ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Socio-cultural Factors Associated with Complementary Feeding in Two Rural Districts in Ghana: A qualitative study involving Health Workers

Aim: This study sought to explore the cultural factors that are associated with complementary feeding from the reports of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Volunteers (CHVs) in two rural districts in Ghana. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that assessed cultural beliefs, norms, superstitions and practices that influence complementary feeding practices of young children under two years in two rural farming districts in Ghana Study Area: The study was conducted at Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methodology: The study employed qualitative methods which entailed conducting 9 focus group discussions among CHWs and CHVs working at two rural districts in Ghana. The focus group discussions were conducted with the aid of a validated, interview guide, after obtaining informed consent (written) from the health workers. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of the Dodowa Health Research Centre and the University of Cape Coast. Thematic content analytical procedures were applied to analyze the transcripts, interpret and present findings as a narrative account. Results: The reports of the health workers indicate a common practice of early introduction of solid foods to infants before they attain six(6) months of age. Cultural beliefs, superstitions, beliefs, foo taboos and prohibitions influence mothers’ complementary-feeding practices and result in limiting the food scope and dietary diversity of their young children. Conclusions: Interventions designed to promote appropriate complementary feeding practices should incorporate an understanding of social context, family, and cultural factors in developing nutrition promotion messages that are tailored to meet the needs of rural populations. More community interventions that draw on the support of key influential persons in the community and fathers are needed to address cultural barriers to appropriate complementary feeding practices

Source: UCC
Socio-cultural factors influencing malnutrition among children under-five years in the Cape Coast Metropolis

The study sought to explore how socio-cultural factors influence malnutrition among children under-five in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Specifically, the study sought to: describe social factors influencing malnutrition among children under-five years old in the Cape Coast Metropolis, discuss cultural beliefs influencing malnutrition among children less than five years old in the Cape Coast Metropolis and analyse feeding practices influencing malnutrition among children under-five years in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The study employed a qualitative approach. Guided by the Ecosystem model of nutrition, 18 mothers were purposively selected and interviewed. The results were presented with text and quotations. The results showed that the social factors affecting malutrition among children under-five are low edcucational level, non-supporting spouses, occupation and large family size. The cultural factors influencing malnutrition among children under-five include food taboos and poor feeding practices. It is therefore recommended that there should be intensification of child health education by community health nurses on the causes of malnutrition among children under-five and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Health Directorate should intensify public education on the need to send children to health facilities but not prayer camps when they are malnourished.

Source: UCC
Socio-Cultural Factors: A Missing Variable in Mathematics Pedagogy in Ghana

This study draws on theories relating to the local aspects of mathematical knowledge and to mathematics pedagogy to explore how the teaching and learning activities carried out in mathematics classrooms in Ghana deal with these aspects. It focussed on the teaching of measurement of money at the primary school level. The primary school level was considered in this study because it is during this period of time that pupils develop the foundation for learning mathematics at higher grade levels. The current Ghanaian primary school mathematics curriculum, three of the popular primary school mathematics textbooks, and lessons from two experienced primary school teachers constituted the main sources of data for the study. The data collected were analysed qualitatively and presented as narrative description with some illustrative examples. The study revealed amongst others that the approaches used by teachers in the lessons observed reflected those suggested in mathematics curriculum and the textbooks, and these approaches pay very little attention to the social and cultural contexts of the pupils. By way of recommendation the authors provide an alternative approach to the teaching of measurement of money in context, based on a three-tier teaching strategy.

Source: UCC
Socio-Cultural Impact and Sustainability of Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (Leap) in Ghana: The Case of Navrongo, Kasena-Nankana East Municipality of Upper East Region

