ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Cervical cancer screening practices among women in Ghana: evidence from wave 2 of the WHO study on global AGEing and adult health

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer that affects women worldwide. It has been and remains the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Ghana. Despite the fact that cervical cancer is preventable through early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions, anecdotal evidence from gynaecological clinics in Ghana indicates that most patients present with a late stage of the disease. This study assesses the cervical cancer screening practices among women in Ghana. Methods: Data from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) multi-country Study on AGEing and adult health (SAGE) wave 2 conducted between 2014 and 2015 in Ghana was used. We employed binary logistic regression models to analyse data on 2711 women to examine factors associated with having pelvic examination among women aged ≥18 years. Among those who had pelvic examination, we applied binary logistic regression models to analyse factors associated with receiving Pap smear test as a subgroup analysis. Results: Of the 2711 women aged 18 years or older surveyed, 225 (8.3%) had ever had a pelvic examination and only 66 (2.4%) of them reported ever having done a Pap smear test. For those who had pelvic examination, only 26.94% had Pap smear test. Ethnic group, marital status, father’s educational level and difficulty with self-care were independently associated with undergoing pelvic examination. Only age and healthcare involvement were independently associated with pelvic examination within the past 5 years to the survey. Marital status, satisfaction with healthcare and healthcare involvement were independently associated with Pap smear test. Conclusion: Even though cervical cancer is preventable through early detection of precancerous lesions using Pap smear test, the patronage of this screening test is still very low in Ghana. Factors influencing the low patronage in Ghana include the marital status of women, their level of satisfaction with healthcare as well as their level of involvement with healthcare. These may be the consequences of a weak health system and the lack of a national policy on cervical cancer screening.

Source: UG
Cervical Human Papillomavirus Prevalence, Genotypes, and Associated Risk Factors among Female Sex Workers in Greater Accra, Ghana

Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease mediated by persistent infectionwith high-riskHuman Papillomaviruses (Hr-HPV). There are now three approved vaccines against themost common HPV genotypes. In Ghana,mortality due to cervical cancer is on the rise, due to the absence of an organized and effective cervical cancer prevention and control program. Data on circulatingHPV genotypes is important for studying the likely impact of mass introduction of HPV vaccination of the female population before sexual debut. High HPV prevalence has been reported in Female Sex Workers (FSWs), who constitute an important active group for maintenance of HPV in the population.This study was conducted to determine the size of HPV prevalence in this group and to provide information for future assessment of the impact of vaccine introduction in the country.We conducted a cross-sectional study where the snowballing technique was used to identify and select FSW’s ≥18 years, operating within suburbs of Greater Accra Region (GAR). A risk factor assessment interview was conducted and cervical swabs were collected for HPV-DNA detection and genotyping by Nested Multiplex PCR. Hundred participants, age ranging from 18 to 45 years, median 24 years, were studied.The prevalence of Cervical HPV was 26%. Eleven genotypes were detected comprising 9 high-risk in order of decreasing prevalence HPV-16 (8%), HPV-35 (5%), HPV-33/39/-68 (3%), HPV-52/51/59 (2%) and HPV-18 (1%) and 2 Low-risk types, HPV-42(3%), and HPV-43 (1%).Three women had HPV types that could not be genotyped by our method. Oral contraceptives use was associated with a reduced chance of HPV infection (P=0.002; OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.07-0.54).This study found a high HPV prevalence among FSWs in the GAR. A high number of Hr-HPV genotypes seen are vaccine preventable, providing additional compelling argument for implementing a national cervical cancer prevention plan including vaccination

Source: UG
The cetaceans of Ghana, a validated faunal checklist

The cetaccans of Ghana and the Gulf of Guinea have, until recently, remained unstudied. Periodical monitoring of artisanal fisheries for bycatches in seven Ghanaian artisanal fishing ports and landing sites over 1996-2004 has provided photographic and specimen evidence to validate occurrence of 18 species (17 odontocetes, 1 mysticcete) in a tropical, predominantly pelagic cetaccan fauna. At least nine species and subspecies had not previously been documented for Ghana (with asterisk), and four species are authenticated for the first time in the Gulf of Guinea (double asterisk), i.e., Tursiops truncates, Stenella clymene, S. longirostris longirostris*, S. altenuata, S. frontalis, Delphinus capensis capensis*, Lagenodelphis hosei, steno bredanensis, Grampus grisceus, Peponocephala electra*, Feresa alternuata**, Globicephala macronhynchus, Orcinus orca*, Pseudorca crassidens*, Kogia sima**, Physter macrocephalus*, Ziphius cavirostris** and megaptera movaeangliae”. Also, the limited published information on distribution, natural history and conservation status is critically reviewed for each taxon. Indications are that most species encountered off Ghana may be widely distributed in the Gulf of Guinea, most notably the long-beaked common dolphin. The vulnerable Atlantic humpback dolphin, Sousa teuszil, remains unreacorded in Ghana and neighbouring nations despite apparently suitable coastal habitat. It is suggested that localized extinction may be blamed, possibly the result of accumulative bycatches and disturbance. A number of other cetaccan species not yet encountered could occasionally occur in Ghana’s waters, e.g., Balaenoptera brydei, Mesoplodon densimstris, Kogia breviceps, Stenella corruleoalba and Delphinus delphis.

