ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Barriers to implementing health sector administrative decentralisation in Ghana: A study of the Nkwanta district health management team

Purpose – This paper aims to examine empirically the ways in which workforce knowledge and organisational factors of an implementing agency affected the implementation of health sector administration decentralisation in Ghana with insights from the Nkwanta district health administration. Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative study using data from individual and group interviews through purposive selection of health officials, who were directly involved in the work of actual implementation of the programme. Specifically, participants included senior management, middle management and junior workers, who had worked at least for the past three months in the district. Findings – The study found that most of the interviewees involved in the implementation process are knowledgeable of the objectives of the decentralisation process. Also, major factors that are militating against effective decentralisation in the district include inadequate funds, lack of qualified personnel, inadequate logistics and equipment, poor interpersonal relationships, lack of transparency and a good operational system, lack of incentives to motivate the staff, political interference, poor infrastructure and high rate of illiteracy. Originality/value – The findings of this study will help improve the implementation of decentralisation within the health sector in Ghana. The paper provides recommendations, which, if considered for implementation, will help improve the decentralisation process. Paper type - Research paper

Source: UG
Barriers to Internal Quality Assurance in Ghanaian Private Tertiary Institutions

This study examines the understanding of the national quality assurance system and existing barriers to the implementation of internal quality assurance in some Private Tertiary Institutions in Ghana. Academic, administrative staff and students from the private institutions completed a set of questionnaires that tapped their perceptions on issues causing implementation barriers to internal quality assurance. Quality management decisions emerged as a major barrier to the implementation of internal quality assurance, especially the failure to link identification of quality objectives to the institutional strategic plan. Student involvement, lack of effective coordination, weaker emphasis on strategic planning and quality management as well as dominance culture not opened to change and improvement were barriers that adversely affected the implementation of internal quality assurance. The study concludes that transparency, openness, responsiveness and creativity should form the basis of the ideal culture for quality improvement in private higher education institutions.

Source: UG
Barriers to nurses health advocacy role

Background: Speaking up to safeguard patients is a crucial ethical and moral obligation for nurses, but it is also a difficult and potentially dangerous component of nursing work. Health advocacy is gaining impetus in the medical literature, despite being hampered by barriers resulting in many nurses in Ghana remaining mute when faced with advocacy-required situations. We explored situations that thwart nurses from performing their health advocacy role. Research question: What would cause nurses to take no action when they witness situations that require them to act as health advocates for their clients or communities? Research Design: An inductive, descriptive qualitative design was used to collect and analyse data on barriers that prevent nurses from practising their health advocacy role in Ghana. Individual one-on-one indepth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Participants and research context: Twenty-four professional nurses and midwives registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council were recruited from three regional hospitals in Ghana. These public hospitals were chosen from the upper, middle and coastal regions. Ethical considerations: The UKZN Ethics Review Committee in South Africa and the GHS Ethics Review Committee in Ghana both gave their approval for this study. Findings: Intrapersonal barriers, interpersonal barriers, and structural barriers emerged as major obstacles that nurses experience when performing their health advocacy role. Conclusions: Barriers to health advocacy have undermined nurses’ ability to function as health advocates and are preventing them from utilising their health advocacy position in nursing practise. Giving nursing students positive role models in the classroom and in the clinic can help them become more effective health advocates.

Source: UG
Barriers to nurses’ therapeutic communication practices in a district hospital in Ghana

Background Patients accessing health care enter the hospital environment with extreme anxiety, fear and distress which impacts their interactions with nurses and other health care professionals who are expected to help allay these anxieties in order to enhance patients care satisfaction. However, evidence suggests that there is a lack of efective therapeutic nurse-patient interaction in hospitals and the clinical environment globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A qualitative research approach with an exploratory design was used to purposively select 30 participants who were engaged in face-face interactions. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct fve audio recorded FGDs with the 30 participants (6 in each group—2 males and 4 females) after which the discussions were transcribed verbatim, and content analyzed. Findings Two (2) main themes and 10 sub-themes emerged from the analysis of the data. The two themes were: Therapeutic communication practices and Barriers to therapeutic communication. Some of the factors identifed by patients to impede therapeutic nurse-patient interaction include family interference, negative attitude from patients, patient condition, a discriminatory attitude of nurses, increased workload, and stress. Conclusion Communication practices identifed in this study include nurses’ manner of communication, use of touch, positive reassurance, and nurses’ demeanor. Several obstacles afect communication practices, hence the need to implement measures to improve nurse-patient interaction.

