ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Household cost of out-patient treatment of Buruli ulcer in Ghana: A case study of Obom in Ga South Municipality

Background: The economic burden of diseases has become increasingly relevant to policy makers as healthcare expenditure keep rising in the face of limited and competing resources. Buruli ulcer (BU), a neglected but treatable tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, the only known environmental mycobacterium is capable of causing long term disability when left untreated. However, most BU studies have tended to focused on its bacteriology, epidemiology, entomology and other social determinants to the neglect of its economic evaluation. This paper reports estimated the household economic costs of BU and describe the intangible cost suffered by BU patients in an endemic area. Methods. Retrospective one year cost data was used. A total of 63 confirmed BU cases were randomly sampled for the study. Economic cost and cost burden of BU were estimated. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of the cost estimates. Intangible cost measured stigmatization, pain, functional limitation and social isolation of children. Results: The annual total household economic cost was US$35,915.98, of which about 65% was cost incurred by children with a mean cost of US$521.04. The mean annual household cost was US$570.09. The direct cost was 96% of the total cost. Non-medical cost accounts for about 97% of the direct cost with a mean cost of US$529.27. The mean medical cost was US$18.94. The main cost drivers of the household costs were transportation (78%) and food (12%). Caregivers and adult patients lost a total of 535 productive days seeking care, which gives an indirect cost valued at US$1,378.67 with a mean of US$21.88. A total of 365 school days (about 1 year) were lost by 19 BU patients (mean, 19.2 days). Functional loss and pain were low, and stigma rated moderate. Most children suffering from BU (84%) were socially isolated. Conclusion: Household cost burden of out-patient BU ulcer treatment was high. Household cost of BU is therefore essential in the design of its intervention. BU afflicted children experience social isolation. © 2013 Amoakoh and Aikins; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Source: UG
Household cost of road traffic accident-related injuries: A case study of St. Joseph Hospital, Koforidua in Ghana

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a prominent contributor to both mortality and morbidity, particularly affecting individuals aged 5–29 years. Road traffic Injuries impose substantial physical and economic burden on individuals, households, and governments, particularly in African nations. Thus, our study focuses on assessing the economic cost of road traffic accidents within the context of St. Joseph Hospital, Koforidua. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Emergency Unit of the St. Joseph Hospital with a sample size of 291 patients. A patient perspective was used in costing the management of RTAs. Data was descriptively analyzed with Microsoft Excel with means and standard deviations estimated for direct, indirect, and intangible costs to the patient. Total direct and indirect cost of road traffic accidents were approximately GHS1,973,801.28 (US$164,483.44) and GHS520,309.46 (US$43,359.12) respectively which represents 79.1 % and 20.9 % of the total cost. The annual average economic cost for all cases was GHS8,570.83 (US $714.24). Intangible costs were also found to be high, with 54.2 % patients rating their RTA burden to be between mild to moderate, 10.8 % as moderate to severe and 1.4 % as severe. RTA cost burden is huge for all households. Uninsured patients bear significantly higher costs than insured patients. Intangible costs were also high, prompting the need to provide psychological care to RTA victims and their families. Concerted efforts should be directed at strict enforcement, training, improvement of road infrastructure and legislation to reduce or curb road traffic accidents in LMICs.

Source: UG
Household costs of mental health care in ghana

Background: In Ghana, the prevalence of mental illness is about 13% and most patients are seen on out-patient basis. The economic burden of mental health care to patients and their families is, largely, unknown. Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate the direct and indirect costs of mental illness to patients and their families and also to describe the intangible costs associated with mental illness. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected at the Psychiatric Unit of Ho Municipal Hospital, in the city of Ho, Ghana, from patients with mental illnesses and their households. Direct costs were estimated as medical cost and nonmedical cost. Indirect costs were estimated for reported lost time/ days by patients and their families. Sensitivity analysis was performed by varying uncertain parameters. Intangible costs was described using the Likert scale to measure the effect of mental illness on patients and their households in the areas of functional limitation, fear, emotional suffering, social relationship, stigmatisation/discrimination and leisure time. Results: The total household cost of mental healthcare for the three month period was estimated as US$34,518.27 (average of US$180.72 per household), with direct and indirect cost making up 26% and 74% respectively. The average monthly household cost was estimated as US$60.24 as compared to the average reported household monthly income of US$184.48. Indirect cost was sensitive to the choice of wage rate used (i.e. local versus national rate). About 64% and 72% of patients and their households respectively were affected emotionally as a result of mental illness. Discussion: Productivity losses due to caregiving and lost employment were the major contributors to the cost of mental illness to patients and households, constituting more than two-thirds of total costs. Cost of drugs was the highest contributor to the direct cost of mental illness. There is the possibility of over (or under) estimation of the cost due to recall challenges of patients and household. It is important to note that this study presents costs to households whose mentally ill member sought care from the facility - some patients seek care from outside health facilities. Implications for Health Care Provisions and Use: Expanding financial access to mental health care for households - through improved coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme -and improving delivery of mental health care services in Ghana through close-to-client strategies could ease the economic burden of mental health to many households. Copyright © 2013 ICMPE.

