Regional Institute for Population Studies

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Age at First Marriage and Children Ever Born In Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2017-07) Odai, A.
In Ghana the fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman is still greater than the global average of 2.53. In view of this, various policies and strategies have been adopted to make family planning programs and methods available so as to bring about a reduction in fertility. However this has not yielded the desired results since fertility has not observed much decline. This current study examines the relationship between age at first marriage and children ever born in Ghana by the use of the Ghana demographic and health survey 2014 dataset. The study sample included women who are in a marital union. The results showed an inverse relationship between age at first marriage and children ever born (r = -0.289, p<0.001). Data analysis using Pearson correlation, analysis of variance and ordinary least square regression was done. The multivariate analysis confirmed age at first marriage was significant and negatively linked to a woman’s number of children ever born (B= -0.079, P<0.001). Again some background characteristics such as education of the woman, ethnicity, religion, region of residence, wealth index and partner’s education were significantly related to children ever born. The study recommends that the current practice of giving females higher admission quotas is encouraged at all levels. Also ethnic and cultural practices that promote early marriage, particularly in rural communities should be abolished.
Age at First Marriage and Marital Instability: A Comparative Study of Men and Women in Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Mensah, N.A.
Marriage has undergone a lot of transformation some of which are as a result of modernisation. One of the notable effects of modernization is the increase in instability of marital unions. This has sparked some interest in research into marital instability in developed countries. In the developing world including Sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the age at first marriage and other factors that can influence marital instability. Marital instability has significant impact on the parties involved, man, woman and children if there are any. Children are often the worst hit by the marital dissolution as they usually end up with only one of the parents. The study examined the relationship between age at first marriage and marital instability in Ghana, making a comparative analysis between men and women in the data used. The study used the sixth round of the demographic and health survey (GDHS, 2014) to evaluate the various socio-economic and demographic factors of males and females in Ghana. The sample size was four thousand six hundred and seventy-seven for females and one thousand seven hundred and sixty five male respondents. Respondents who had been in union once were selected for the study. The results indicated that 11.5% of female respondents were either divorced or separated as compared to 9.1% of male respondents. The factors that influence marital instability for males are different from that of females. Age at first marriage was a significant predictor of marital instability for females and not males. Apart from employment status and religion, none of the other factors (education, ethnicity, place of residence, time of first birth and sex, and wealth status) predicts marital instability for males. Individuals with no religious affiliation, females who marry before the age of 18 and males that are unemployed have the highest risk of marital instability. Based on these findings, it is recommended that religious bodies should strengthen their pre- and post-marital counselling to reduce the level of marital instability.
Age at First Sex and Lifetime Sexual Partners
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Agyemang, C.O.
The literature suggests that globally adolescents initiate sex before age 15. In Ghana, young females initiate sex relatively earlier than males. Studies indicate that the age at which one experiences first sex in itself is not the problem, but rather the challenges resulting from the numerous health and social implications associated with it. One outcome in the literature for early sexual activity is a high number of sexual partners which is associated with a risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, STIs and encountering unintended pregnancies. This study examined the relationship between age at first sex and the number of lifetime sexual partners of men and women in Ghana (ages 15-49) using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey men’s and women’s datasets. The study also factored in psychosocial and behavioural factors and assessed their influence on number of lifetime sexual partners. The sample consisted of 7,720 females and 2,993 males. Three levels of analysis were conducted, namely univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses. At the bivariate analysis stage, a statistically significant association was found between sex, type of place of residence, respondent’s age, education, religion, ethnicity, marital status and the dependent variable, lifetime sexual partners. Multivariate analyses showed the main independent variable (age at first sex) and other variables such as age, educational level, working status, ethnicity, marital status, STI experience and HIV attitudes were significantly associated with lifetime sexual partners. Some factors differed for males and females. The findings reveal that early onset of sex increases one’s number of lifetime sexual partners, and conversely, a delay in first sex reduces a person’s number of lifetime sexual partners. The study recommends the prioritization of policies targeted at delaying sexual debut to reduce adolescents’ exposure to multiple sexual partnerships
Age at First Sexual Intercourse and Parity among Women in Urban Poor Communities Accra Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2014-07) Donkor, M.Y.A.; Dodoo, N.D.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Regional Institute for Population Studies
The study of age at first sexual intercourse and parity examined the relationship between age at first sexual intercourse and parity among women in three selected urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana. The study investigated the average age at first sexual intercourse among women aged 15-49 years and their implications on fertility. The unit of analysis was individual women aged 15-49 years and the data set that was used for the analysis was the EDULINK 2011 wave two. Statistical measures such as percentages and means were used to describe the relationship between the background characteristics and the mean parities. Simple linear and multiple regression analyses were also used to analyze the effects of age at first sexual intercourse on parity and the effect of the background characteristics on parity. It was found out through the analyses that the average age at first sexual intercourse among women within the three selected urban poor communities was 17.96 years while the average parity was 2.17 births per woman. The bivariate and multivariate analyses, showed an inverse relationship between age at first sexual intercourse and parity, in that a lower age at first sexual intercourse increased the parity of a woman, hence confirming the hypothesis. Based on the findings, it was recommended that laws in Ghana governing age at first sex should be made stricter by raising the age. Extensive campaign on the knowledge and use of contraception should be embarked on by government and other stakeholders to educate women. Female education should be encouraged, also religious bodies should encourage young women to postpone first sex until they are ready.
