ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors accounting for the decline in IPTp2/IPTp3 among pregnant mothers in the Keta municipality - Ghana

BACKGROUND Malaria in pregnancy is one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and adverse birth outcomes. In high transmission areas, its prevention has recently changed, moving from a weekly or bimonthly chemoprophylaxis with chloroquine to intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as recommended by the WHO. The Keta Municipal Health Directorate initiated the SP/IPTp in 2004 with the help from Global Fund for Malaria. Statistics on the coverage revealed a consistent declined in the subsequent two doses (IPTp2 and IPTp3). This study was undertaken to identify factors that influenced the decline in IPTp2 and IPTp3 in the Keta Municipality. METHODS In a cross sectional study, 900 eligible women, comprising 302 pregnant women with a gestational age of 28 weeks and more and 598 mothers nursing babies not more than seven months were selected to respond to structured questions on ANC attendance, SP availability and the dosage of SP taken. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) (version 15.0) was used for data entry and analysis. RESULTS Among 893 pregnant mothers, 45%, 51% and 3% of them had their first ANC visit in the first, second and the third trimesters respectively. One percent of them did not attend ANC at all. Over all, ANC attendances were high, 99% at least once; 95% twice and 87% had it three times. The study revealed shortage of SP in ANC facilities. The gestational age at first ANC attendance is significantly associated with SP/IPTp coverage (p<0.0001). Also, the long distance from home to ANC clinic determined the decline in IPTp2/IPTp3. CONCLUSION The decline in IPTp2/IPTp3 could be attributed to late ANC booking, shortage of SP in the clinics and the distant location of ANC clinics from many of the communities. There is the need to strengthen SP supplies, making sure it is always available at the health facility level. ANC attendees should be given a holistic education on intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy. Lastly, community health workers who are all over the communities may be engaged to administer the drug as studies revealed were more effective than the health unit system.

Source: KNUST
Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction and Preference in the Telecommunications Industry: A Case Study of Mtn Ghana

This study examines factors affecting customer satisfaction with MTN mobile telecommunications network. Specifically, it seeks to uncover the factors accounting for the level of customer satisfaction, identify the factors considered by subscribers in choosing MTN mobile telecommunications network, and ascertain the areas subscribers want MTN mobile telecommunications network to improve. The study reviewed major theoretical leanings to develop a conceptual framework which suggests that customer satisfaction in the mobile telecommunications industry would be a function of service quality, service recovery, price fairness, brand image, and customer orientation of service employees. Data for the study came from a systematic random sample of 165 MTN mobile telecommunications customers, and the data were analysed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and ordinary least squares regressions. The descriptive statistics results indicate that customer satisfaction with MTN network appears to be very low. The correlation analysis resulted in the confirmation of the study’s conceptual framework, but the results of least squares regression suggest that significant positive relationships exist only between customer satisfaction and service quality and between customer satisfaction and price fairness, but not for other variables such as service recovery, brand image, and customer orientation of service employees. The descriptive statistics indicate that when choosing MTN the main factors respondents considered included widest use by family and friends and widest network coverage, with respondents scoring MTN relatively higher on network coverage and sales promotion, but they think that MTN offers relatively non-competitive prices and low quality services, leading to their recommendations that improvement is needed urgently from quality of services and competitive pricing.

Source: KNUST
Factors Affecting Cocoa Production in Upper Denkyira West District

Ghana is one of the largest suppliers of cocoa on the world market and the sector employs millions of people. For sixty-six (66) years, (1911 - 1977), Ghana was the leading producer of cocoa. Thereafter production continued to decline to the lowest in 1983/84. The people of Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region are predominantly cocoa farmers. Most of these cocoa farmers own few acres of land. Farmers depend on yield per acre of cocoa farm for their survival. The objective of the study is to ascertain the factors affecting cocoa production in the Upper Denkyira West Districts of the Central Region of Ghana. Using structured questionnaires, a total of one hundred and fifty (150) cocoa farmers were selected from five (5) communities by simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected on the socio-economic or personal characteristics of cocoa farmers (gender, age, educational level, religious background, marital status years of farming and family size), output or yield of cocoa and other factors such as farm size, size of labour, years of cocoa trees in farm and others. Data was analyzed by using descriptive analysis, test of associations using Pearson Chi-square statistic and logistic regression model. The results revealed that out of (150), cocoa farmers 78% were predominantly males while 22% are females. The numbers of farmers was found to increase with age with majority of aged 44 years and above. Almost half of the farmers sampled were with no formal education. It was observed that gender and age was not associated with high output or yield of cocoa but the level of education, years of cocoa trees in farm, size of farm and size of labour showed significant effect on high output of cocoa.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting customers’ adoption of electronic banking in ghana: a case of ecobank Ghana limited