Source: UG
Household Economic Burden Of Type-2 Diabetes And Hypertension Comorbidity Care In Urban-Poor Ghana: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) predispose households to exorbitant healthcare expenditures in health systems where there is no access to effective financial protection for healthcare. This study assessed the economic burden associated with the rising burden of type-2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension comorbidity management, and its implications for healthcare seeking in urban Accra. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods study design was used. Quantitative sociodemographic and cost data were collected through survey from a random community-based sample of 120 adults aged 25 years and older and living with comorbid T2D and hypertension in Ga Mashie, Accra, Ghana in November and December 2022. The monthly economic cost of T2D and hypertension comorbidity care was estimated using a descriptive cost-of-illness analysis technique from the perspective of patients. Thirteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among community members with and without comorbid T2D and hypertension. The FGDs were analysed using deductive and inductive thematic approaches. Findings from the survey and qualitative study were integrated in the discussion. Results Out of a total of 120 respondents who self-reported comorbid T2D and hypertension, 23 (19.2%) provided complete healthcare cost data. The direct cost of managing T2D and hypertension comorbidity constituted almost 94% of the monthly economic cost of care, and the median direct cost of care was US$19.30 (IQR:10.55–118.88). Almost a quarter of the respondents pay for their healthcare through co-payment and insurance jointly, and 42.9% pay out-of-pocket (OOP). Patients with lower socioeconomic status incurred a higher direct cost burden compared to those in the higher socioeconomic bracket. The implications of the high economic burden resulting from self funding of healthcare were found from the qualitative study to be: 1) poor access to quality healthcare; (2) poor medication adherence; (3) aggravated direct non-medical and indirect cost; and (4) psychosocial support to help cope with the cost burden. Conclusion The economic burden associated with healthcare in instances of comorbid T2D and hypertension can significantly impact household budget and cause financial difficulty or impoverishment. Policies targeted at effectively managing NCDs should focus on strengthening a comprehensive and reliable National Health Insurance Scheme coverage for care of chronic conditions.

Source: UG
Household exposure and animal-bite surveillance following human rabies detection in Southern Ghana

Clinical Anatomy, Clinical Pathology, Medicine, Surgery, Theriogenology, Epidemiology and Disease Prevention, Food (Meat and Milk Hygiene and Inspection, Zoonoses and Environmental Health, Obstetrics, Mastitis and Udder Management, Veterinary Economics and Business Management, Veterinary Ethics, Jurisprudence and Extension, Clinics and Student Project. Long Vacations

Source: UG
Household food insecurity but not dietary diversity is associated with children's mean micronutrient density adequacy in rural communities across Ghana

Objective The aim of this study was to examine predictors of household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and children's mean micronutrient density adequacy and the relationship among these dietary measures. Method Baseline analysis of a quasi-experimental 16-mo intervention study conducted in 12 rural communities in the three main agroecological zones in Ghana. The study included 608 caregivers with their 2- to 5-y-old children. Nutrient density adequacy was estimated for a subsample of 120 children. Results Food insecurity was more severe among farming households than their non-farming counterparts (P = 0.032). Dietary diversity score was significantly higher among non-farming households than farming households (P < 0.001). Food insecurity was negatively correlated with both household dietary diversity (r = –0.385; P < 0.001) and child mean micronutrient adequacy (r = –0.305; P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between dietary diversity and children's mean micronutrient density adequacy. Belonging to a household that is severely food insecure and household size were significant predictors of children's mean micronutrient density adequacy (ß = –0.124, P = 0.006; ß = 0.011, P = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion Household food insecurity continues to be a good indicator of lower nutrient intake in children.

