ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the choice of librarianship as a course of study at the diploma level in Ghana

The study investigate the factors that influence the choice of librarianship as a course of study at the diploma level in Ghana. The study also sought to find out if Interest had been engendered in librarianship after enrolling for the course and whether the students intended pursuing the course further to develop a career in librarianship. The population surveyed was the Diploma I & II classes of the Department of Information Studies, University of Ghana who were admitted in 2005/2006 academic year. Using data obtained through questionnaires, the study sought for information relating to their underground factors influencing the choice of librarian, interest in librarianship and pursuing librarianship as a career. The findings revealed that various factors account for the choice of librarians. These factors were mainly external with an opportunity for further education being the most prevalent. Other factors included association with librarians, experience in library work, a liking for books and the need for career change.

Source: UG
Factors Influencing the Choice of Treatment Among Patients with Fractures in the Tamale Teaching Hospital

The existence and productive lives of humankind globally is constantly under the threat of diseases. Key among them is fractures resulting from infections, ageing process and road traffic crashes, which result in untold economic hardship and disability in developing countries. Choice of treatment has always affected recovery of these patients. Despite this challenge, there is paucity of research on factors that influence selection of hospital-based treatment option for fractures in Ghana. This research explored factors influencing the choice of treatment among patients with fractures in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The study population was 12 adults diagnosed of fracture and under hospital-based management, and aged 18 years old and above who met other inclusion criteria. The researcher used a qualitative approach with exploratory descriptive design with face-to-face interview conducted for data collection. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis after transcription of interviews. The study discovered that marital status, level of education, family role, patients believe in treatment options, treatment cost, specialist and equipment availability, proximity and good road to health facility, influence choice of fracture treatment in the hospital. In addition, patients lay judgement of severity, obeying health professional advice were factors that influenced choice of treatment. Participants suggested expansion of health insurance coverage of diseases and drugs, better supervision of care, good patient education, and subsidized or free fracture care to improve patronage of fracture care. Participants also advised patients to avoid patronizing bonesetter service for severe fractures. This study will contribute to building nursing knowledge on fracture management, contribute to improved care strategies and guide training programmes on the care for both orthodox and traditional fracture management in Africa and the world as a whole.

Source: UG
Factors influencing the decision to drop out of health insurance enrolment among urban slum dwellers in Ghana

Objective: To identify the factors influencing dropout from Ghana's health insurance scheme among populations living in slum communities. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from residents of 22 slums in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Cluster and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select and interview 600 individuals who had dropped out from the scheme 6 months prior to the study. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models were computed to account for sample characteristics and reasons associated with the decision to dropout. Results: The proportion of dropouts in the sample increased from the range of 6.8% in 2008 to 34.8% in 2012. Non-affordability of premium was the predominant reason followed by rare illness episodes, limited benefits of the scheme and poor service quality. Low-income earners and those with low education were significantly more likely to report premium non-affordability. Rare illness was a common reason among younger respondents, informal sector workers and respondents with higher education. All subgroups of age, education, occupation and income reported nominal benefits of the scheme as a reason for dropout. Conclusion: Interventions targeted at removing bottlenecks to health insurance enrolment are salient to maximising the size of the insurance pool. Strengthening service quality and extending the premium exemption to cover low-income families in slum communities is a valuable strategy to achieve universal health coverage. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Source: UG
Factors influencing the delivery and uptake of early infant diagnosis of HIV services in Greater Accra, Ghana: A qualitative study

Background Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV and timely initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality of HIV infected infants. Despite the benefits of early infant testing, the coverage of EID of HIV services is still low in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. Objectives To ascertain the factors that facilitate or hinder the delivery and uptake of EID of HIV services. The study is a cross-sectional exploratory qualitative research conducted in two health facili ties in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Respondents (n = 50) comprising health workers (n = 20) and HIV positive mothers (n = 30) were purposively sampled and engaged in in depth interviews. The Nvivo 11 software and the Braun and Clarke’s stages of thematic analysis were used in coding data and data analysis respectively. The study found that health system factors such as inadequate Staff with sample collection skills, unavailability of vehicles to convey samples to the reference laboratory for analysis, the long turnaround time for receipt of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results, inadequate and frequent breakdown of PCR machine hindered EID service delivery. On the other hand, adequate knowledge of health workers on EID, availability of Dried Blood Spot (DBS) cards and the adoption of task shifting strategies facilitated EID service delivery. Factors such as the denial of HIV status, non-completion of the EID process due to frustrations encountered whiles accessing service and delay in receipt of PCR results served as barriers to mother’s utilisation of EID services for their exposed infants. The study also identified that adequate knowledge of EID, perceived importance of EID, financial stability as well as financial support from others and the positive attitudes of health workers facilitated HIV positive mother’s uptake of EID services for their exposed infants. The factors attributing to the low coverage of EID of HIV services must be promptly addressed to improve service delivery and uptake.

