ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Women’s Experiences of Surviving Severe Obstetric Complications: A Study at 37 Military Hospital, Accra

Women who survived severe obstetric complications (SOC) have health and well-being issues even up to one year postpartum as far as their quality-of-life (QoL) and well-being were concerned. However, health care professionals do very little to know what their predicaments are. The study objective described the impact of severe obstetric complications on their QoL and well-being. Using the WHO standards for near-miss, twelve (12) women who survived severe obstetric complications were recruited between January and March 2019. The study adopted a qualitative approach with an exploratory descriptive design to explore the experiences of women who survived SOC in the Accra Metropolis. Participants were purposively sampled and eligible participants who agreed to be part of the study were interviewed in their homes and others in the healthcare facility after discharge from 37 Military Hospital. Recorded interviews were transcribed and later analyzed using a thematic analysis. Four (4) themes and twenty-seven (27) sub-themes were formulated based on the study objectives and constructs of the theoretical framework used and, two (2) other themes and six (6) sub-themes emerged. The findings were inability to perform functional activities, financial constraints, residual hypertension, anaemia, pain, difficulty to sleep due to the sudden change in sleep pattern and fear of death when they fall asleep. Other findings include anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder. From the findings, there is a need for sequence of procedures to improve the care of survivors of SOC in order to minimise the liabilities that such complications impose on these women.

Source: UG
Women’s Experiences with Traditional and Orthodox Management of Cervical Cancer in the Accra Metropolis

Cervical cancer is a public health problem that affects women‘s well-being worldwide. The literature on cancers from high-income countries indicates that patients combine traditional and western medicines for the treatment of cancer. However, there is scant empirical evidence on cervical cancer patients‘ experiences in both traditional and western medicine usage. The study, therefore, explored the experiences of women on the traditional and orthodox management of cervical cancer in the Accra Metropolis using the traditional healers‘ practices and western management approaches for psychiatric diseases (Abbo, 2011) as an organizing framework for the study. The study employed a qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Twelve (12) women with cervical cancer in the Accra Metropolis were purposively recruited. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio recorded with each interview lasting between 30 – 45 minutes. The interviews were then transcribed verbatim and thematic content analysis procedures were applied to generate the findings. The participants believed that they acquired the disease through their parents‘ genes, inappropriate personal lifestyle, and behaviours. They also believed that vagina hygiene education could prevent cervical cancer. The women experienced pain and blood loss during cervical cancer screening; vulva itching and hair loss as side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy; four women were declared free of cervical cancer after combined use of traditional and orthodox treatment; some attributed their improved health status to orthodox treatment only; and others felt their health status was worse with the traditional treatment. However, all participants lived their lives in fear and they coped with the disease by using faith in God. The women suffered physically, psychologically, sexually, and socially whilst undergoing cervical cancer treatment in Ghana. Therefore, Ministry of Health should formulate appropriate national policy for cervical cancer care with priority on human papillomavirus vaccinations to all girls and women in order to prevent cervical cancer, and step-up efforts on cancer education programmes.

Source: UG
Women's fears and men's anxieties: The impact of family planning on gender relations in northern Ghana

The Navrongo experiment, a family planning and health project in northern Ghana, has demonstrated that an appropriately designed, community-based family planning program can produce a change in contraceptive practice that had been considered unattainable in such a setting. Simultaneously, however, evidence suggests that newly introduced family planning services and contraceptive availability can activate tension in gender relations. In this society, where payment of bridewealth signifies a woman's requirement to bear children, there are deeply ingrained expectations about women's reproductive obligations. Physical abuse and reprisals from the extended family pose substantial threats to women; men are anxious that women who practice contraception might be unfaithful. Data from focus-group discussions with men and women are examined in this report and highlight the strains on gender relations resulting from contraceptive use. The measures taken to address this problem and methods of minimizing the risk of adverse social consequences are discussed. PIP: The perspectives of older and younger men and women and village leaders concerning the impact of family planning on gender relations were distilled from a series of 36 focus group discussions held during 1994-96 in conjunction with the launching of the Navrongo experiment in northern Ghana. The primary aim of the focus groups was to monitor the community's reaction to the introduction of family planning and health services and provide feedback to project managers. Focus group participants made clear that, although contraception can reconcile a husband's sexual desire with the wife's desire to space births, it also generates marital discord, wife beating, and opposition from members of the extended family. Violence against women was considered justified by 51% of female and 43% of male respondents if the wife used a contraceptive method without the husband's knowledge. Women feared that their husband's disapproval of family planning could lead to withholding of affection or sex or even divorce. In the traditional local society, payment of bridewealth in cows and sheep signifies the wife's obligation to bear children. Some men worry that their wives might be unfaithful if they used contraception or that contraceptive use might create conflict among multiple wives. The possibility that women may act independently is regarded as a threat to the strong patriarchal tradition. The Navrongo project has attempted to respond to community concerns by acting through existing local institutions whenever possible while still supporting women and their autonomy.

