ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Mass media and community health in the Akotokyir community of Cape Coast - Ghana

It has been argued that even though bro~d-spectrum pproaches to health promotion, using mass communication methods, may not be effective, they are still useful as' sources of health information and in reaching .hidden groups in the general population. The effectiveness of promoting community health through various approaches in the mass media has been questioned. Therefore, in what ways can there be rapid improvement in community health using the mass media? This paper engages in a qualitative .interrogation of mass media effects on health the Akotokyir commun(ty 0.1Cape Coast in Ghana. The paper argues that the mass media within the Cape Coast Municipality have largely failed to lead to positive changes in Community health statuses; some of the reasons for this failure are examined. The paper then offers some recommendations, stressing the need or an integrated municipal health campaign that is culture-specific and sustainable over a long period of time

Source: UCC
Mass media and environmental consciousness of urban dwellers in the Cape Coast Metropolis

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the influence of the mass media on the environmental consciousness of urban dwellers in the Cape Coast Metropolis.Descriptive and ‘Acapulco Typology’ research design were employed in this study. Questionnaire, interview schedule and content analysis guide were the main tools used to collect data for the study. A total of 387 respondents were systematically drawn from Amanful/Regional Administration, Kotokuraba/Tantri, Pedu/Abura, Cape Coast Central, UCC/OLA and Adisadel to form the respondents.The study employed the use of questionnaire, interviews and content analysis to gather data. The SPSS was used to analyse the data collected using the questionnaire. The findings were that the mass media had varied types and content approach to carrying out environmental information of how to prevent littering the environment with plastic bags, domestic solid waste and open air defecation in the urban communities. Radio and television stations ran different programmes to create and draw attention of respondents in Cape Coast urban areas to environmental cleanliness in the six communities in the Cape Coast Metropolis.The study recommends closer collaboration between the media and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly on environmental and sanitation issues. Again, the Assembly is urged to sponsor environmental programmes on the various mass media platforms accessible to residents within the metropolis.

Source: UCC
Mass media coverage of development issues in northern Ghana.

In Ghana, studies showed that the mass media mostly served elitist audiences since programmes aired were either linguistically inaccessible to rural audiences or were of little relevance to the deprived communities. This study investigated the role the media played in development, especially with regard to its contribution towards placing the development of Northern Ghana on the national agenda. It aimed at assessing the extent to which the national media reported on development issues emanating from Northern Ghana. Using content analysis of selected radio and television programmes and newspaper publications as well as interviews of media editors and audiences, the study revealed editors’ awareness of the fact that there existed inequality in development between the North and South of Ghana and that such a gap had a historical antecedence that needed to be addressed. However, media content showed the lack of attention to the development needs of the North. Not much newspaper space or sufficient airtime was devoted to stories on Northern development. Also, the media covered mainly organized events which were published in hard news fashion rather than researching into development challenges of Northern Ghana. The study recommended the organization of development reporting workshops for Ghanaian media practitioners and periodic visits of media editors based in the South to Northern Ghana, as well as the establishment of television stations in the North.

Source: UCC
Mass Media Exposure and Women’s Household Decision-Making Capacity in 30 Sub-Saharan African Countries: Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

Women’s household decision-making capacity is an essential component of their empowerment which include decisions related to personal health care, large household purchase and family visitations. Despite research evidence acknowledging mass media’s influences on women’s empowerment, including their ability to take household decisions, empirical data through multi-country comparison on mass media exposure and women’s decision making capacity are sparse. This study sought to assess the association between exposure to mass media (television, radio and newspaper/magazine) and women’s household decision-making capacity in 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data from current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 30 countries in SSA from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2016 were used. Binary Logistic Regression analysis was used to assess the association between mass media exposure and women’s household decision-making capacity in SSA. Results were presented using crude odds ratios (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Women who watched television almost every day had higher capacity to take household decisions, compared to those who did not watch television at all. Women who read newspaper/magazine less than once a week were less likely to take household decisions compared to those who never read newspaper/magazine. However, there was no association between exposure to radio and household decisionmaking capacity. Regarding the covariates, age, level of education, wealth index, occupation, and parity showed significant associations with women’s household decision-making capacity.

