ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the resource and capabilities of food related enterprises in rural Denmark: Implications for rural enterprises in Ghana

Developing economies stands to gain much by learning from the experiences of the developed economies. The study aims to explore the extent to which rural food enterprises utilise their capabilities to organise their resources in the experience economy to create value and remain competitive. The article uses a qualitative open-ended interviews to explore the issues using two cases of small food related enterprises in Denmark. The purpose of the method is to allow the respondents to construct the meaning of the topic from their own perspectives. Using the dominant themes as the main techniques to analyse the data, coupled with the hermeneutics approach, the results show that an entrepreneur’s capability is crucial with regard to small enterprises in rural settings. Specifically, the two case studies illustrate the capabilities of business owners to identify assets at their establishments and the municipality level and reconfigure them into objects aimed at providing experiences for visitors seeking out for rural idyll. The implications of this study on policy and practice on entrepreneurship development in rural Ghana are suggested based on the results.

Source: UG
Exploring the role of religion in the recovery experiences of suicide attempt survivors in Ghana

Background Religion performs a doubled edged role in a suicide crisis. On the one hand, it elicits empathic responses towards suicidal persons. On the other, it condemns and shames them. Although there is evidence that religion promotes better health and general wellbeing, little attention has been given to its role in recovery, especially after a suicide attempt. The current study explored how religion facilitated recovery among suicide attempt survivors. Methods Using a semi-structured interview guide, we interviewed suicide attempt survivors who had attended a psychiatric unit. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Ten suicide attempters were interviewed, six females and four males. Three major themes were identified: Reasons in context, Religion in the recovery process and Renewed commitment to religious rituals/practices. Conclusions The role of religion in suicide prevention as a resource, is a complex one. Suicide preventionists need to carefully guide and gauge their prevention efforts in context where religion is rife to provide suicide attempt survivors the most effective religious resource in their recovery trajectory.

Source: UG
Exploring the safety and clinical use of herbal medicine in the contemporary Ghanaian context: A descriptive qualitative study

Many individuals remain skeptical about the safety and use of herbal medicine thereby slowing the efforts being made to integrate herbal medicine into Ghana's healthcare system. This study sought to provide an in-depth description of the clinical use of herbal medicine in Ghana through interviews with participants at two locations—a national research centre and a private clinic. The study adopted a descriptive qualitative design involving individual patient and key informant interviews. Data were collected from 13 key informants. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted applying the procedures of content analysis. Two major themes were generated, focusing on the production and processing of herbal medicine and its use. The sub-themes generated were production of herbs and herbal medicine; analysis of herbal products; training of herbalists, ‘client assessment’, herbal medicine treatment decisions and adjuvant therapy. It was realized that there were difficulties acquiring sustainable raw materials for herbal medicine production. Quality aspects include the input of research institutions and regulatory bodies to ensure that safe herbal products are used, and the formal training of herbalists. Patients at the study locations are assessed using orthodox means and may be treated with adjuvant therapies as well as herbal medicine. The themes raised provide insight into the issues and possibilities of integrating herbal medicine into a wider healthcare system. © 2016 Elsevier GmbH

Source: UG
Exploring the Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Newly Diagnosed Persons Living with Diabetes Mellitus: A Study at the Holy Family Hospital-Nkawkaw

Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health concern that affects people universally both in developing and developed countries. The disease poses a serious threat to the lives of affected persons. Scientists and researchers despite their efforts, have not yet found a cure since its discovery. In Ghana, most affected persons have inappropriate thoughts about the condition which negatively affects the management. This study sought to explore the socio cultural dynamics of newly diagnosed persons living with diabetes mellitus among individuals who attended Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research design was used to purposively sample fourteen (14) participants for the study. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide which was developed using the research objectives. All interviews were conducted in English language from 5th May 2022 to 10th July 2022, audio recorded and lasted between 30 to 45 minutes. The Data was then analyzed using thematic analysis approach, to identify themes and subthemes. These themes were; general perception on the disease, beliefs on the symptoms, emotional manifestations, coping strategies and perception on the management of diabetes mellitus. The study revealed that, many of the participants perceive the condition to be a medical illness and encouraged other persons to report to the hospital immediately they observe the signs and symptoms. Few of them also attributed the cause of the disease to evil spirits. Some of the participants shared that they failed to honor their appointment dates due to the fear of needle pricks. Some expressed their confusion about varied information they received from the public domain about the treatment of the illness. This study therefore recommends the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service in collaboration with Ghana Media Commission to strictly regulate health information before they are transmitted to the general public. Moreso, researchers can explore ways in which nurses can prick patients without causing pain or monitor blood glucose level without pricking patients.

