ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The unmet needs of older people in Nsawam, Ghana

Although healthy life expectancy is projected to be increasing among older people, in Ghana, a high proportion of older people will live with functional disabilities, warranting their need for long-term care. We explored the expressions used by older people to describe their needs and preferences of care and support. Using the descriptive-qualitative approach, 14 older people were engaged via semi-structured interviews, and the data were analysed thematically. The study found that older people desired decent accommodation, preferential healthcare, adequate nutrition, and an opportunity to interact with their peers at social functions. A provision of sufficient financial assistance, adequate healthcare, the periodic organisation of social and group events for older people, and the availability of home care and support could help older people address these needs. The paper reveals the need for interventional research on how a model incorporating social, health and environmental factors even during a pandemic can address older people's varying needs

Source: UG
Unpacking a multi-faceted program to build sustainable income for the very poor. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304387821001401?via%3Dihub#!

A multi-faceted program comprising a grant of productive assets, training, unconditional cash transfers, coaching, and savings has been found to build sustainable income for those in extreme poverty. We focus on two important questions: whether a mere grant of productive assets would generate similar impacts (it does not), and whether access to a savings account with a deposit collection service would generate similar impacts (it does, but they are short-lived).

Source: UG
Unpacking decentralization failures in promoting popular participation in the Ketu South Municipality of Ghana

Decentralization of governance across the globe, especially in sub-Saharan Africa was precipi tated by the need to ensure the participation of the citizenry in the development planning and implementation at the local level. This is to ensure that local problems are identified by those affected and remedied through policies formulated through the participation of the citizenry at the local level. In line with this, subnational government authorities were created at the local level to ensure effective local government administration. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the challenges hindering the active participation of the citizenry in local governance in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana. A qualitative research design was adopted. The study purposively selected thirty-five (35) participants in the study area for the purposes of its primary data collection through interviews. This study investigated the fact that citizens were expected to participate in local governance through community engagement fo rums, budgeting, and financial planning, medium-term development planning, preparation of annual action plans, and participation in district level elections. The results of the study showed that low participation of the citizenry in local government is attributable to citizens’ lack of in formation and education on the need for local-level participation, inadequate political structures of the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies, and inadequate resources at the local government level. To ensure and promote the active participation of the citizenry at the local level, there is the need to educate the citizenry, and ensure that there are adequate and sufficient resources at the local level.

Source: UG
Unpacking the ethics of access and safety of participants and researchers of child sexual abuse in Ghana

Despite the generous legislative environments that protects children from sexual abuse, the magnitude of child sexual abuse has not changed much in most societies across the globe, especially in Africa. This has been attributed to the limited studies on the subject due to its sensitive and complex nature. Where studies are done, researchers have had to negotiate carefully through the matrix of gaining access and consent, through to ensuring that victims are not further victimized in the process of research. This paper discusses some practical and ethical challenges inherent in researching the phenomenon of child sexual abuse in Ghana. The paper outlines and discusses the undergirding principles and strategies for conducting child-sensitive research to serve as a framework for researches who want to conduct studies on child sexual abuse and other sensitive topics in Africa.

Source: UG
Unpacking the impact of COVID-19 on child immunization: evidence from Ghana

Background With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments implemented social distancing regulations to limit the spread of the disease. Some health experts warned that these measures could negatively affect access to essential health services, such as routine childhood immunizations. Others noted that without these regulations, COVID-19 cases would increase, leading to overburdened health systems. Methods We analyze four years (2018–2021) of monthly administrative data on childhood immunizations in all administrative districts in Ghana and exploit variations in social distancing regulations across districts. Given variations in social distancing regulations across Ghanaian districts, we can further differentiate between the effect of public lockdowns and the effect of the pandemic. Results We find that child immunizations in Ghana declined by 6% during the public lockdown in April 2020, but the country compensated with higher vaccination rates starting in June, and immunization services recovered to pre-pandemic growth levels by 2021. Time-critical vaccines, such as polio, were not affected at all. We do find a substantially larger disruption in April 2020 (14%) and a slower recovery in 2020 in the 40 lockdown-affected districts. Interestingly, vaccination rates already decreased in February and March by about 5% before the public lockdown and before the pandemic had reached Ghana, but with the pandemic already spreading globally and in the news. Conclusion Our results indicate that the negative effect on child immunization was less severe and shorter than predicted by experts. Fear of COVID-19 and delayed vaccination campaigns had a substantial impact on childhood immunization while rising COVID-19 cases and moderate social distancing regulations did not seem to affect immunization rates