Source: UG
Factors influencing the implementation of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly initiative in Ghana

Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) is an initiative designed to help countries assess their readiness to scale‐up breastfeeding programs and develop key recommendations to strengthen their breastfeeding environment. In 2016, Ghana was one of two countries to first pilot BBF. In applying BBF, a committee of 15 Ghanaian nutrition, health, and breastfeeding experts implemented the BBF toolbox over 8 months. Following implementation, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 committee members (CMs) to (a) identify facilitators and barriers to implement BBF and (b) determine factors needed to strengthen the breastfeeding environment in Ghana. Using a grounded theory approach, five domains were identified. First, a dynamic committee of key stakeholders drove the implementation of BBF. Second, CMs faced some logistical and methodological challenges, including difficulty accessing data and the need for strong in‐country technical support for adhering to the BBF process. Third, CMs felt well positioned to facilitate and lead the dissemination and implementation of recommendations. Fourth, accountability would be essential to properly translate recommendations. Fifth, to move recommendations to action, advocacy would be a required first step, and BBF was proposed to facilitate this step. BBF provided an in‐depth analysis of Ghana's current breastfeeding environment to help Ghana strengthen its breastfeeding governance, policies, and programs while informing CMs' government and non‐governmental organizations' breastfeeding efforts.

Source: UG
Factors influencing the use of birth control methods at Abokobi, Ga east district

The population of Ghana has been doubling every 28 years. The rapid population growth rate and the expanding basic needs and wants of the people of Ghana arising from increasing economic growth have made population control and management of urgent importance. A mechanism that can be used to achieve effective population control and management is birth control through the use of contraceptives. Based on this premise, a study was undertaken to assess the awareness of and factors influencing the use of birth control methods among women aged between 15 and 49 years, in their reproductive lifespan, at Abokobi. The survey-based study was based on scientific sampling method using cluster sampling involving 120 women living in 99 houses. The results of the analysis indicated that all the 120 women respondents were aware of at least one birth control method suggesting a universal awareness of birth control methods. The analysis confirmed that the age and educational attainment of the woman increased the level of awareness of birth control methods. Being in a current sexual relationship, the level of awareness of birth control methods and having children increased the likelihood of women using birth control methods. Women who were currently married and were between the ages of 20 and 40 years were less likely to use birth control methods

Source: UG
Factors influencing the use of supervised delivery services in Garu-Tempane District, Ghana

Background There is evidence that supervised delivery has the potential to improve birth outcomes for both women and newborns. However, not all women especially in low-income settings like Ghana use supervised delivery services during childbirth. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of supervised delivery and determine factors that influence use of supervised delivery services in a local district of Ghana. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional survey of 322 randomly sampled postpartum women who delivered between January and December 2016 in the Garu-Tempane District was conducted. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive, binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis techniques were used to analyse data. Results Although antenatal care attendance among respondents was very high 291(90.4%), prevalence of supervised birth was only 219(68%). More than a quarter 103(32%) of the postpartum women delivered their babies at home without skilled birth attendants. After controlling for possible confounders in multivariable logistic regression analyses, factors that strongly independently predicted supervised delivery were religion (p < 0.01), distance to health facility (p < 0.05), making at least 4 antenatal care visits (p < 0.01), national health insurance scheme registration (p < 0.01), satisfaction with services received during antenatal care (p < 0.01), need partner’s approval before delivering in health facility (p < 0.01), woman’s thoughts that her religious beliefs prohibited health facility delivery(p < 0.01), and woman’s belief that there are norms in her community that did not support health facility delivery (p < 0.01). Conclusion There is need for targeted interventions, including community mobilization and health education, and male partner involvement to help generate local demand for, and uptake of, supervised delivery services. Improvement in the quality of services in health facilities, including ensuring respect and dignity for service users, would also be essential. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-019-2295-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Source: UG
Factors Influencing the Utilisation of Maternal Health Services: The Perspective of Rural Women in Ghana