Source: UG
Exploring the sources of stress among operating theatre nurses in a Ghanaian teaching hospital

Background: The nursing profession is heavily plagued with occupational stress. The stress nurses encounter in the clinical setting can result in physical, emotional, social and spiritual changes. In the operating theatre, nurses assist surgeons during surgery, observe the overall condition of patients and care for those at risk of developing a critical condition during surgery to prevent any complications from arising. An operating theatre work milieu is problematic in terms of patient safety and is closely associated with elevated stress. Aim: This study sought to explore events from outside and within the operating theatres of a teaching hospital in Ghana causing stress in the nurses. Methods: A sample of 12 operating theatre nurses was drawn from the Teaching Hospital using a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide and the study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. Analysis of data was carried out using thematic content analysis. Results: The study has shown that operating theatre nurses are faced with various stressors from time-to-time and the commonest and the most worrying are those related to their work. The major sources of stress such as work overload, staff shortage, and inadequate equipment and supplies to this group of professionals have been identified. Staff shortage, specifically operating theatre nurses has led to the nurses perceiving their workload as overwhelming. Conclusion: In the operating theatre, nurses assist surgeons during surgery, observe the overall condition of patients and care for those at risk of developing a critical condition during surgery to prevent any complications from arising. These put operating theatre nurses at risk of occupational stress. Therefore, there is the need to help create a more conducive environment for all operating theatre nurses to enhance their performances.

Source: UG
Exploring the Usefulness of Open Systems Theory in Adult Education Organisations: The SCDE in Perspective

This paper examines the usefulness of open systems theory in Adult Education (AE) organisations. Attention is placed on SCDE. AE organisations, by virtue of the provision of education to the critical mass of people, make them useful to the development of countries. Their usefulness, however, is felt when they render their services effectively to the people. This paper which is a library research has noted that inadequate funding, lack of effective communication and lack of partnership with the wider society has led to failings of some AE organisations. Devising better means of securing adequate funds for programming and management is the way to go. The SCDE should regularly engage in effective communication and partner with the various publics in implementing her programmes. This will ensure the maximization of success in her programmes. Needs assessment should also be made central in SCDE programmes. It concludes that the SCDE should exhibit a high degree of creativity in resource mobilisation toward programming. This is one surest way of ensuring that the SCDE implement overarching educational programmes that seeks to build quality human capital for Ghana’s development.

Source: UG
Exploring The Wellbeing Of Family Caregivers Of Women With Advanced Breast Cancer A Study In The Accra Metropolis

Breast Cancer is the leading cause of death and most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. In the advanced stage of the disease, the involvement of the family is required in the care of the patient at home. Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) does not affect the woman alone but also the wellbeing of the family caregiver. The purpose of this study was to explore the wellbeing of family caregivers of women with advanced breast cancer in the Accra Metropolis. The Quality of Life Model Applied to Family Caregivers by Betty Ferrell (1991) was the organizing framework for this study. A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed. A purposive sampling technique was used and data were saturated with the thirteenth participant. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. During the study, anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. The four themes stipulated by the model; the physical, social, psychological and spiritual well-being of family caregivers was identified. Emerging themes were beliefs about breast cancer, other sources of treatment and support. Most of the caregivers experienced body pain, sleep disruption, fatigue, and loss of appetite. They assisted their sick relatives with activities of daily living. Their social wellbeing was affected by Isolation, financial burden, secrecy and employment challenges. Psychologically, they expressed fears, were depressed, lost concentration, were empathetic and were anxious. Spiritually, caregivers sought meaning to sick relatives’ illness by questioning God, became more religious and developed positive attitudes. The caregivers had different beliefs about the cause of breast cancer; sought other forms of treatment for their patients and received support from church and family members. It was recommended that caregivers be counseled and educated.

Source: UG
Exploring the Wellbeing of Men Post Prostatectomy in the HO Municipality, Ghana.