Source: UG
Unpacking the psychological and physical well-being of Ghanaian patients with breast cancer

This study explored the psychological and physical well-being of 12 Ghanaian women diagnosed with breast cancer. aged between 22 and 69 years. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants to understand their lived experiences following their diagnosis and treatment. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Findings revealed that patients’ psychological and physical well-being relative to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are marked by (a) persistent pain, (b) concerns with physical appearance, and (c) a willingness to lose a breast for survival, (d) positive religious coping, and (e) posttraumatic growth (i.e., positive psychological changes in the aftermath of diagnosis or treatment). The findings suggest that recognising patients’ concerns with pain, physical changes, and the will to lose a breast to survive in the care continuum may yield public health dividends. Moreover, the findings highlight the need for individualised psychotherapeutic interventions to assist patients in dealing with the disease in the aftermath of their diagnosis and treatment.

Source: UG
Unplugged: A Guide to Taming Technology Addiction for High School Students

In the digital age, finding a healthy balance with technology is crucial, especially for high school students. Unplugged is a comprehensive guide that empowers students to navigate the complexities of technology addiction and regain control over their digital lives. Packed with practical strategies, insightful questions, and real-life scenarios, this book offers a roadmap to breaking free from the grips of technology and cultivating a mindful relationship with it. From recognizing the signs of addiction and planning a digital detox to building healthy online habits and seeking support, Unplugged provides the tools needed to embrace technology wisely and create a positive impact in the digital world. Whether you're a student seeking a healthier tech-life balance or an educator looking to support your students, this book is an essential resource for understanding, addressing, and overcoming technology addiction.

Source: UG
Unraveling the dilemma of the information search process : The application of Wilson’s model in a Ghanaian University setting

The paper seeks to unravel the challenges students encounter when seeking for information with emphasis on the search process for effective information search activities. Survey data was collected from 190 postgraduate students in University of Ghana. The study revealed that not all the students adhered strictly to Wilson’s 8-step information search process all the time and as a result one out of three of the students were never satisfied with their information searches. Satisfaction with search results was significantly tied to adherence to the search process (r=0.200, p<0.05), the person who conducted the search (χ2=26.3, df=8, p<0.05) but not the level of use of the library system. The academic environment mostly influenced the information needs of the students and yet their search efforts were challenged mostly by constraints within the university environment particularly inadequate technological infrastructure. The study concludes that the use of Wilson’s information search process leads to satisfaction with search outputs. Recommendations have been made to enhance information search activities of students and information seekers in general.

Source: UG
Unraveling the health-related challenges of women in the informal economy: accounts of women in cross-border trading in Accra, Ghana

The majority of urban informal sector workers lack basic health and social protection services and work in an unhealthy and unsafe environment. Women in cross border trading are one such group. Even though they contribute significantly to and are an important component of many economies, they do so at their personal and economic risks. As these women travel, they experience health hazards which add to their existing occupational exposure. Using in-depth-interviews and observation, this paper unravels the health-related risks that women in cross-border trading face. The most common physical health complaints were musculoskeletal problems such as body aches, back pains, waist pains and swollen feet as a result of long hours of travel and poor road networks. In addition to limited access to information on sexually transmitted diseases, women also go through psychosocial problems arising out of constant thinking and ‘worrying too much’ about their safety in the vehicles, the cash they carry along, the activities of gendarmes and armed robbers, untrustworthy customers as well as the safety of the children they leave behind. It is recommended that more attention should be paid to the work of women in the informal economy and cross-border trade in particular so as to unravel the ways in which women’s work affect their physical and mental health. It is only through this that policies could be put in place to address the health-related challenges of women in the informal economy

Source: UG
Unraveling the origin of the high photocatalytic properties of earth-abundant TiO2/FeS2 heterojunctions: insights from first-principles density functional theory

