ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An empirical study of information and communication technology for empowerment of rural women in Ghana

There is a relationship between ICTs and empowerment of rural women. ICTs are applicable to all sectors of development for women, most especially education, livelihoods, healthcare and government which are directly linked to poverty alleviation. Meanwhile there are arguments that tight fiscal constraints facing Ghana may frustrate the widespread use of ICT by households. This is especially troublesome in the case of poor rural female households because without some type of government assistance, the ICT revolution may escape them altogether. Most scholars and policy leaders recognize that ICT is one of the contributing factors to social and economic disparities across different social and economic groups, for example, disparities between developed and developing countries, between rural and urban dwellers, and between men and women. The critical information needed for making appropriate and relevant ICT policies to improve rural conditions for women is to identify the characteristics of rural female households, and how these characteristics influence the choice of ICT technology. The study uses results from a survey of 1000 households from the ten regions in Ghana to assess rural female household heads’ willingness to pay for alternative ICT use in the delivery of information to them. A pooled cross section technique was used to estimate an aggregate technology choice function for the entire country. Among the principal factors in the empirical model were households’ incomes, levels of education, sizes of households, availability of cooperatives or community organizations, age, and marital status. Standard regression techniques that correct for possible heteroscedastic errors due to the differences in regional and households’ attributes were used to estimate the model. The results of the study leads to a need to set rural empowerment policies and programs within the broader poverty reduction policies of the government and also within the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The results enforce that the attainment of the MDGs would boost ICT use in delivering information to rural households since income was found to be consistently statistically significant in explaining rural women’s willingness to pay for information. Considering the context of the relationship between incomes and ICT use to empower rural women the key issue is for policy and program planners to better understand the dynamics in the enterprises of rural women and to recognize shifts in economic activity that may be counter to the historical pattern of economic activity which is agriculture oriented and design programs that will respond adequately to such shifts. By so doing rural women will be in a good position to utilize the full potential of ICT which will in turn improve their productivity/income and facilitate their empowerment.

Source: UG
An Empirical Study of the Relationship Between Social Networking Sites and Students’ Engagement in Higher Education

This article investigates how students’ online social networking relationships affect knowledge sharing and how the intensity of knowledge sharing enhances students’ engagement. It adopts the social capital theory as the basis for investigation, and the partial least square structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized model. Responses from 586 students in higher education were analyzed. The findings provided empirical evidence which contradicts the argument that students perceive social networking sites as an effective tool for learning. Also, contrary to previous studies which posit that knowledge sharing impacts engagement, it was observed that there is no relationship between the two. However, as social networking sites differ in terms of member behavior norms, it is envisaged that if a similar study is conducted and limited to a specific academically inclined social networking site such as Academia.edu, ResearchGate, Mendeley, and so on, different findings may be observed.

Source: UG
Employee empowerment and organizational commitment among employees of star-rated hotels in Ghana: does perceived supervisor support matter?

Purpose – The current study aimed to examine the moderating role of perceived supervisor support in the nexus between employee empowerment and organizational commitment in the Ghanaian hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 274 frontline workers from 4-star and 5-star hotels at two different waves within a 7-month interval. The data received were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS V. 23.0) and SmartPLS (V.4.0), respectively. Findings – As hypothesized in the study, employee empowerment was significantly related to organizational commitment. Furthermore, the results revealed that perceived supervisor support moderated the nexus between employee empowerment and affective and continuance commitment but did not moderate the nexus between employee empowerment and normative commitment. Originality/value – Arguably, support from supervisors has been theoretically identified as a key construct in enhancing subordinates’ commitment to an organization. However, less is known in the literature about the moderating role of perceived supervisory support in the nexus between employee empowerment and organizational commitment, especially in the Ghanaian hospitality industry

Source: UG
Employee motivation and work performance: A comparative study of mining companies in Ghana