Source: UG
Cetuximab enhances oridonin-induced apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells

Cetuximab plus oridonin showed a synergistic way to kill laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), as been reported previously. The present work further mechanistically extended action of the synergistic effects of combination treatment. Firstly, two LSCC cells displayed higher sensitivity to oridonin, whereas both low EGFR expression tumor cells and EGFR knockdown LSCC cells were less sensitive to oridonin. Next, cetuximab/oridonin significantly enhanced the mitochondrial apoptosis through NF-κB. Meanwhile, PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 pathways are associated with the nucleus translocation of NF-κB by combination treatment. Additionally, cetuximab enhanced oridonin-promoted ER stress-related apoptosis. Interestingly, both ER stress and mitochondrial apoptosis by combination treatment are abrogated by ROS scavenger. Furthermore, oridonin/cetuximab induced ROS production after 1.5 h, followed by G2/M arrest and apoptosis, indicating that ROS generation might be an early and key event. Taken together, cetuximab enhances oridonin-induced ER stress and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which contributes to the synergistic antitumor effects of cetuximab/oridonin.

Source: UG
The challenge of energy transition in the Global South: The case of electricity generation planning in Ghana

While renewable energy is making inroads in certain jurisdictions, there appears to be little enthusiasm or effort by many countries in the Global South when examining overall patterns of investment, despite numerous countries announcing renewable energy adoption goals. Various studies attribute this apparent lack of interest to a lack of legislative and regulatory instruments, promotional measures, and unattractive market structures. While these may be relevant factors, this study demonstrates that lack of interest can also stem from concerns over levels of unmet energy demand, coupled with the cost of energy generation. The influence of these two factors on the decision to invest in renewable energy is discussed and demonstrated through a case study on electricity generation planning in Ghana. The case study indicates that, given the projected levels of Ghana’s electricity demand and expenses for generation capacity addition, the level of unmet demand could be as high as 18.5% if Ghana were to follow through with its 10% renewable electricity target by 2030. Correspondingly, the cost of electricity provision could increase by over US$221 Million annually – a substantial amount for any country, but particularly for those in the Global South. Results from the case study indicate some of the key reasons why Ghana is nowhere near its 10% renewable electricity target originally set for 2020, and why it is likely the new target year of 2030 will suffer a similar fate. Having highlighted these concerns, the paper then offers suggestions for increasing renewable energy in the Global South.

Source: UG
The Challenge of Taking Baby Steps — Preliminary Insights into Telemedicine Adoption in Rwanda

This paper presents a case study on the adoption of telemedicine in Rwanda. Three key constructs which influence adoption and use of telemedicine technologies are theoretically reviewed and examined in these projects: technology readiness, organization readiness, and government readiness. The research examined the national telemedicine project which has been implemented in three hospitals. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders associated with the project and an in-depth review of related documentation and reports of the project. The study found that Rwanda has developed basic telemedicine capabilities in using video conferencing to enhance a participatory approach in teaching and facilitating continuous medical education and training. The findings suggest that the commitment of government to telemedicine, the strategic choice of using low-cost and less complex technologies, and strategic partnerships with educational and technology companies are factors which have influenced telemedicine implementation in Rwanda.

Source: UG
Challenges and coping strategies of refugees: Exploring residual Liberian refugees’ experiences in Ghana

This study explored the challenges and coping strategies among Liberian refugees in Ghana. Using a qualitative research design, 40 participants were purposively recruited at a refugee settlement in Ghana. Four focus group discussions and sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted. The focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically based on the objectives of the study. The findings indicated that the refugees experienced challenges related to disruption in social networks, disputes over resources, high rate of unemployment, and increased level of criminal activities. The study also revealed that the refugees included in this study resorted to religion, spirituality, and income earning activities as their coping strategies. The findings offer insights for social workers, policy actors, and future research.

