Welcome to UGSpace
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.
- facilitate the deposit of digital content of a scholarly or heritage nature
- and ultimately share, preserve and promote the intellectual output of the University in a managed environment.
Communities in UGSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
- 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.
- The content include public lectures and inaugural lectures within University of Ghana.
- A working paper is a scientific or technical paper produced by researchers to share ideas or obtain feedback from a selected readership. Working papers can be in various stages of completion and are not peer reviewed or published in a journal.
Recent Submissions
Development and Testing of Responsive Feeding Counseling Cards to Strengthen the UNICEF Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling Package
(Current Developments In Nutrition, 2020) Hromi-Fiedler, A.J.; Aryeetey, R.; Carroll, G.J.; et al.
Background: The UNICEF Community-based Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling Package (C-IYCFCP) currently has limited responsive
feeding (RF) content, thus limiting the dissemination of RF messages within infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counseling.
Objectives: This project 1) developed counseling cards based on existing evidence-based RF guidelines and 2) tested their feasibility in Ghana.
Methods: Five RF counseling cards were developed focusing on eating with family; introducing new foods; hunger/satiety cues; food texture; and
calming a child. Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with adult mothers and fathers of children younger than 3 years of age to assess
the cultural appropriateness of the cards and accompanying key messages. The feasibility of including cards as part of IYCF counseling was tested
via 1) systematic observation of 8 group education sessions utilizing the cards with the same target audience and 2) in-depth interviews with health
care providers involved in IYCF training and/or counseling.
Results: FGD findings guided changes to all cards to ensure comprehension and cultural appropriateness. The group education sessions
suggested that the counseling cards provided important RF messages that are specific, clear, and feasible to implement. Healthcare providers
strongly endorsed the need for and utility of the RF counseling cards and felt they were feasible and important to integrate into the C-IYCFCP
currently being used to deliver IYCF training and counseling in Ghana.
Conclusions: The counseling cards have a strong potential to add key RF dimensions to IYCF training and counseling in Ghana. Curr Dev Nutr
2020;4:nzaa117
Basic school pupils’ food purchases during mid-morning break in urban Ghanaian schools
(PLoS ONE, 2020) Ogum-Alangea, D.; Aryeetey, R.N.O.; Gray, H.L.; et al.
Background
Unhealthy food vending can expose children to malnutrition and other diet-related challenges such as obesity. This study sought to describe types and sources of food in basic
schools in urban Accra, and to describe food purchases by pupils.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of five basic schools (3 public; and 2 private) and 644 pupils in
the Ga-East Municipality in Ghana. Checklists were used to document available sources of
food during school hours. Pupils were intercepted after making purchases during break time and the type, cost, and sources of foods purchased were documented. The energy content of
foods was read from labels when available or estimated using the Ghana Food Composition database when unlabelled. Frequencies and crosstabs were used to compare food type
by source and school type.
Results
Foods were purchased from the school canteen, school store, private stores, and ‘table-top’
vendors. Meals were most frequently purchased (38%) although single purchases were
sweetened drinks, savory snacks, and confectioneries. About 53% of retailers located
within the schools sold relatively healthier food options. Similar foods with comparable
energy content were purchased within and outside of school.
Conclusions
Basic schools in urban Ghana provide ready access to energy-dense food options, which
are purchased by pupils both within and outside of school premises. Timely interventions
inclusive of school food policies can encourage healthier diets among pupils.
Surface Functionalized MXenes for Wastewater Treatment-A Comprehensive Review
(Global Challenges, 2022) Damptey, L.; Dodoo-Arhin, D.; Jaato, B.N.; et al.
Over 80% of wastewater worldwide is released into the environment without
proper treatment. Whilst environmental pollution continues to intensify due
to the increase in the number of polluting industries, conventional techniques
employed to clean the environment are poorly effective and expensive.
