Browsing by Subject "Acceptability"
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Item Acceptability and implementation challenges of smartphone-based training of community health nurses for visual inspection with acetic acid in Ghana: mHealth and cervical cancer screening(BMJ Open, 2019-06-20) Adongo, P.; Asgary, R.; Cole, H.; Nwameme, a; Maya, E.; Adu-Amankwah, A.; Barnett, H.; Adanu, R.Objective To explore acceptability and feasibility of smartphone-based training of low-level to mid-level health professionals in cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)/cervicography. Design In 2015, we applied a qualitative descriptive approach and conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups to assess the perceptions and experiences of community health nurses (CHNs) (n=15) who performed smartphone-based VIA, patients undergoing VIA/ cryotherapy (n=21) and nurse supervisor and the expert reviewer (n=2). Setting Community health centres (CHCs) in Accra, Ghana. Results The 3-month smartphone-based training and mentorship was perceived as an important and essential complementary process to further develop diagnostic and management competencies. Cervical imaging provided peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and helped better communicate the procedure to and gain trust of patients, provide targeted education, improve adherence and implement quality control. None of the patients had prior screening; they overwhelmingly accepted smartphone-based VIA, expressing no significant privacy issues. Neither group cited significant barriers to performing or receiving VIA at CHCs, the incorporation of smartphone imaging and mentorship via text messaging. CHNs were able to leverage their existing community relationships to address a lack of knowledge and misperceptions. Patients largely expressed decisionmaking autonomy regarding screening. Negative views and stigma were present but not significantly limiting, and the majority felt that screening strategies were acceptable and effective. Conclusions Our findings suggest the overall acceptability of this approach from the perspectives of all stakeholders with important promises for smartphonebased VIA implementation. Larger-scale health services research could further provide important lessons for addressing this burden in low-income and middle-income countries.Item Acceptability and stakeholders perspectives on feasibility of using trained psychologists and health workers to deliver school-based sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents in urban Accra, Ghana(Reproductive Health, 2018-07) Tabong, P.T.N.; Maya, E.T.; Adda-Balinia, T.; Kusi-Appouh, D.; Birungi, H.; Tabsoba, P.; Adongo, P.B.Background Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is recognized as a key developmental issue of international concern. However, adolescents’ access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services is largely inadequate in sub-Saharan Africa. With increasing enrollment in schools, this could be an avenue to reach adolescents with SRH information and services. This study was therefore conducted to assess the acceptability and stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility of using health workers and trained psychologists to provide school-based SRH services in Ghana. Methods Fourteen (14) focus group discussions (N = 136) were conducted; 8 among adolescents aged 12–17 years (4 boys, 4 girls groups), 4 among parents (2 males, 2 females groups) and two among mixed teacher groups. We also conducted 18 in-depth interviews with teachers, managers of schools, health workers, clinical psychologists, as well as adolescent SRH program managers in the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, UNICEF, UNESCO and National Population Council, Ghana. We audio-recorded all interviews and took field notes. Interviews were transcribed and transcripts imported into NVivo 11 for analysis using grounded theory approach to qualitative data analysis. Results Many respondents reported that it was challenging for parents and/or teachers to provide adolescents with SRH information. For this reason, they agreed that it was a good idea to have health workers and psychologists provide SRH information and services to adolescents in school. Although, there was general agreement about providing SRH services in school, many of the respondents disagreed with distribution of condoms in schools as they believed that availing condoms would encourage adolescents to experiment with sex. While majority of respondents thought it was acceptable to use psychologists and health workers to provide school-based sexual and reproductive health to adolescents, some teachers and education managers thought the implementation of such a program would oppose practical challenges. Key among the challenges were how to pay for the services that health workers and trained psychologists will render, and the availability of psychologists to cater for all schools. Conclusion Stakeholders believe it is feasible and acceptable to use trained psychologists and health workers to deliver school-based SRH information and services in the Ghanaian school context. However, provisions must be made to cater for financial and other logistical considerations in the implementation of school-based SRH programs.Item Acceptability and Use of Water Filters in Two Rural Communities in Shai-Osudoku District of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2016-09) Ofori, A.M.; Ahorlu, C.