ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Caregiver perceptions of children in their care and motivations for the care work in children's homes in Ghana: Children of God or children of white men?

The perceptions and motivations that workers have in their work and work environment are important determinants of the quality of work they do. For people who work in residential institutions where children who have lost the care of their parents receive care, these perceptions and motivations become a crucial part in determining the quality of services or care the children are given. This study set out to explore the perceptions and motivations of caregivers in the institutional context in Ghana. Adopting a qualitative, phenomenological approach, data were collected from 35 caregivers in two children's homes in Ghana through participant observations, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. It emerged that caregivers perceived the children in their care first as children of God and then as children of white men and were predominantly motivated by their religious convictions to keep doing 'the work of God'. Other motivations included personal life situations and economic aspects of the job. Implications for the workers and children in this environment are discussed. © 2016 The Authors.

Source: UG
Caregiver perceptions of children in their care and motivations for the care work in Ghana: Children of God or children of white men?

The perceptions and motivations that workers have in their work and work environment are important determinants of the quality of work they do. For people who work in residential institutions where children who have lost the care of their parents receive care, these perceptions and motivations become a crucial part in determining the quality of services or care the children are given. This study set out to explore the perceptions and motivations of caregivers in the institutional context in Ghana. Adopting a qualitative, phenomenological approach, data were collected from 35 caregivers in two children's homes in Ghana through participant observations, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. It emerged that caregivers perceived the children in their care first as children of God and then as children of white men and were predominantly motivated by their religious convictions to keep doing ‘the work of God’. Other motivations included personal life situations and economic aspects of the job. Implications for the workers and children in this environment are discussed.

Source: UG
A caregiver perspective of complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders

The World Health Organization estimates that about 40%–60% of patients with mental illness use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), but little is known about the types and outcomes of these CAM therapies in Ghana. This study therefore sought to describe the patterns of use and perceived outcome of CAM therapy among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in a health facility in Ghana. The qualitative study involved both clinical and family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted over a period of 3 months to identify the pattern of CAM use and perceived outcome from caregiver perspectives. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically using NVivo 10. About 92% of family caregivers reported that their patients had used some form of CAM therapy. The therapies used included spiritual interventions (100%) herbal therapies (83%), dietary supplements (50%) and music therapies (6%). Both clinical and family caregivers perceived CAM therapies to be ineffective in resolving mental illness when used as an alternative to antipsychotic therapy. However when used as complementary, better outcomes were perceived. Spiritual interventions, herbal therapies, dietary supplements and music therapies were the types of CAM therapies used. Both negative and positive outcomes of CAM therapies were highlighted by caregivers. CAM use may therefore not be an alternative choice but rather complementary to mental health care.

Source: UG
Caregivers of Mentally Ill Patients: A Crosssectional Need-Based Assessment of Social Workers in Post-conflict Somalia

This study seeks to investigate the needs of family caregivers of people living with Mental illness in Somalia. Using an exploratory research design technique, a qualitative approach was employed for a one-on-one interview module to collect data from a total of 51 respondents identified as family caregivers of mentally ill persons undergoing rehabilitation in five (5) selected mental health facilities sampled for the study. In analyzing and interpreting qualitative data, a thematic content analysis was done which revealed that, in addition to medical care, family caregivers need not only social support in a form of affection to assist them in their various engagements, but also, adequate relaxation and leisure to regain lost energies and save them from stress and its harmful ramifications on their health. They also need decent accommodation to maintain their mentally ill relatives. The results further revealed that, caregivers needed financial support as well as emotional support from friends and society in order to psyche them up for their task. To understand the needs of patients’ treatment history and condition, caregivers need information. It is, therefore of necessity to social workers and other stakeholders that the needs of caregivers are adequately and sufficiently addressed.

Source: UG
Caregivers’ views on stigmatization and discrimination of people affected by leprosy in Ghana

Background: Leprosy is a condition that has long been associated with stigma and discrimination, even when infected persons have been cured. This paper describes stigma and discrimination as viewed by caregivers who are associated with people affected by leprosy in Ghana. Methods: A qualitative interview with semi-structured interviews were conducted for twenty caregivers. Results: Findings indicated that caregivers were of the view that people affected by leprosy in Ghana are stigmatized and discriminated against by the larger society thus making their movements and interactions restricted to the Leprosarium. Besides, employments opportunities are unavailable to them thus making them exposed to financial challenges. The livelihood Empowerment Against poverty (LEAP) money given them is not sufficient for their daily upkeep. Conclusion: People affected by leprosy in Ghana are stigmatized and therefore find it difficult to interact freely with the public. The associated physical deformities with the disease also tend to impede their ability to relate to the general public. The LEAP cash given to people affected by leprosy is helpful however, it could be enhanced to keep pace with prevailing economic conditions in the country. © 2018 Asampong et al.

