ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Pathways to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Among Women in Ghana: A Qualitative Study

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Ghanaian women and most women are identified once they develop symptoms. Women then must navigate a complex health care system to get diagnosed and receive orthodox medicine. We describe Ghanaian women’s pathways of care from breast cancer-related symptom detection to treatment receipt. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using an empirical phenomenological approach. We used a purposive sampling technique to recruit 31 women with breast cancer who were receiving treatment at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. They participated in semistructured in-depth interviews between November 2019 and March 2020. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a deductive coding approach. Results: Women navigate approximately nine steps from symptom detection to receiving orthodox breast cancer treatment. The breast cancer care pathway is not linear and women frequently move among different management approaches, including alternative therapy (faith healing and traditional herbal healing). All the women detected the symptoms themselves. Some of the women sought orthodox medicine due to information from the media. Conclusions: Alternative therapy providers play a critical role in the breast cancer diagnosis and care pathways in Ghana underscoring the need to formally integrate them into the health care system. Breast cancer awareness programs through the media and educational programs aimed at alternative therapy providers may reduce the time from symptom detection to receipt of orthodox medicine.

Source: KNUST
Pathways to building cross-border partnership for disease prevention and health promotion in Ghana and Burkina Faso: Kassena-Nankana and P0 Districts

Decentralized health care delivery place enormous responsibilities on border districts like Kassena Nankana in Ghana and Po in Burkina Faso. The task of addressing the issues of Poverty, inadequate access to care, HIV/AIDs, cerebro - spinal meningitis, malaria and cholera in these districts would be difficult to accomplish unless ways and processes are identified to leverage diverse knowledge, skills, and resources of people and organizations. Diseases have no regard for colonially imposed geo-political boundaries and this study explored pathways by which Kassena Nankana and Po could build cross- border partnership for effective local health action. Through key informant interviews, focus group discussion, observation and document review pathways were delineated for cross-border partnership building. The study identified health directorates, local authorities, security agencies, communities and NGOs for building broad base cross- border partnership. On how a cross-border partnership would work, study participants mentioned memorandum of understanding, regular reviews, informal social interactions and collective ownership of partnership. Furthermore, the partnership would require engaging in identifying, framing and understanding health problems, developing strategies and taking collective actions to solve them. Logistical constraints, differences in personal attitudes and values, language differences, political apathy and poor leadership style came up as critical challenges to building a partnership. A platform to develop and deepen understanding, formulate a vision and engender ownership would push forward the cross-border partnership building process.

Source: KNUST
Pathogenicity of entomogeneous fungi isolated from eldana saccharina

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops, grown in Africa by commercial and resource-poor small-scale farmers, serving as a staple food for millions of people in Africa. Maize production is however constrained by many biotic factors including lepidopteran stemborers, which feed inside plant stems, and the parasitic weed belonging to the genus Striga, which rob the maize plant of water and nutrients. Many of the currently existing methods of controlling stemborers are either too expensive or inefficient. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify entomogenous fungi on dead Eldana saccharina larvae collected from selected sites in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and to test the pathogenicity of the isolated fungi as potential biological control agents. Percentage larval mortality was determined for all isolated fungi using equal spore concentrations. Median Lethal Time and Median Lethal concentrations were also determined for each of the isolated fungi. Fungal species isolated and identified were Aspergillus flavus, Verticillium albo-atrum, Trichothecium sp., Fusariunm oxysporum and Alternaria brassicicola. Of the five fungi isolated and identified, Aspergillus flavus caused the largest percentage mortality of 80 % while Alternaria brassicicola caused the least percentage mortality of 22.5 % at a concentration of 5x107c.f.u./ml. Aspergilllus flavus, and Verticillium albo-atrum., were pathogenic to E. saccharina. Trichothecium sp. was moderately pathogenic while Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria brassicicola were not pathogenic to E. saccharina.