Age at Sexual Debut and Reproductive Health Behaviour of Adolescents in Ga Mashie in Ghana.
(University of Ghana, 2014-07) Yeboah, E.O.; Dodoo, N. D.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Regional Institute for Population Studies
The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between age at first sex and reproductive health behaviour among adolescents with specific emphasis on multiple sexual partnerships and the implication for public policy. The study employed data from the Edulink Data: Urban Health and Poverty Survey –Wave II which was conducted under the auspices of the Regional Institute of Population Studies, University of Ghana in the year 2011. Age at first sexual intercourse is the independent variable, whereas the socio-economic characteristics of respondents were the control variables. These were age, sex, marital status, occupation, religion, locality, ethnicity, income and education. Both bivariate and logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the most important factors determining sexual partnerships. Binary regression model was used for the multivariate analysis. The study revealed that about 52% of adolescent aged 15 to 18 years are engaging in multiple sexual partnerships in urban poor communities in Accra. This sexual behaviour varies with socio-economic status of respondents. The study further indicates that the most influencing factors are early age at first sex, religion, sex and marital status. For example, the bivariate analysis indicated that age at first sex has an inverse relationship with multiple sexual partnerships, with almost 65% multiple sexual partners for adolescent who had their first sex before age 15. It was also realized that adolescent within the age group 20 to 24 are more likely to have multiple sexual partners than those aged 15-19 years. Secondly, adolescent with middle/JHS education are as likely to have multiple partners. The study made several recommendations including the importance of making sex education as part of the school curricular from basic to Senior High School and the setting up of recreational and community centers across urban poor communities. At the community centers, indoor and outdoor games as well as counselling sections on issues about sex and the importance of family planning should form part of the programs for the youth.
Antenatal Care Utilization and Child Survival among Women in Ghana
(University Of Ghana, 2014-07) Agyekum, W.M
Globally, about 7.7 million children under five years died in 2010. In Ghana, under-five mortality rate is estimated at 72 deaths per 1000 live births in 2012 according to UNICEF. Although there has been a decline in under-five mortality in Ghana, substantial progress is required to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 4 by reducing child mortality by 2015. Several interventions have been put in place to ensure child survival. The study aimed at examining the relationship between antenatal care as one of the interventions and child survival in Ghana. Data used in the study were from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Frequency of antenatal visits, tetanus injection and iron folic acid were used to establish the relationship between antenatal care utilization and child survival. Binary logistics regression models were used to examine the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. The findings showed that about 70.8 percent of respondents were aged 15-34, 96.6 percent of women visited antenatal care clinics at least once but 78.2% visited antenatal clinics more than three times. About 86.1 percent took at least one folic tablet and 59.0 percent adequately received tetanus injection. Results from the bivariate analysis revealed that tetanus injection, frequency of ANC visit, and iron folic acid were not statistically significant with child survival. However, education, mode of delivery and months of breastfeeding were found to have significant relationship with child survival. About 96.6 percent of children under five whose mothers’ visited antenatal clinic more than three times survive as compared to 94.5 percent of women with no ANC visit. Also, women who took less than 90 iron folic acid tablets and those who did not receive any tetanus injection had the highest percentage of survival. In the multivariate analysis, age of mother, education, ethnicity, birth interval and months of breastfeeding were found to have significant association with child survival. This implies that age, education, birth interval, and months of breastfeeding are predictors of child survival in Ghana. Therefore, education campaigns on breastfeeding should be strengthened to prolong duration of breastfeeding, women should be encouraged to attend antenatal clinics especially teenagers, and encouraged to space their birth. Keywords: Antenatal care utilization, iron folic acid tablet, tetanus injection, under-five mortality and child survival.