Source: UG
Caretakers or HR Managers: The Role of HR Managers in Facilitating the Acquisition of Public Enterprises of Developing Countries by MNCs

Do human resources (HR) managers in developing countries have the clout to make strategic decisions during mergers and acquisitions (M&As)? This study aims at establishing the major roles played by HR managers in M&As of public sector companies in Ghana. The research examined the M&As of 10 Ghanaian companies where 10 HR managers gave detailed narratives of their roles and the part they played in the M&A processes. The qualitative method used to solicit the narratives of the HR managers resulted in the following findings: that HR managers in Ghana have a limited role in the planning process of the M&A; that indigenous HR managers perform several tasks in the course of the M&A to get employees stable before and after the M&A processes; nevertheless, they are not part of the policy formulators. The article makes a modest input of the significance of indigenous HR role in international M&As as a panacea to solving the global crises by advocating the empowerment of HR managers in developing context to be partners in the initial commencement of M&As.

Source: UG
Caring for a Loved One with Stroke in Lomé, Togo: an Intersectional Framework

The rate of strokes in Africa, particularly among lower socio-economic classes, is increasing. The impact on long-term, informal caregivers of stroke patients is not known, as most research has focused on acute and discharge care. This study reports on the findings from a study of in-depth qualitative interviews with 20 caregivers to family members with stroke diagnoses in Lomé, Togo. Findings show that social, structural, and relational forces greatly impact the lives of informal caregivers. This study ofers an understanding of the caregivers’ challenges through an intersectional framework which can be used to inform socio-economic, emotional, and health system supports for caregivers.

Source: UG
Caring For Patients With Dementia: Experiences Of Family Caregivers In The Tema Metropolis

The aim of the study was to explore and describe the psychological, physical, financial and social experiences of family caregivers in caring for patients with dementia using the qualitative approach in the Tema Metropolis. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of ten participants who were family caregivers caring for patients diagnosed with dementia. Data was collected by audiotaped interview and transcribed verbatim, coded and data analysis was done using thematic content analysis. Four major themes and twenty-six sub-themes emerged. The family caregivers went through frustration, worry, demanding caregiving role, physical and verbal abuse by the care recipients. There was also early retirement and loss of job leading to insufficient finances and loneliness, which some caregivers referred to as imprisonment. In spite of all these problems, the caregivers expressed a feeling of satisfaction in their caregiving role. Based on these findings, it was recommended that policy makers must ensure that all the psychiatric units of the Regional Hospitals together with their community psychiatric units in the country have trained clinical psychologists to aid in the counselling of family caregivers of patients with dementia. Furthermore, they should make available vehicles and motor cycles to enable the community psychiatric nurses deliver care to dementia patients in the comfort of their homes. This will decrease the frustration level of family caregivers and also gain the opportunity to educate the community about dementia, early detection and management.

Source: UG
Caring for persons with severe burns injury: Analysis of caregivers' coping strategies and quality of life

Living with severe burns injury poses both psychological and physical threats to both patients and caregivers. However, the focus of attention has always been on the patients with little attention given to the caregivers who play significant roles in the recovery process. This study examined the association between coping strategies and quality of life of caregivers of persons with severe burns injury. A total of 100 caregivers were randomly sampled from the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and were administered with the Brief Cope and the WHOQOL Brief. A cross-sectional study design was used. Results from the analysis showed that only three coping strategies, denial, religion, and behavioural disengagement predicted overall quality of life among the caregivers. Some of the caregiver's coping strategies also significantly predicted the domain specific quality of life of the caregivers. It is therefore concluded that caregivers use varied coping strategies which affect their quality of life and must therefore be taken into consideration in planning psychosocial interventions for the care givers.

