ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Perception of mealybug wilt effect and management among pineapple farmers in Ghana

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is a major viral disease of pineapple [Ananas comosus (L) Merr.] in Ghana. Its incidence and extent of damage have not been extensively studied in the country. The study was conducted to determine pineapple farmers’ perception of the effect and management of the MWP disease in Ghana. Structured interview schedule and questionnaire were used to solicit information from 227 pineapple farmers in the Central and Eastern regions of Ghana. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics including percentage, mean and standard deviation. Majority (73.1%) of the respondents were aged between 31 and 50 years and were mainly senior secondary or senior high school leavers (52.2%) and had been growing pineapples between 5 and 20years (82.6%). All respondents indicated that they had experienced MWP in their pineapple farms and were able to give a vivid description of the disease symptoms. The farmers further indicated that the severity of MWP was high in smooth cayenne (100%), sugar loaf (96.9%) and Queen Victoria (91.2%) but low in MD2 (100%) varieties of pineapple. More than two-thirds of respondents indicated that they were losing between 1% and 20% of their yield per hectare and up to GHȻ 1000.00 (US$ 248.00) per hectare to the disease. Majority of the respondents managed MWP by practicing land fallowing, avoiding infected mother plots for suckers, treating the soil, mother plots and suckers with insecticides to destroy mealybug vectors and their ant symbionts

Source: UCC
Perception of moral hazard in Ghana's health insurance scheme: A study of the Sekondi metropolitan assembly

Ever since the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by the government of Ghana in 2003, cost of financing has been increasing from time to time, to the extent that some of the schemes have encountered financial distress. Though subjective reports exist that show high expenditures made on the health insurance schemes by the service provided, it is not clear if such high expenditures can be attributed to the incidence of moral hazards. The study sought to examine healthcare consumer’s perception of moral hazard in Ghana’s NHIS. A household survey was carried out within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly in the Western region. Questionnaires were used. Cross-sectional primary quantitative data and probit model was used for this study. The outcome of the study shows that, Ghana’s NHIS is also suffering from moral hazard. The insured tend to utilize the hospital more than their uninsured counterparts. However, the probability that an individual perceives the existence of moral hazard in Ghana’s NHIS’s depends on age, sex, income, health status, insurance status, and out-of-pocket payment. The study recommends that scheme managers should facilitate in marketing and publicizing the scheme within the metropolitan. Also, there is the need to consider the potential to use risk rated premiums in order to reduce moral hazard. However, co-payments could be introduced as an incentive mechanism to steer healthcare demand and it is important to impose them on healthcare services with elastic demands.

Source: UCC
Perception of organisational politics, perceived Organisational support and employee performance at The Electoral Commission in Ghana

Employee perception of organisational politics constitutes an important aspect of organisational life with respect to its members as these influence various processes which ultimately affect performance of employees. Although many studies have been conducted to broaden the concept and find its relationship with employee performance, most studies made use of a narrower stream for the measurement of employee performance. The purpose of the study was to examine the moderating role of perceived organisational support in the relationship between perception of organisational politics and employee performance at the Electoral Commission offices in the Western Region. The study was underpinned by two theories: theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behaviour. Due to the research objectives, the study employed the quantitative approach and adopted the explanatory/causal research design. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from a randomly sampled 80 workers out of 96 occupying all Electoral Commission offices in the Western region. The study employed both descriptive and inferential analytical tools and found that perceived organisational support had a significant effect on employee performance. The study also found that, perceived organisational support did not significantly moderate the relationship between perceived organisational politics (POP) and employee performance (EP) since there was no significant relationship between POP and EP. In this light, the study recommended that, management of the Electoral Commission of Ghana should create a supportive environment that would help employees satisfy their psychological, economical, physiological and emotional needs in order to enhance their performances

Source: UCC
The perception of parents, pupils and teachers on the effect of home environment on the academic performance of junior high school students in Mporhor Wassa east district

This study specifically attempted to find out whether academic performance among J.H.S 3 students, teachers and parents could be attributed to some home environmental factors such as parental encouragement, parental education, parental occupation, family size and learning facilities at home. The researcher employed the use of questionnaire and focus group discussion to gather data for this work. Out of the four hundred (400) respondents that were sampled from the five strata, three hundred and fifty (350) sampled J. H. S. 3 students, teachers and parents in the Mpohor Wassa East District (MWED) answered the questionnaire and were also involved in the focus group discussion. The results of the study showed that majority (70%) of the parents in MWED are peasant farmers who use their school going children as the source of labor. This has negatively affected the time pupils spent in school and with their books. Although parents admitted that their involvements in their children’s academic activities need to be improved, they equally advised teachers to spend time to research into the subject matter so as to improve the content of their lessons. From the study, it was revealed that parents’ positive involvement such as arranging for extra tuition, finding more about what their wards do at school, etc. will go a long way to improve their academic performance. It would be appropriate for educationists and other stakeholders to adopt some of the measures suggested to improve the academic performance of J. H. S. 3 pupils in other areas of the country.

