ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Quality Features of Local and Foreign-Made Printed Fabrics

In examining the purchasing habits of Ghanaians regarding foreign fabrics, it often seems that these materials are viewed as being of higher quality than those made locally. The research sought to evaluate the performance characteristics of three local and three foreign wax cotton printed fabrics. The properties of these fabrics were compared against the standards established by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to identify which type of fabric shows better quality. The criteria evaluated included weight, yarn count, colourfastness, breaking strength, and dimensional stability, using experimental methods for assessment. For selecting sample specimens for this research, both stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed. An analysis of the data was carried out utilizing version 25 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), wherein an independent samples t-test was applied to evaluate the significant differences between the two types of fabric. The findings indicated that there were no notable differences in the features examined, and all the textiles studied met the wax print standards established by the Ghana Standards Authority for the characteristics analysed. However, ATL, Printex, and Sanhe did not pass the strength test in the weft direction. Notably, Printex was the only fabric to pass the weft yarn count test, while the others did not. Thus, it can be concluded that foreign fabrics excel in terms of fabric weight, yarn count, and colourfastness, whereas local fabrics are superior in tensile strength and dimensional stability. This investigation should be expanded to include more textiles and parameters to better assess fabric compliance with specified standards for particular end-uses.

Source: UCC
Quality in Management Education Programme: The Perceptions of Lecturers and Students

Criticisms have been raised against the quality in Management Education Programme (MEP) for failing to produce competent graduates for the job market. This study examined the perceptions of lecturers and students on quality in the MEP in a HE. The study was rooted within TQM theory, Expectation-Confirmation Theory (ECT) and CIPP Model of programme evaluation. The study employed sequential explanatory mixed methods design within the pragmatism research philosophy. The population was Mangement lecturers and final year students in UCC. Census method was used to include 43 lecturers and 529 students and interviews were conducted among eight (8) lecturers and twelve (12) students. The data were collected using QUAMEP-Q and Follow-up Interview Guide (FIG) and processed via SPSS version 25.0, AMOS version 21.0 and PROCESS Macro version 3.3. Thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data. It was discovered that the lecturers and students perceived a moderate level of quality in the programme in terms of quality: learning environment (QLE), services (QS), teaching (QT), student engagement (QSE) and student competences acquisistion (SCA). They were, also, moderately satisfied (SAT) with the programme. These were as a result of large class size, low quality and inadequate facilities, learning resources, support systems, health and accommodations services, unfavourable learning environment, high workload and lack of practical delivery of lessons. Further, the study established that QLE and QS significantly influence QT. There was significant conditional direct and indirect influence of QLE on QSE as moderated by QT and QS. Also, SCA and SAT with the programme were significantly conditionally predicted by QLE, QS, QT and QSE. The age of students significantly influence their perceptions toward quality drivers in the programme. The study recommended that the Management of the University should continue to provide and strengthen quality culture by fostering continuous improvement in QLE, QS, QT QSE, SCA, and SAT with the programme. They should make every effort for the provision of quality instructional resources, learning climate and infrastructure facilities to help reduce the large class size. The lecturers should continue to highly engaged the students and not relent in equipping the students with the 21st century employability skills.

Source: UCC
Quality of construction processes and the fit of government supplied uniforms in West Akyem Municipality

The purpose of this study was to assess the constructional quality offree school uniforms supplied by Government of Ghana to basic school pupils. The study was a descriptive survey carried out at the West Akyem Municipal Assembly. The population studied comprisedFree School Uniform (FSU)beneficiaries for the 2013/2014 academic year. Purposive and disproportionate stratified sampling techniques were utilized to select 419 respondents which comprised of manufacturers, headteachers/teachers, parents and pupils. Two Quality control personnel were contacted to assess the constructional details of the free school uniforms sewed. Data was collected using questionnaireand observation guide. The instrumentfor the parents, teachers and pupils yielded aCronbach alpha coefficient of 92.95 and 73 respectively. Data collected was tabulated, interpreted and discussed using descriptive statistics. This involved the use of frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Though the manufacturersrated themselves as excellent, the assessors rated the construction quality of the FSU as unsatisfactory because their constructional processes did not meet international quality standards. The study recommends that government of Ghana in collaboration with well established apparel producers come out with effective sizing system for manufacturers to use to produce quality constructed and well fitting school uniforms.