Maternal mortality is a global issue and WHO recommends the use of maternal health services to help improve the health of women and babies during pregnancy and childbirth. Considering global and national interest in improving maternal health and the fact that Ghana is still battling with reducing maternal mortality, understanding the factors affecting the use of maternal services in rural areas is crucial as the women are seen as more vulnerable due to inequity issues. This study sets to examine the factors that influence the utilisation of antenatal and delivery services among rural women in Ghana, focusing on individual and area factors. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in three rural communities using Akuapim North District of Ghana as a case study.. The study adopted the quantitative approach. Structured interviews were used in data collection with the help of interview schedules. Two hundred and ninety-six (296) respondents were sampled using both probability and non probability techniques. Findings reveal that the use of the MHS is inadequate in relation to the WHO standards. Individual characteristics such as age, marital status and family size and the cost and time taken to a health facility were significantly associated with all the maternal health outcomes. Poor access to vehicles hindered women from delivery in a health institution and getting assistance from trained medical personnels. However, no significant association was established between education of respondents and the maternal health outcomes. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health engages in inter-sectoral collaboration to help ensure health equity.Effective integration of TBAs in providing care is needed to help improve utilisation of maternal services in rural areas

Source: UG
Factors influencing the work efficiency of district health managers in low-resource settings: a qualitative study in Ghana

Abstract Background There is increasing evidence that good district management practices can improve health system performance and conversely, that poor and inefficient management practices have detrimental effects. The aim of the present study was to identify factors contributing to inefficient management practices of district health managers and ways to improve their overall efficiency. Methods Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with district health managers in three districts of the Eastern Region in Ghana. The 19 interviews conducted comprised 90 % of the managerial workforce in these districts in 2013. A thematic analysis was carried out using the WHO’s leadership and management strengthening framework to structure the results. Results Key factors for inefficient district health management practices were identified to be: human resource shortages, inadequate planning and communication skills, financial constraints, and a narrow decision space that constrains the authority of district health managers and their ability to influence decision-making. Strategies that may improve managerial efficiency at both an individual and organizational level included improvements to planning, communication, and time management skills, and ensuring the timely release of district funds. Conclusions Filling District Health Management Team vacancies, developing leadership and management skills of district health managers, ensuring a better flow of district funds, and delegating more authority to the districts seems to be a promising intervention package, which may result in better and more efficient management practices and stronger health system performance.

Source: UG
Factors influencing the work efficiency of district health managers in low-resource settings: A qualitative study in Ghana

Background: There is increasing evidence that good district management practices can improve health system performance and conversely, that poor and inefficient management practices have detrimental effects. The aim of the present study was to identify factors contributing to inefficient management practices of district health managers and ways to improve their overall efficiency. Methods: Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with district health managers in three districts of the Eastern Region in Ghana. The 19 interviews conducted comprised 90 % of the managerial workforce in these districts in 2013. A thematic analysis was carried out using the WHO's leadership and management strengthening framework to structure the results. Results: Key factors for inefficient district health management practices were identified to be: human resource shortages, inadequate planning and communication skills, financial constraints, and a narrow decision space that constrains the authority of district health managers and their ability to influence decision-making. Strategies that may improve managerial efficiency at both an individual and organizational level included improvements to planning, communication, and time management skills, and ensuring the timely release of district funds. Conclusions: Filling District Health Management Team vacancies, developing leadership and management skills of district health managers, ensuring a better flow of district funds, and delegating more authority to the districts seems to be a promising intervention package, which may result in better and more efficient management practices and stronger health system performance.