Source: UG
Barriers to proper maternal referral system in selected health facilities in Eastern Ethiopia: a qualitative study

Background Appropriate maternal referral system plays an essential role in curbing maternal mortality. Although the occurrence of obstetric complications is often unpredictable, addressing bottlenecks of the referral system is crucial to facilitate the women to have access to timely lifesaving interventions. Nonetheless, little is known about the barriers to maternal referral system in the eastern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the barriers to maternal referral system at selected referral hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. Methods Key informant interviews and in-depth interviews were conducted among purposively selected respondents who had a role in maternal referral processes. A total of 12 key informants that comprised of liaison officers, healthcare providers and three in-depth interviews with referred women were conducted. Semi-structured interview guide was developed and used to facilitate the interviews. All the interviews were tape recorded, complemented by note taking. Then audio recorded interviews were transcribed as per verbatim and imported to NVivo for coding and merging. The data were thematically synthesized. Results The study identified a range of barriers that affect the maternal referral system in Eastern Ethiopia. The main barriers are grouped into three domains, such as: communication, transportation, and healthcare system. The most commonly reported barriers were lack of pre-referral communication and feedback, using informal communication, incomplete referral forms, poor ambulance service including misuse of ambulances, lack of skilled healthcare escort and lack of medical equipment at emergency, unnecessary self-referrals, poor referral skills and limited number of health professions. Conclusions The maternal referral system is overwhelmingly affected by lack of skill, logistics (referral form), misuse of available ambulance, poor communication, and limited seeking of feedback. Regular consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders and uptake of feedback are crucial to improve referral communication, proper use of ambulance and building capacity of health workforce about referral are essential to improve maternal referral system. Keywords Maternal referral practice, Barriers to proper referral, Eastern Ethiopia

Source: UG
Barriers to successful university library automation in Ghana with particular reference to the Balme library

Library automation assumed a great deal of importance in libraries in the mid 1960's. Since then it has become a household word in librarianship. Library automation in university libraries in Ghana is a relatively new concept. Even though computers have been installed in the three university libraries in Ghana, computerization has not had much impact on the services provided by these libraries. This paper reviews the computerization projects in the university libraries in Ghana, with a particular reference to the Balme Library of the University of Ghana. Reasons for automation, areas of application and problems associated with automation are discussed. Also highlighted are barriers militating against successful university library automation, like financial problems, attitudinal problems, lack of co-operation among university libraries, hardware and software problems and personnel problems. Recommendations are made for the improvement of automation at the university libraries in Ghana. These include evaluation of existing systems, properly planned automation project, financial support and co-operation among the university libraries.

Source: UG
Barriers to sustainable agribusiness: a systematic review and conceptual framework

Purpose – As global concerns for sustainability have gained traction in all sectors of every economy including agribusiness, the need to investigate the critical barriers that could hamper this novelty has also risen. In that regard, this study presents a comprehensive overview of the dominant barriers encountered by agribusinesses to ensure long-term success through the lenses of a literature review. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a systematic literature review (SLR) of 43 relevant articles. The study applies content analysis to identify and analyze the selected articles. The conceptual framework underlines the three principal barriers to sustainable agribusinesses. Findings – The results from the SLR demonstrates that inadequate financial support, excessive post-harvest loss, gender inequality, non-climate-smart policies and weak institutional controls constitute the major challenges to the sustainability of agribusinesses. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited in scope to barriers to the sustainability of agribusiness only not the broad spectrum of the concept of agriculture. Originality/value – This study’s uniqueness is twofold. First, it provides a checklist for practice with the goal of addressing problems that hamper the sustainability of agribusinesses. Second, the findings and research gaps in this study are important to support future studies.

Source: UG
Barriers to teacher motivation for professional practice in the Ghana education service

In Ghana, several education initiatives for promoting the quality of education have excluded the issue of teacher motivation. Well-moti vated teachers are likely to be more committed to their profession and this could lead to desirable learning outcomes. This research attempted to identity and analyse what teachers in public pre-tertiary schools in Ghana perceived as barriers to their motivation towards professional practice. Employing mainly a qualitative approach, the research revealed that the sources of frustration and stress in participants’ professional practice related to unfavourable conditions of service in the Ghana Education Service. Suggestions for improvement in the conditions of service of teachers in public pre-tertiary schools in Ghana are explored.

