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UGSpace is the institutional repository of the University of Ghana. UGSpace is an open access electronic archive for the collection, preservation and distribution of digital materials.
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- Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.
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Recent Submissions
Assessing The Determinants Of Anaemia Among Pregnant Teenagers In La Nkwantanang, Madina.
(University of Ghana, 2017-07) Awini, G.
Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy is an important public health problem associated with
increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization
revealed that more than half of all women living in developing countries are anemic. Teenage
girls are confronted with lots of health threats during pregnancy and childbirth, prominent
amongst these health threats is anaemia.
Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of anemia and its determinants among
pregnant teenagers utilizing the health facilities in La Nkwantanang, Madina of the Greater
Accra region.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant teenagers who utilized
ANC services at Pentecost Hospital at La Nkwantanang, Madina in the Greater Accra region. A
structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic, knowledge on the risk of
anaemia during pregnancy as well as their level of adherence to iron preparations. Data was
analyzed using STATA 14.
Results: The study recruited a total of 389 pregnant teenagers. The prevalence of anaemia
among the pregnant teenagers was 69%, likewise malaria parasites were observed in 68.3% of
the pregnant teenagers. Fifty-four percent of the respondents had a high knowledge of risk of
anemia. Thirty-five percent had moderate knowledge while 11 % had a low level of knowledge.
Age and Educational level of the participants was significantly associated with the level of
knowledge of risk of anemia. 85% of the respondents reported they were on iron supplements
while 58 (15%) said they did not take iron supplement.
Conclusion: The study reports a high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant teenagers. High
level of knowledge of risk of anaemia in pregnancy and high adherence to iron supplementation
was also observed.
Source-Specific Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment Of Potentially Toxic Elements In Soils From A Mining Area Using Monte Carlo Simulation: A Case Study From Southwestern Ghana.
(Ecological Indicators, 2025-04-11) Kwayisi, D.; Kazapoe, R.W.; Alidu, S.; Sagoe, S.D.
This study evaluates the impact of mining on soil contamination by conducting a source-specific probabilistic
health risk assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Southwestern Ghana. Using an Energy-Dispersive
X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometer, 720 soil samples were analyzed for their elemental concentrations.
The samples were obtained in 2024 from the B-horizon to provide better accuracy in detecting actual contam ination levels linked to illegal mining activities. The PTEs with the highest frequency above their Upper Con tinental Crustal Averages (UCC) were As(100 %), Ba(13 %), Cr(5.8 %), Pb(2.7 %), Co(2 %), V(2 %), Cu(0.4 %)
and Zn(0.4 %). Correlation Coefficient, Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
identified three groups of PTEs, which are geochemically linked elements (Ba, Cr, Cu, Ni, V), anthropogenically
influenced As, and a group with low correlations (Co, Pb). Results indicate that anthropogenic activities, such as
gold extraction, partly drive As distribution. Geoaccumulation and Pollution Indices reveal varying levels of
pollution in As, Cr, and Pb. Health risk assessments, using deterministic and probabilistic methods, found that
while non-carcinogenic risks were within safe limits for adults (Hazard Index [HI] < 1), children faced higher
risks (HI > 1) for As, Cr, Co, and V. Carcinogenic risks for both groups were within the acceptable threshold
(10− 4
–10− 6
), with children at greater risk. Ingestion was identified as the primary exposure pathway. The study
highlights the higher susceptibility of children to PTE pollution, emphasising the need for interventions to
mitigate risks from PTEs.
Assessment Of Quality Health Care Among The Insured And Uninsured Patients In The Sefwi Wiawso Municipality Of The Western North Region, Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2020-10) Ameade, M.E.
Background: In 2004, Ghana began the implementation of a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to minimize out-of-pocket expenditure at the point of use of service. Evidence suggests most health facilities are faced with challenges in the delivery of quality healthcare services. Objective: To assess the perception of quality of healthcare among NHIS insured and uninsured patients in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality.
Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional study design that used mixed methods data collection approach. A total of 380 participants were selected for the quantitative approach using a simple random technique and [0 out of the 380 participants selected using purposive sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to gather data for the quantitative data and semi-structured interview guide was used in gathering data for qualitative data. In analysing the quantitative data, T-test was used to assess the difference in perception on the quality of care between insured and non-insured patients. Chi square was used to test for the association between the variables and multiple logistic regressions was used to determine the strength of association between the dependent and independent variables at a 5% probability level. In analysing the qualitative data, manual coding was used to generate themes that resonated with objectives of the study.
Results: There was no statistical difference between the quality of care experienced by NHIS insured and non-insured. There was |.2times greater the odds of experiencing quality healtheare among those aged 51-60 years compared to those aged 18-30 years (COR = 9.88, 95% Cl= 1.30, 74.96). Also, there was a significant association between showing empathy and quality of healthcare (COR=4.05; 95%CI=1.71, 9.62). The quality of healthcare delivery Was confirmed by participants through the qualitative findings.