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Department of Behavioural and Social SciencesHousehold water treatment can improve water and make it safe for drinking and may prevent diarrhoea diseases. The acceptability of an intervention is an important condition for its successful implementation. To study the acceptability and use of water filters in the study area, the study was designed to address the following objectives: a) to assess the sources of drinking water in the two communities. b) to assess the knowledge of the people on water filter and its usefulness c) to determine how frequent water filters are used d) to determine the level of acceptability and use of water filters and e) to assess diarrhoea related perceptions in terms of causes, treatment and prevention in the study communities. Quantitative and qualitative research techniques were employed for the study. Households were selected by using purposive sampling. Analysis was done on quantitative data using STATA software while content analysis was done on the qualitative data to determine relevant narratives for presentation. The results revealed high acceptance of water filters in the studied communities. Significant proportion of the study participants had knowledge deficits about causes and prevention of diarrhoea. There were no statistically significant relationship between independent (marital status, level of education and household size) and dependent variables (use of the filters). This study contributes to existing knowledge on acceptability and use of water filters as a means to control diarrhoea disease in Ghana.Item Acceptability of Complementary Foods That Incorporate Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder Among Infants and Their Caregivers(Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 2018-03) Boateng, L.; Nyarko, R.; Asante, M.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.Background: Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) is a nutrient-rich and readily available food resource that has the potential to improve the micronutrient quality of complementary foods in developing countries. Objective: To investigate the acceptability of complementary foods fortified with MLP. Methods: Moringa oleifera leaf powder was fed to infants either as part of a cereal–legume complementary food blend (MCL-35 g) or by sprinkling as a food supplement (MS-5 g) on infant’s usual foods. Mother–infant pairs (n = 18 for the MCL-35 g group and n = 16 for the MS-5 g group) attending regular weight monitoring sessions were recruited to participate in the acceptability trial. The study consisted of an initial tasting session after which mothers were to feed the assigned foods to their infants for 14 days. Mothers rated color, odor, taste, and overall liking of the complementary foods using a 5-point hedonic scale. Primary outcome was the proportion of test porridge consumed. Results: On the tasting day, MCL-35 g group infants consumed an average of 64.27% ± 25.02 of the test porridge offered, whereas MS-5 g group infants consumed an average of 66.43% ± 29.09. During the 14-day period, median percent daily consumption for MCL-35 g was 71.5% of the daily recommended intake, whereas median percent daily consumption for MS-5 g was 86.2%. Conclusion: We conclude that complementary foods incorporating Moringaoleifera leaf powder either as part of a cereal–legume complementary food blend (MCL-35 g) or when sprinkled as a food supplement (MS-5 g) on infant’s usual foods were well accepted.Item Acceptability of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) among Ghanaian infants and pregnant or lactating women(Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2011-10) Adu-Afarwuah, S.; Lartey, A.; Zeilani, M.; Dewey, K.G.Inadequate micronutrient intake during pregnancy, lactation and infancy is a major problem in many developing countries. Lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) can improve micronutrient status, growth and development of infants, and also have potential to improve nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women. The objective of the study was to test the acceptability of LNS designed for infants (LNS-20gM) and pregnant or lactating women (LNS-P&L). Participants were infants (n=22, mean age=8 months) and pregnant or lactating women (n=24) attending routine services at a hospital in Ghana. Infants consumed 45g of a test meal consisting of one part LNS-20gM and three parts fermented maize porridge, while women consumed 50g of a similar test meal containing LNS-P&L instead. Participants also used their respective LNS at home for 14 days. Primary outcome was the proportion of the test meal consumed. On average, infants consumed 76.2% of the test meal [95% (confidence interval) CI: 65.7, 86.7], while women consumed 87.1% (95% CI: 82.6, 91.6). During the 14-day period, median daily consumption of LNS-20gM was 19.3g, very close to the recommended 20gd -1, while that of LNS-P&L was one sachet, as recommended. We conclude that LNS-20gM and LNS-P&L were well accepted. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Item Acceptance of biotechnology and social-cultural implications in Ghana(African Journal of Biotechnology, 2009-05) Quaye, W.; Yawson, I.; Yawson, R.M.; Williams, I.E.Despite major scientific progress in the application of biotechnology in agriculture, public attitudes towards biotechnology in general and genetically modified food (GM food) products in particular remain mixed in Africa. Examining responses on acceptance of GM food through a stakeholder survey in Ghana, it was established that half of the 100 people sample interviewed were not in favor of GM foods. To this group acceptance of GM foods would make farmers loose focus on the traditional ways of cultivation, putting the whole nation at the mercy of profit driven foreign companies who produce GM foods. In order to have clear and unbiased attitudes towards agricultural biotechnology in Africa, there is the need to substitute dominant ideologies in the way biotechnology research and dissemination are conducted in developed countries with tailor-made methodologies in developing countries. This paper emphasizes the social dynamic force of food focusing on the need for social shaping of biotechnologies to reflect local and regional needs. Respondents' perceptions of GM foods suggest that food is seen as not just a commodity to be consumed but food has both cultural and national identities. Generally, people are identified by their consumption and nutrition lifestyles and therefore take pride in what they eat. A proposal is made to set biotechnology research agenda in the context of social choices; social scientific coalition of biotechnology with endogenous development pathways' as opposed to 'exogenous biotechnology research'. Also there is the need for adequate capacity building of the existing regulatory institutions to handle ethical and moral issues associated with biotechnology research since survey findings showed lacked of public confidence in them. © 2009 Academic Journals.Item A mixed method study exploring adherence to and acceptability of small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) among pregnant and lactating women in Ghana and Malawi(BioMed Central Ltd., 2016) Klevor, M.K.; Adu-Afarwuah, S.; Ashorn, P.; Arimond, M.; Dewey, K.G.; Lartey, A.; Maleta, K.; Phiri, N.; Pyykkö, J.; Zeilani, M.; Ashorn, U.Background: Supplementing pregnant and lactating mothers with small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) has resulted in improvements in birth outcomes in some low-income settings. In order to be effective, SQ-LNS must be consumed regularly over sustained periods. Methods: The objective was to assess and compare acceptability of and adherence to SQ-LNS consumption among pregnant and lactating women in Ghana and Malawi throughout 12 months of supplementation. We enrolled women before 20 gestation weeks into randomized trials in Ghana (n=1320) and Malawi (n=869). In the SQ-LNS group participants received a 20 g sachet of supplement per day during pregnancy and the first 6 months of lactation. In the control groups participants received multiple micronutrients (MMN) during pregnancy and lactation or iron and folic acid (IFA) during pregnancy and calcium during lactation. We used questionnaires to collect data on self-reported adherence to daily use of supplements and conducted in-depth interviews with women in the SQ-LNS group to examine acceptability. Results: The mean self-reported adherence during the supplementation period was lower in Ghana (79.9 %) than in Malawi (91.7 %) for all supplements (difference 11.8 %, P<0.001). Over time, adherence increased in Malawi but decreased in Ghana. In both countries, adherence in the SQ-LNS group was non-inferior to that in the control groups. Participants typically reported consuming SQ-LNS as instructed but when interviewers queried about experiences, most of the women described incidents of non-adherence. A usual reason for not consuming SQ-LNS was nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Especially in Malawi, women reported sharing SQ-LNS with families and friends. Sustained use of SQ-LNS was attributed to expected health benefits and favorable sensory attributes. Often women compared their pregnancy to previous ones, and were of the view that SQ-LNS made a positive difference. Conclusion: Self-reported sustained adherence to consume SQ-LNS daily was high in both sites but lower in Ghana than in Malawi. In Ghana, adherence decreased over time whereas in Malawi adherence increased. Acceptability and adherence appeared interlinked, complex and context-related. Sustained consumption of SQ-LNS may require tailoring interventions by context. Trial registration: The Ghana trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00970866, and the Malawi trial as NCT01239693.Item Multicentre studies of insecticide-treated durable wall lining in Africa and South-East Asia: Entomological efficacy and household acceptability during one year of field use(Malaria Journal, 2012-10) Messenger, L.A.; Matias, A.; Manana, A.N.; Stiles-Ocran, J.B.; Knowles, S.; Boakye, D.A.; Coulibaly, M.B.; Larsen, M.-L.; Traoré, A.S.; Diallo, B.; Konaté, M.; Guindo, A.; Traoré, S.F.; Mulder, C.E.G.; Le, H.; Kleinschmidt, I.; Rowland, M.Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is a primary method of malaria vector control, but its potential impact is constrained by several inherent limitations: spraying must be repeated when insecticide residues decay, householders can tire of the annual imposition and campaign costs are recurrent. Durable lining (DL) can be considered an advanced form of long-lasting IRS where insecticide is gradually released from an aesthetically attractive wall lining material to provide vector control for several years. A multicentre trial was carried out in Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Mali, South Africa and Vietnam to assess the feasibility, durability, bioefficacy and household acceptability of DL, compared to conventional IRS or insecticide-treated curtains (LLITCs), in a variety of operational settings. Methods. This study was conducted in 220 households in traditional rural villages over 12-15 months. In all sites, rolls of DL were cut to fit house dimensions and fixed to interior wall surfaces (usually with nails and caps) by trained teams. Acceptability was assessed using a standardized questionnaire covering such topics as installation, exposure reactions, entomology, indoor environment, aesthetics and durability. Bioefficacy of interventions was evaluated using WHO cone bioassay tests at regular intervals throughout the year. Results: The deltamethrin DL demonstrated little to no decline in bioefficacy over 12-15 months, supported by minimal loss of insecticide content. By contrast, IRS displayed a significant decrease in bioactivity by 6 months and full loss after 12 months. The majority of participants in DL households perceived reductions in mosquito density (93%) and biting (82%), but no changes in indoor temperature (83%). Among those households that wanted to retain the DL, 73% cited protective reasons, 20% expressed a desire to keep theirs for decoration and 7% valued both qualities equally. In Equatorial Guinea, when offered a choice of vector control product at the end of the trial (DL, IRS or LLITCs), DL consistently emerged as the most popular intervention regardless of the earlier household allocation. Conclusions: Just as long-lasting insecticidal nets overcame several of the technical and logistical constraints associated with conventionally treated nets and then went to scale, this study demonstrates the potential of DL to sustain user compliance and overcome the operational challenges associated with IRS. © 2012 Messenger et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Item Perceptions and Acceptability of Multihabitation as an Urban Low Income Housing Strategy in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana(Urban Forum, 2013-12) Appeaning Addo, I.Urban low income households have often used multihabitation as a housing strategy to find affordable accommodation in the urban centres. Several factors have contributed to the gradual shift from multihabited compound houses to single family dwellings. These concerns have influenced the level of satisfaction of multihabitation and deterred real estate developers from engaging in such housing markets. Moreover, the changing socioeconomic conditions in urban centres resulting in the individualisation of family systems in the twenty-first century have undermined the benefit of multihabitation in urban low income housing provision. It is on this basis that a study is conducted to examine the perceptions and acceptability of multihabitation in the twenty-first-century urban low income housing provision in Ghana. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, primary data on households' perceptions and acceptability of multihabitation in the twenty-first century urban low income housing provision was collected from households in five low income communities in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. From the study, it emerged that although there were challenges associated with multihabitation living arrangement, residents perceived that there were still social and financial capital advantages as well as psychosocial benefits such as security and stability that emerged from the close relationships fostered under multihabitation. Hence, it is suggested that governments should adopt multihabitation in urban low income housing provision in the twenty-first century but with design modifications. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Item The Role Of Community Participation In Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Childhood Malaria in South-Eastern Ghana(Ghana Medical Journal, 2014-06) Kpormegbe, S.K.; Ahorlu, C.K.Background: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana. Very little attention was paid to community participation in malaria control in the past and this has affected most of the desired outcomes. The recent recognition of the importance of community participation in malaria control had informed the implementation of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Childhood Malaria (IPTc). The intervention was implemented in the Shime sub-district of the Keta District in Ghana and this paper reports the evaluation of the community involvement aspect of the project. Method: Semi-structured questionnaire were administered to 105 randomly selected caregivers. A focus group discussion was organized for nine Community Assistants (CAs) and 16 in-depth interviews were conducted with opinion leaders. The tools were used to