Source: UG
“Caring for the Elderly is Very Difficult”: Challenges and Coping Strategies of Caregivers in Urban Poor Accra, Ghana

This study is part of a broader phenomenological study on the experiences of family caregivers and their care recipients. There is a general paucity of research on the experiences of primary and secondary caregivers, and the negative impact of elderly care on caregivers in the urban poor settings in Ghana. This study explored primary and secondary caregivers’ challenges and coping strategies in the urban poor context in Accra, Ghana. This study was conducted in Ga Mashie. Thirty-one caregivers were interviewed. A phenomenological analysis was conducted using NVivo 10. Primary and secondary caregivers experienced economic, physical, social, and psychological burdens. Also, caregivers used spirituality and perseverance to cope with their challenges. The findings demonstrate that caregivers’ challenges varied by type of caregiver. Researchers and policymakers should consider the type of caregiver when designing interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of family caregiving on caregivers.

Source: UG
Caring supporters or daring usurpers? Representation of women in Akan proverbs

The article examines the representation of women as espoused in a number of Akan (Niger-Congo, Kwa) proverbs. The objective is to analyze traditional views on the perceptions and roles of the woman in Akan society and explore the interrelation between language, gender and culture. Using a (Feminist) Critical Discursive Approach, 62 Akan proverbs about women, selected from both written and oral sources, are examined. We argue that although the contexts within which these proverbs are used may not always be gendered, by focusing on women (and men), Akans tend to present women in particular stereotypical ways through the use of these gendered proverbs, most of which can be interpreted as derogatory, negative or subservient. We also argue that although women are sometimes represented positively, such representations, which are seen as virtues, often lure them into accepting and playing these traditional stereotyped roles, thus reinforcing hegemonic masculinity and femininity. © The Author(s) 2014.

Source: UG
Carleson Embeddings and Two Operators on Bergman Spaces of Tube Domains over Symmetric Cones

We prove Carleson embeddings for Bergman spaces of tube domains over symmetric cones, we apply them to characterize symbols of bounded Cesàro-type operators from weighted Bergman spaces to weighted Besov spaces. We also obtain Schatten class criteria of Toeplitz operators and Cesàro-type operators on weighted Hilbert-Bergman spaces.

Source: UG
Carotenoids content of Corchorus olitorius and Solanum macrocarpon - commonly used Ghanaian vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are rich in carotenoids. The study investigated the effect of duration of storage and cooking time on the carotenoids in Corchorus olitorius and Solanum macrocarpon, locally known as 'adeimey' and 'gboma' respectively. The storage conditions were: overnight at room temperature (25°C), refrigeration for one day and a week, and cooking at 100oC for thirty minutes. The three individual carotenoids and total carotenoid content (TCC) were quantified using HPLC and by measuring absorbance at 450 nm, respectively. The TCC varied from 17.1 mg/100 g to 670.2 mg/100 g. The β-carotene content ranged from 7.5 mg/100 g to 196.3 mg/100 g while lutein ranged from 1.4 mg/100 g to 112.8 mg/100 g. The zeaxanthin content ranged from 0.7 mg/100 g to 16.3 mg/100 g. These results show that the two green leafy vegetables are good sources of carotenoids. There were variations in the concentrations of carotenoids in Solanum macrocarpon and Corchorus olitorius with the latter having a higher carotenoids content than the former. β-carotene was the most predominant carotenoid whilst zeaxanthin was the lowest in the vegetables studied. It was observed that the β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and the total carotenoid contents decreased drastically when the vegetables were left to stand overnight at room temperature, refrigerated for one day and a week and then cooked for thirty minutes. These findings suggest modification in the storage and cooking practices of these green leafy vegetables to ensure retention of the carotenoids for the best nutritional value and health benefit; hence the need for policy towards nutrition education on vegetable processing and storage. © 2008 IFRJ, Faculty of Food Science & Technology, UPM.

Source: UG
Carriage and serotype distribution of Streptococcus agalactiae in third trimester pregnancy in southern Ghana

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci, GBS) among healthy, pregnant women attending antenatal care at different study sites in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Methods: Between 2010 and June 2013, recto-vaginal swab samples were collected from pregnant women attending antenatal care from two study sites in southern Ghana. The samples were collected within 35 and 37 weeks of the gestation period. These were inoculated into Todd-Hewitt broth followed by sub-culturing onto a sheep-blood agar plate. Identification was performed on a single subcultured colony. Gram staining was performed, and isolates were evaluated for beta-haemolytic reactions. Furthermore, the isolates were serotyped using the GBS latex serotyping kit. Results: The carriage rates were found to be 25.5% (95% CI: 19.6-32.1) to 28.0% (95% CI: 21.9-34.8) for the two collection sites. The most common serotypes were serotypes VII and IX. The data showed that women below 20 years of age or above 30 years of age have a significantly (p = 0.037) higher risk of carrying GBS compared to women from the age group of 20 to 30 years. Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that prevalence of GBS colonization in pregnant women in Greater Accra region is high and comparable to rates observed in South Africa and Western countries. The most prevalent serotypes were serotypes VII and IX, which have not been observed before in West Africa.