Purpose: The paper empirically compares employee motivation and its impact on performance in Ghanaian Mining Companies, where in measuring performance, the job satisfaction model is used. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed exploratory research design in gathering data from four large-scale Gold mining companies in Ghana with regards to their policies and structures in the effectiveness of motivational tools and strategies used by these companies. Findings: The study observed that, due to the risk factors associated with the mining industry, management has to ensure that employees are well motivated to curb the rate at which employees embark on industrial unrest which affect performance, and employees are to comply with health and safety rules because the industry contribute hugely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. Research limitations/implications: Limitation to the present study include the researcher’s inability to contact other mining companies. However, the study suggests possibilities for future research including contacting other mining companies, expanding the sample size, managers ensuring that the safety and health needs of staff are addressed particularly those exposed to toxic and harmful chemicals. Originality/value: A lot of studies have been done on mining companies in the past. This paper fills a gap perceived that employees in this sector are highly motivated in spite of the challenges being faced by them, and knowing more about what keeps employees moving is still of national interest. © 2016, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Employee Motivation in University Libraries in Ghana: A comparative analysis

Comparison of motivational preferences of the staff of two university libraries in Ghana indicates that age groups and professional positions of the workers in a survey determine their motivational factor preferences. Respondents from the two sites have different motivational values. Different strategies are therefore required to motivate the workers and it is suggested that library managers avoid the assumption that what motivates them motivates the employees as well. © 2005, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Employment good for psychological well-being, but what is the minimum and maximum number of hours of paid employment per week to reap the benefits?

Economists, computer scientists and engineers predict that artificial intelligence, machine learning and robots may very soon be able to do much of the paid work that is currently being done by humans. Psychologists have long documented how employment is associated with much higher levels of well being than unemployment, and we need to draw upon this knowledge in planning for the future where there is much less employment. One option is retain a high level of labour market participation, but at markedly reduced hours per week for workers. This seminar will examine the main psychological theories concerning well being and work, and consider the question: What is the minimum amount of paid work needed to gain the psychological benefits of work?

Source: UG
Employment of Colour Flow Doppler to Identify the Tip of the Needle During Ultrasound Guided Nerve Blocks

Identifying the needle tip during ultrasound guided procedures such as nerve blocks or vascular access can be a problem. “Visualising the needle tip on ultrasound requires that it be aligned with the ultrasound beam; however even when alignment is achieved, the physical characteristics of the needle and the limitations of ul-trasound technology may hinder visibility”.

Source: UG
Empowerment and use of antenatal care among women in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Empowerment among women in the context of a romantic relationship may affect the use of reproductive healthcare services; however, current literature examining this association is limited and inconsistent. We therefore aimed to examine the relationship between several measures of empowerment and use of inadequate antenatal care among women in Ghana. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from a nationally representative cohort of women in Ghana. Our analytic sample was limited to non-pregnant women who had been pregnant and involved in a relationship within the last 12&#160;months. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the associations between empowerment and inadequate use of antenatal care and interaction terms to assess moderation by education. Results Approximately 26% of women received inadequate antenatal care. Multivariable analysis indicated that having experienced physical abuse in the past year was directly associated with inadequate use of antenatal care (OR = 5.12; 95% CI = 1.35, 19.43) after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. This effect was particularly pronounced among women with no formal education and was non-significant among women with at least some formal education (P-value for interaction &lt;0.001). Conclusions Results suggest that improving use of reproductive health care services will require reducing partner abuse and enhancing empowerment among women in Ghana and other low-income countries, particularly among those with no formal education. Furthermore, the involvement of male partners will be critical for improving reproductive health outcomes, and increasing education among girls in these settings is likely a strong approach for improving reproductive health and buffering effects of low empowerment among women.