Source: UG
Factors influencing unmet need for family planning among Ghanaian married/union women: a multinomial mixed effects logistic regression modelling approach

Background Unmet need for family planning is high (30%) in Ghana. Reducing unmet need for family planning will reduce the high levels of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that are associated with unmet need for family planning to help scale up the uptake of family planning services in Ghana. Methods This cross sectional descriptive and inferential study involved secondary data analysis of women in the reproductive age (15–49 years) from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2014 data. The outcome variable was unmet need for family planning which was categorized into three as no unmet need, unmet need for limiting and unmet need for spacing. Chi-squared test statistic and bivariate multilevel multinomial mixed effects logistic regression model were used to determine significant variables which were included for the multivariable multilevel multinomial mixed effects logistic regression model. All significant variables (p < 0.05) based on the bivariate analysis were included in the multinomial mixed effects logistic regression model via model building approach. Results Women who fear contraceptive side effects were about 2.94 (95% CI, 2.28, 3.80) and 2.58 (95% CI, 2.05, 3.24) times more likely to have an unmet need for limiting and spacing respectively compared to those who do not fear side effects. Respondents’ age was a very significant predictor of unmet need for family planning. There was very high predictive probability among 45–49 year group (0.86) compared to the 15–19 year group (0.02) for limiting. The marginal predictive probability for spacing changed significantly from 0.74 to 0.04 as age changed from 15 to 19 to 45–49 years. Infrequent sexual intercourse, opposition from partners, socio-economic (wealth index, respondents educational level, respondents and partner’s occupation) and cultural (religion and ethnicity) were all significant determinants of both unmet need for limiting and spacing. Conclusions This study reveals that fear of side effect, infrequent sex, age, ethnicity, partner’s education and region were the most highly significant predictors of both limiting and spacing. These factors must be considered in trying to meet the unmet need for family planning. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13690-019-0340-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Source: UG
Factors influencing uptake of soil fertility management strategies among smallholder farmers in the forest/savanna transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana

Sustaining the productive capacity of the farmlands in the forest/savannah transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana requires research into sustainable alternative options to the current bush fallowing system which is being threatened by population-induced pressure on land. In order to develop new systems, we carried out a study in the forest savannah transitional agro-ecological zone to determine existing soil fertility management strategies being used by farmers, their sources and factors influencing their use. Sources of knowledge of farmers’ soil fertility management strategies were identified to include: relatives/friends, extension/research, and self/joint experimentation. Relatives/friends and self/joint experimentation were identified as the major sources of knowledge for most of the soil fertility management strategies being used by farmers. The extent of use of a particular strategy did not depend on the source of knowledge alone but also on socio-economic factors such as accessibility to resources including land, labour, cash and credit as well as food security and risks of crop failure. The study suggests that in developing technology for the smallholder farming systems, there is the need to understand the socio-economic factors that shape the complex smallholder environment so that this can be factored into the technology development process.

Source: UG
Factors influencing use of analgesics among construction workers in the Ga-East municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

BACKGROUND: Analgesics also known as painkillers are widely used for pain relief. There are severe health implications associated with excessive use of analgesics. This paper examines factors influencing the use of analgesics among construction workers in the Ga-East Municipality (GEM) of the Greater Accra region of Ghana. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 206 construction workers randomly sampled from 7 construction sites in the GEM. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit responses on knowledge of analgesics, types of analgesics used and factors influencing the use of analgesics. Chi-square test analysis was used to examine factors influencing analgesic use. RESULTS: The majority of workers were aged between 15 to 44 years (89.8%) and 51.9 percent of respondents had completed Junior high school. Many respondents (68.0%) used Brand 1 a locally manufactured analgesic with paracetamol, aspirin and caffeine as the active ingredients and 31.6 percent of respondents had no knowledge of possible side effects of continuous use of analgesics. Chi square analysis showed that age was significantly associated with use of analgesics (p<0.01). Knowledge of the types of analgesics, dosage and side effects did not influence use (p>0.05). Television and radio advertisements influenced use of analgesics (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Knowledge on analgesic use and knowledge of probable serious side effects was inadequate. Pharmacists and chemists involvement in education of clients of the side effects of analgesics is highly recommended to minimise misuse. The Food and Drugs Authority should regulate the proliferation of advertisements for analgesics in the media.

Source: UG