Source: UCC
Quality of Healthcare Delivery and Utilisation of Hospital Services at the University of Cape Coast Hospital

This study assesses the quality of healthcare delivery and utilisation of hospital services at the University of Cape Coast Hospital. Using the realist research paradigm, this study adopted the mixed research approach and used a descriptive research design. A sample of 370 respondents was computed from a population of 5046 with the help of Yamane’s sample size calculator. The research applied stratified sampling and a simple random sampling approach, using a structured questionnaire and an interview guide to collect the data. The data was analysed using crosstabulation and logistic regression. The findings revealed that the junior and senior staff have insufficient knowledge of their rights to quality healthcare. Also, the results showed a consensus among the junior staff and senior members that the service quality rendered by the hospital is satisfactory. Finally, the study revealed that the respondents’ service quality perceptions and background characteristics are significant determinants of hospital utilisation. It was recommended that the hospital management put measures in place to ensure quality healthcare services. It further recommends that the hospital roll out client education programmes such as rights to quality healthcare awareness campaigns to improve clients’ knowledge of their rights to quality healthcare services. This can take the form of enhancing the visibility of the Patients Charter and the Ghana Health Services Code of Conduct at the hospital

Source: UCC
quality of life of persons witi-i disabilities in Ghana: roles of higher education, employment and social support systems

This study investigated the quality of life of persons with disabilities in Ghana and the role of higher education, employment and social support systems. The study adopted a mixed-methods research with explanatory sequential design. The accessible population was persons with disabilities with higher education qualification in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Northern Regions of Ghana. Exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling technique was used to select 117 patticipants from the three regions for the survey and 18 participants from this number were conveniently sampled for the interviews. A questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used to collect data for the study. The questionnaire was administered through online surveys and personal administrations. The interviews were conducted face-to-face and through telephone interviews. The quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. It was found out that social support systems were the only variable with statistically significant relationship with quality of life of persons with disabilities. Fmther, no relationship was established between higher education and employment, higher education and social support, and employment and social support among persons with disabilities. It was concluded that the relationship between higher education and quality of life could improve with employment and income. Finally, it was concluded tl1at higher education, employment and social support combine to account for a small percentage of quality of life for persons with disabilities. It was recommended that social support systems should be encouraged so as to improve on the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

Source: UCC
Quality of Life, Psychological Distress and Adjustment Strategies Among Young Widows in Kumasi Sub–Metropolitan District Councils: Implications for Counselling

In Ghana, it appears that most widows are in distress and thus seem to have low quality of life. This triggered this research that assessed the quality of life of young widows, their psychological distress and the various adjustment strategies they use for coping with when their husbands die. The study was nested in the mixed research design where quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the same time and analyzed in complementary manner. A sample of 150 young widows were selected through the use of convenience sampling. The quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics (independent samples t-test, ANOVA and Andy Hayes’ Process for moderation) and descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages). To supplement the study results, the qualitative data were analysed to validate the quantitative data. From the study, it was found that anxiety/depression, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and mobility affected the quality of life (QoL) of young widows. The factors also pose a challenge on psychological, social and economic lives of the young widows. However, families, friends and religious bodies served as a source of support to them. Most of the young widows indicated that changing of negative thoughts, support from friends and family help them to adjust to their situations. Being gainfully employed was found to influence and determine quality of life of the widows. Quality of life was found to be better for those who had been in widowhood longer. Age moderated the quality of life (QoL) of widows. Recommendations offered include support from the government and other stakeholders within the Kumasi Sub-Metropolitan District Councils in the areas of psychological, social and economic support to mitigate their challenges

Source: UCC
The Quality of Newborn Data: Assessment of Data Management and Reporting System