Source: UG
Enablers and inhibitors of exclusive breastfeeding: perspectives from mothers and health workers in Accra, Ghana

Background: Despite the health and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, there is evidence of a decline globally and in Ghana. Previous studies addressing this problem are mostly quantitative with only a few of such studies using qualitative or mixed methods to examine the predictors, benefits, ways of improving and managing exclusive breastfeeding, and the challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding from the perspective of exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding mothers, and health workers. This study employs the health belief model to examine the experiences of mothers and health workers regarding exclusive breastfeeding to fill this gap in the literature. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study involving in-depth interviews was conducted among health workers and mothers attending child welfare clinic at two polyclinics in Madina, Accra-Ghana in 2019. Purposive sampling was used to select health facilities and participants for the study. Twenty participants comprising ten exclusive breastfeeding mothers, six non-exclusive breastfeeding mothers and four health workers were interviewed for the study. The data were analyzed based on emerging themes from inductive and deductive coding. Results: The decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding was based on mothers’ work, advertisement on exclusive breastfeeding and education on breastfeeding provided by health workers. Insufficient flow of breast milk, pressure from family and friends, and insufficient breast milk for infants were among the reasons for discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding. The factors that help improve exclusive breastfeeding include eating healthy food and breastfeeding on demand, while counselling and monitoring, restricting advertisement on infant formula and granting maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers were identified as factors that can facilitate the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Different levels of experience affect and shape exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ghana. The decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding, as well as the challenges and strategies employed in managing exclusive breastfeeding, emanates from mothers’ personal experiences and interactions with institutional factors. In view of this, there should be counselling on the management of challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding and provision of accurate information on exclusive breastfeeding to enable mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding.

Source: UG
Enablers and inhibitors of exclusive breastfeeding: perspectives from mothers and health workers in Accra, Ghana

Background: Despite the health and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, there is evidence of a decline globally and in Ghana. Previous studies addressing this problem are mostly quantitative with only a few of such studies using qualitative or mixed methods to examine the predictors, benefits, ways of improving and managing exclusive breastfeeding, and the challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding from the perspective of exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding mothers, and health workers. This study employs the health belief model to examine the experiences of mothers and health workers regarding exclusive breastfeeding to fill this gap in the literature. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study involving in-depth interviews was conducted among health workers and mothers attending child welfare clinic at two polyclinics in Madina, Accra-Ghana in 2019. Purposive sampling was used to select health facilities and participants for the study. Twenty participants comprising ten exclusive breastfeeding mothers, six non-exclusive breastfeeding mothers and four health workers were interviewed for the study. The data were analyzed based on emerging themes from inductive and deductive coding. Results: The decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding was based on mothers’ work, advertisement on exclusive breastfeeding and education on breastfeeding provided by health workers. Insufficient flow of breast milk, pressure from family and friends, and insufficient breast milk for infants were among the reasons for discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding. The factors that help improve exclusive breastfeeding include eating healthy food and breastfeeding on demand, while counselling and monitoring, restricting advertisement on infant formula and granting maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers were identified as factors that can facilitate the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Different levels of experience affect and shape exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ghana. The decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding, as well as the challenges and strategies employed in managing exclusive breastfeeding, emanates from mothers’ personal experiences and interactions with institutional factors. In view of this, there should be counselling on the management of challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding and provision of accurate information on exclusive breastfeeding to enable mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding. Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, Decision making, Discontinuation, Enablers and inhibitors, Ghana

Source: UG
Enablers and inhibitors to the utilization of healthcare services by members of the LGBTQ+ community in Accra, Ghana