Source: UG
Challenges and experiences in linking community level reported out-of-pocket health expenditures to health provider recorded health expenditures: Experience from the iHOPE project in Northern Ghana

Out of pocket health payment (OOPs) has been identified by the System of Health Accounts (SHA) as the largest source of health care financing in most low and middle-income countries. This means that most low and middle-income countries will rely on user fees and copayments to generate revenue, rationalize the use of services, contain health systems costs or improve health system efficiency and service quality. However, the accurate measurement of OOPs has been challenged by several limitations which are attributed to both sampling and non-sampling errors when OOPs are estimated from household surveys, the primary source of information in LICs and LMICs. The incorrect measurement of OOP health payments can undermine the credibility of current health spending estimates, an otherwise important indicator for tracking UHC, hence there is the need to address these limitations and improve the measurement of OOPs. In an attempt to improve the measurement of OOPs in surveys, the INDEPTH-Network Household out-of-pocket expenditure project (iHOPE) developed new modules on household health utilization and expenditure by repurposing the existing Ghana Living Standards Survey instrument and validating these new tools with a ‘gold standard’ (provider data) with the aim of proposing alternative approaches capable of producing reliable data for estimating OOPs in the context of National Health Accounts and for the purpose of monitoring financial protection in health. This paper reports on the challenges and opportunities in using and linking household reported out-of-pocket health expenditures to their corresponding provider records for the purpose of validating household reported out-of-pocket health expenditure in the iHOPE project.

Source: UG
Challenges and perceptions of implementing mass testing, treatment and tracking in malaria control: a qualitative study in Pakro sub-district of Ghana

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

Source: UG
Challenges and Potential Solutions for Sustainable Urban-Rural Linkages in a Ghanaian Context

Urban-rural linkages are an integral part of fostering development in both urban and rural communities. However, the focus on development tends to have an urban bias toward Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with an increase in urbanization. Ghana is one of the fastest urbanizing countries in SSA. This paper sought to identify the challenges of urban-rural linkages, their corresponding solutions, and contributions to Agenda 2030 that are context-specific to Ghana through a stepwise solution scanning technique. In step 1, the study applied a scoping process to identify the urban-rural challenges. In step 2, a solution for the identified urban-rural challenges in step 1 was co-designed. In step 3, each identified solution was assessed based on its potential to contribute to all three pillars of sustainability by ranking and prioritization. In step 4, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) interlinkages of the top five prioritized potential solutions were analyzed. The identified challenges were (1) inequality and gender gaps, (2) poor and lack of basic and economic infrastructures, (3) the limited e ectiveness of decentralization, and (4) food and nutrition security dynamics. The prioritized potential solutions were gender inclusiveness, investment in infrastructures, sustainable agricultural systems, e ective decentralization, and financial inclusion. This study recommends maximizing the synergies and minimizing the trade-o s between the SDGs of the potential solutions identified.

Source: UG
The Challenges and Prospects in Implementing the Adedeji, 2007 and Kagame, 2017 Reports on African Union Reforms.

The African Union (AU) emanated from the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which had been in existence for almost four decades as the organ responsible for the attainment of the continent’s economic, political and social development. To achieve this vision, African states realized that a stronger institutional framework was needed to negotiate competitively on their behalf within the international context. The creation of the AU was a result of a compromise between three factions led by the Presidents of Nigeria, South Africa and Libya at the time, the outcome on how the AU was created never satisfied the parties and as such, they sought to reform the AU. To date the Organization has attempted to reform on three separate occasions with the first instance happening right after it had emerged in 2002, the second being the Adedeji reform in 2007 and lastly the most recent Kagame Reforms of 2017. This desire and intent to make the AU an efficient and effective organization has previously not translated into any fundamental and structural change in the institution and subsequently the continent. The study reflects on the circumstances surrounding the reform packages undertaken so far and assesses the challenges and prospects in implementing the reforms. The study revealed that the implementation of the reforms is indispensable for the realization of continents Agenda 2063. To ensure that the reforms are implemented, the study recommends that the AU Assembly takes ownership of its role as the leadership and final decision-making body of the organization in enforcing decisions. The study revealed that the lack of political support from African Heads of State undermines the current reform process.