Source: UCC
Maternal and perinatal contributing factors to congenital abnormalities in children below five years: A study at the Korle Bu teaching hospital

The main purpose of the study was to examine the maternal and perinatal contributing factors of congenital abnormalities in children below five years. The study was carried out at the Korle bu Teaching Hospital in the Accra Metropolis. This study was an exploratory study which used quantitative method. The participants for the study were selected using convenience sampling. One hundred and eighty one questionnaires were distributed to mothers of children with congenital abnormalities who were below five years at the hospital. The data collected was coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings from the study suggested that, maternal and perinatal contributing factors including illicit drug use and herbal medication have a very significant and negative influence on the unborn child. Factors such as regular attendance to antennal clinic, healthy nutrition and taking of prescribed medication at the clinic also have significant and positive contribution to the good health of the baby. The study recommended that mothers should be encouraged to attend antenatal clinics regularly during pregnancy and health facilities should screen all pregnant women for congenital malformations for early detection and management. The psychological impact of congenital abnormalities on the family and educational programs can be organized to create awareness on the various types of congenital abnormalities and their management. It is anticipated that if these measures are taken into consideration, it will help to create awareness of congenital abnormalities, strengthen existing management procedures and help to reduce child morbidity and mortality in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Among Pregnant Women with Hypertensive Disorders in the Volta Region

Hypertension, the commonest medical condition in pregnancy is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. It accounts for about 10% of pregnancy-related complications. Although complications of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) could be reduced by 70% with effective management, resources for their effective management in most district hospitals in the Volta Region are lacking. This study aimed to assess maternal and perinatal outcomes among pregnant women with hypertensive disorders in the Volta Region of Ghana. This analytical cross-sectional study design using a simple random sampling technique to choose hospitals and a purposive sampling technique to choose patient collected data on the socio-demographic and maternal characteristics, maternal and perinatal outcomes using a pretested data extraction form from antenatal, delivery, and postnatal record books of 130 women with HDP. Crude and adjusted relative risk (RR) using multivariable binomial regression at P< 0.05 is considered significant when adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared. A majority (63.1%) of the respondents were Christians who belong to a low-risk obstetric age group of 20- 35 years (66.2%), are medium to high-income earners (65.4%) and have had at least 9 years of formal education (90%). The study observed a high prevalence of obstetric complications such as meconium-stained amniotic fluid (24.62%), premature rupture of membrane (23.85%), haemorrhage (69.2%), and placenta abruption (13.08%). Adverse perinatal outcomes: APGAR score less than 7 at minute 1 (66.92%) and 5(13.08%), low birth weight (33.08%), intensive care unit admission requirement (25.38%), congenital abnormalities (10%), and stillbirth (8.46%) were observed. Maternal ethnicity, premature rupture of membrane, haemorrhage, placenta abruption and mode of delivery are risk factors for APGAR score less than 7 at minute 1 whereas haemorrhage, being single, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and placenta abruption are risk factors for APGAR score less than 7 at minute 5. Low income is a risk factor for congenital abnormalities. Maternal educational level is a risk factor for placenta abruption. Maternal age >35 years is a risk factor for premature rupture of membrane. Premature rupture of membrane, placenta abruption and spontaneous vaginal delivery are risk factors for small for gestational age. Premature rupture of membrane is a risk factor for neonatal intensive care unit admission and meconium-stained amniotic fluid is a risk factor for still birth. The need for improved maternal and perinatal care services for women with HDP cannot be overemphasized for better obstetric outcomes.

Source: UCC
Maternal Employment, Information And Communication Technology And Human Capital Development In Ghana

This thesis examined the nexus between employment, household human capital development and information and communication technology (ICT). The motivation is to examine whether maternal employment could be encouraged without compromising human capital development. Using the Ghana Living Standards Survey round 7, the study investigated the role of ICT in the link between maternal employment and healthcare utilisation and the intention not to stay in current job and children grade progression. The effect of ICT skills on employment, and the intention not to stay in current job was examined. Probit, bivariate probit, Ordinary Least Squares, Instrumental Variable and Propensity Score Matching techniques were used to estimate the models. It was found that, mothers employment decreases healthcare utilisation and it is pronounced for rural households. Households with working mothers who use smartphones and/or have ICT skills are associated with higher utilisation. Mothers‘ intention to quit their current job negatively affect grade progression but ICT use and access is linked to positive grade progression for urban households. ICT skills positively influences employment for both males and female but higher for females. Literacy and financial inclusion are channels through which ICT skills affects employment. ICT skills also affects the intention to stay in a job particularly for females. The study recommends the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization to prioritize ICT education for females and promote the innovation of ICT products and services that will enhance female employment and reduce the adverse effect of mother‘s employment on household human capital development.