Source: UG
Women's health status in urban Ghana: Dimensions and differentials using short form 36

Background: Global discourse on population, health and development have placed women's health issues at the top of development agenda. Women's reproductive health has received some attention in Ghana since the mid-1990s. However, studies on women's general health status, dimensions and the differentials in a rapidly growing urban setting is poorly understood and under-researched. This study sought to examine the various pathways in which individual socio-demographic factors, economic characteristics and endowment influence self-assessed health status among women living in the city of Accra, Ghana. Methods: The paper draws on a cross-sectional study carried out in 2008 and 2009 using a representative sample of urban women 20 years and older (n=2814). Multivariate stepwise linear regression models were performed to investigate the influence of socio-demographic, economic and health indicators on health-related quality of life, measured by eight sub-scales of the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Interaction effects between some demographic and socio-economic variables were also performed. Results: The analyses show diverse relationships between demographic, socio-economic and health indicators and health outcomes assessed using eight SF-36 sub-scales. Education, disease symptoms and age of the respondent were the most significant factors influencing good overall health status. Interestingly, age has no significant effect on mental health after controlling for all other explanatory variables. Conclusions: The findings show that health issues are multi-faceted requiring socio-cultural, health and economic policy interventions. Investing in women's education is important to improve health status. There is also the need for more effective collaboration across various sectors to improve the health and well-being of women in general. Ageing has increasing relationship with poor physical health status and the elderly should be given needed attention and support. © 2018 The Author(s).

Source: UG
Women’s Operational Vulnerability and Risk in Ghanaian Business Systems: A Case Study of “Kayayei” in Accra, Ghana

The ‘Kayayei’ business presents several risks to the young women although there are some economic benefits. Over the years, there have been some studies in this area, but to the best of our knowledge, none of these studies has examined extensively the vulnerability (emotional and physical) of these porters. This study, therefore, assesses women’s vulnerability and risk in Kayayei business in Accra Central District. Specifically, this study examines the extent of harassment by patrons on the female head porters and the effect it has on their productivity. It further investigates the reproductive health challenges faced by these female head porters. Using a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with fourteen purposively selected head porters. This study found that the Kayayei become victims of verbal and sexual harassment and exploitation by their patrons and the general public and face some reproductive health challenges due to the very nature of their jobs.

Source: UG
Women’s perspectives of mistreatment during childbirth at health facilities in Ghana: findings from a qualitative study

Mistreatment of women during childbirth at health facilities violates their human rights and autonomy and may be associated with preventable maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. In this paper, we explore women’s perspectives on mistreatment during facility-based childbirth as part of a bigger World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country study for developing consensus definitions, and validating indicators and tools for measuring the burden of the phenomenon. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were used to explore experiences of mistreatment from women who have ever given birth in a health facility in Koforidua and Nsawam, Ghana. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis conducted. A total of 39 IDIs and 10 FGDs involving 110 women in total were conducted. The major types of mistreatment identified were: verbal abuse (shouting, insults, and derogatory remarks), physical abuse (pinching, slapping) and abandonment and lack of support. Mistreatment was commonly experienced during the second stage of labour, especially amongst adolescents. Inability to push well during the second stage, disobedience to instructions from birth attendants, and not bringing prescribed items for childbirth (mama kit) often preceded mistreatment. Most women indicated that slapping and pinching were acceptable means to “correct” disobedient behaviours and encourage pushing. Women may avoid giving birth in health facilities in the future because of their own experiences of mistreatment, or hearing about another woman’s experience of mistreatment. Consensus definitions, validated indicators and tools for measuring mistreatment are needed to measure prevalence and identify drivers and potential entry points to minimise the phenomenon and improve respectful care during childbirth.

Source: UG
Women's sexual empowerment and contraceptive use in Ghana.