Source: UG
Barriers to the management of chronic simple glaucoma

The management of chronic simple glaucoma is challenging, more so in developing countries where, patients do not fully understand the disease condition and its management goals, and the cost of drugs are not easily affordable. This study aims at determining whether barriers to management of the disease such as knowledge of the disease. drug affordability and acceptability of surgery do exist among glaucoma patients. Questionnaires were administered to 150 glaucoma patients. Only 6.8% of respondents gave a comprehensive description of the disease, and 34.5%had no idea about the management goals. Although a majority said they could afford their drugs most of them are sponsored. About thirty nine percent (39.3%) would refuse surgery is offered. It is concluded that barriers to the management of glaucoma are significant and there is an urgent need to address them

Source: UG
Barriers to the participation of women in community development process in rural Ghana: a regression analysis

Women across the world face a myriad of barriers in every sphere of their socio-economic life, negatively affecting their ability to utilise available societal resources to achieve their full potential. They are often relegated to the background when it comes to participation in community development and decision-making. The present study seeks to examine the relative strength of barriers to women’s involvement in the community development processes in rural Ghana. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit 210 women from three rural communities in Ghana. A questionnaire comprising a series of scales was used to collect the data. The study found that the most critical barriers faced by women in rural Ghana include the patriarchal norms of Ghanaian society, as well as behavioural, and idiosyncratic patterns associated with their socialisation. The study recommends the provision of opportunities to communities to be able to empower and encourage themselves to make the cultural shifts necessary to overcome and address the key barriers women face. Community development processes must incorporate meaningful participatory approaches geared towards greater equality, freedom, and advancement of local community members, especially women.

Source: UG
Barriers To The Use Of Contraceptives Among Married Women In Paga, Upper East Region, Ghana

Background: Contraceptive use is an essential and highly beneficial component of family planning. Most people across the globe know at least one method of contraceptive but its use is very low. It is therefore necessary to encourage its use especially among married women of child-bearing age as it is beneficial to the welfare of both mothers and their children. The study sought to identify the barriers to contraceptives use among married women in Paga. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 216 married women aged 15-49 years, in Paga, a community in the Upper East region of Ghana. Systematic sampling with a random start was employed in recruiting the participants, and a structured questionnaire was used to gather data on the demographic characteristics and barriers to contraceptive use among the participants. Data was analysed using frequencies, chi-square tests and logistic regressions on STATA version 13.0. Results: The study found knowledge of any method of contraceptives to be high (81.02%) but current use was much lower at 18.98%. In addition, depo/injectables (9.26%) and the pill (4.63%) were the most used methods. The major barriers to non-use and continued use were the fear of side effects (35.16%), infertility/difficulty in getting pregnant (21.98%), difficulty in getting preferred methods (20.88%) and the desire to have more children (27.27%). In addition, the age and education of participants were found to be significant predictors of contraceptive use.

Source: UG
Barriers to Timely Administration of Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccine to Neonates of Mothers With Hepatitis B in Ghana: Midwives’ Perspectives

Background: The global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis aims to reduce new hepatitis B infections by 90% by 2030. Yet, hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccination, which is effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, remains low in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the essential role that midwives play in infants’ birth dose immunisation, we explore their perspectives on the reasons for delays and non-administration of HepB-BD to eligible neonates in Ghana. Methods: We conducted interviews with 18 midwives, stratified by region (Greater Accra and Northern regions). Participants were selected purposively. The data were transcribed, coded, and analysed following the Braun and Clarke data analysis procedure. Results: The participants conveyed a broad range of barriers to HepB-BD vaccination in Ghana. These include the mother’s denial of hepatitis B seropositivity; the mother’s ignorance of the impact of hepatitis B on their newborn; partners’ noninvolvement in post-test counselling; and the high cost of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B monovalent vaccine. Other reasons included vaccine unavailability and midwives’ oversight and documentation lapses. Conclusion: We recommend educating expectant mothers on the importance and effectiveness of HepB-BD vaccination during antenatal care (ANC) visits, as well as educating midwives on HepB-BD vaccination procedures. In addition, ensuring sufficient supplies and administering hepatitis B vaccines in the delivery ward should be done to guarantee that babies receive the vaccines on time. Importantly, Ghana needs policies that require HepB-BD vaccination as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) to ensure the investments and funding it needs.