Assessing the Impact of Flood Experience on Household Livelihood in Selected Communities Within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (Gama)
(University of Ghana, 2021-06) Tungbani, B.
Flood experience and household livelihood disruption remain a global challenge. This is most severe in developing countries which still records very high cases of flood disasters. The study examined the relationship between flood experience and household livelihood outcomes in selected communities within the seven districts forming the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). Flood experience in the study was measured based on households' frequency of floods experienced occasionally, yearly, and seasonally. Household livelihood outcome was measured by a composite index score as livelihood disrupted. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between flood experience and household livelihood outcomes. The 2017 Cities and Climate Change survey is the main data source of the study. The study used a sub-sample of 823 households that experience floods in the study area. A majority (78%) of the households were found to be experiencing flooding yearly and seasonally which indicates that floods experience among the study population was prevalent. Results from the analysis indicate that; flood experience, employment status, district of residence, the community of location, and household level of adaptation were statistically significant predictors variables on household livelihood disruption. However, educational attainment, wealth group, age, sex, marital status, household size, tenancy agreement, and the community level adaption outcome were not significant predictors of household livelihood disruption. The study, therefore, concludes that the entire study area is vulnerable to the occurrence of floods and recommends that interventions should be made by the individual, community, and government levels in mitigating flood disasters.
Body size estimation and weight management practices in urban poor communities in Ghana: A cross-sectional study
(Journal of Health and Social Sciences, 2020) Frempong, G.A.; Anarfi, J.K.; Badasu, D.M.; Codjoe, S.N.A.
Body size perception is a pertinent issue globally due to its implications for weight management. This study examined the influence of body size estimation on weight management behaviors in urban poor areas of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data among a sample of 395 adults aged 18-70 years. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed for the collection of data on socio-demographic characteristics, weight perceptions, and weight management strategies. Anthropometric measurements were also taken, using standard procedures. Logistic regression models were used to examine relationships among the va variables. Results: More than half (57%) of the total sample was overweight or obese and 56.7% of the participants accurately estimated their body size. Nearly a third (37%) of the participants intended to stay about the same weight, while 29.6% and 11.9% wanted to lose or gain weight, respectively. To achieve their weight management goals, 60.3% of the participants engaged in healthy weight management practices. Body size estimation had no statistically significant relationship with weight management practices. However, the likelihood of engaging in healthy practices increased as age increased (OR = 1.021; 95% CI: 1.000 to 1.042). Individuals who belonged to households of the upper wealth category were less likely than those in lower wealth households to engage in healthy practices (OR = 0.548; CI: 0.330 to 0.911). Community of residence, a community conducive to physical activity and social support also significantly predicted weight management practices. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of age and some socio-environmental factors in public health strategies for weight management.
Breastfeeding In Nigeria: Patterns, Correlates and Fertility Effects.
(University of Ghana, 1995-08) Ajayi, J.O.
Using information obtained from 8,781 women aged between 15 and 49 years, who were successfully interviewed during the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, this study analyzes the patterns, correlates and fertility effects of breastfeeding in Nigeria. The study examines the main factors that are associated with breastfeeding behaviour and estimates the mean duration of any and full breastfeeding for the country and various subgroups. A large proportion of mothers in the country are found to initiate breastfeeding and substantial proportion continue breastfeeding beyond 12 months after birth. However, the pattern of breastfeeding initiation reveals that over 40 percent of mothers avoided feeding of colostrum, thereby denying their babies of the first 'immunization' which is provided by the colostrum. Despite the long duration of breastfeeding, most children are given supplementary foods at an early age. It is almost universal in the country to give plain water to children currently being breastfed regardless of how young the child is. Exclusive breastfeeding is practised by less than 1 percent of currently breastfeeding women. Logistic regression on current status breastfeeding information shows a range of influences associated with any and full breastfeeding continuation. Maternal education, urban residence and use of contraception have significant negative effects on any breastfeeding continuation. Utilization of modern health care facilities, measured by assistance at delivery by medical personnel is negatively associated with breastfeeding continuation. Northern residence increases the chance of continuing breastfeeding. The study also reveals that maternal education, urban residence and work status show expected significant negative impact on full breastfeeding continuation. Northern region residence, in contrast to Southern residence is associated with increased likelihood of full breastfeeding. The study also establishes that the major impacts of breastfeeding on fertility work through postpartum amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is the principal path through which breastfeeding affects postpartum sexual abstinence. Consequently, postpartum infecundability due to breastfeeding and postpartum sexual abstinence is the most important suppressor of fertility in the country. A decomposition of the inhibiting effect of postpartum infecundability shows that postpartum amenorrhea averts 6 births while postpartum sexual abstinence averts less than 2 births per woman.