Source: KNUST
Pathogens associated with hospitalization due to acute lower respiratory tract infections in children in rural Ghana: a case–control study

Respiratory infections are one of the most common causes of death among children under the age of five years. Data on prevalence and relevance of specific organisms in African children are still lacking. This case–control-study investigated prevalence and relevance of specific organisms in Ghanaian children admitted to hospital with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Pharyngeal swabs were taken and tested by PCR for 19 respiratory isolates. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated to estimate associations between isolates and admission with LRTI. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated to assess the proportion of LRTI cases due to a particular pathogen. The study included 327 cases and 562 controls. We found associations between detection and admission for LRTI for influenza (aOR 98.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 20.0–1789.6), respiratory syncytial virus (aOR 40.2; 95% CI 7.2–758.6), H. influenzae (aOR 4.1; 95% CI 2.2–7.9) and S. pneumoniae (aOR 2.4; 95% CI 1.7–3.4). PAFs ≥ 10% were observed for S. pneumoniae (30%; 95% CI 26–42), H. influenzae (10%; 95% CI 2–19) and influenza (10%; 95% CI 2–18). This study highlights the need for heightened surveillance and development of effective vaccines for respiratory pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2 in the future.

Source: KNUST
Patients’ preference of public and private hospitals: evidence from Kumasi and Bibiani in The Ashanti & Western Regions of Ghana

Ghana’s health sector has seen some transformation resulting from government and development partners’ interventions. By and large, the public health care delivery is generally seen as giving more impartial and evidence-based consideration. However, both public and private hospitals have clients patronizing them. The question therefore is, “at what point is a patient likely to opt for private or public healthcare. The study sought to assess clients’ preference for private and public hospitals. The research design adopted for this study was descriptive design. The population comprised the inhabitants of Kumasi Metropolis (Ashanti Region) and Sefwi-Bibiani (Western Region), who are 18 years and above. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 600 inhabitants from the selected regions (300 from each region). Data was collected from primary source by administering questionnaires to the inhabitants. After the study, it was concluded that, the choice of public hospital over private hospital was positively influenced by service quality, word-of-mouth, and the type of ailment (sickness). Satisfaction on the other hand, decreased the odds (likelihood) of public hospital being selected over private hospital. Private hospitals performed better on medical services, nursing services, support services, administrative services, patient safety, and hospital infrastructure. However, public hospitals performed better on the dimension of patient communication than private ones. The study also found that respondents who patronized private hospitals were slightly more satisfied with service than that of public hospital. The study recommends an improvement in waiting time within public hospitals in Ghana. This may be through the creation of additional consulting units and the use of appointments for those who prefer special services. Private hospitals are also encouraged to furnish patients and guardians with appropriate counseling to help them make informed decisions before and during service usage

Source: KNUST
Patient waiting time and patient stress: the moderating role of pro-social behaviours