Pervasive gendered inequities and norms regarding the subordination of women give Ghanaian men disproportionately more power than women, particularly in relation to sex. We hypothesize that lack of sexual empowerment may pose an important barrier to reproductive health and adoption of family planning methods. Using the 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Survey, we examine the association between women's sexual empowerment and contraceptive use in Ghana among nonpregnant married and partnered women not desiring to conceive in the next three months. Increasing levels of sexual empowerment are found to be associated with use of contraceptives, even after adjusting for demographic predictors of contraceptive use. This association is moderated by wealth. Formal education, increasing wealth, and being in an unmarried partnership are associated with contraceptive use, whereas women who identify as being Muslim are less likely to use contraceptives than those who identify as being Christian. These findings suggest that to achieve universal access to reproductive health services, gendered disparities in sexual empowerment, particularly among economically disadvantaged women, need to be better addressed.

Source: UG
Women’s sexual empowerment and utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives in Ghana: evidence from the 2014 demographic and health survey

Background Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) contribute significantly to a decline in unintended pregnancies globally. However, not much is known about women’s sexual empowerment and their utilization of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives in Ghana. The main objective of this study was to examine the association between women’s sexual empowerment and LARC utilization in Ghana. Methods We used data from 5116 sexually active women who participated in the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Women’s sexual empowerment was defined as women’s perception of their right to self-determination and equity in sexual relations, and their ability to express themselves in sexual decision-making. A sum of scores was created with four dichotomous items as sexual empowerment score (0=low sexual empowerment; 1, 2, and 3=medium sexual empowerment; and 4=high sexual empowerment). Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed to establish the association between women’s sexual empowerment and the use of LARC. Pearson Chi-square test was used in data analysis. The results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR), with their respective confidence intervals (CIs) at a statistical significance of p<0.05. Results The prevalence of LARC utilization among sexually active women in Ghana was 6%. Majority of the women had medium sexual empowerment (91%). Although not statistically significant, the likelihood of utilizing LARC was lowest among women with high level of sexual empowerment (aOR=0.62; CI=0.27–1.43). On the other hand, Utilization of LARC increased with an increase in age. Women with parity four or more had higher odds of utilizing LARC as compared to women with zero birth (aOR=9.31; CI=3.55–24.39). Across religion, women who belong to the Traditional religion (aOR=0.17; CI=0.04–0.71) and Islam religion (aOR=0.52; CI=0.36–0.76) had lower odds of LARC utilisation as compared to Christian women. Women who make health decisions with someone else (aOR=1.52; CI=1.12–2.09) had higher odds of LARC utilisation as compared to women who make health decision alone. Conclusion Age, health decision maker, parity and religion were found to have a significant relationship with LARC utilization. Specifically, uneducated women, unemployed women and women who practice traditional religion were less likely to utilise LARC. However, women’s sexual empowerment did not have a significant relationship with LARC. There is therefore the need for planning interventions for LARC utilization in line with educating women on the benefits and potential side effects of LARC. Also, there is a need for interventions targeted at increasing access to LARC among sexually active women.

Source: UG
Women’s use of non-conventional herbal uterotonic in pregnancy and labour: evidence from birth attendants

Background: Over the years, governments and stakeholders have implemented various policies/programmes to improve maternal health outcomes in low-middle-income countries. In Ghana, Community Health Officers were trained as midwives to increase access to skilled maternal healthcare. The government subsequently banned traditional birth attendants from providing direct maternal healthcare in 2000. Despite these, there is an unprecedented utilisation of TBAs’ services, including herbal uterotonics. This has attempted to defeat stakeholders’ campaigns to improve maternal health outcomes. Thus, we explored and highlighted herbal uterotonic consumption in pregnancy and birth and the implications on maternal and newborn health outcomes in North-Western Ghana. Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative study that investigated traditional birth attendants (n = 17) and healthcare providers' (n = 26) perspectives on the intake of herbal uterotonics in pregnancy and childbirth in rural Ghana, using in-depth interviews. A combination of convenience, purposive and snowball sampling procedures were employed in selecting participants. Results: Findings were captured in two domains: (1) perceived rationale for herbal uterotonic intake, and (2) potential adverse impacts of herbal uterotonic intake in pregnancy and labour, and nine topics: (i) confidence in unskilled attendance at birth, (ii) cost and a shortage of essential medicines, (iii) herbal uterotonics as a remedy for obstetric problems, (iv) herbal uterotonics facilitate birth, (v) attraction of home birth for cultural reasons, (vi) affordability of herbal uterotonics, (vii) unintended consequences and adverse outcomes, (viii) risks using herbal uterotonics to manage fertility and (ix) risks using herbal uterotonics to facilitate home birth. Conclusion: The findings have suggested that the intake of non-conventional herbal uterotonic is widespread in the study area, although the constituents of the herb are unknown. However, complex and multiple factors of healthcare cost, desire for homebirth, unawareness of the negative effects of such substances, perceived way of addressing obstetric problems and cultural undertones, among others, accounted for herbal uterotonics consumption. We also encourage research into the constituents of ‘mansugo’ and the potential benefits and adverse effects. We recommend qualitative studies involving previous users of this herbal uterotonic to inform policy and healthcare provision.