Background Globally, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals experience higher rates of men tal health disorders, sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This implies that this special population requires tailored healthcare services. However, their practice is criminalized in most countries and abhorred by many, including some health professionals leading to isolation and poor health-seeking behaviors. We explored the enablers and inhibitors to the utilization of healthcare services by members of the LGBTQ+ community in Accra, Ghana. Methods In this cross-sectional study. We collected qualitative data through snowballing sampling technique. Fifteen (15) self-reported persons claiming to be sexually diferent and being members of the LGBTQ+ community in Accra were recruited for this study. The participants were involved in an in-depth interview using a pre-tested interview guide and the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We adopted Braun and Clarks’ refexive thematic analysis approach in analyzing the data with the aid of NVivo 10.0 Results The results identifed the facilitators of health seeking as community-friendly health services, afordable and accessible services, and provider-awareness of LGBTQ+ community members’ status. Specifcally, privacy, anonymity, confdentiality, inclusivity, positive attitudes, welcoming and supportive environment, and gender-appropriate com munication, were identifed as community friendly attributes that enhance health-seeking. On the barriers militating access to health care, the following factors were identifed: negative provider attitude, fnancial constraints, and stigma tization among health providers. Participants frequently recounted instances where provider attitudes made them feel dismissed, disrespected, or judged. Instances of discrimination, accusations, poor healthcare largely based on ignorance of unique health needs related to LGBTQ+ and judgmental attitudes of health providers were identifed as major barriers to health seeking. Conclusion Positive provider attitudes and LGBTQ+ community-friendly health services promote health-seeking behavior among LGBTQ+ individuals. However, members of the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana are stigmatized by health providers and most health workers are ignorant about the special needs of the LGBTQ+ persons. We recommend that in-service training units of hospitals and health training institutions need to provide comprehensive education to health workers particularly nurses and doctors as well as other professionals on the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ persons as well as inclusive care that addresses the needs of members of the LGBTQ+ community

Source: UG
End of the Bedaquiline patent – a crucial development for moving forward affordable drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines for infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Endangering China's environmental health security goals through negative environmental investor behaviours

China sees the need to maximise its environmental health security as a major priority in its sustainable development agenda. This is at the heart of China's “ecological civilisation” and “beautiful China” dream. One of the objectives of this dream is to sensitize investors to invest in health and envi ronmental stocks to support environmental health goals. However, both the Shanghai and the Shenzhen stock mar kets continue to witness contemporaneous movement (herding behaviour) by investors from environmental stock to perceived safer stocks and this is stifling the growth of the environmental health sector due to capital deprivation. Our paper evaluates the significance and potential effect of this herding trend among environmental stocks using a collection of sophisticated econometric models namely, the state-space model, enhanced state-space model, the cross-sectional SD (CSSD) and the cross-sectional absolute deviation (CSAD). The models are used to evaluate firm-level data collected from the 80 environmental stocks indexed by the KGRM MSCI China IMI Environment 10/40 Index. Three of the models confirm the presence of endemic negative (herding) investor behaviour among environmental stocks in China and this threatens the sustainability of environmental stock capi tal to promote China's environmental health goals. We have proposed measures to ameliorate the risks posed by such negative contemporaneous investor behaviours.

Source: UG
Endemic Burkitt lymphoma – an aggressive childhood cancer linked to Plasmodium falciparum exposure, but not to exposure to other malaria parasites

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG
Endemic grasshopper species distribution in an agro-natural landscape of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

Conservation biologists and ecologists often make use of models to identify important biotic and abiotic factors that constrain species distributions for conservation decisions to be taken. In line with such practices, we developed species distribution models for four localized, Cape Floristic Region (CFR) endemic, flightless, congeneric Euloryma grasshopper species. We chose this group as use of these models has been little explored for narrow range endemics with specific traits. Euloryma larsenorum and E. lapollai are associated with fynbos only, while E. umoja and E. ottei are both associated with fynbos and vineyards. We used the Maximum Entropy algorithm, which showed that vegetation type and soil characteristics were the most important environmental factors affecting local distribution of Euloryma species in the CFR. The models also showed that Euloryma species have a very narrow habitat suitability range in the CFR. We also showed that there are no significant differences in the distribution of species associated with fynbos only as well as those associated with both fynbos and vineyards. E. larsenorum and E lapollai are likely to be the most affected species in the event of further habitat transformation from fynbos to agricultural production. This is not likely to be the case for E. umoja and E. ottei which can tolerate agriculture environment, although they might survive both sets of environments in accordance with their life history traits. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Source: UG