Source: UCC
Perception of Patients/Family and Healthcare Practitioners on Palliative Care as alternative to dialysis in the treatment of end stage Kidney disease in Kumasi Metropolis

The main aim of this study was to establish patients/family and healthcare practitioners’ perception on palliative care as alternative to dialysis in the treatment of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) in Kumasi Metropolis. A descriptive qualitative with phenomenological overtone research design was used for this study. A purposive sampling technique was used to obtain 17 participants (8 health care practitioners, 6 patients and 3 family members) out of 30 healthcare practitioners and 32 patients in all the three centres in Kumasi Metropolis. The respondents’ perception on palliative care as alternative to dialysis in the management of ESKD was evaluated using face to face interview. The findings of the study indicated most respondents elaborated that, palliative care is the treatment given to patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Most of the respondents perceived that patients’ living with chronic diseases will die but to promote peaceful death, quality of life should be offered through palliative care. It is concluded that at the advanced stage of ESKD where dialysis will not improve quality of life, palliative nursing care is the alternative treatment to dialysis in the management of ESKD. It is recommended that treatment options should be made available for patient/family to make informed choice. Palliative care as an alternative management for ESKD should be part of the treatment options in the management of all patients/family with ESKD.

Source: UCC
Perception of Patients/family and Healthcare Practitioners on Palliative Care as Alternative to Dialysis in the Treatment of End-stage Kidney Disease in Kumasi Metropolis

The main aim of this study was to establish patients/family and healthcare practitioners’ perception on palliative care as alternative to dialysis in the treatment of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) in Kumasi Metropolis. A descriptive qualitative with phenomenological overtone research design was used for this study. A purposive sampling technique was used to obtain 17 participants (8 health care practitioners, 6 patients and 3 family members) out of 30 healthcare practitioners and 32 patients in all the three centres in Kumasi Metropolis. The respondents’ perception on palliative care as alternative to dialysis in the management of ESKD was evaluated using face to face interview. The findings of the study indicated most respondents elaborated that, palliative care is the treatment given to patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Most of the respondents perceived that patients’ living with chronic diseases will die but to promote peaceful death, quality of life should be offered through palliative care. It is concluded that at the advanced stage of ESKD where dialysis will not improve quality of life, palliative nursing care is the alternative treatment to dialysis in the management of ESKD. It is recommended that treatment options should be made available for patient/family to make informed choice. Palliative care as an alternative management for ESKD should be part of the treatment options in the management of all patients/family with ESKD.

Source: UCC
Perception of Pay Equity in Public Universities in Ghana: Effect on Individual Performance and Work Behavior

Equity theory proposes that individuals perceiving inequity seek to restore equity through appropriate behavior. This research aimed to study the relationship between perceived pay equity and individual job performance among lecturers in public universities in Ghana. Using a survey of 313 lecturers, we found that employees’ perception of equity in the pay system is a significant factor in determining their job performance. Therefore, we recommend that managers attend to equity in the design and implementation of pay systems. Moreover, issues relating to the reward system should be carefully communicated to employees in order to prevent unnecessary perceptions of inequity.