Source: UG
Household food insecurity is associated with respiratory infections among 6-11-month old infants in Rural Ghana

Background: To determine the relationship between household food insecurity (HHFI) and symptoms of respiratory infections among infants in rural Ghana. Methods: The study was cross-sectional. The outcome variables were symptoms of respiratory infections (cough and nasal discharge) in infants. HHFI was measured using a 15-item modified U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) household food security module. Households were classified as food insecure if they had an affirmative answer for at least 1 item. Associations were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Data were collected in 32 communities located in 3 rural subdistricts in the Upper Manya Krobo district of the Eastern region of Ghana. The sample included 367 infants aged 6-11 months who attended a community-based growth monitoring session. Results: Overall, 20.5% of households reported experiencing food insecurity in the last month. Compared with infants in food secure households, infants living in food insecure households were about twice as likely to experience cough (adjusted odds ratio: 2.25, 95% confidence intervals: 1.25, 4.04) and nasal discharge (adjusted odds ratio: 1.87, 95% confidence intervals: 1.05, 3.36). Conclusion: Infants living in food insecure households are at an increased risk of respiratory tract morbidity. Interventions that address HHFI might be important to improve infant health in rural Ghana. © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Source: UG
Household food insecurity, sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors associated with high blood pressure among women in farming communities in Ghana

Background Hypertension remains a primary contributor to avoidable mortality and impairment. This study aimed to examine the association between household food insecurity (HFI), another public health concern, and hyperten sion among women farmers in peri-urban and rural communities in Ghana. Methods Self-reported hypertension status, blood pressure measurement, and HFI were assessed using data on 430 women from a cross-sectional survey. We examined the odds of hypertension in women experiencing diferent cat egories of food insecurity while controlling for other known factors. Results Close to 74% (n =319) of respondents belonged to households that were food-secure with 26% (n =111) in food-insecure households. At the time of the survey, about a ffth of the participants (19%) reported to have ever been diagnosed with hypertension and 22% were living with high blood pressure (i.e., systolic: 140 mm Hg or higher and diastolic: 90 mm Hg or higher). Living in a rural community compared to a peri-urban community was associ ated with lower odds of living with high blood pressure. Older women were more likely than younger women to report having known hypertension and living with high blood pressure. Dangbe women were less likely to have high blood pressure than women from other ethnic groups. An increase in physical/morbidity activity was associated with a decreased likelihood of high blood pressure among food-insecure women. Conclusions This study buttresses the importance of hypertension awareness among older women, particularly, in urbanizing communities, and the need to explore mediating factors through which ethnicity may infuence living with high blood pressure.

Source: UG
Household Food Security Determinants And Nutritional Status Of Inhabitants Of A Peri-Urban Community: A Case Study In The Volta Region Of Ghana

Food shortages and malnutrition widely persist and continue to be rural peculiarities across the sub-region. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a peri-urban community of Dzodze in the Volta region to ascertain the level of food security as well as the nutritional status of the inhabitants using a random sampling technique. This community-based comparative cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2018 adopted a multistage random sampling and selected 105 households. Sociodemographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square, Cramer’s-V, and Pearson’s correlations models were used to assess the association of socio-demographic, anthropometric and food frequency data while the Logit model, FSI, HCR were used to measure food security. Over half of the sample (59.6%) were in the normal range of BMI which implied good nutritional status. Remarkably, a majority of those in this normal BMI range 81 (77%) were female. Women aged 41years and above constituted a large portion of study participants (54.3%) of which many 43 (41%) were married. Just 4.8% of this group said they were both separated and cohabited with their partners non-customarily. Data on the frequency of food intake by the community revealed that, a majority of 63.4% of the respondents ate three times a day. Most of the people (77.2%, 68.7%, and 86.9%) ate breakfast, lunch, and supper, respectively, daily over a week. The fallouts from the work showed majority (71.5%) of the respondents were food secure and the remaining (about 28.5%) were food insecure. Factors such as age, gender, educational level, household size, and age were found to be significant predictors that influenced food security of the peri-urban community according to the logit model used. The smallholder households according to the computed food security index of 1.13 and normal range of BMI were identified to be indices of food security.