Source: UCC
Maternal health and women's rights in the Ga district

Every, year at least half a million women die from pregnancy-related causes of which, 99% come from developing countries. The root cause of this situation is due to the fact that the decision-making power women regarding the right to decide on how many children to have and when (whether) to have them. the use of contraceptives and the right to refuse sex with their husbands have been circumscribed by socio-economic conditions within which they live. The study data were based on primary and secondary sources from four settlements in the Ga District - Kokrobite, Kweman. Dome and Amasaman. Field interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and personal observation were used to collect the primary data while the secondary data were derived from the hospitals, M/CH care clinics and other institutions such as the National Council on Women and Development(NCWD), Federation of Women Lawyers(FIDA), the 31 st December Women's Movement and the District Assemblies. In the Ga (the study area), women's sexual and reproductive health is not dependent exclusively on their own behaviours, but also, situations and behaviours of others. Thus, although decisions on some issues in the household such as breast-feeding and abstinence may be arrived at jointly, women will always respond to men's sexual demands irrespective of the implications because of the fear of reaction from their husbands. Also, as women have relatively low economic resources, they still rely on their husbands for economic support and so their control over their sexuality and reproduction is circumscribed by that fact. Thus, despite the fact that the women in the study area were generally aware of their reproductive rights they were unable to exercise these rights because of their low status in the society. The socio-economic status of women such as level of education of both men and women and the type of residence were the main factors that have influenced health-seeking behaviour of women. For instance, the antenatal health seeking behaviour of women in the Ga district was influenced by factors such as the educational level of the woman. distance to health centre, parity, type of marriage( polygynous or monogamous) and / husband's educational attainment. Moreover, the decision of the women to choose a place of delivery depends greatly on her place of residence, level of education, her husband and immediate family members. All these factors directly or indirectly affect women's status and decision-making in the home and society at large. The relationship between women's rights and maternal health is therefore not direct but is mediated by a set soocioeconomic, cultural and political mechanisms.

Source: UCC
Maternal health in Awutu-Senya district

This study used the delays model, to explain how socio-cultural factors mediate to influence the use of health facilities during the pregnancy-postpartum period in the Awutu-Senya District of the Central Region of Ghana. The administrative capital of the district was purposively sampled in addition to two randomly selected communities. The study targeted women who gave birth between September 2007 and September 2009 in the sampled areas. Proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to select 246 respondents from the chosen communities. Among others, the study observed low antenatal, delivery and postnatal care attendance from 2006 to 2008. Maternal mortality ratio increased from 115 per 100,000 live births in 2004 to 176 per 100,000 live births in 2008, whilst proportion of births outside orthodox medical facilities continues to increase in the face of National Health Insurance and other maternal health policies and programmes. Results showed that there was no association between attendance at clinics for antenatal care and residence. However, there was a significant and a positive relationship between attendance at clinics for postnatal care and residence. Again, a significant and a positive relationship between supervised delivery and level of education was established. It is recommended that the Ghana Health Service should pay particular attention to the socio-cultural environment in order to encourage antenatal care attendance, supervised deliveries and postnatal care in the health facilities for achievement of the Millennium Development Goal 5.

Source: UCC
Maternal toxicity and post-implantation assessments in rats gestationally exposed to Polyscias fruticosa leaf extract

Background: Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms is used as a folk medicine across Afro-Asian regions of the world. Safety of P. fruticosa use in pregnancy remains completely unknown despite its extensive usage. Objective: The study assessed maternal and post-implantation loss in pregnant rats ges- tationally exposed to P. fruticosa leaf extract (PFE). Methods: Healthy female Wistar rats were co-habited (female:male; 6:2) with healthy fer- tile males. Confirmed pregnant rats were randomly re-assigned to normal saline (control, 5 ml/kg po), folic acid (5 mg/kg po), and PFE (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg po) and treated once daily for 15 gestational days. Maternal toxicity was assessed by cage-side observations, feed consumption, weight loss, relative organ/bodyweight ratio, biochemical assessment of liver and kidney function, morbidity, and death. Embryotoxicity was assessed by gross embryo assessment, embryo resorption, and brain/spinal cord histology. Results: Two dams died from PFE (500 mg/kg) group. Feeding decreased across all groups as gestation progressed. No weight loss across all groups. Aspartate transam- inase increased in PFE (200 and 500 mg/kg) relative to control. Alkaline phosphatase decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in PFE compared to control. Direct bilirubin increased in PFE groups relative to control. Urea decreased in PFE groups relative to control. Creatinine levels decreased in PFE (100 mg/kg) relative to control but increased in PFE (500 mg) compared to control. Post-implantation loss increased in PFE (500 mg/kg) relative to control. Conclusion: Gestational exposure to PFE (>100 mg/kg) produced risk of post-implanta- tion loss and renal injury in dams; therefore, PFE should be avoided in pregnancy.