MXenes are a new class of 2D materials that have received a lot of attention for
an extensive range of applications due to their tuneable interlayer spacing and
tailorable surface chemistry. Several MXene-based nanomaterials with remarkable properties have been proposed, synthesized, and used in environmental
remediation applications. This work, a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research progress on the promising potential of surface-functionalized
MXenes as photocatalysts, adsorbents, and membranes for wastewater treatment are presented. The sources, composition, and effects of wastewater on
human health and the environment are displayed. Furthermore, the synthesis,
surface functionalization, and characterization techniques of merit used in the
study of MXenes are discussed, detailing the effects of a range of factors (e.g.,
PH, temperature, precursor, etc.) on the synthesis, surface functionalization,
and performance of the resulting MXenes. Finally, the limits of MXenes and
MXene-based materials as well as their potential future research directions,
especially for wastewater treatment applications are highlighted.
Global Perspective on Marital Satisfaction
(Sustainability, 2020) Dobrowolska, M.; Aryeetey, R.; Groyecka-Bernard, A.; et al.
Across the world, millions of couples get married each year. One of the strongest
predictors of whether partners will remain in their relationship is their reported satisfaction. Marital
satisfaction is commonly found to be a key predictor of both individual and relational well-being.
Despite its importance in predicting relationship longevity, there are relatively few empirical
research studies examining predictors of marital satisfaction outside of a Western context. To
address this gap in the literature and complete the existing knowledge about global predictors of
marital satisfaction, we used an open-access database of self-reported assessments of self-reported
marital satisfaction with data from 7178 participants representing 33 different countries. The results
showed that sex, age, religiosity, economic status, education, and cultural values were related, to
various extents, to marital satisfaction across cultures. However, marriage duration, number of
children, and gross domestic product (GDP) were not found to be predictors of marital satisfaction
for countries represented in this sample. While 96% of the variance of marital satisfaction was
attributed to individual factors, only 4% was associated with countries. Together, the results show
that individual differences have a larger influence on marital satisfaction compared to the country
of origin. Findings are discussed in terms of the advantages of conducting studies on large cross-cultural samples.
Implementing Nutrition Interventions In Ghana At District Level: Gaps And Opportunities
(African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2014) Gongwer, C.R.; Aryeetey, R.
Malnutrition among women and children is an underlying cause of high morbidity and
mortality in the developing world. Ghana is one of 36 countries with a high
prevalence (> 20%) of chronic stunting in childhood. Although proven and
inexpensive technologies and interventions exist to address maternal and child
malnutrition, their implementation remains at a low scale in many developing
countries, including Ghana. In Ghana, barriers to scaling up nutrition actions have
been identified at the national level, yet little is known about the situation at the
district and sub-district levels where nutrition interventions are directly delivered. The
current study assessed district-level capacity and commitment to accelerating
the implementation of effective nutrition interventions to address the high burden of
maternal and child malnutrition. In June 2010, key informant interviews involving
technical officers, clinicians, nurses, and administrative staff, and a desk review of
program and administrative reports were conducted in the Omanye District
(pseudonym). Using the framework from the WHO landscape analysis of readiness to
scale up nutrition actions, interviews explored questions of commitment (financial,
planning, collaborations) and capacity (human resources, job aids, skills) to
implement nutrition actions in the district. Most key nutrition interventions were
being implemented in the Omanye District including growth promotion, micronutrient
supplementation, behavior change communication on infant and young child feeding,
and a pilot project for community management of severe acute malnutrition.
Interventions are challenged, however, by barriers including inadequate financial
commitment, low prioritization of nutrition, inadequate personnel, and insufficient job
aids. Because nutrition was relatively underfunded in the district, nutrition technical
officers had been shifted to perform other or additional tasks. Insufficient investment
and inadequate capacity prevent the delivery of quality nutrition services in the Omanye
District. Interventions that prioritize and improve investment in nutrition actions are
needed to optimize nutrition services at the district level in Ghana.