Source: UCC
Perception of pregnant women on barriers to male involvement in antenatal care in Sekondi, Ghana

Getting men to be actively involved in Antenatal Care (ANC) has been acknowledged by the World Health Organisation as a key indicator for better maternal health outcomes. We investigated the perception of women about barriers to male involvement in ANC in Sekondi, Ghana. Dwelling on cross-sectional design, we used a sample of 300 pregnant women (adolescents excluded) who had ever attended ANC in five fishing communities in Sekondi. The study was underpinned by a conceptual framework adapted from Doe's conceptual framework of male partner involvement in maternity care. We used questionnaire for the data collection. Both descriptivefrequencies and percentages; and inferential-binary logistic regression analyses were carried out. Seven out of ten (70%) participants indicated high male involvement in ANC. Respondents whose partners were aged 50–59 were less likely to report high male involvement in ANC compared to those whose partners were aged 20–29 years (OR ¼ 0.47, 95% CI ¼ [0.35–0.86], p ¼ 0.03). Those living together with their partners were about two times more likely to report high male involvement in ANC compared to those who did not live with their partners (OR ¼ 1.63, 95% CI ¼ [1.18–3.19], p ¼ 0.01). Participants who identified long waiting time at the health facility as a determinant of male involvement in ANC were less likely to report high male involvement in ANC compared to those who disagreed (OR ¼ 0.57, 95% CI ¼ [0.38–0.85], p ¼ 0.01). The outcome of our study calls for male partner friendly policy driven environment at the various ANC visit points that would make men more comfortable to accompany their partners in accessing ANC services.

Source: UCC
Perception of Quality of Emergency Obstetric Care in one Municipality in the Northern Region of Ghana

Although emergency obstetric care (EmOC) has contributed to significant reductions in maternal mortality rates worldwide, a greater number of women in sub-Saharan Africa continue to die from pregnancy related complications. In this study, attempt was made to identify factors responsible for this trend by exploring the perception of quality of EmOC in selected health facilities in one municipality in Northern Ghana. A qualitative case study approach was employed to draw evidence from observation, focus group discussion and in-depth face-to-face interviews among health care providers, clients and community members. The findings highlight absence of basic facilities and sub-standard care in the only health facility that provided EmOC services in the municipality. Inadequate supply of obstetric drugs and equipment, provider inefficiency and motivation as well as low female autonomy contributed in diverse ways to the outcome of care. Also, stakeholder perception of quality of EmOC unveiled contextual, interpersonal and clinical dimensions. These findings have several implications in the delivery and conceptualisation of quality in the study area. The Ghana Health Service needs to empower basic facilities in the municipality with essential obstetric drugs and equipment required to discharge their core functions. Curriculum adjustment, continuous education and environmental modifications are essential for improving upon provider competencies while cultural reorientation, through targetted health promotion campaigns, has the potential of empowering rural women to take charge of their reproductive health needs.

Source: UCC
Perception of quality of Maternal Healthcare in the Wa Municipality

Although provision of quality maternal healthcare has proven to be a critical strategy in reducing the high global maternal mortality level, studies on quality maternal healthcare have often been from provider’s perspective with limited research on service users, particularly in the context of health facilities. This study therefore assessed the quality of maternal healthcare in the Wa Municipality. The study was qualitative and guided by the Donabedian approach for measuring service quality. Fourteen health facilities were purposively selected and 62 mothers who received post-natal care were interviewed. Six Focus Group Discussion (of 39 members) and 26 In-depth Interviews were conducted in all. The analysis was guided by inductive content analysis approach. The results showed that mothers assigned varied meanings to the concept of quality maternal healthcare, which reinforce the subjective nature of service quality. It was reported that the attitude of healthcare providers towards women during labour was woeful. Again, timeliness, interpersonal care from service providers, limited number of midwives on weekends amongst others were hindrances to the attainment of quality healthcare within the Municipality. It is recommended that the Wa Municipal Health Directorate as well as Nursing and Midwifery Council should deploy more midwives to rural areas in the region to help address referral challenges confronted by expectant mothers. Refresher courses should be given to healthcare providers on quality healthcare, so us to improve their service delivery. It is concluded that quality maternal healthcare received from providers was fair as such users’ were less willing to revisit those health facilities.

Source: UCC
Perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity in Cape Coast, Ghana

Background: This study examined the association between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity. Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey Setting: Out-patient department of the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast, Ghana Participants: Adult men and women at least 18 years old Interventions: None Main outcome measures: Perception of risk for hypertension, overweight/obesity Results: About 39% of the participants (N=400) were found to be overweight/obese, with disproportionally higher rates among women (50%) than men (28%). Results of the binary logistic regression models revealed a strong positive association (OR = 2.21, 95% CI =1.23, 3.96) between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity. Increasing age, high television exposure, female gender and being in a relationship were also noted to be associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for the design of programmes to help individuals appreciate the reality of weight-related health risks, as well as the need to embrace lifestyles that promote healthy weight outcomes.