Men who had prostatectomy are confronted with several negative health issues, some of which include pain, fatigue, sexual and urinary dysfunctions among others. The purpose of the study was to explore the wellbeing of men post prostatectomy in the Ho municipality in the Volta region of Ghana. The Quality of Life Model Applied to Cancer by Betty Ferrell (1995) was the organizing framework for this study. A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed. A purposive sampling technique was used and data was saturated with 13 participants. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. During the study, anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. The four themes specified by the model; the physical, social, psychological and spiritual well-being of cancer survivors were identified. Emerging themes were spousal support, complementary and alternative sources of treatment and life satisfaction. Most of the men experienced body pain, sleep disruption, fatigue, constipation and impaired bladder control. Their social wellbeing was affected by isolation, financial burden, secrecy, sexual dysfunctions and employment challenges. Psychologically, the men expressed fears and anxiety, experienced uncertainty and were depressed. Spiritually, men sought meaning to their illness by questioning God, they became more religious, and had hope that they will be better. They enjoyed tremendous support from their spouses. Men who survived prostate cancer resorted to complementary and alternative sources of treatment in the quest of getting a panacea for their illness. It was recommended that men be counselled and educated. In Conclusion, prostatectomy precipitated a lot of physical, psychological, social and spiritual lifelong challenges to men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Source: UG
Exploring the Wellbeing of Unmarried Men with Prostate Cancer in the Accra Metropolis

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is a serious public health problem, with high rates of incidence and mortality in the male population across the world. Globally, the burden on the cost of survival and living with cancer diseases is on a higher rate in recent times, with PCa being commonest cancer among men. In the Ghanaian context, there are limited studies on unmarried men with PCa, hence, this study sought to explore the wellbeing of unmarried men with PCa in the Accra Metropolis using the Quality of Life Model applied to cancer survivors (QOL-ATCS) as a guiding framework. With an exploratory descriptive study design, purposive sampling technique was used to recruit ten (10) unmarried men as participants. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data collection and analysis were done concurrently using thematic content analysis technique. Five (5) major themes were identified; physical, psychological, social, and spiritual wellbeing, and coping strategies. The findings revealed that participants experienced physical effects such as fatigue, poor rest and sleep, pain, erectile dysfunction, reduced urge for sex, and having to deal with a urethral catheter in situ. These physical experiences had a worrying effect on the psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing which includes anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, isolation and financial burden. Participants therefore employed varied coping strategies to help them deal with these effects. The psycho-social and religious effect of PCa largely depend on physical symptoms, which are more visible with unmarried men. Therefore, counselling and psychological management of unmarried men with PCa should be a priority in all oncology (urology) units.

Source: UG
Exploring three approaches to offer distance learning courses through a social network of health researchers in three African countries

The Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp hereby presents the results of two pilot distance learning training programmes, developed under the umbrella of the AFRICA BUILD project (FP7). The two courses focused on evidence-based medicine (EBM): with the aim of enhancing research and education, via novel approaches and to identify research needs emanating from the field. These pilot experiences, which were run both in English-speaking (Ghana), and French-speaking (Mali and Cameroon) partner institutions, produced targeted courses for the strengthening of research methodology and policy. The courses and related study materials are in the public domain and available through the AFRICA BUILD Portal (http://www.africabuild.eu/taxonomy/term/37); the training modules were delivered live via Dudal webcasts. This paper assesses the success and difficulties of transferring EBM skills with these two specific training programmes, offered through three different approaches: fully online facultative courses, fully online tutor supported courses or through a blended approach with both online and face-to-face sessions. Key factors affecting the selection of participants, the accessibility of the courses, how the learning resources are offered, and how interactive online communities are formed, are evaluated and discussed. © 2014 IIMC.

Source: UG
Exploring Users’ Continuance Intention Towards Mobile SNS: A Mobile Value Perspective

The functionalities of most Social Networking Sites allow users to enjoy practical benefits like maintaining important social and business relationships, communicating with others, and getting feedback on important shared information. However, the place of SNSs as a source of entertainment and enjoyment is also well-documented. The purpose of the paper is to identify the factors that predict continuance use of social networking sites from the perspective of mobile value. Data was collected from 452 students in three leading universities in Ghana and analyzed with Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling. Results from the study revealed that both hedonic value and utilitarian value were significant predictors of continuance intention. Satisfaction was also found to be a significant predictor of continuance intention. In all, the model accounted for 55.6% of the variance in continuance intention. The study also provides important contributions to the literature, by demonstrating the significance of both utilitarian and hedonic value in leading to satisfaction with the usage of mobile SNS services. The implications and limitations of the current study are discussed and directions for future research proposed.