Electronic banking is one of the modern approaches used by most financial institutions in doing transactional activities such as buying and selling, transferring capital or receiving capital, making inquiry or verifying information and others. The e-banking system allows banks to offer various services to the customers and some of these essential services may include lending, receiving financial advice, providing other products, deposit taking, account management, electronic payment of bill and others like sending e-mobile money. The main objective of the study was to determine the factors influencing the adoption of e-banking at Ecobank Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to; determine the effect of perceived usefulness of e-banking, the effect of security of e-banking on e-banking adoption, the effect of accessibility of e-banking on e-banking adoption and the effect of perceived ease of use of e-banking on e-banking adoption at Ecobank Ghana. This study employed quantitative research approach and structured questionnaire. Sample size of 200 customers were selected for the study. SPSS version 23 was used to analyzed the data. The study found that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and e-banking security had significant effects on e-banking adoption. The study however found that accessibility had insignificant effect on e-banking adoption. The study concludes that factors such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and e-banking security influence the adoption of e-banking among customers at Ecobank Ghana. The study recommends that while e banking is convenient and preferred by many customers, some customers are reluctant to use it due to the inability to read and follow electronically programmed commends, hence the need to redesign electronic devices to include command audio systems that use local language to increase accessibility for all customers. The use of local language would ensure that voice commands are used to guide people who cannot read and follow processes.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting acceptability of indoor residual spraying (irs) for malaria control in the East Mamprusi District of the Northern Region of Ghana

Ghana is one of the developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is the main cause of disease, poverty and the low productivity for several decades. Malaria is considered at the moment to explain near 32.5% of all out-patient attendance and 48.8% of children less than five (5) admissions in the country. The National Malaria Control program indicated that the Northern Region had the highest load of the disease and therefore the highest morbidity and mortality according to 2005 Malaria report. The control of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa continuous to be a public health challenge and so the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the indoor residual spraying (IRS) as a measure of control for the malaria vector. According to the US president’s malaria initiative (PMI), Ghana has put the experimental program of the IRS in execution in some Districts in the Northern Region. The objective of the study was to determine the factors that affect the acceptability of IRS in the East Mamprusi District. A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted on 400 household heads. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS for association of factors and chi-square was used. If (p<0.05) the test was considered statistically significant. The study found that there was a statistically significant association between the use of other malaria control measures and IRS acceptability (P<0.0001). The study showed that the perception of the people about the efficacy of the spraying (chemical) is related to the acceptability of indoor residual spraying in the district (P<0.0012).This study, therefore recommends that the negative perception about the efficacy of IRS programme need to be demystified by the spraying officials, health professionals, opinion leaders and assemble members in the East Mamprusi District.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting completion of GETFund construction project: a case study of Ga East Municipal Assembly - Accra

GETfund construction projects are saddled with numerous challenges with the palpable challenge of non-completion. Several factors influence this non-completion and the goal of the study was to explore the dynamics that account for the completion of GETfund projects. The objectives were: to identified factors that affect completion of GETfund building project, the effects of these factors on completion of GETfund construction project and establish effective criteria for curbing the causes and effects. The study utilised quantitative approach of enquiry through survey questionnaires. Subsequently, responses were elicited from the respondents – consultants and contractors in the Ga East Municipal Assembly. Descriptive and inference statistics were employed for the analysis. Based on the overall sample, the findings revealed factors that influence the non-completion, the effects as a result of the non-completion and the criteria to enhance construction project completion. The factors for non-completion was analyzed using the Factor Analysis from the SPSS, and three causes were identified - Work related factors, Accidents, materials and labour factors and Competency factors. Loss of Value for Money and Destruction of Contractor’s capital were identified as the palpable effect. Alignment of common goals and objectives, Transparency in decision-making and documentation, Experience and past performance of the contractor and Capacity to perform the work were the criteria identified to influence GETfund building project completion. The study adds on to the body knowledge on project management and demonstrates a novelty in the area of ensuring GETfund project success.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting financial sustainability of non governmental organizations in Ghana. A study of ngos in bono regions