This study explores the socio-cultural impact and sustainability of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in Navrongo. LEAP was introduced in Ghana in 2007/8 as a public social protection policy to provide basic and secure incomes, aimed at salvaging and protecting the poor and vulnerable in society against global and local livelihood shocks due to declining resources, the negative impact of economic policies and the gradual erosion of socio-cultural support systems. Earlier interventions had minimal impact owing to less immersion of culture as key to innovative development thinking. Four (4) communities, 200 beneficiaries and 17 officials were purposively selected to participate. Pragmatism is the main philosophical anchorage of the study which employed mixed methods; utilizing exploratory-descriptive case studies and surveys including sequential triangulation and convergent designs. Descriptive quantitative data from structured questionnaires were analysed using the IBN - SPSS software programme. Data from interviews, focus group discussions, observation and content materials were analysed thematically and qualitatively. Drawing from functionalism and conservative-liberal continuum theories, the study found Upper East and Upper West Regions as the first pilot household registries; widows and orphaned children were the poorest found in households of six and seven members; culture impacted positively on beneficiaries‟ lifestyles as it ensured peace, social inclusion, and financial satisfaction. However, the cost of maintaining funerals was seen as a negative cultural issue. Many respondents depended heavily on inadequate LEAP benefits, while some relied on farming and rearing animals as a means of generating additional income. The study recommends among others that government should increase the benefits and identify beneficiaries with capabilities and settle them independently.

Source: UCC
Socio-Demographic Characteristics Influencing Cervical Cancer Screening Intention of HIV-Positive Women in the Central Region of Ghana

The burden of HIV and cervical cancer is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. Women with HIV are more likely to have persistent HPV infection leading to cervical abnormalities and cancer. Cervical cancer screening seems to be the single most critical intervention in any efforts to prevent cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic factors influencing intention to seek cervical cancer screening by HIV-positive women in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving a convenience sample of 660 HIV-positive women aged 20 to 65 years receiving antiretroviral therapy in HIV care centres in the Central Region of Ghana was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were summarised and analysed using frequencies, percentages and binary logistic regression. Results: The study revealed that 82.0% of HIV-positive women intended to obtain cervical cancer screening. Level of education was a determinant of cervical cancer screening intention. HIV-positive women with low levels of education were 2.67 times (95% CI, 1.61–4.42) more likely to have intention to screen than those with no formal education. Those with high levels of education were 3.16 times (95% CI, 1.42–7.02) more likely to have intention to screen than those with no formal education. However, age, religion, marital status, employment status, and ability to afford the cost of cervical cancer screening were not determinants of intention to screen. Conclusions: Education of women of all ages needs to be a priority, as it could enable them to adopt appropriate health behaviours and engage in cervical cancer screening. Additionally, interventions to improve understanding of cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women are highly recommended. These include health education about the disease and availability of screening options in HIV/AIDS care centres.

Source: UCC
Socio-demographic characteristics influencing cervical cancer screening intention of HIV-positive women in the central region of Ghana

Background: The burden of HIV and cervical cancer is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. Women with HIV are more likely to have persistent HPV infection leading to cervical abnormalities and cancer. Cervical cancer screening seems to be the single most critical intervention in any efforts to prevent cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic factors influencing intention to seek cervical cancer screening by HIV-positive women in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving a convenience sample of 660 HIV-positive women aged 20 to 65 years receiving antiretroviral therapy in HIV care centres in the Central Region of Ghana was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were summarised and analysed using frequencies, percentages and binary logistic regression. Results: The study revealed that 82.0% of HIV-positive women intended to obtain cervical cancer screening. Level of education was a determinant of cervical cancer screening intention. HIV-positive women with low levels of education were 2.67 times (95% CI, 1.61–4.42) more likely to have intention to screen than those with no formal education. Those with high levels of education were 3.16 times (95% CI, 1.42–7.02) more likely to have intention to screen than those with no formal education. However, age, religion, marital status, employment status, and ability to afford the cost of cervical cancer screening were not determinants of intention to screen. Conclusions: Education of women of all ages needs to be a priority, as it could enable them to adopt appropriate health behaviours and engage in cervical cancer screening. Additionally, interventions to improve understanding of cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women are highly recommended. These include health education about the disease and availability of screening options in HIV/AIDS care centres.

