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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.
- 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.

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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.
- 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 Working papers can be in various stages of completion and are not peer reviewed or published in a journal.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
Blood Pressure Variability Indices and Self-Reported Quality of Sleep Among Adolescents Living with HIV
(University of Ghana, 2023) Kofi,A.
Background:
Children and adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are highly prone to develop cardiovascular
diseases (CVDs) in the future. Blood pressure is a predictor for future development of
cardiovascular diseases. Ambulatory Blood pressure indices predicts changes in blood pressure
better than Office blood pressure. However, most healthcare facilities in Ghana use Office BP and
Ambulatory blood pressure has not been used a lot. Most research evaluating the relation between
HIV and blood pressure (BP) measurements have mainly focused on the conventional
sphygmomanometric method, which carries a significant risk of human error and inaccuracy and
does not accurately reflect the blood pressure characteristics of HIV positive patients BP variability
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), is a key instrument for evaluating blood pressure
variability (BPV) which is a predictor of hypertensive end-organ damage. This study is a novel
study and there is scanty literature on evaluating Blood pressure variability among ALHIV. This
study may provide data and literature on blood pressure variability indices and self-reported sleep
to help in the management of cardiovascular risk among ALHIV.
Cardiovascular disorders among children and adolescents may also be contributed by poor sleep
quality. Blood pressure changes over a 24-hour period might occur in HIV positive patients who
have sleep disturbances. Lack of sleep may cause sympathetic activity to rise, which could raise
blood pressure. General aim of study:
The study aims to investigate the relationship between 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure
variability indices and self-reported sleep quality among adolescents living with HIV.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was employed for this study. A cluster-randomized sampling
technique was used to recruit health facilities and 122 adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). A
24-hour ABPM was performed using a validated portable ABPM 50 device with the BP readings
set at 15 minutes intervals, from 7 am to 10 pm for daytime, and 20 minutes intervals during the
night, from 10 pm to 6 am. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Questionnaire was used to
assess the quality of sleep. Anthropometric measurement of participants was also conducted. Body
weight (in kilograms) and height (in meters) were taken for the calculation of Body mass index
(BMI). Variables such as Self-reported sleep quality, BMI, and ART regimen was held as
independent variables while Beat-to-beat BPV variables and circadian variability variables were
held as dependent variables
Results:
Ages of participants were from 6 years to 19 years; with a mean age of 13.6 ± 3.2 years. The males
were (N=56(45.9%)) and the females were (N=66 (54.1%)). Most of the females (N=32(48.5%))
were aged 14 years and above. Females (N=21(31.8%)) had a healthier BMI compared to males
(N=18(32.1%)). There was no significant relationship between gender and BMI of participants, p value= 0.25. Relationship between gender and antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen was not
significant, p-value=0.304. For sleep quality comparison among genders, most females reported
poor sleep quality, (N=18(27.3%)). Most females had good sleep quality (N=48(72.7%)).
Hypertension was reported among (N=13 (10.6)) of which (N=2 (1.64%) reported Hypertension stage 1 (>=pct90 and (pct99+5
mmHg/ 0.05. The p-value for
the association between self-reported sleep and circadian variability (Nocturnal dip, p value=0.984, BP surge, p-value = 0.695). Findings from this study showed a significant association
between cardiovascular outcomes and blood pressure variability. Cardiovascular outcomes of
ALHIV was determined by ambulatory systolic blood pressure and office systolic blood pressure
levels. For Ambulatory BP levels, study showed Blood pressure variability; Awake SD BPV
increases with increasing ambulatory and office blood pressure, at an R-Squared value = 0.038 and
p-value =0.03.
Conclusion:
Blood pressure variability may have a relationship with cardiovascular outcomes among ALHIV.
Findings from this study shows that, as blood pressure variability increases, there is a tendency for
blood pressure to also rise. Self-reported sleep quality did not have any significant association with
short term blood pressure variability and circadian variability. ART and BMI showed some
association with blood pressure variability. The study showed that most ALHIV have elevated
blood pressure.
Gold Coast 1701-1706
(1701) Government of Gold Coast
Antonius Gvilielmus Amo Afer Aus Axim in Ghana
(Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, 1968) Amo, A.W.
Consensus And Majoritarian Democracies: Problems With Under-Informed Single-Level Analyses
(Human Affairs, 2021) Ani, E.I.
I argue that when conceiving or assessing normative ideas about how we should organize
society into the kind of ecosystem we desire, it is unwise to completely ignore empirical conditions. I also
demonstrate that when evaluating empirical difficulties attending a social system, it is also unwise to do so in
total oblivion to the normative idea or objective informing the establishment of such a system. Each of these
assessments is an under-informed single-level analysis. By contrast, I advocate a multi-level analysis (by
which we evaluate both the normative and empirical dimensions of an idea or a social system) or, at the least,
an informed single-level analysis (by which we evaluate either a normative idea or an empirical system with
an implicit awareness of the content of the other level). I demonstrate that these models of analysis would
never yield the same conclusions as an under-informed single-level analysis. For my case studies, I focus
on the various models of analysis used in the debate about liberal majoritarian and consensus/communal
democracies.
An examination of REDD+ readiness and implementation in Ghana
(International Forestry Review, 2020) Nukpezah, D.; Alemagi, D.