This study aims to answer two research questions which are (1) how in-role pro-social behaviours moderate the relationship between patient waiting time and patient stress; (2) how extra-role pro-social behaviours moderate the relationship between patient waiting time and patient stress. Both theoretical and empirical literature was provided based on the research objectives. Data was gathered from 216 participants using a convenience sampling technique from various hospitals in Kumasi Metropolis. The analyses of the study were conducted using SPSS version 23.0 and presented in both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result supported a positive relationship existing between patient’s stress and patient’s waiting time. The findings also support a negative moderating effects of in-role pro-social behaviours of health professional in the relationship between patient waiting time and patient stress. Also, the negative moderating effects of extra-role pro-social behaviours of health professional in the relationship between patient waiting time and patient stress was supported by the findings. The findings thereby indicated that long patient’s waiting period at the hospital is a contributing factor for patient’s stress at the hospital. The result however highlights the crucial role of in-role pro-social activities of health professionals in moderating reducing the extent to which patient’s waiting time affects patient’s stress at the hospitals through a moderating effect. Furthermore, the findings confirmed that extra-role pro-social behaviours exert a significant negative effect on the extent to which patient’s waiting time affects patient’s stress at the hospitals. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Source: KNUST
Patient-related factors that affect adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Hypertension is still ranked as one of the top chronic medical conditions that affect individuals of all ages worldwide. Patients encounter difficulties during their therapy which leads to uncontrolled blood pressure .The complications that arise mainly due to uncontrolled blood pressure can be greatly reduced with a combination of on-schedule medication taking and the practice of positive lifestyle measures. This can be achieved when patients have positively formed conceptions about their medical condition and medications which invariably impacts on their medication-taking behaviour. The objective was to measure the level of adherence and determine patient-related factors that affect adherence to antihypertensive therapy. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 326 hypertensive patients who attended the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s hypertensive clinic from 1st May, 2014 to 31st July, 2014. A well-structured questionnaire that incorporated the MMAS-8 was administered to participants to evaluate patients’ level of adherence and also determine if the assessed variables had any influence on patients’ medication-taking behaviour. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 16. One hundred and thirty-three (41%) of the patients were males and 193(59%) were females. Two hundred and twelve (212, 65%) of participants were in the age range 55-79 years with a mean age of 60.59 years (SD=12.03).Two hundred and three (62%) had gone through basic education. Two hundred and five (205, 62.9 %) of the study participants were found to be highly adherent to their medication therapy, with 82 (25.2%) and 39 (11.9%) of the participants being categorised into the medium and low adherence groups respectively. Patients reported forgetfulness, a sense of well-being and side effects of their medications as major reasons for not being able to take their medications as prescribed. Patients were knowledgeable about the dose, dosing frequency and purpose but less knowledgeable about the names and side effects of their medication therapy. Patients were aware of lifestyle measures adjunctive to medication therapy. The knowledge score on medication therapy was poor and the score on awareness of lifestyle measures was average. No association was found between patients’ gender (P-value=0.714), age, awareness of hypertensive state (p-value=0.149), awareness of lifestyle measures (0.149), number of years diagnosed hypertensive (P-value=0.175) and patients’ adherence level. There was an association between patients’ knowledge about their diet (P-value-0.05), awareness of systolic blood pressure (P-value=0.01) and patients’ adherence level. More than 50% of the study population highly adhered to their medication therapy and patients’ adherence level was determined to be influenced by the type of diet likely to affect blood pressure negatively as well as knowledge of the doses and side effects of their antihypertensive medicines.

Source: KNUST
Patination in Traditional African Art

Patination as used in this thesis refers to physical change on the surface of an object, which becomes different from the object’s original condition. These are changes which have taken place over a period of time and are due to factors including handling, libation poured on the object and other foreign matter accumulating during the use of the object. Traditional African art as used in this thesis refers mainly to wood sculpture. The main problem of the thesis is to consider patination in traditional African art as an aesthetic factor. That is to make people more aware of patination as an external aesthetic factor, which is the direct result of libation, together with other factors mentioned above. The main problem which is the aim of the thesis is dealt with in the first chapter which interweaves with the sub-problems set out in the following chapters. Chapter two treats the sparse historical documentation with reference to materials other than wood. Chapter three expands the views of the anthropologist who concentrates on whether the object has been used to understand how the Object was used, which is also a guide to its authenticity. This view is considered 1riside that of the collector. Chapter four expands on the aesthetic considerations of the connoisseur. The anthropologist could as well appreciate patination as an aesthetic factor, but his work as dealt with in chapter three is to focus on the more functional aspect. The anthropologist’s views as opposed to that of the connoisseur’s are not necessarily conflicting. The aim of this thesis maintains that the changes in the surface quality be considered as a prime factor of aesthetic appreciation and that greater attention should be directed to it.

Source: KNUST
Patriarchy and participation of women in politics: a study of the nomination of females as district chief executives in Northern Region.

The historical subordination of women especially in public life has been widely discussed and efforts are being made globally to reverse this trend. Ghana for that matter Northern Region, is not insulated from this global trend. Thus, this study selectively focuses on patriarchy and participation of women in politics: a study of the nomination of females as District Chief Executives in Northern Region of Ghana. An attempt to find out factors accounting for the difficulties associated with the confirmation of females as District Chief Executives, the study adopted the mix research approach where quantitative and qualitative methods were employed; ninety (90) questionnaires were administered to 90 participants in a survey. Interviews and focus group discussions were also organized in Savelugu Municipality, Sagnarigu District and Tolon District. The findings indicate that, socio-cultural practices and beliefs hinder the confirmation of females as District Chief Executives in the region. Lack of commitment in implementing Affirmative Action as well as financial constraints are among the reasons why women‟s presence at the District Chief Executive positions are not being felt much. These factors, however, are not insurmountable. It is therefore a wake-up call on government, civil society, women groups and political parties to engineer the adaption of a national Affirmative Action policy which will have the endorsement of all political parties. It is believed that the adoption of this strategy and the establishment of a special fund to support women in politics or women seeking for District Chief Executive positions will reverse the trend.