Source: UCC
Socio-Demographic Inequalities in the Prevalence of Sexual Intercourse among School Going Adolescents in the Central Region of Ghana

Given that adolescents’ sexual behaviours have brought increasing burden on the development agenda of the Central Region of Ghana, it is remarkable that research on related issues such as the adolescents’ onset of sexual debut and its associated consequences is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the relative influence of socio-demographic determinants and prevailing inequalities of sexual intercourse engagement among adolescents in selected junior high schools. Sexual Intercourse; Prevalence; Socio-Demographic Predictors; Ghana; Central Region. Descriptive cross-sectional design was employed with multistage sampling procedures to sample 1,400 school going adolescents in junior high schools. Simple percentages and binary logistic regression results revealed that 26% (n = 342) of school adolescents were sexually active, of which majority 63% (n = 215) had their first sexual intercourse between 14-15 years while 37% (n = 127) had theirs between 11-13 years when they were in the primary school, with sexual intercourse being attributed to forced experience, 21% (n = 75). Other findings showed multiple sexual relationships, with 31% (n = 106) having sexual intercourse with more than two persons whereas the rest 69% (n = 236) had sexual relations with one partner. High prevalence 61% (n = 207) of unprotected sexual intercourse was also found among the school going adolescents, with 39% (n = 135) using condom. Additionally, age (OR = 1.483, 95% CI = 1.07-2.05, p = .017), gender (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.50-0.84, p = .001), parental communication (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.54-0.90, p = .006), and academic performance (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.46-0.97, p = .035) significantly explained causal relationship with lifetime sexual intercourse. These findings suggest that older boys with difficult parental communication and below average academic performance were at a higher risk of having sexual intercourse. School based sex education should be gender sensitive with parental involvement in the process within the region. Condom usage and perhaps abstinence should be vigorously promoted among the high risk group to prevent the occurrence of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and other related consequences.

Source: UCC
Socio-demographic trends in overweight and obesity among parous and nulliparous women in Ghana

Background: Overweight and obesity are among the leading threats to global health because of their association with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Much of the research on overweight and obesity among women largely generalize without due cognisance to differences in their reproductive history. This study explored differences in trends in overweight/obesity, and associated factors between parous and nulliparous women in Ghana. Methods: Anthropometric measurements from three nationally representative Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (2003, 2008 and 2014) were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate binary logistic regression. Results: Over all, overweight/obesity increased between 2003 and 2014, with disproportionately higher rates among parous women (from about 30 % in 2003 to about 48 % in 2014) than nulliparous women (from about 15 % in 2003 to about 24 % in 2014). Age, wealth quintile and marital status were associated with overweight/obesity similarly in both women groups. However, there were variations in the association between parous and nulliparious women by educational level, type of locality, occupation and ethnicity. Conclusion: The trend of overweight/obesity in Ghana warrants urgent national level public health attention to help curb the situation. Such interventions should be tailored bearing in mind the peculiar differences in associated factors between parous and nulliparous women.

Source: UCC
Socio-Economic And Environmental Implications Of The Location Of The Appremdo Market On Traders In Effiakwesimintim Municipal Area, Ghana

To revitalize market congestions in Ghana, governments in recent times have resorted to building new and renovating old markets mostly in the regional capitals to suit modernity. Since the construction of the Appremdo market in 1996, it has not been able to reach its target leading to few visitations, and low patronage. This study examined the Socio-economic and Environmental Implications of the location of the Appremdo Market on Traders in the Effia- Kwesimintsim Municipal Area (EKMA). The study involved a descriptive case study design with a mixed-method approach. Purposive and convenient sampling was used for the qualitative study while simple random sampling was used for the quantitative study. The study involved 24 and 151 participants for the qualitative and quantitative data respectively. Descriptive analysis and thematic analysis were used for the quantitative and qualitative analysis respectively. The results showed that critical physical factors: openness, absence of streams, and pollution were considerable factors but the distance between the Takoradi Market Circle and Appremdo market location, was not. Human factors such as suppliers and the availability of financial facilities were not considered. The existence of strong bonds among traders strengthens their social connections. Traders do not earn an adequate income from trading in the market. Dust and muddiness affect the market environment. It is recommended that there should be continuous advertisements on radio stations and mounting of billboards to show the existence of the market and organize programs within the market to create awareness of the market’s effective functioning. Additionally, the government should provide a loan scheme to the traders to enhance their businesses.