Source: UG
Barriers to tuberculosis treatment adherence in high-burden tuberculosis settings in Ashanti region, Ghana: a qualitative study from patient’s perspective

Background Despite having an effective community-based Directly Observed Therapy Short-course (DOTS) strategy for tuberculosis (TB) care, treatment adherence has been a major challenge in many developing countries including Ghana. Poor adherence results in discontinuity of treatment and leads to adverse treatment outcomes which pose an increased risk of drug resistance. This study explored barriers to TB treatment adherence and recommended potential patient-centered strategies to improve treatment adherence in two high-burden TB settings in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Methods The study was conducted among TB patients who defaulted on treatment in the Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East districts in the Ashanti region. A qualitative phenomenology approach was used to explore the barriers to TB treatment adherence. Purposive sampling was adopted to select study participants with different sociodemographic backgrounds and experiences with TB care. Eligible participants were selected by reviewing the medical records of patients from health facility TB registers (2019–2021). Sixty-one (61) TB patients met the eligibility criteria and were contacted via phone call. Out of the 61 patients, 20 were successfully reached and consented to participate. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants using a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were imported into Atlas.ti version 8.4 software and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results Food insecurity, cost of transportation to the treatment center, lack of family support, income insecurity, long distance to the treatment center, insufficient knowledge about TB, side effect of drugs, improvement in health after the intensive phase of the treatment regimen, and difficulty in accessing public transportation were the main co-occurring barriers to treatment adherence among the TB patients. Conclusion The main barriers to TB treatment adherence identified in this study reveal major implementation gaps in the TB programme including gaps related to social support, food security, income security, knowledge, and

Source: UG
Barriers to Work, Psychosocial Resources, and Work-Family Balance: Exploring Lived Experiences of Persons with Disabilities in Ghana

This study explored workplace barriers, psychosocial resources, and experiences of combining work and family roles among persons with disabilities in Ghana. Using a qualitative description approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 individuals with physical disabilities who are engaged in paid work. Thematic analysis of the data showed that discrimination was a common experience among participants in the study. Challenges with transport and infrastructure undermined the capacity of persons with disabilities to thrive in the workplace. In addition, limited time and financial resources were major sources of stress for persons with disabilities who combine work and family roles. Participants found social support important for juggling work and family roles. Participants also experienced satisfaction characterized by a strong sense of self-efficacy in fulfilling personal and family needs and meeting workplace expectations. The findings underscore the need for initiatives that foster positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. In particular, employers should be sensitized to both the individual and organizational benefits of engaging persons with disabilities in the labor market.

Source: UG
Baseline comparative analysis and review of election forensics: Application to Ghana’s 2012 and 2020 presidential elections

Many allegations have been levelled against the electoral process of many countries across the world by most opposition leaders, especially when they lose a presidential election e.g. Ghana in 2012 and 2020. Therefore, the need to apply election forensic techniques to the certified election results data of valid votes count to statistically verify if some suspected or possible anomalies and irregularities exist in the voting pattern. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive review of election forensics techniques and make a comparative analysis of Benford’s Second-order test of conformity (using the first two digits) and Hartigans’ dip test of unimodality to examine the existence of possible anomalies and irregularities in the 2012 and 2020 presidential elections held in Ghana. The findings of the two tests suggest that the electoral process produced possible anomalous data in the 2012 presidential election results (with an overall 16.67% suspected anomalies), whilst possible non-anomalous data was produced in the 2020 presidential election results (with an overall 0% suspected anomaly) of valid votes count. Therefore, the study recommends that for better statistical data analysis on election anomaly detection, Benford’s test of conformity and Hartigans’ dip test of unimodality should serve as baseline tests (initial screening tools), highlighting areas that may require further investigation or more rigorous analysis and progressively dig deeper into the application of finite mixture fraud models and machine learning techniques. In spite of the promising results Benford’s Law, dip test, machine learning algorithms, and network analysis have produced in detecting irregularities in election data, real-world applications remain challenging, particularly when dealing with complex and evolving forms of fraud. Therefore, there is the need for continuous research and innovation to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of these methods and promote transparency and accountability in democratic societies

Source: UG