Source: UG
Household food sources and diarrhoea incidence in poor urban communities, Accra Ghana

Diarrhoeal diseases remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in poor urban communities in the Global South. Studies on food access and safety have however not considered the sources of discrete food categories and their propensity to harbour and transmit diarrhoeal disease pathogens in poor urban settings. We sought to contribute to knowledge on urban food environment and enteric infections by interrogating the sources and categories of common foods and their tendency to transmit diarrhoea in low-income communities in Accra. We modelled the likelihood of diarrhoea transmission through specific food categories sourced from home or out of home after controlling for alternate transmission pathways and barriers. We used structured interviews where households that participated in the study were selected through a multi-stage systematic sampling approach. We utilized data on 506 households from 3 low-income settlements in Accra. These settlements have socio-economic characteristics mimicking typical low-income communities in the Global South. The results showed that the incidence of diarrhoea in a household is explained by type and source of food, source of drinking water, wealth and the presence of children below five years in the household. Rice-based staples which were consumed by 94.5% of respondents in the week preceding the survey had a higher likelihood of transmitting diarrhoeal diseases when consumed out of home than when eaten at home. Sources of hand-served dumpling-type foods categorized as “staple balls” had a nuanced relationship with incidence of diarrhoea. These findings reinforce the need for due diligence in addressing peculiar needs of people in vulnerable conditions of food environment in poor urban settlements in order to reap a co-benefit of reduced incidence of diarrhoea while striving to achieve the global development goal on ending hunger.

Source: UG
Household Maintenance and Decision Making in Lone Female Parent Families in Ghana

This study investigates household maintenance and decision making among lone female parents in Accra using in-depth interviews and a survey. The study examines how lone mothers economically provide for their children and households and whether they make major decisions. The major findings are that the majority of single mothers through gainful employment bear the bulk of responsibility in the maintenance of children and the household in addition to making major decisions. Kin of lone mothers, on the other hand, mostly assist the women, especially the few unemployed mothers with providing for children, housing, and household chores. The majority of children’s fathers fulfill their responsibility in the payment of school fees; however, most do not provide for the nutritional and clothing needs of their children. The study concludes that single female parents to a large extent provide the needs of their households and are largely responsible for household decisions.

Source: UG
Household perceptions and their implications for enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana

Objective This paper identifies, ranks and compares perceptions of insured and uninsured households in Ghana on health care providers (quality of care, service delivery adequacy, staff attitudes), health insurance schemes (price, benefits and convenience) and community attributes (health 'beliefs and attitudes' and peer pressure). In addition, it explores the association of these perceptions with household decisions to voluntarily enrol and remain in insurance schemes.Methods First, data from a household survey of 3301 households and 13865 individuals were analysed using principal component analysis to evaluate respondents' perceptions. Second, percentages of maximum attainable scores were computed for each cluster of perception factors to rank them according to their relative importance. Third, a multinomial logistic regression was run to determine the association of identified perceptions on enrolment.Results Our study demonstrates that scheme factors have the strongest association with voluntary enrolment and retention decisions in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Specifically these relate to benefits, convenience and price of NHIS. At the same time, while households had positive perceptions with regards to technical quality of care, benefits of NHIS, convenience of NHIS administration and had appropriate community health beliefs and attitudes, they were negative about the price of NHIS, provider attitudes and peer pressure. The uninsured were more negative than the insured about benefits, convenience and price of NHIS.Conclusions Perceptions related to providers, schemes and community attributes play an important role, albeit to a varying extent in household decisions to voluntarily enrol and remain enrolled in insurance schemes. Scheme factors are of key importance. Policy makers need to recognize household perceptions as potential barriers or enablers to enrolment and invest in understanding them in their design of interventions to stimulate enrolment. © The Author 2011; all rights reserved.

Source: UG
Household perceptions, treatment-seeking behaviour and health outcomes for buruli ulcer disease in a peri-urban district in Ghana

Buruli ulcer (BU) has been associated with very unimaginable outcomes. It is flesh eating, disfiguring and economically dehydrating. Yet the disease is still mostly shrouded in mystery. Consequently, people have different perceptions about it and hence adopt different treatment behaviorss towards it; notwithstanding the free treatment for it. The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine respondents’ perceptions and the influence these have on their health seeking behaviorss. Eighty-six BU patients who had been treated or were being treated of BU in the Ga West District Health Center in Ghana were sampled for this study. A structured questionnaire and a qualitative in-depth interview guide were used to elicit the data. Some of the interviewees held the belief that the disease is caused by their adversaries, including witches. More than half of the respondents, however, did not have any idea about the disease and thought it is just the work of God. The first point of call for health care for most of the patients studied was herbalists or else they used herbs. Nearly a quarter of them also engaged in self medication, including the use of ‘pain killers’ and ointments, since they took the first signs for ordinary boils. Perceptions of the cause of the disease influenced health seeking behaviors, which further influenced treatment outcomes. A lot of education is needed on the symptoms of the disease, including encouraging early seeking of care at the District Health Center.

Source: UG