Caesarean Section Deliveries in Ghana: Trends, Disparities and Influencing Factors
(University Of Ghana, 2018-07) Lokko, C.N.M.
C-section births have been increasing, yet disparities exist in the rates spatially and among socioeconomic sub-groups globally. Wide C-section disparities mirror a situation of overuse or underuse of the procedure with implications for maternal mortality. Factors associated with the Csection rise and disparities have not been well documented. The determinants of C-section rise and disparities have focused extensively on individual, institutional and medical factors to the neglect of influence of beliefs and community factors. The study examines the levels and trends as well as the influence of beliefs of childbearing women (women aged 18-49 who had a child in the last five years) and community factors on C-section rise and disparities in Ghana. The study employed mixed research methods approach. The quantitative method used the GDHS datasets of 2003, 2008 and 2014. The qualitative methods employed key informants in-depth interviews with health workers and childbearing women respectively from Greater Accra and Northern regions of Ghana as a case study. SPSS version 20 software was used to analyse the quantitative data and Nvivo version 11 software was used to analyse the qualitative data. The findings indicate that C-section rate in Ghana has increased from 9.8 percent in 2003 to 18.2 percent as at 2014, and it is above the recommended WHO threshold of 15 percent. Drawing on the Socio-Ecological Model, the study suggests that C-section rise and disparities could be attributed mostly to individual, interpersonal, community and medical factors. The results of the qualitative data revealed that Ghanaian women were similar on the score of susceptibility to labour pains, perceived severity to C-section, cues to action and community beliefs. Women differ on the score of perceived barriers and perceived benefits of C-section delivery. Women in the Northern and Greater Accra regions identified beliefs and financial barriers respectively as obstacles to C-section delivery. The regression analysis suggests that community-level factors did not predict C-section delivery. However, community belief was identified in the qualitative study to have influenced C-section delivery. Women aged 35-49 years, wealthy, educated and those who have had a history of previous C-section were more likely to have C-section delivery. Similarly, women whose partners accompanied them to ANC visits were more likely to deliver by C-section. Further, women who had average-sized babies and multiparous are less likely to have C-section. Individual, interpersonal and medical factors were significant predictors of C-section rise and disparities. These findings could have implications for maternal mortality. Low C-section levels in community with negative C-section beliefs and the high C-section delivery among wealthy educated women could have negative implication for both infant and maternal mortality. It is therefore important to consider in maternal health interventions, the predictors (such beliefs) of C-section delivery to ensure that C-section is provided and accepted for medical reasons.
The Changing Patterns Of Ghanaian Towns, 1960-2000
(University of Ghana, 2009-09) Tali, N. K.
The main objective of this study is to examine the growth patterns of Ghanaian towns in terms of population size and to investigate the plausible reasons for an increase or decrease in the number of people living in the towns at a particular point in time. For a meaningful study, selection is made of all towns in the country with population of 10,000 or more by the 2000 Population and Housing Census Reports of Ghana. The study found out that, internal migration in Ghana flows in all directions but the more urbanized towns with much infrastructure development and job opportunities as found in regional administrative capitals, mining towns, industrial areas as well as commercial towns continue to attract a disproportionate share of the migrants. Major differences in urban functions such as administrative, commercial, manufacturing, construction services, transport and communication, agriculture and mining as well as educational institutions in the various large towns have to a large extent been responsible for the different rates of urbanization and growth of towns in the country. For instance, the population of the largest city in the country, (Accra), has been 8 times as large as the 3rd largest town (Tamale) and 39 times that of the 20th largest, Nkawkaw as at 2000. Generally, the contribution of net migration to the growth of towns in Ghana over the period 1970 to 1984 was low compared to that of between 1960 and 1970 due to an economic crisis experienced by the country in the 1970s which compelled many Ghanaians to travel outside the country in search of jobs. Decentralization policy instrument of Ghana which was initiated in 1988 changed the status of some towns in the country and hence reduced rural-urban drift of the youths.
Child Labour and School Attendance in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Nyarko, A.A.; Codjoe, S.N.A.
This study examines the effect of child labour on school attendance in Ghana. It particularly tests the significance of children’s work and their schooling outcome. The 2006 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey dataset on children aged 12-14 years with descriptive analysis, cross tabulation and binary logistic regression models were employed for the analysis. The results show that children labour whether economic or domestic has a substantial effect on children’s school attendance after other socio-economic and demographic factors have been controlled for. By comparison, children’s economic child labour showed a stronger effect on school attendance likelihood than domestic child labour. The demographic and socio-economic variables of respondents were tested to see their effect on school attendance of children. Although the test for all these variables did not show any significance at the multivariate level yet they displayed a clear pattern prevailing in the literature. Factors that influence the relationship between child labour and school attendance include age and sex of the child as well as some characteristics of the household and its location.