Source: UG
Women's Wealth and Intimate Partner Violence: Insights from Ecuador and Ghana

ABSTRACT: Intimate partner violence (IPV) by men against their partners is one of the most glaring indicators of women's lack of empowerment. Drawing upon the 2010 Ecuador Household Asset Survey (EAFF) and the 2010 Ghana Household Asset Survey (GHAS), nationally representative surveys for Ecuador and Ghana, respectively, this study investigates the relationship between women's ownership of assets and physical and emotional abuse by spouses against currently partnered women over the previous twelve months. It uses the value of a woman's total assets compared to those of her partner as the main proxy for a woman's bargaining power. Differentiating between physical and emotional violence in both countries, the study finds that women's share of couple wealth is significantly associated with lower odds of physical violence in Ecuador and emotional violence in Ghana. Moreover, the association between women's share of couple wealth and IPV is contingent on the household's position in the wealth distribution. © 2015, IAFFE.

Source: UG
Women’s wealth and intimate partner violence: Insights from Ecuador and Ghana.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) by men against their partners is one of the most glaring indicators of women’s lack of empowerment. Drawing upon the 2010 Ecuador Household Asset Survey (EAFF) and the 2010 Ghana Household Asset Survey (GHAS), nationally representative surveys for Ecuador and Ghana, respectively, this study investigates the relationship between women’s ownership of assets and physical and emotional abuse by spouses against currently partnered women over the previous twelve months. It uses the value of a woman’s total assets compared to those of her partner as the main proxy for a woman’s bargaining power. Differentiating between physical and emotional violence in both countries, the study finds that women’s share of couple wealth is significantly associated with lower odds of physical violence in Ecuador and emotional violence in Ghana. Moreover, the association between women’s share of couple wealth and IPV is contingent on the household’s position in the wealth distribution.

Source: UG
Women, assets, and formal savings: A comparative analysis of Ecuador, Ghana and India

Motivation: Savings are an important but often overlooked component of financial inclusion. While women are less active than men in the formal financial sector there is little understanding about their ability to accumulate savings. Purpose: We hypothesize that a woman’s individual economic status, measured by her property ownership, is an important driver of her ability to save. Approach and Methods: Women are considered as savers in the formal sector only if they have savings above a minimum threshold. Three measures of women’s asset ownership are used: two capture their absolute property status and one their relative status in the household. The data are obtained from three large‐scale surveys that collected individual‐level asset data in Ecuador, Ghana and the Indian state of Karnataka. Logistic regression models are employed to examine the relationship between women’s property ownership and accumulation of savings. Findings: The absolute value of a woman’s physical assets and her share of household physical wealth are correlated with being able to accumulate formal savings. Women’s relative wealth status is more strongly related to their savings, along with education, paid employment and group membership. Conclusions: Women’s intrahousehold status, defined by their relative wealth, is critical to determining their ability to save in formal accounts. Policy Implications: Interventions that boost women’s bargaining power, by increasing their property ownership, should be encouraged, along with greater efforts to improve girls’ access to quality education. Functional literacy training for older women can both reduce barriers to accessing financial institutions and create awareness of their benefits. Constraints to women’s participation in the labour force should be removed in tandem with interventions to reduce gender earnings gaps.

Source: UG
Women, Gender, and Development in Africa

Gender denotes the social prescriptions associated with biological sex in regard to roles, behavior, appearance, cognition, emotions, and so on. Social relations of gender or gender relations encompass all relationships in which gender sub jectivities play a role, including those among people, and between people and the institutions, systems, and processes of development. The chapter describes three features of gender relations that are generally consistent across societies – gender ideologies and myths; gendered division of labor; and unequal power relation ships – and discusses their implications for development. The chapter further explains the centrality of gender to the development enterprise and discusses various approaches to integrating gender analysis in development processes.

Source: UG