Source: UG
Carriage of diarrhoeagenic escherichia coli by older children and adults in Accra, Ghana

Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) were sought in stool specimens from 72 adults and children aged over 3 years, who presented with diarrhoea at a hospital in Accra, Ghana, and 72 matched controls. Only diffusely-adherent E. coli were significantly associated with disease in these older individuals (P=0.029). We additionally tested 53 specimens from infants among whom DEC were collectively associated with disease (P=0.012). Enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic and enteroaggregative E. coli, the most commonly isolated pathotypes from infants with diarrhoea, were frequently recovered from healthy adults. Asymptomatic carriage of DEC by older individuals in Accra may place young children at risk for diarrhoea

Source: UG
“Carrot and stick” leadership style Can it predict employees’ job satisfaction in a contemporary business organisation?

leadership style in predicting employees’ job satisfaction in a modern business organization. Design/methodology/approach – The study was cross-sectional in nature and made use of structured questionnaire to collect data. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. In total, 215 questionnaires were returned by respondents out of the 220 administered. Taylor and Bowers (1974) overall job satisfaction questionnaire and Bass and Avolio (2004) multifactor leadership questionnaire, were used to measure job satisfaction (α¼0.812) and transactional leadership style (α¼0.761), respectively. Simple linear regression was also used to predict the relationship between the constructs. Findings – Results indicated significant and positive relationship between managers transactional leadership style and employees overall job satisfaction ( β¼0.292, po0.001). Moreover, contingent reward ( β¼0.313, po0.001) and management by exception (active) ( β¼0.208, po0.001) were, respectively, found to be statistically significant and positively related with job satisfaction. However, there was no significant relationship between management by exception (passive) and job satisfaction. Originality/value – This study adds to research that transactional leadership is broadly ideal for employees of manufacturing firms in Ghana where tasks are routine, objectives are clearly stated and work outputs can easily be measured. Keywords Job satisfaction, Leadership style, Transactional leadership Paper type Research paper

Source: UG
A case control study of neonatal sepsis: experience from Saudi Arabia.

Sixty-one cases of neonatal septicaemia (NNS) identified by positive blood cultures during surveillance of infection at King Fahd Hospital of the University in Khobar, Saudi Arabia from September 1983-September 1988 were studied to evaluate the local pattern of pathogens and the risk factors for sepsis using a case control analysis. The incidence of NNS was 4.9 per 1000 live births (LB). Among inborn infants, birth weight specific sepsis rate ranged from 2 per 1000 liveborns among infants with birth weight > or = 2500 g to 150 per 1000 liveborns in those weighing < or = 1500 g. Factors significantly associated with septicaemia were foetal distress, low Apgar score at 5 min, and requirement for mechanical ventilation and umbilical catheterization. Similar findings were obtained with infants whose mothers had pre-eclampsia. Staphylococci were the major Gram-positive isolate occurring in both 'early' (< or = 48 h) and 'late' (448 h) onset septicaemia. The study highlights the importance of knowledge of local epidemiology of NNS to formulate antibiotic policy. It also suggests the need for reporting birth weight specific rates and for a larger case control study of risk factors for NNS.

Source: UG
A case for enhanced resource flow to facilitate development and reduce poverty

Despite considerable improvements in the policy environment in many African countries in the last two decades, it is still difficult for the rest of the world to take Africa seriously. Not taking Africa seriously affects the growth and development outcomes. Investors do not show much optimism about the region's future, hence the relatively slow flow of private capital into the region. Capable Africans also show little enthusiasm about the future, hence the flight of financial wealth and human capital out of the region. In the last decade, African countries have stepped up the campaign to make their reform efforts appear more credible, adopting more cooperative approaches and greater interest in governance issues within a more global and regional framework. This article seeks to show why the current efforts at broader reform need to be considered more seriously by the rest of the world.

Source: UG