Source: UCC
Maternal toxicity and post-implantaton assessments in rats gestatonally exposed to Polyscias frutcosa leaf extract

Background: Polyscias frutcosa (L.) Harms is used as a folk medicine across Afro-Asian regions of the world. Safety of P. frutcosa use in pregnancy remains completely unknown despite its extensive usage. Objectve: The study assessed maternal and post-implantation loss in pregnant rats gestationally exposed to P. frutcosa leaf extract (PFE). Methods: Healthy female Wistar rats were co-habited (female: male; 6:2) with healthy fertile males. Confirmed pregnant rats were randomly re-assigned to normal saline (control, 5 ml/kg po), folic acid (5 mg/kg po), and PFE (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg po) and treated once daily for 15 gestational days. Maternal toxicity was assessed by cage-side observations, feed consumption, weight loss, relatve organ/bodyweight ratio, biochemical assessment of liver and kidney function, morbidity, and death. Embryotoxicity was assessed by gross embryo assessment, embryo resorption, and brain/spinal cord histology. Results: Two dams died from PFE (500 mg/kg) group. Feeding decreased across all groups as gestation progressed. No weight loss across all groups. Aspartate transaminase increased in PFE (200 and 500 mg/kg) relative to control. Alkaline phosphatase decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in PFE compared to control. Direct bilirubin increased in PFE groups relative to control. Urea decreased in PFE groups relative to control. Creatnine levels decreased in PFE (100 mg/kg) relative to control but increased in PFE (500 mg) compared to control. Post-implantation loss increased in PFE (500 mg/kg) relative to control. Conclusion: Gestational exposure to PFE (>100 mg/kg) produced risk of post-implantation loss and renal injury in dams; therefore, PFE should be avoided in pregnancy

Source: UCC
Maternal vitamin D insufficiency and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

Background Three previous reviews on the association of vitamin D insufficiency in pregnancy with pre- term birth (PTB) and stillbirth were limited in scope and deemed inconclusive. With impor- tant new evidence accumulating, there is the need to update the previous estimates and assess evidence on other clinically important outcomes such as spontaneous abortion and Apgar score. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the quality and strength of the available evidence on the relations between vitamin D nutritional status, and pregnancy and birth outcomes. Methods PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from their inception to June, 2015 with no language restrictions imposed. Eighteen longitudinal studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Random effects model was applied in computing the summary effect estimates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results Serum 25(OH)D levels <75 nmol/l was associated with 83% (95% CI: 1.23, 2.74) and 13% (95% CI: 0.94, 1.36) increased risk of PTB measured at <32–34 weeks and <35–37 weeks, respectively. An inverse dose-response relation was observed for both PTB outcome. Serum 25(OH)D levels <75 nmol/l was also associated with 11% increased risk of spontane- ous PTB (<35–37 weeks; RR = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.65) with a dose-response relation also noted. Vitamin D insufficiency was not associated with risk of spontaneous abortion and still- birth (RR of 1.04 [95% CI: 0.95, 1.13] and 1.02 [95% CI: 0.96, 1.09], respectively), as well as short gestational length (ES = -0.24, 95% CI: -0.69, 0.22), and low Apgar score. Conclusions We found vitamin D insufficiency to be associated with risk of PTB. Regarding spontaneous abortion and stillbirth, the available evidence suggest no association with low vitamin D lev- els. The evidence on vitamin D nutrition and Apgar score is conflicting and controversial. Overall, the experimental evidence uncovered was small and weak. Hence, the benefits of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy should be further evaluated through rigorous intervention studies.

Source: UCC
Mathematical Analysis of Malaria Transmission Model With Infective Immigrants

In this thesis, we developed an SEIR - SEI model of malaria transmission with the inclusion of susceptible, exposed and infected immigrants. Analysis of the model were carried out to find the equilibrium points and their stabilities. We have discovered that our model has no disease-free and hence no basic reproduction number ℜ0 due to the influx of exposed and infected immigrants. However, when the proportions of exposed and infected immigrants approaches zero, disease-free status will be attained whenever ℜ0 < 1. The unique endemic equilibrium point for which there are exposed and infected immigrants is both locally and globally stable. Numerical simulations were performed to know the effect of exposed and infected immigrants and the results from our simulations showed that exposed and infected immigrants entering the population rendered the basic reproduction number ℜ0 irrelevant and can not be used to determine the extinction and the prevalence of malaria. Sensitivity analysis was carried out on the parameters that the basic reproduction number ℜ0 depend on. The result from the sensitivity analysis revealed that the most sensitive parameter is the mosquito biting rate ν. We recommended that immigrants should be screened at our borders and be sure of malaria free before allowing them to enter the population to ensure the health and well-being of everyone in the community.

Source: UCC