investigate community attitudes towards, level of awareness and acceptance of the intervention. The benefits of the project and the preferred mode of drug delivery were also investigated. Results: Findings indicated that, the people were aware of the project in their communities. They showed high level of participation and have accepted the intervention as their own. There was a reported reduction in hospital attendance from 52.4% to 6.7%, which led to perceived savings for caregivers. The people preferred that community members deliver the drugs because they are more approachable, caring and sensitive to their health needs than the nurses. Conclusion: The approach adopted by entrusting the intervention into the hands of the community members by allowing them to select their own CAs coupled with the observation of necessary community protocols had led to high level of participation, acceptance and successful outcome of the intervention.Item The role of community participation in intermittent preventive treatment of childhood malaria in southeastern Ghana(Ghana Medical J, 2014-06) Kpormegbe, S.K.; Ahorlu, C.K.;Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana. Very little attention was paid to community participation in malaria control in the past and this has affected most of the desired outcomes. The recent recognition of the importance of community participation in malaria control had informed the implementation of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Childhood Malaria (IPTc). The intervention was implemented in the Shime sub-district of the Keta District in Ghana and this paper reports the evaluation of the community involvement aspect of the project.Item Sensory attributes and acceptability of complementary foods fortified with Moringa oleifera leaf powder(Nutrition and Food Science, 2018-10) Boateng, L.; Nortey, E.; Ohemeng, A.N.; Asante, M.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.Purpose Inadequacies in several micronutrients in complementary foods, notably iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and riboflavin have been reported. Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP), prepared from dried moringa leaves is nutrient-rich and has been explored for the treatment of micronutrient deficiencies among children in developing countries. This increasing interest in the use of moringa oleifera leaves to improve complementary foods notwithstanding, the unique sensory characteristics of the leaf powder potentially holds implications for the acceptability of local diets that are fortified with it. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the levels of MLP fortification that are most acceptable for feeding infants and young children. Design/methodology/approach The authors performed a review of the literature, with the aim of investigating the sensory attributes and acceptable levels of fortification of complementary food blends fortified with different levels of MLP. Findings The minimum amount of MLP to be added to a complementary food blend to observe significant improvements in its nutritional value was estimated to be about 10 per cent. However, at this 10 per cent fortification level also, sensory attributes of the products begin to become less desirable. Practical implications For the success of nutrition interventions that involve the use of MLP to improve the nutritional quality of complementary foods, there is a need to consider the acceptability of the sensory attributes of the formulated blends in the target group. Safety of MLP as an ingredient in infant foods must also be investigated. Originality/value The authors of this paper make recommendations for the use of MLP to fortify complementary foods to ensure its success as a food fortificant in nutrition interventions. The researchers are not aware of any published study that focuses on this subject.Item Utilization of cowpeas for human food(Field Crops Research, 2003-05) Phillips, R.D.; McWatters, K.H.; Chinnan, M.S.; Hung, Y.-C.; Beuchat, L.R.; Sefa-Dedeh, S.; Sakyi-Dawson, E.; Ngoddy, P.; Nnanyelugo, D.; Enwere, J. et.al.This paper reviews the research and outreach accomplishments of the cowpea utilization project sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development-funded Bean/Cowpea Collaborative Research Support Program. Research has examined a limited number of cultivars and has taken as its starting point mature, dry seeds. A broad spectrum of food quality issues have been studied, including: • safety concerns and physiological effects associated with consuming legume seeds and products made from them; • chemical composition and nutritional quality of the seeds and products; • physical and functional behavior of seeds and products; and • socioeconomic aspects including sensory quality of seeds and products, consumer acceptance, and costs and impacts of technology adoption. Research foci have included: • The effect of pretreatment and storage on cowpea food quality; • processing whole seeds to improve food quality; • conversion of legume seeds into food ingredients, principally flours and meals; • processing seeds and ingredients to improve food quality; and • improvement of traditional foods and development of new foods from bean and cowpea-based ingredients. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.