Data quality assurance through the district, regional and national health information systems is a sure way of having a meaningful interpretation, but this is a challenge in many developing countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability and data completeness of key newborn data indicators collected at the health facilities and to determine the use of newborn data for planning and decision-making at the Cape Coast metropolis. The study was a descriptive qualitative assessment. An in-depth interview was conducted in four hospitals within the Cape Coast Metropolis. There were unique best practices identified with some hospitals such as staff distribution and utilization in data collection and reporting, using data for decision making, and to define newborn indicators, data collections tools and the processes involved in data management and utilising supportive supervision from both the region and district levels. In order to sustain health information management, fundamental monitoring and evaluation issues, standardisation of monitoring and evaluation practices in data and information management must be addressed. In addition, investment should be made into the adoption of electronic medical records systems and tertiary training programs to support monitoring and evaluation activities in the hospital.

Source: UCC
The Quality of Newborn Data: Assessment of Data Management and Reporting System

Data quality assurance through the district, regional and national health information systems is a sure way of having a meaningful interpretation, but this is a challenge in many developing countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability and data completeness of key newborn data indicators collected at the health facilities and to determine the use of newborn data for planning and decision-making at the Cape Coast metropolis. The study was a descriptive qualitative assessment. An in-depth interview was conducted in four hospitals within the Cape Coast Metropolis. There were unique best practices identified with some hospitals such as staff distribution and utilization in data collection and reporting, using data for decision making, and to define newborn indicators, data collections tools and the processes involved in data management and utilising supportive supervision from both the region and district levels. In order to sustain health information management, fundamental monitoring and evaluation issues, standardisation of monitoring and evaluation practices in data and information management must be addressed. In addition, investment should be made into the adoption of electronic medical records systems and tertiary training programs to support monitoring and evaluation activities in the hospital

Source: UCC
Quality of pineapple fruits as influenced by floral induction in Ghana

A study was conducted to assess the influence of floral induction on the quality of pineapple (Ananas comosus) fruits. Freshly harvested pineapple fiuits from farmers' managed fields that were induced by calcium carbide and non-induced leontrol) from Ayemsudo, a major pineapple producing center in the Cenfral Region of Ghana. The fruits were chemically analysed in the laboratory. The results revealed that moisture content of chemically induced pineapple is lower (84.3%) than the non-induced fruits (86.8 0 0). Total sugars, sucrose and reducing sugars were all higher in induced fruits than the non-induced fruits. Organoleptic analysis showed 88.9% of the consumer preference for chemically induced fruits. Chemical induced fruits have shorter shelf-life than non-induced fimits

Source: UCC
Quality of Pineapple Fruits as Influenced by Floral Induction in Ghana

A study was conducted to assess the influence of floral induction on the quality of pineapple (Ananas comosus) fruits. Freshly harvested pineapple fruits from farmers’ managed fields that were induced by calcium carbide and non-induced (control) from Ayensudo, a major pineapple producing center in the Central Region of Ghana. The fruits were chemically analysed in the laboratory. The results revealed that moisture content of chemically induced pineapple is lower (84.3%) than the non-induced fruits (86.8%). Total sugars, sucrose and reducing sugars were all higher in induced fruits than the non-induced fruits. Organoleptic analysis showed 88.9% of the consumer preference for chemically induced fruits. Chemical induced fruits have shorter shelf-life than non-induced fruits.

Source: UCC
“Quality of prenatal and maternal care: bridging the know-do gap” (QUALMAT study): an electronic clinical decision support system for rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Despite strong efforts to improve maternal care, its quality remains deficient in many countries of Sub-Saharan Africa as persistently high maternal mortality rates testify. The QUALMAT study seeks to improve the performance and motivation of rural health workers and ultimately quality of primary maternal health care services in three African countries Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Tanzania. One major intervention is the introduction of a computerized Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for rural primary health care centers to be used by health care workers of different educational levels. Methods: A stand-alone, java-based software, able to run on any standard hardware, was developed based on assessment of the health care situation in the involved countries. The software scope was defined and the final software was programmed under consideration of test experiences. Knowledge for the decision support derived from the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline “Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum and Newborn Care; A Guide for Essential Practice”. Results: The QUALMAT CDSS provides computerized guidance and clinical decision support for antenatal care, and care during delivery and up to 24 hours post delivery. The decision support is based on WHO guidelines and designed using three principles: (1) Guidance through routine actions in maternal and perinatal care, (2) integration of clinical data to detect situations of concern by algorithms, and (3) electronic tracking of peri- and postnatal activities. In addition, the tool facilitates patient management and is a source of training material. The implementation of the software, which is embedded in a set of interventions comprising the QUALMAT study, is subject to various research projects assessing and quantifying the impact of the CDSS on quality of care, the motivation of health care staff (users) and its health economic aspects. The software will also be assessed for its usability and acceptance, as well as for its influence on workflows in the rural setting of primary health care in the three countries involved. Conclusion: The development and implementation of a CDSS in rural primary health care centres presents challenges, which may be overcome with careful planning and involvement of future users at an early stage. A tailored software with stable functionality should offer perspectives to improve maternal care in resource-poor settings.