Ghana has participated in REDD+ negotiations since its inception and has been engaged in activities geared at implementing REDD+ in the
country. In this paper, we examine initiatives that have been undertaken by relevant stakeholders to advance REDD+ readiness and implementation in Ghana. Results revealed that several aspects of planning and coordination were ranked high and some progress has been made in the
arena of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) and audit; benefit sharing; financing; as well as demonstrations and pilots. That said,
some challenges still prevail in the area of policy, laws, and institutions; as well as implementation of an emission reduction program. Therefore,
some specific recommendations for advancing REDD+ readiness and implementation in Ghana can be considered going forward including
the development of strong institutions for REDD+ implementation; clarification of carbon and tenure rights; capacity building for data
collection; and institutional collaboration. Implementing these recommendations is a fundamental prerequisite for an effective and efficient
implementation of REDD+ in Ghana.
Postgraduate Students’ Perceptions of their Academic Reading and Writing: A Case of Teachers Studying at a Ghanaian University
(International Journal of Literacies, 2020) Boakye, N.; Adika, G.S.
Students’ literacy levels, in particular their academic reading and writing, have been an area of concern in
education for many years. Students who have high academic reading and writing proficiency are usually successful,
academically. Several tertiary students have shown low literacy levels, which have had an impact on their
academic performance. These low literacy levels and consequently poor academic performance have led to high failure
and attrition rates. In supporting students to improve their literacy levels and academic performance, a better
understanding of their perceptions of their academic reading and writing is important. This is particularly important
for postgraduate students, as the literacy demands at this level are more complex. The study aimed to determine
how the cohort of postgraduate students at a university in Ghana, who are also teachers at the school level, perceive their
academic reading and writing. To assist the postgraduate students in improving their academic literacy, as
well as their ability to assist their learners, the Language Unit, which provides academic language support to students
at the institution, undertook the current study. A questionnaire on a Likert scale was used to collect data, which were
analyzed to determine the students’ perceptions of their academic reading and writing. The results of the descriptive
study showed that although the cohort of postgraduate students perceived themselves to be competent in some writing
activities, they had rather low perceptions of their academic reading, in particular their reading of academic journal
articles. The results indicate the need to revise the literacy support course and to include a reading component.
Recommendations were therefore made for a more tailored approach to improving the student's academic reading and
writing.
Hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in Ghana’s health care institutions: an observational study
(Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management, 2020) Abuosi, A.A.; Daniels, A.A.; Akoriyea, S.K.; et al.
Objective To assess hand hygiene compliance in selected primary
hospitals in Ghana.
Design A cross-sectional health facility-based observational study.
Setting Primary health care facilities in five regions in Ghana.
Participants A total of 546 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses,
midwives and laboratory personnel from 106 health facilities participated
in the study.
Main outcome measures The main outcome measures included
the availability of hand hygiene materials and alcohol job aids; compliance
with moments of hand hygiene; and compliance with steps in hygienic
hand washing. These were assessed using descriptive statistics.
Results The mean availability of hand hygiene material and alcohol job
aids was 75% and 71% respectively. This was described as moderately
high, but less desirable. The mean hand hygiene compliance with
moments of hand hygiene was 51%, which was also described as
moderately high, but less desirable. It was observed that, generally,
hand hygiene was performed after procedures than before. However,
the mean compliance with steps in hygienic hand washing was 86%,
which was described as high and desirable.
Conclusion Healthcare workers are generally competent in the performance
of hygienic hand washing. However, this does not seem to influence
compliance with moments of hand hygiene. Efforts must therefore be
made to translate the competence of healthcare workers in hygienic
hand washing into willingness to comply with moments of hand hygiene,
especially contact with patients.
The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and Diversity of Experiences of Different Categories of Migrants: A Qualitative Study
(International Migration, 2021) Yeboah, T.; Kandilige, L.; Teye, J.K.; et al.
While studies have drawn attention to the operationalization, and implementation challenges
associated with the ECOWAS free movement protocol, our understanding of how different categories of migrants experience the protocol is far more limited. Drawing on data from interviews conducted with 23 ECOWAS migrants living or traveling to Ghana, immigration
officials, and a trade union representative, this paper examines the diversity of experiences of
ECOWAS migrants about the free movement protocol. The findings suggest that the
experiences of ECOWAS nationals in areas such as awareness and knowledge of provisions in
the protocol, border crossing, processes of acquiring residence and work permits and renewing
permits, and rights of establishment differ remarkably by dimensions of social difference. The
gender, social class, and nationality of migrants are fundamental and shape the experiences of
ECOWAS migrants in divergent ways. These findings have important implications for policies
seeking to promote free movement in West Africa.
The Conundrum of Birth Tourism and American ‘Jackpot Babies’: Attitudes of Ghanaian Urban Dwellers
(AHMR African Human Mobilty Review, 2021) Allotey, A.A.; Kandilige, L.
Some contemporary international migration literature highlights the practice of the
acquisition of privileged citizenship by temporary migrants who give birth in a country
other than their home country (birth tourists) and the inherent benefits that accrue
to this category of migrants. However, scholars tend to rely solely on the subjective
accounts of birth tourists to measure attitudes toward the practice of deliberately
migrating to a preferred destination country at an advanced stage of pregnancy to
secure citizenship rights for the child. This study employed concurrent triangulation
design – a survey and semi-structured in-depth interviews – to collect data from 260
urban dwellers in three metropolises in Ghana – Accra, Cape Coast, and Kumasi – who
were yet to give birth in the United States and 15 parents who already had a total of
25 American ‘jackpot babies’, to measure a broader spectrum of attitudes toward this
phenomenon. This paper records a nuanced continuum of attitudes to the concept of
American ‘jackpot babies’, ranging from favorable, to neutral/indifferent, to objection
to this phenomenon among Ghanaian urban dwellers.