was statistical significant association among awareness of ocular allergy, sources of information and programme of study (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Level of awareness among university students is generally low. Students’ programmes of study influenced their knowledge of ocular allergy. Public health measures are recommended to help educate students on the prevention and control of ocular allergy as well as the complications associated with this condition.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and Challenges of Partograph Utilisation among Midwives in the Central Region of Ghana

Prolonged labour is one of the leading causes of death among mothers and newborns in the developing countries including Ghana. Delayed labour has the propensity to lead pregnant women experience serious complications such as obstructed labour, maternal dehydration, exhaustion, or rupture of the uterus. To protect women from death as a result of obstructed labour, WHO accepted par- tograph as means of information about the progress of labour while monitoring condition of the woman as well as the baby during labour. Midwives’ religious application of this chart to monitor labour in midwifery practice and care cannot be overemphasized. This study assessed the level of knowledge, perception and challenges of partograph utilization among midwives in the Central Region of Ghana. Five public health facilities within the Cape Coast Metropolis were selected for the study. Cross sectional design was adopted to conveniently collect data from 150 midwives at the labour units in the health facilities. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize data as well as Chi Square of association was used to describe the association between years of service and partograph utilisation. The findings of the study revealed 78% of midwives in the Cape Coast Metropolis have knowledge on partograph and why it is necessary to use it in the management of labour. With positive attitude of midwives towards partograph, the study revealed 97% utilisation of partograph to monitor mothers in labour in the metropolis. However, the use of the partograph during labour was af- fected by inadequate supplies of logistics, lack of commitment of midwives, inadequacy of qualified personnel and poor knowledge on partograph graphing. There was significant association between the years of service and utilisation of partograph [X2 (df = 3) = 46.552, ρ = 0.001] with registered midwives more likely to utilize partograph than principal and enrolled midwives. Metropolitan health directorate should offer occasional orientation for all midwives on new concepts or newer versions of partograph and its use in ensuring its maximum utilisation.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and experience of a cohort of HIV-positive and HIV-negative Ghanaian women after undergoing human papillomavirus and cervical cancer screening

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women in Ghana, but knowledge and experience of women who have had cervical screening is under-evaluated. This study examined knowledge and understanding of HPV and cervical cancer and evaluated experiences of screening in a cohort of women of mixed HIV status. Methods: This was a mixed methods study using questionnaires and focus group discussions, with a knowledge score constructed from the questionnaire. HIV-positive and HIV-negative women were recruited from a larger cervical screening study in Ghana and were interviewed 6 months after receiving screening. Quantitative data was analyzed and triangulated with qualitative data following thematic analysis using the framework approach. Results: A total of 131 women were included (HIV-positive, n = 60). Over 80% of participants had a knowledge score deemed adequate. There was no difference between HIV-status groups in overall knowledge scores (p = 0.1), but variation was seen in individual knowledge items. HIV-positive women were more likely to correctly identify HPV as being sexually-transmitted (p = 0.05), and HIV negative women to correctly identify the stages in developing cervical cancer (p = < 0.0001). HIV-positive women mostly described acquisition of HPV in stigmatising terms. The early asymptomatic phase of cervical cancer made it difficult for women to define “what” cancer was versus “what” HPV infection was. All women expressed that they found it difficult waiting for their screening results but that receiving information and counselling from health workers alleviated anxiety. Conclusions: Knowledge of women who had participated in a cervical screening study was good, but specific misconceptions existed. HIV-positive women had similar levels of knowledge to HIV-negative, but different misconceptions. Women expressed generally positive views about screening, but did experience distress. A standardized education tool explaining cervical screening and relevance specifically of HPV-DNA results in Ghana should be developed, taking into consideration the different needs of HIV-positive women.

Source: UCC
Knowledge and Experience of a Cohort of HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Ghanaian Women after Undergoing Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women in Ghana, but knowledge and experience of women who have had cervical screening is under-evaluated. This study examined knowledge and understanding of HPV and cervical cancer and evaluated experiences of screening in a cohort of women of mixed HIV status. Methods: This was a mixed methods study using questionnaires and focus group discussions, with a knowledge score constructed from the questionnaire. HIV-positive and HIV-negative women were recruited from a larger cervical screening study in Ghana and were interviewed 6 months after receiving screening. Quantitative data was analyzed and triangulated with qualitative data following thematic analysis using the framework approach. Results: A total of 131 women were included (HIV-positive, n = 60). Over 80% of participants had a knowledge score deemed adequate. There was no difference between HIV-status groups in overall knowledge scores (p = 0.1), but variation was seen in individual knowledge items. HIV-positive women were more likely to correctly identify HPV as being sexually-transmitted (p = 0.05), and HIV negative women to correctly identify the stages in developing cervical cancer (p = < 0.0001). HIV-positive women mostly described acquisition of HPV in stigmatising terms. The early asymptomatic phase of cervical cancer made it difficult for women to define “what” cancer was versus “what” HPV infection was. All women expressed that they found it difficult waiting for their screening results but that receiving information and counselling from health workers alleviated anxiety. Conclusions: Knowledge of women who had participated in a cervical screening study was good, but specific misconceptions existed. HIV-positive women had similar levels of knowledge to HIV-negative, but different misconceptions. Women expressed generally positive views about screening, but did experience distress. A standardized education tool explaining cervical screening and relevance specifically of HPV-DNA results in Ghana should be developed, taking into consideration the different needs of HIV-positive women.

Source: UCC