Source: UCC
Quality of public transport service: an integrative review and research agenda

This paper contains a literature review of quality of public transport service. The study classified 85 articles published 2005–2015, based on regional context, date of publication, sample size, the nature of the papers, type of public transport studied, the approach adopted to measure service quality with inputs and outputs, and empirical findings. There are different types of public transport assessed from stakeholders’ perspectives. Two main approaches pervade the review: conceptual and analytical. The paper makes the recommendation for a research agenda in addressing quality of public transport service

Source: UCC
Quality of service delivery and customer satisfaction of Ghana revenue authority - customs division in the Ho municipality

The purpose of this research was to assess the quality of the provision of services by the GRA Customs Division in the municipality of HO., Ghana. The approach of quantitative analysis was considered the most suitable and thus embraced, so the studies were quantitative in nature. The researcher adopted the correlational study design randomly sampled 300 customers of Customs Division of the GRA in the HO municipality. In all, 296 questionnaires were completed, valid and usable for data collection and analysis purposes, therefore used by the researcher. Data obtained from customers was transferred to the computer via questionnaires and analyzed with the packet program SPSS 22., which could have a positive effect on customers' willingness to pay their taxes. From the above findings, the researcher recommended that investments should be made into the physical infrastructure of the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division.

Source: UCC
Quality of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine given as antimalarial prophylaxis in pregnant women in selected health facilities in Central Region of Ghana

The use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as an intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) against malaria during pregnancy has become a policy in most sub-Sahara African countries and crucially depends on the efcacy of SP. Tis study sets out to evaluate the effectiveness of the SP given to the pregnant women in some selected health facilities in the Central Region of Ghana to prevent maternal malaria in pregnant women. A total of 543 pregnant women recruited from 7 selected health centres in Central Region of Ghana participated in the study. Parasite density of Plasmodium alciparum was determined from peripheral blood of the pregnant women using microscopy. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and dissolution tester were used to determine the quality of the SP. Malaria infection was recorded in 11.2% of pregnant women who had a history of SP consumption. SP failed the dissolution test. Pregnant women who did not receive IPT-SP were 44%. Low haemoglobin level was recorded in 73.5% of the pregnant women. The results indicated that SP was substandard. IPT-SP is ineffective in preventing malaria infection

Source: UCC
Quality of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Given as Antimalarial Prophylaxis in Pregnant Women in Selected Health Facilities in Central Region of Ghana

The use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as an intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) against malaria during pregnancy has become a policy in most sub-Sahara African countries and crucially depends on the efficacy of SP. This study sets out to evaluate the effectiveness of the SP given to the pregnant women in some selected health facilities in the Central Region of Ghana to prevent maternal malaria in pregnant women. A total of 543 pregnant women recruited from 7 selected health centres in Central Region of Ghana participated in the study. Parasite density of Plasmodium falciparum was determined from peripheral blood of the pregnant women using microscopy. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and dissolution tester were used to determine the quality of the SP. Malaria infection was recorded in 11.2% of pregnant women who had a history of SP consumption. SP failed the dissolution test. Pregnant women who did not receive IPT-SP were 44%. Low haemoglobin level was recorded in 73.5% of the pregnant women. The results indicated that SP was substandard. IPT-SP is ineffective in preventing malaria infection.

Source: UCC