Source: UG
Exploring work environment factors influencing the application of teacher professional development in Ghanaian basic schools

: This study explored the work environment factors that support or constrain the application of teacher professional development initiatives in Ghanaian basic schools. Utilizing qualitative research paradigm, 15 teachers were purposively selected and interviewed from one educational district in Ghana. Findings from the study showed that headteachers support through the provision of the required teaching and learning resources, peer support through culture of shared norms, beliefs and values and the opportunity to share knowledge during school-based in-service training (INSET), interest and commitment shown by students toward learning, and availability of needed teaching and learning materials supported transfer of learning of teachers. In contrast, lack of time due to rigid and inflexible school timetable, teacher workload, and inadequate teaching and learning resources constrained effective transfer of professional development of teachers. The study concludes that educational policy makers and training practitioners need to support infrastructures that would empower headteachers to be resourceful in order to assist and provide teachers with the required teaching and learning facilities to facilitate the transfer of their learning.

Source: UG
Exploring Work-Related Experiences of Newly Hired Hospital Nurses in Ghana: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Early work-related experiences of newly hired employees can have important implications for their work performance over time and their future health and well-being trajectories. In health care work, such outcomes may hold implications for the services delivered and the patients whose lives depend on them. Objective(s): This study was conducted to explore the work-related experiences of newly hired hospital nurses in Ghana. Methods: Using qualitative methods, thirty-six (36) newly hired nurses in three (3) hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana were purposively sampled and interviewed. Thematic network analyses were applied to the data collected. Results: Five main themes emerged which summarized the experiences of the nurses. The themes indicated that newly hired nurses experienced the nursing profession as stressful and yet fulfilling, different from their preentry expectations with multiple sources of stressors and resources. Religion and faith, family support, and a perceived lack of suitable alternative sources of income emerged as the main motivators of the intention to stay. Conclusion: The findings suggest a highly stressful and quite unpredictable work environment for newly hired nurses. Despite this, they are determined to stay on the job. Employee assistance programs that have specialized components targeted at providing emotional and psychosocial assistance to newly hired nurses are recommended.

Source: UG
Exponential approximation,method of types for empirical neighbourhood distributions for random graphs by random allocation

In this article we find exponential good approximation of the empirical neigbourhood distribution ofsymbolled random graphs conditioned to a given empirical symbol distribution and empirical pair distribution.Using this approximation we shorten or simplify the proof of (Doku-Amponsah and Morters 2010, Theorem 2.5);the large deviation principle (LDP) for empirical neigbourhood distribution of symbolled random graphs. We alsoshow that the LDP for the empirical degree measure of the classical Erd˝os-R´enyi graph is a special case of (Doku-Amponsah and Moerters, 2010, Theorem 2.5). From the LDP for the empirical degree measure, we derive an LDP for the the proportion of isolated vertices in the classical Erd˝os-R´enyi graph.

Source: UG
Export Diversification and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been associated with low and volatile growth performance over the years. Export diversification has been identified in the literature as growth-inducing. This study provides evidence on the relationship between export diversification and economic growth using panel data of forty-two (42) SSA countries. Employing the system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique and three different measures of diversification, we find that export diversification has a positive and significant effect on economic growth in SSA. Our results are robust to the measures of export diversification. The results do not however support a hump-shaped (non-linear) relationship between export diversification and economic growth in SSA. The findings have relevant implications for policy.

Source: UG
Export diversification and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been associated with low and volatile growth performance over the years. Export diversification has been identified in the literature as growth-inducing. This study provides evidence on the relationship between export diversification and economic growth using panel data of forty-two (42) SSA countries. Employing the system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique and three different measures of diversification, we find that export diversification has a positive and significant effect on economic growth in SSA. Our results are robust to the measures of export diversification. The results do not however support a hump-shaped (non-linear) relationship between export diversification and economic growth in SSA. The findings have relevant implications for policy.

Source: UG