Source: UCC
Perception of senior high school teachers' on educational reforms in Ghana: A case sutdy of Winneba senior high school

The nature of reform varies across countries due to unique combinations of historical, cultural, institutional and political factors. When education is reformed, some changes occur and these affect curriculum, teacher development, school plant and structures among many others. The study was to determine the causes of educational reforms, what should be done to make the reforms successful and how the reforms should be implemented. The research design used for the study was a case study. In all, forty-five (45) teachers, made up of thirty-three (33) males and twenty-two (22) females were involved in the study. The respondents were purposively and randomly selected for the study. The purposive sampling method was used to select the Assistant Headmaster, Housemasters/Housemistresses and Heads of Department, as well as teachers who had stayed in the school for at least a year. It was concluded that reforms in education are necessary when some problems or challenges are noted to be retarding the development of education in Ghana and that there is the need for the implementers of such educational reforms to be made aware, educated and involved in the planning and decision making processes of such reforms. It is recommended that frequent and sustainable in-service training should be organised for teachers. Teachers should be assisted financially to develop Teaching and Learning Materials to support teaching and learning and there should be extensive education on reforms and its expected outcomes to the stakeholders of education and the citizenry.

Source: UCC
Perception of senior staff of the University of Education, Winneba, on the usage of performance appraisal

This study, a descriptive survey, was undertaken to find out the perception of senior staff of the University of Education, Winneba on the usage of performance appraisal in the University. It also sought to find out the various ways in which Performance Appraisal affects workers motivation and work performance. It was to help university authorities evaluate the current appraisal system, review and address any challenges confronting it. Research questions were formulated to guide the researcher. Literature was reviewed to provide a focus for the study and a basis for assessment of findings. The sample covered 112 senior staff of the University of Education, Winneba. Questionnaire was the main instrument used. The questionnaire had both open ended and close-ended questions. The questionnaire return rate was 93.3%. The data gathered was coded and analysed in frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that staff appreciate an appraisal which is used for both evaluative and developmental purposes. Their perception of the university’s appraisal however suggests that the university’s Appraisal system is mainly evaluative in nature. The findings also revealed that the University’s Performance Appraisal system has little effect on workers performance since it is mainly evaluative than developmental. Hence the need for the University to adopt a more developmental approach towards performance appraisal.

Source: UCC
The perception of stakeholders in education on computerized school selection and placement system in Gomoa East and West districts in the Central region

The study was undertaken to find out the kind of perception that stakeholders in education have on the computerized school selection and placement system in the Gomoa East and West Districts in the Central Region. The target population of the study comprised all the second cycle schools headmasters, teachers, students and their parents as well as administrators in the Central Region of Ghana. The accessible population comprised parents, administrators, headmasters/headmistresses, teachers and students in the Gomoa East and West Districts. The purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 248 respondents for the study. The research instruments developed for gathering information for the study was the questionnaire. Tables and percentages were used in the analysis and discussion of the data obtained for the study. The result indicated that the computerized school selection and placement system has reduced the burden and frustration parents go through in getting admission for their wards. Suggestions and recommendations were made which include that, the Ghana Education Service should ensure that the various role players in the computerized school selection and placement system are made aware of their responsibilities for them to be able to handle their roles efficiently. Again the Ghana Education Service should categorize the schools for easy selection by students. Finally, Ghana Education Service should introduce the 30% quota given to students from the community in which the school is located if they pass and choose the school.

Source: UCC
Perception Of Students On Mobile Technology Based Library Services

ABSTRACT Introduction: Emerging trends in library and information space especially in the academic environment requires remote and boundary less access to library services. Mobile technology has been recognised as the single most embraced technology in the world. Implementing this technological innovation will bring a lot of relief to students in University of Cape Coast and the University community in general. The study attempts to investigate the perception of students of University of Cape Coast on mobile technology-based library service. The pilot study involved six management members from the library and fifteen students comprising ten undergraduate and five postgraduate students. Method: The tool adopted for the study was an interview guide for the data collection. The interview guide was grouped under four headings: perception of mobile library service on campus, students’ proficiency and strategies for successful implementation and imminent challenges. The data collected was qualitative in nature. Results: The study shows; 1. Almost every student had at least one mobile device which is a smartphone and can be used to access library service. 2. students and management expressed their willingness to patronise such services. They also showed positive perception regarding mobile phone based library services.

Source: UCC