Financial sustainability of ngos has become a global concern in the wake of global financial crisis which has reduced donor funds from developed economies to developing countries. Ngos play an important role in developing countries like Ghana and as such their financial sustainability is very important not only for the ngos but the Ghanaian economy. The study examined the factors that determine financial sustainability of ngos in Ghana based on the following variables; diversification of funds, competence of staff, strategic financial design and donor and management relationship. The study sampled 31 NGO where data was collected through the administration of questionnaires. Data was analysed using various statistical tools such as frequencies, graphs, tables and regression analysis. The study concluded that diversification of funds, the Competence of Staff and strategic financial design had no impact on the financial sustainability of ngos. It was on donors and management relationship that had an impact on the financial sustainability on their organisation. This result show that ngos in Ghana are not financially sustainable and as such need income generating income measures that will help them to be financially reliable

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting delayed payments on donor funded road projects in Ghana

Payment for donor funded road projects to Contractors in Ghana delays and the Government spends huge sums of money to pay interest due to this delay. Attempt to find solution to this problem is laudable. The aim of this research was to identify the significant factors that affect delayed payments on donor funded road projects in Ghana and offer recommendations to minimise or curtail them. To achieve this aim, a survey questionnaire was designed to elicit opinions from Pubic/Civil Servants, Contractors, Civil Works Consultants and Donor Agencies. Purposive sampling technique was used and out of the 304 questionnaires distributed, 130 were received representing a response rate of 42.76%. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was run for dependent variables using the principal component analysis as the extraction method and the varimax criterion as the rotation method to eliminate variables that are not factorially pure. This resulted in fourteen (14) dependent variables which were grouped under four principal factors i.e. Project Management, Coordination among Contracting Parties, Client’s Financial Management and Client’s Administration. The fourteen (14) significant variables were subjected to Kendall's Concordance Coefficient and Chi-Squared Tests to ascertain the agreement among the four respondent groups. It was found that the respondents were in agreement to the significance of the entire fourteen (14) variables. It is recommended that contracts should be awarded to competent Consultants and Contractors with qualified personnel; Clients, Consultants and Contractors should all see the project as their own and coordinate effectively among themselves, Government should show serious financial commitment to every donor funded road project and personnel involved with the processing of the certificate should be trained more especially in the conditions of contract regarding payment, either in-house or through seminars.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting health and safety performance in mining projects: Evidence from Newmont golden ridge limited

Health and safety issues in project management have become very critical for the successful achievement of project objectives and the survival of business firms. Health and safety risks in projects relate to the well-being of users or developers of the project. The study was carried out to assess health and safety practices in mining projects in Ghana, with Newmont Golden Ridge Limited (NGRL) as a case. The population for the study was employees of NGRL and those of its business partners, who were, at the time of conducting the study, present and operating at NGRL’s Akyem Mine Project, New Abirem, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. In the sampling process, the researcher stratified the population into two strata: employees of NGRL and employees of business partners of NGRL. A simple random sampling technique was then used to select the research participants proportionally from each stratum to constitute the study sample of 201 units from whom primary data was collected through the use of questionnaire. One of the research questions was to determine the level of performance of NGRL in terms of preventive approach to managing health and safety in its projects. The results showed that NGRL scored a „good’ or a „high’ level of performance in terms of preventive approach to managing health and safety in its project activities. The company, however, had not been able to achieve the goal of „zero harm’ for any year for the period ranging from 2012 to 2017, as first aid accidents cases and other forms of accidents occurred every year. One of the recommendations made was that the company should regularly undertake continuous improvement projects in safety programmes and other project activities to drive it towards the goal of zero harm per year in its project activities. Another recommendation made was that the NGRL train its supervisors on the best approaches for handling reported cases of safety events without subjecting the victims to ill-treatment in the process of investigation.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting life insurance consumption in Ghana: a study on selected life insurance customers and noncustomers in the Accra metropolis.