Herein, first-principles density functional theory calculations have been employed to unravel the interfacial geometries (composition and stability), electronic properties (density of states and differential charge densities), and charge carrier transfers (work function and energy band alignment) of a TiO2(001)/FeS2(100) heterojunction. Analyses of the structure and electronic properties reveal the formation of strong interfacial Fe–O and Ti–S ionic bonds, which stabilize the interface with an adhesion energy of 0.26 eV Å 2 . The work function of the TiO2(001)/FeS2(100) heterojunction is predicted to be much smaller than those of the isolated FeS2(100) and TiO2(001) layers, indicating that less energy will be needed for electrons to transfer from the ground state to the surface to promote photochemical reactions. The difference in the work func tion between the FeS2(100) and TiO2(001) heterojunction components caused an electron density rearran gement at the heterojunction interface, which induces an electric field that separates the photo-generated electrons and holes. Consistently, a staggered band alignment is predicted at the interface with the conduc tion band edge and the valence-band edge of FeS2 lying 0.37 and 2.62 eV above those of anatase. These results point to efficient charge carrier separation in the TiO2(001)/FeS2(100) heterojunction, wherein photo induced electrons would transfer from the FeS2 to the TiO2 layer. The atomistic insights into the mechanism of enhanced charge separation and transfer across the interface rationalize the observed high photocatalytic activity of the mixed TiO2(001)/FeS2(100) heterojunction over the individual components

Source: UG
Unsafe abortion and associated factors among reproductive aged women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Unsafe abortion is a neglected public health problem contributing for 13% of maternal death worldwide. In Africa, 99% of abortions are unsafe resulting in one maternal death per 150 cases. The prevalence of unsafe abortion is associated with restricted abortion law, poor quality of health service, and low community awareness. Hence, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to identify and summarize the available evidence to generate an abridged evidence on the prevalence of unsafe abortion and its associated factors in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods The development of the systematic review methodology has followed the procedural guideline depicted in the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocol statement. Observational studies that have been conducted from January 1, 1994, up to December 31, 2017, in Sub-Saharan African countries will be included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, and PopLine will be searched to retrieve available studies. Relevant studies will be retrieved using the search strings applied to different sources. The Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool will be used to critically appraise the methodological robustness and validity of the finding to avoid erroneous data due to confounded or biased statistics. Data extraction template will be prepared to record abstracted information from selected studies. The selection of relevant studies, data extraction, and quality assessment of studies will be carried out by two authors. Meta-analysis using Mantel–Haenszel random effects model will be carried out. The presence of heterogeneity between studies will be checked using the I2 value. Discussion Unsafe abortion is not yet reduced significantly in Sub-Saharan Africa, and maternal death rate due to unsafe abortion remains high. Currently, there is a gap in availability of abridged evidence on unsafe abortion and this negatively influenced the current service delivery. This finding will help stakeholders to design appropriate strategy. The finding of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be helpful to inform policy-makers, programmers, planners, clinician’s decision making, researchers, and women clients at large.

Source: UG
Unsafe abortions: Methods used and characteristics of patients attending hospitals in Nairobi, Lima, and manila

Using quantitative and qualitative data, the authors present selected characteristics of 626 women who reported complications of induced abortion in five hospitals: one in Nairobi, two in Lima, and two in Manila. Although there are some similarities, the findings show some marked differences in demographic characteristics. In Nairobi nearly all respondents were single, nulliparous, and 25 years or younger; in Lima and Manila most were either married or in union, usually aged 25 years or older and had at least 1 child. There was evidence of repeat abortions, especially in Nairobi where 26% had had at least one previous abortion. Access to safe abortions is severely restricted and is obtained through a secret referral system. A list of potentially hazardous local abortifacients range from the drinking of strong Kenyan tea to dangerous practices such as insertion of sharp objects into the uterus or drinking chemicals and toxic substances. PIP: Interviews with 626 women treated in 1993 for complications of unsafe abortion at five hospitals in Nairobi (Kenya), Lima (Peru), and Manila (Philippines) revealed marked differences in their demographic characteristics. The percentage under 25 years of age was 26% in Manila, 45% in Lima, and 91% in Nairobi. 84% of abortion patients in Nairobi were single compared with 77% in Manila and 21% in Lima; 77% of women in Nairobi had no children compared with 29% in Lima and 11% in Manila. In general, Nairobi abortion seekers tended to be young women who migrated to the city and were concerned pregnancy would impede their social mobility. In Lima and Manila, abortion was sought to limit births within union, generally for financial reasons. Never-use of contraception was reported by 80% of Kenyan women, 65% of Manila women, and 48% of those in Lima. When presented with 11 scenarios that might justify an abortion, the only indication the majority in all three cities supported was pregnancy resulting from rape. Women reported use of abortifacient agents such as livestock droppings, drinking chemicals and detergents, herbal medicines, and overdoses of over-the-counter medications, as well as insertion of sharp objects into the uterus. 98% of Kenyan respondents compared with 36% in Peru and 24% in the Philippines claimed illegal abortion was common; 92%, 75%, and 35%, respectively, were aware of at least one woman who died after an unsafe abortion. All of the women in Kenya and 89% in the Philippines reported it was difficult or very difficult to obtain an abortion; most were obtained through a secret referral system and involved unsanitary conditions. These findings indicate a need for postabortion family planning counseling as well as scrutiny of existing abortion laws and policies.