Conclusion: The study concludes that there is no difference between the quality of healthcare among insured and uninsured NHIS users. The study also concludes that patients’ socio demographic characteristics such as educational level, employment status, monthly income and marital status influence quality of healthcare. Again, the study concludes that health facility factors such as thoroughness during consultation, adequate physical examination, show of empathy and short waiting time enhances quality healthcare. It is recommended for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to reconsider expanding the range of service coverage to cater for expensive medications and other complex surgeries to reduce the cost borne by patients.
Characterization of Flexible Organic-Inorganic Photovoltaic Device Material
(University of Ghana, 2023) Marley, F.A.
Presented is the results of a study using density functional theory of the electrical characteristics of copper-doped nickel (Cu:NiO) and nickel oxide (NiO), and their performances when utilized as Hole Transport Layer (HTL) in photovoltaic (PV) devices by modelling their I-V characteristics is presented. From first-principle it was observed that, doping NiO with a Cu ion introduced more states in the valence band enhancing the charge transport property of the material. The band gap of NiO reduced from 3.04 eV to 2.63 eV in the unstable supercell structure of Cu:NiO and then to 1.65 eV in the stable supercell structure of Cu:NiO. The defect created by the substitution of Cu ion for Ni ion appears to have given rise to additional electronic states near the bandgap which increases the conductivity of holes substantially. Both stable and unstable supercell structures of Cu:NiO showed a direct band gap which eases the transition of holes from the active layer to the HTL. There was also a shift in Fermi level towards the valence band in both stable and unstable supercell structures thus enhancing hole mobility in the HTL. The unstable Cu:NiO showed the highest efficiencies when used as a composite HTL with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as compared to PEDOT:PSS/NiO, PEDOT:PSS and PEDOT:PSS/Cu:NiO (stable). This demonstrates how the HTL enhances device performance in applications for organic-inorganic electronic devices and provides a better knowledge of its electrical characteristics.
Factors Influencing Antenatal Care Service Utilization In Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis, Western Region, Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Kwofie, V.N.
Background: Antenatal Care (ANC) is a category of preventive healthcare services aiming to provide regular check-ups that permit health care professionals especially midwives and doctors to prevent and treat potential health problems during the pregnancy period as well as promoting healthy lifestyles to ensure their safety. Poor utilization of ANC services could lead to poor pregnancy outcomes that can affect achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets of reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality by the year 2030. This study therefore examined ANC services utilization and factors influencing its utilization in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in both public and private health facilities at the urban and rural settlements. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) approach was employed to carry out this stud) . The study was conducted at Post -natal units of selected public and private health facilities in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region from April to May 2019. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was administered and data collected on clients' socio-demographic factors , heath facility and community related factors which could influence ANC service utilization. In-depth interviews were also conducted among midwives . Using an interview guide t\~ o focus group discussions (one male, one female) were conducted in the communities in which tile selected heath facilities were located . Data was analyzed descriptively. Chi-square test was us1,;d to determine associations between independent variables and the outcome variable. Results was presented as frequencies and proportions in tables and graphs with Odds ratio as measure of associations at 95% confidence intervals with p-value < 0.05. In the multivariate analysis, Mothers who lived in urban areas had 3. 5 times (95% CI: 1.1-11 .4) odds of ANC services utilization compared to those who lived in rural areas and this association was also statistically significant. Jn addition, mothers' who were married had 3.2 folds (95% CI: 1.22- 8.44) odds of ANC services utilization compared to those who were single. Likewise, mothers who were cohabiting also had a 14.05 times (95% CI: 2.95-65.87) odds more of ANC services utilization compared to those who were single. Again this association was statistically significant. Mothers who were employed had 4.5 folds (95% CI: 1.4-14.3) odds of ANC services utilization compared to those who were unemployed. Primiparous mothers had 5.0 folds (95% CI: 2.6-9.7) odds of ANC services utilization compared to multiparous mothers and this association was statistically significant. Mothers with good level of knowledge on benefits of ANC services, had 20.5 folds (95% CI: 7 .6-55 .1) odds of utiIization of prenatal services as opposed to those with poor knowledge and this association was statistical I· significant. Conclusions: ANC service utilization is largely under-utilized in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Knowledge on benefits of prenatal services and awareness of the required minimum four ANC visits for pregnant women without any complications in their pregnancies were low. In addition, there were additional payments by NHIS holders who went to access services from the various health facilities in the districts. Major preventive measure is to increase public awareness on the benefits of prenatal services utilization in STM and to strengthen the usage of NHJS.