Source: UG
Challenges and Prospects of African Regionalism: The East African Experience

The contemporary international system is characterised by a heightened tendency of state units to gravitate towards some degree of integration. Regionalism is gradually being inextricably linked to economic development. The establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957 has resulted in the mushrooming of cooperative arrangements the world over including the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA), the Association of South-Asian Nations and the Caribbean Free Trade Association, among others. The strategy of regionalism in Africa was given new vitality in April 1980 with the adoption of The Lagos Plan of Action (LPA) and the Final Act of Lagos (FAL) in which leaders hoped to create an independent African economy through sub regional and regional organisations. An African Economic Community is expected to be in place by 2025. This study explores the challenges and prospects of the East African Community (EAC) as one of the building blocks of the African Economic Community. The EAC is taken as an illustration of efforts to establish effective regionalism in Africa, the problems along the way and what the future holds for African integration. It concludes that regionalism is, indeed, an imperative for African development especially now that even the industrialized world is embracing integration as a strategy for further development. Africa risks irreversible marginalisation if its small and poor countries remain fragmented. The hope is in pooling markets, populations and resources to tap economies of scale.

Source: UG
Challenges and Prospects of Consortia: a Case Study of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH)

This study sought to find out the prospects and challenges of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH). Questionnaires were sent to 18 members of the consor¬tium and 15 were retrieved, giving a response rate of 83%. The results indicated that members enjoy access to electronic resources at reduced cost, free training workshops and seminars, and technical support in the use of electronic resources. However, there were challenges such as foreign exchange problems, inability to obtain full access to some databases, and difficulties in dealing with publishers. Some recommendations have been made to enhance the prospects of the consortium.

Source: UG
The Challenges and Prospects of Regional Security Cooperation in West Africa

Established in 1975 as a platform for accelerating the pace of economic development of West African states, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has grappled with several issue areas for approximately the past four decades. Originally pre-occupied with market-driven objectives that emphasize trade liberalization, ECOWAS has been confronted with resolving the myriad of security challenges that confront the sub-region. Mindful of the interconnectedness of security to economic development, therefore, ECOWAS has also focused its resources on regional security cooperation in the light of the interdependence of the security profiles of West African states especially in the post-Cold War international system. Employing a qualitative analysis of existing literature on security cooperation-regional integration, this work examines regional security cooperation through the prism of the Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security adopted in December 1999, and that of its Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good governance incepted in 2001. This research delineates the historical evolution of security mechanisms of ECOWAS since its establishment, focusing on how the new wars of the post-Cold War era exposed the security challenges of West Africa and how that culminated in the 1999 Security Mechanism. This research contends that although the aforesaid Protocols hold lots of promise based on its emphasis on operational mechanisms such as early warning systems and the institutionalization of good governance, the lack of political commitment by leaders in West Africa coupled with poor implementation record, among others, could scuttle the benign promise of the Protocol. To enable an effectual implementation of the Protocol and for that matter, a formidable security profile of West African states, this research recommends an emphasis on good governance and demonstrable political commitment towards a safe West African sub-region.

Source: UG
Challenges and strategies for improving the agricultural marketing environment in developing countries: Evidence from Ghana

Millions of smallholder farmers in developing countries face incredible challenges marketing their farm produce. This article isolates lack of market information, collusion among middlemen, and thus price determination, and lack of transportation facilities as the main challenges facing smallholders in many developing regions. The findings also show the emergence of spontaneous farmer marketing associations involved in price setting and determination. This offers a valuable opportunity for stakeholder support in strengthening these informal institutions and in integrating them into formal agricultural marketing and contracting.

Source: UG
Challenges and support needs of parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) in Accra, Ghana

Background: Parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) have diverse challenges and needs. If met, these parents are able to provide adequate care for their children. Unfulfilled needs like information about their child’s diagnosis, counselling, and poor access to informal and formal supports increase parental stress and hinder their potential to provide optimal care for their children and themselves. Aims: This study explores the unique challenges and needs of parents caring for children with DD in the Accra metropolis. This is the first study exploring the needs of parents in a Lower-middle income (LMIC) country like Ghana. Methods and procedures: A qualitative research design was adopted for this study. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews from 9 parents of children with DD. Results: Findings from thematic analysis revealed five themes including; Emotional needs; Informational needs; Financial needs; Informal Support, and Formalized Support. Parents indi cated their great need for information on their children’s condition, support from family, religious groups, and other formalized institutions and how to provide better care. Conclusions and implications: Parents have several expectations and needs which must be addressed. Findings have the potential of influencing the design and development of appropriate interventions to meet the needs and improve the quality of life of parents of children with DD in the Ghanaian context.

Source: UG