Source: UCC
Socio-Economic Benefits and Challenges of Oil Palm Production Among Indigenous Rural Farmers in Karonga District, Malawi

Oil palm production (Elaeis guineensis) presents significant opportunities for the rural population to alleviate poverty through agriculture. This study investigated the socio-economic benefits and challenges of oil palm production among indigenous rural farmers in the Karonga District, Malawi. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating data collected through questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussion guides. The questionnaire was administered to 477 households engaged in oil palm production. Further, 10 key informants were interviewed, and 4 focus group discussions were formed. Guided by the Theory of Access, examining oil palm production’s importance for sustaining indigenous rural farmers’ livelihoods revealed a multifaceted role in addressing food through cooking oil production, creating employment opportunities, and meeting other basic needs. Despite these benefits, challenges such as access to market, farm equipment, information and extension services, and credit persist, hindering production and socio-economic progress. Again, the Spearman rho correlation analysis between acres of land cultivated and benefits from oil palm production revealed -.140 with a sig value of 0.000, signifying that as more acres of land farmers cultivate, benefits tend to reduce moderately. The researcher, therefore, recommends that the MoA collaborate with other stakeholders in the agriculture sector, including financial institutions and the manufacturing industry, in the provision of extension services as a means of information access, creating the market, and providing credits to indigenous rural farmers so that they can invest and buy equipment necessary for this agricultural activity.

Source: UCC
Socio-Economic challenges confronting Refugees in the Gomoa Buduburam Refugee camp

The general objective of the study was to examine the socio-economic challenges that confront refugees in the Buduburam camp. The specific objectives of the study was to ascertain the infrastructural situation, accessibility to formal education, employment situation among the refugees and the contribution of stakeholders to well being of refugees in the Buduburam camp.The study employed the cross-sectional design, and a systematic sampling approach was used in selecting the sample for the study. Purposive sampling approach was also used to select the organisations involved in activities related to the wellbeing of the refugees. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS version 16). The results were presented in frequencies and percentages.The key findings from the research included the poor state of infrastructure especially water and sanitation, roads, housing and schools. Access to formal employment was limited; and therefore, majority were employed in the informal sector. The study recommended, among others, that the UNHCR should collaborate with the host country to provide the needed social and economic infrastructure. The study also recommended that the schools should make use of national service persons and community teaching assistants to augment teaching staff. Regarding employment, the lead organisations should organise job and business fairs to encourage networking, and also organise informal classes in the dominant local languages. UNHCR is also advised to effectively play its oversight role in monitoring the activities of NGOs in the camp.

Source: UCC
Socio-Economic Costs and Predictors of Divorce in Kumasi Metropolis in Ashanti Region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate the socio-economic costs and predictors of divorce in Kumasi Metropolis in Ashanti Region of Ghana. The concurrent triangulation mixed methods design was adopted. The study population was 65,750 registered divorcees, marriage counsellors, judges, and religious leaders in the Metropolis. The sample size was 450, which comprised 420 divorcees, 13 marriage counsellors, four judges, and 13 religious leaders. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants while stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect the data. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse the quantitative data while the qualitative data were analysed thematically based on the specific purposes of the study. The study revealed that divorcees in the Kumasi Metropolis are facing high level of socio-economic costs of divorce which to a large extent are hampering their standard of living. Furthermore, the study revealed that the seven predominant predictors of divorce in the Metropolis were infertility, infidelity, domestic violence, duration of marriage, alcoholism and narcotic usage, sexual intimacy, and age at first marriage. In addition, the results showed that psycho-socio-personal variables predicted 81.3 percent of the variance in divorce. It was recommended that couples choose the option of mediation through an alternative resolution dispute mechanism in order to avoid the heavy costs incurred during the divorce process. Also, religious bodies should collaborate with professional marriage counsellors to continuously organise comprehensive pre and post marital counselling intervention programmes for yet to be, new, and old couples.

Source: UCC
Socio-economic determinants of rice farmer’s loan size in Shama, Ghana

Farm credit can stimulate the transfer of technology into agriculture and hence lead to increased crop yield. However, most often than not farmers are faced with the problem of loans received being far lower than what they applied for. The objectives of this study are therefore to: (i) analyse the size of loan applied for and received (ii) identify the constraints regarding loan obtainment and (iii) analyse the socioeconomic determinants of farmers’ loan size. A random sample of 91 rice farmers from Shama in the western region of Ghana was used for the study. A well-structured interview schedule was the main tool for data collection, while descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were the main analytical techniques. The farmers interviewed stressed loan availability and accessibility as major problems. The size of loan received by farmers was far lower and significantly different from the amount applied for. Empirical results from the regression analysis find the farm size, income and years of farming experience as positive and significant predictors of farm loan size

Source: UCC