Source: KNUST
Patient-Related Factors that affect Adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Hypertension is still ranked as one of the top chronic medical conditions that affect individuals of all ages worldwide. Patients encounter difficulties during their therapy which leads to uncontrolled blood pressure .The complications that arise mainly due to uncontrolled blood pressure can be greatly reduced with a combination of on-schedule medication taking and the practice of positive lifestyle measures. This can be achieved when patients have positively formed conceptions about their medical condition and medications which invariably impacts on their medication-taking behaviour. The objective was to measure the level of adherence and determine patient-related factors that affect adherence to antihypertensive therapy. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 326 hypertensive patients who attended the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital‟s hypertensive clinic from 1st May, 2014 to 31st July, 2014. A well-structured questionnaire that incorporated the MMAS-8 was administered to participants to evaluate patients‟ level of adherence and also determine if the assessed variables had any influence on patients‟ medication-taking behaviour. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 16. One hundred and thirty-three (41%) of the patients were males and 193(59%) were females. Two hundred and twelve (212, 65%) of participants were in the age range 55-79 years with a mean age of 60.59 years (SD=12.03).Two hundred and three (62%) had gone through basic education. Two hundred and five (205, 62.9 %) of the study participants were found to be highly adherent to their medication therapy, with 82 (25.2%) and 39 (11.9%) of the participants being categorised into the medium and low adherence groups respectively. Patients reported forgetfulness, a sense of well-being and side effects of their medications as major reasons for not being able to take their medications as prescribed. Patients were knowledgeable about the dose, dosing frequency and purpose but less knowledgeable about the names and side effects of their medication therapy. v Patients were aware of lifestyle measures adjunctive to medication therapy. The knowledge score on medication therapy was poor and the score on awareness of lifestyle measures was average. No association was found between patients‟ gender (P-value=0.714), age, awareness of hypertensive state (p-value=0.149), awareness of lifestyle measures (0.149), number of years diagnosed hypertensive (P-value=0.175) and patients‟ adherence level. There was an association between patients‟ knowledge about their diet (P-value-0.05), awareness of systolic blood pressure (P-value=0.01) and patients‟ adherence level. More than 50% of the study population highly adhered to their medication therapy and patients‟ adherence level was determined to be influenced by the type of diet likely to affect blood pressure negatively as well as knowledge of the doses and side effects of their antihypertensive medicines.

Source: KNUST
Patient Factors Influencing Adherence to Antihypertensive Therapy Among Patients Attending Presbyterian Hospital At Donkorkrom

Hypertension is identified as an important public health disease which poses economic challenge for both high and low income countries. It is risk factor for renal, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and an important risk factor for global mortalities. It is estimated that 40% of global adult population aged 25 years and above have hypertension. In Ghana, it is recorded that 34% of hypertensives are aware of their condition while 28% of those with raised BP are on treatment. In spite of the important role adherence plays in therapeutic outcome, adherence level among those on antihypertensive therapy is 50%. Many factors like patients, physicians and health systems are acknowledged to influence adherence. The objective is to measure the level of adherence and to determine patient factors which influence adherence to antihypertensive therapy. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Donkorkrom Presbyterian Hospital among hypertensive patients aged 18 years and older using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Results: In all, 160 (50%) patients poorly adhered to therapy while 51 (15.9%) had excellent adherence level. After cross-tabulation, religious background (P-0.0001), awareness of therapy (P-0.001), level of awareness of causes of hypertension (P-0.002) and marital status of hypertensive patients (P-0.042) were the patient factors found to influence adherence to antihypertensive therapy. xiii Conclusion: The study found out that half of hypertensives utilizing Presbyterian Hospital at Donkorkrom adhered to therapy. Muslims, married patients and those who are aware of cause and complications of hypertension are more likely to adhere to treatment. Hypertensive patients should be educated to increase their level of awareness on causes and complications of hypertension and to improve their understanding of their therapy.

Source: KNUST