Small-scale egg and orange-fleshed sweet potato production and utilisation in selected communities in Ghana: A mixed-methods study
(World Nutrition, 2024) Habib, H.H.; Donkor, W.E.S.; Agordoh, S.W.; et al.
Background
Nutrition-related exposures during the first 1,000 days of life are a predictor of health
outcomes later in life. World Vision Ghana’s ‘Improved Feeding Practices for the 1,000
days’ (IFP) project aimed to improve the dietary practices of women and children by utilising an
integrated intervention approach including nutrition, health, and agriculture strategies.
Objective
This paper reports on the production and utilization of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes
(OFSP) and eggs for improving the diets of women of reproductive age and young children
during the first 1,000 days of life.
Methods
Primary data from Kassena-Nankana West (KNW), Sekyere East (SE) and Kintampo South
(KS) districts were triangulated with project routine data for this analysis. Univariate
analyses of quantitative data from baseline and implementation monitoring data were
conducted to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of beneficiaries, inputs
disbursed, outputs produced, and utilization of the food commodities. Qualitative
interviews from 61 participants were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed; these
were triangulated with quantitative data to capture the main themes and findings.
Results
OFSP and egg production and consumption increased annually across beneficiary
communities. In 2021, 100% of OFSP produced was consumed in KS; in SE, 95.0% was
consumed and 5.0% lost to post-harvest losses. In 2022, 90% of OFSP produced in KNW was
consumed and 9.0% was sold. In KS, 90.3% was consumed and 9.0% sold. In SE, 82.3% was
consumed and 17.1% sold. Egg production at the end of the first production year (2022)
was 18,720 crates in KNW, 19,680 crates in KS, and 40,128 crates in SE. Egg consumption
in sample households was less than 10% in 2022 and showed a decreased trend in the first
half of 2023. In SE and KS, egg and OFSP production, respectively, increased,
exponentially; sale for income was the most common mode of utilization in eggs but OFSP
was consumed in these districts. In KNW, climate, irrigation, and socio-cultural barriers
hindered the maximal production and utility of the produce, which was not observed in SE
and KS, which did not have any of these identified barriers. Reported unintended benefits
of production and utilization included increased household income, food security, and
availability of organic manure as a side-product of poultry. Conclusions
The IFP project resulted in increased household-level production, use, and distribution of
Eggs and OFSP across the three focal districts. Similar settings may benefit from this
intervention by adapting the strategies to make it easier for beneficiaries to better cope
with likely potential barriers such as poultry mortality and water scarcity.
High energy milling of Cu2O powders
(2011) Dodoo-Arhin, D.; Vettori, G.; D’Incau, M.; et al.
Whole Powder Pattern Modelling was employed to investigate the microstructure
changes in Cu2O powders milled in a vibrating cup mill. The reduction in the average size of
coherently scattering domains - and simultaneous narrowing of the size distribution - occurs
in the first minutes. An asymptotic limit of ca. 10 nm is obtained. The size reduction is
obtained at the expense of introducing a massive quantity of dislocations in the system,
reaching a limit of ca. 4×10-16 m-2. A proper nanocrystalline microstructure can be obtained
with an effective milling time of ca. 20 min.
Implementation of healthy food environment policies to prevent nutrition related non-communicable diseases in Ghana: National experts’ assessment of government action
(Food Policy, 2020) Laar, A.; Aryeetey, R.; Barnes, A.; et al.
Nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NR-NCDs) are a global health problem, increasingly recognized as
driven by unhealthy food environments. Yet little is known about government action to implement food en environment-relevant policies, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries. This study assessed government action, implementation gaps, and priorities to improve the food environment in Ghana. Using the
Healthy Food-Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), a panel comprising government and independent experts
(n = 19) rated government action to improve the healthiness of the food environment in Ghana against international best practices and according to steps within a policy cycle. Forty-three good practice indicators of food
environment policy and infrastructure support were used, with ratings informed by systematically collected
evidence of action validated by government officials. Following the rating exercise, the expert panel proposed
and prioritized actions for government implementation. Three-quarters of all good practice indicators were rated
at ‘low’/‘very little’ implementation. Restricting the marketing of breast milk substitutes was the only indicator
rated “very high”. Of ten policy actions prioritized for implementation, restricting unhealthy food marketing in
children’s settings and the media was ranked the highest priority. Providing sufficient funds for nationally relevant research on nutrition and NCDs was the highest priority infrastructure-support action. Other priority
infrastructure-support actions related to leadership, monitoring, and evaluation. This study identified gaps in
Ghana’s implementation of internationally-recommended policies to promote healthy food environments.
National stakeholders recommended actions, which will require legislation and leadership. The findings provide
a baseline for measuring government progress towards implementing effective policies to prevent NR-NCDs.
Conference on ‘Nutrition dynamics in Africa: opportunities and challenges for meeting the sustainable development goals’
(Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2017) Laar, A.K.; Aryeetey, R.N.O.; Mpereh, M.; Zotor, F.B.
Social protection (SP) has been demonstrated as an effective tool against poverty and severe
hunger. In Ghana, SP interventions have been employed to address vulnerability to poverty
since 1965. Nevertheless, its potential for enhancing nutrition has hardly been explored. To
harness the cross-sectoral benefits of scaling up nutrition-sensitive actions in Ghana, the
The National Development Planning Commission requested an assessment of nutrition linkages
across existing SP policies and programmes. The present paper presents gaps and opportunities for improving the nutrition-sensitivity of existing SP programming in Ghana. The evidence
draws heavily on desk review of available published and grey literature. The data show that
SP provides an entry point for mainstreaming nutrition into other programmes. However,
designing and coupling SP programmes with nutrition programmes remains a challenge in
Ghana. Local SP interventions are predominantly designed as standalone services and therefore are implemented independently of each other. To increase synergy between SP and nutrition, including nutrition as an explicit objective of SP policies/strategies is recommended
Factors associated with concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6–59 months in Karamoja, Uganda
(Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2020) Obeng-Amoako, G.A.O.; Aryeetey, R.; Mupere, E.; et al.
Children with concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) and children with severe
wasting have a similar risk of death. Existing evidence shows that wasting and stu noting share similar causal pathways, but evidence on correlates of WaSt remains limited. Research on correlates of WaSt is needed to inform prevention strategies. We
investigated the factors associated with WaSt in children 6–59 months in Karamoja
Region, Uganda.
We examined data for 33,054 children aged 6–59 months using June 2015 to July
2018 Food Security and Nutrition Assessment in Karamoja. We defined WaSt as
being concurrently wasted (weight-for-height z-scores <−2.0) and stunted (height-for-age z-score <−2.0). We conducted multivariate mixed-effect logistic regression
to assess factors associated with WaSt. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
In multivariate analysis, being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.60–2.00]), aged 12–23 months (aOR = 2.25; 95% CI
[1.85–2.74]), 36–47 months (aOR = 0.65; 95% CI [0.50–0.84]) and 48–59 months
(aOR = 0.71; 95% CI [0.54–0.93]) were associated with WaSt. In addition, acute
respiratory infection (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.15–1.48]), diarrhea (aOR = 1.25; 95%
CI [1.06–1.48]) and malaria/fever (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI [0.73–0.96]) episodes were
associated with WaSt. WaSt was significantly associated with maternal underweight
(body mass index <18.5 kg/m2
), short stature (height <160 cm), low mid-upper arm
circumference (MUAC <23 cm), and having ≥4 live births. WaSt was prevalent in
households without livestock (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.13–1.59]).
Preventing the occurrence of WaSt through pragmatic and joint approaches is recommended. Future prospective studies on risk factors of WaSt to inform effective
prevention strategies are recommended.