Source: UG
Unscripted (in)justice: Exposure to ecological hazards in metropolitan Accra

The author examines geographies of environmental hazards in Accra, declared a Millennium City on I5 January 2010. With the aid of both primary and secondary data, it is shown how environmental governance has shifted under neoliberalism, and the author demonstrates how a review of Accra's waste disposal problems could elucidate how such paradigm shift has contributed to urban social injustice. Current practices are seen as a symptom of poor governance and the value of understanding intraurban differentials is interrogated. It is posited that the current representations as to who bears the brunt of any possible health-risk outcomes appear abstract, incomplete, and poorly understood. The author illustrates how ineffective and insufficiently attentive governance can exacerbate health risks facing the entire society, and suggests that addressing inequalities may be among the most effective interventions to ensure sustainable environmental management, improve health, and guarantee social cohesion in the urban space.© 2013 Pion and its licensors.

Source: UG
Unsweetened natural cocoa has anti-asthmatic potential

Unsweetened natural cocoa powder is enriched with nutraceutical abundance of anti-asthmatic compounds theobromine and theophylline. Cocoa powder, which is prepared after removal of the cocoa butter, contains about 1.9% theobromine and 0.21% caffeine. Anecdotal reports indicate that regular consumption of unsweetened natural cocoa powder (UNCP), a common practice in Ghana, West Africa, has the potential to reduce the tendency of asthmatic episodes. In the present paper we studied the effect of regular ingestion of aqueous extract of UNCP on hematological and histopathological changes that occur in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pigs. OVA-sensitized guinea pigs were challenged with aerosolized OVA 1 hour after ingestion of 300 mg/kg (low dose) or 600 mg/kg (high dose) of UNCP for 35 consecutive days. Histopathological and haematological changes in the OVA-sensitized guinea pigs were evaluated. Both negative and positive controls with distilled water and prednisolone, respectively, were used. OVA-sensitized guinea pigs demonstrated concentration-independent reduction in immune response to aerosolized OVA. There were no histo-architectural changes in the bronchiolar smooth muscles of the treated groups. Unsweetened natural cocoa powder has potential anti-asthmatic properties when administered orally at the doses tested. Copyright © by BIOLIFE, s.a.s.

Source: UG
Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder Has the Potential to Attenuate High Dose Artemether-Lumefantrine-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Non-Malarious Guinea Pigs

Objective. This study investigated the elemental composition of unsweetened natural cocoa powder (UNCP), its effect on nitric oxide, and its hepatoprotective potential during simultaneous administration with high-dose artemether/lumefantrine (A/L). Method. Macro- and microelements in UNCP were analyzed with EDXRF spectroscopy. Thirty (30) male Guinea-pigs were then divided into five groups. For groups 3 (low-dose), 4 (medium-dose), and 5 (high-dose), the animals received oral UNCP prophylactically for 14 days. Group 1 received distilled water (14 days) and group 2 A/L for the last 3 days (days 12 to 14). After euthanisation, biochemical and histopathological examinations were carried out in all groups. Results. Phytochemical analysis of UNCP showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides. Thirty-eight (38) macro- and microelements were found. UNCP produced significant decreases in ALT, ALP, GGT, and AST levels. A significant increase in total protein levels was observed during A/L+UNCP administration in comparison to 75 mg/kg A/L group. Histopathological examinations buttressed the protective effects of cocoa administration. UNCP administration increased nitric oxide levels 149.71% (P < 0.05) compared to controls. Conclusion. UNCP increases nitric oxide levels and has hepatoprotective potential during A/L administration. A high level of copper was observed which may be detrimental during high daily consumptions of UNCP. © 2016 Isaac Julius Asiedu-Gyekye et al.

Source: UG