The study purposes to ascertain the main affecting factors that influence consumption of life insurance policy in Ghana from the consumer’s point of view. In pursuance to this, the study seeks to identify the main driving factors of life insurance consumption, measure their impact and also examine the key challenges faced by consumers. Considering the time under consideration to complete this project, the investigation area was limited to the Accra metropolis of Ghana with a sample size of 150 respondents chosen through a convenience sampling method. Primary and secondary data were sourced for the study. The study applied a Logit regression model using STATA 15.0 version to evaluate for the estimation of coefficient of the determinants under investigation. The p-values and the coefficients of the determinants were analyzed for statistical significance of the dependent variable in the model. The results found a positive association between income, some level of education, dependency ratio, employment status, age and life insurance consumption and also proved to be statistically significant. Price and maturity date/policy term showed a negative association with life insurance consumption. However, savings was the only determinant detected statistically insignificant. The study recommends that insurance companies should focus their marketing communications on persons with consistent earnings, individuals with some form of high learnings and the young generation, because it is evident from the study that young people are not embracing life insurance services. Also make people aware about the benefits of insurance services. Proper dealing with customer complaints and effective customer grievances handling mechanism are some of the ways through which satisfaction level of customers can be increased.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting implementation of school feeding programme in Ho municipal assembly, Volta Region.

Social policies are lunched in education sector in Ghana in other to boost educational status of the country. In other to make the dream of providing Free Universal Basic Education a reality, Government of Ghana has introduced the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) in 2005 to increase enrolment, retention and nutrition status of public primary school pupils from disadvantaged areas in the country. The study sought to examine factors affecting the implementation of the SFP in Ho Municipal Assembly. The study was directed by research questions on impacts of SFP on pupils, monitoring and supervision of SFP, community participation in SFP, funding of SFP, challenges and solutions to the implementation of the SFP. Descriptive research design was used by the researcher for the study and both probability and non-probability methods of sampling were used for selecting sixty-nine (69) respondents for this research. Qualitative data was gathered by using interview guide which was edited by the University supervisor for its validity and pre-tested for reliability. Data gathered were classified by the researcher into categories or themes and sub-themes and thorough discussions and analysis of the content was done and presented. The findings of the study established that, there are positive impacts of SFP on pupils, government funds the SFP in beneficiary schools, there is lack of supportive infrastructure and materials for the implementation of the SFP. The study highlighted that, there is low community participation, poor linkages between farmers and the SFP. The study recommended that, SIC should be formed in schools to ensure mobilization of support and community participation in beneficiary schools. Municipals/ District Assemblies, donors and beneficiary communities should help the government in implementation of the SFP.

Source: KNUST
Factors affecting low academic performance of visual art students in selected senior high schools in the Ejisu municipality, Ashanti region, Ghana

Low academic performance in both internal and external examinations in relation to elective visual arts subjects has plagued students for decades. In view of this and the seeming lack of empirical investigations into the subject, the study sought to ascertain the factors that result in low academic performance of visual art students in selected Senior High Schools within the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The study adopted a mixed method and case study approach. The study population included students and staff of four selected schools. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect Secondary data for analysis. Purposive sampling was adopted to select 221 visual arts students. The study found that poverty, poor health, poor teaching methods, indiscipline, lack of proper teaching materials, poor evaluation methods / instruments, inadequately trained teachers, broken homes, changing of teachers incessantly, hyperactivity in students, truancy and poor approach to learning were the main causes of low academic performance amongst visual arts students of the Ejisu municipality in the Ashanti region. Also, the study showed that the unstandardized coefficient, b3, for low level of thinking on the part of the student is equal to 600. This means that for every 1-unit improvement in level of thinking on the part of the student, there is an increase in level of academic performance of 600. Hence, the higher the quality of thought visual arts students’ exhibit, the higher they perform academically. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Ghana Education Service, Headmasters and other relevant stakeholders see to it that the Visual Arts Programme in each school are provided with all necessary teaching and learning materials and adequate infrastructure to aid practical lessons. The study also recommends that the Ghana Education Service, through the district and regional directors of education, organize lectures and seminars for teachers to re-orient their perceptions on the Visual Arts Programme and also re-train teachers on new ways of teaching technically gifted students in the Visual Arts field.

Source: KNUST