Childless Women and Women with Children: An Analysis of Determinants of Fertility in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Owusu-Agyeman, A. Y. M.; Codjoe, A. N. S.
Childlessness is a rising social problem. Women who are affected by the experience of childlessness are increasing intensely in recent times and the numbers might continue to increase. Despite the growing need, the occurrence of childlessness has been greatly overlooked by demographers. The contemporary understanding of childlessness is too narrow and has been defined wholly as a medical condition. The demographic perspectives are not adequately addressed within such medical context. A research from the demographic perspective is required to advance current understanding of childlessness within this broader view. It would also encompass affected population inadequately probed until now. The study was conducted among a sample population of 6,127 married women aged 15-49 from the Ghana Maternal Health Survey, 2007 basically to describe the socio demographic characteristics of childlessness in Ghana and also to assess the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on childlessness in Ghana. The study showed some socio-demographic characteristics like the age of a woman, level of education, place of residence and ever use of contraceptives as very significant in determining the fertility of a woman. On the basis of the findings of this study, I recommend that there should be more flexible reproductive health policies especially on abortions so that women who are faced with unwanted pregnancies would be able to solicit help from professionals. A deeper understanding of childlessness in contemporary society can guide public policies and control directions for operative maternal and reproductive health needs.
Climate-Related Vulnerability and Migration: A Comparative Study of Buoku and Bofie-Banda Communities in the Wenchi District
(University of Ghana, 2010-06) Mumuni, A.
The population mobility and environment nexus has received a lot of attention in the field of population-environment studies in recent times. Increasing concerns about consequences of climate change for human population have further fueled the interest in the subject. The interest has not, however, resolved the debate on exactly what constitutes climate-induced movement, how to explain it, or what the magnitude is. The study examines the extent to which migration has been used as a livelihood strategy in response to climatic changes. The study uses a mixed method approach of both qualitative and quantitative instruments. Twenty four households were involved in the qualitative study whilst 100 households were interviewed in Bouku and Bofie-Banda respectively in the Wenchi District in the Brong Ahafo Region in the quantitative survey. Data were analysed using analytic and descriptive statistics to examine the direct and indirect influences of climate change on the decision to migrate at the household level. The results indicate that, the mean deviation of the mean of experience of only flood or drought is positive in the savanna zone when other independent variables and covariates are controlled whilst that of the forest zone is negative. People, consciously or unconsciously, either adapt to situations or migrate to other communities when they have no alternative choices. Farmers in Bofie-Banda presently cultivate cassava and cashew which, they say, is able to do well under the current rainfall regime in the area. Farmers in Bouku have started cultivating tiger nuts as an additional crop that is able to bring income to the family no matter the weather situation. Among other things, it is recommended that sustainable adaptation strategies to climate related environmental events should be promoted in rural communities in Ghana.
A Comparative Study of Condom Usage Among Men in Urban Poor Communities in Accra.
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Schandorf, J.N.S; Anarfi, J.K; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Regional Institute for Population Studies
HIV/AIDS and increasing population levels are topical issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. Male condoms may be the solution to these two problems. The vulnerability of urban poor communities in Accra to these problems cannot be overlooked. It is essential to find out the level of male condom usage in such urban poor communities. This study primarily sought to compare male condom use among three urban poor communities in Accra. The study also investigated the influence of community of residence on male condom use. Data was sourced from the 2011 EDULINK Urban Health and Poverty Project Wave 2 conducted by United Nations Regional Institute for Population Studies. The communities are Agbogbloshie, Jamestown and Usshertown. The communities have relatively different levels of poverty. Agbogbloshie has the highest poverty level, Jamestown has the lowest level of poverty while poverty in Usshertown stands between the two other communities. Univariate analysis showed that Agbogbloshie had 34% male condom use, while Jamestown had 35.8% male condom use and Usshertown had 40.4% male condom use. The results indicated that there is a low rate of male condom use in the urban poor communities. However, Chi-square tests showed that there was no significant difference in male condom usage in the three urban poor communities. Multivariate analysis indicate that 31% of variations of male condom use in the urban poor communities could be explained by community of residence and other factors. Odds ratios show that men in Jamestown are 18.3% less likely to use a condom than men in Usshertown. The likelihood of men in Agbogbloshie to use a condom is 21.4% more than men in Usshertown. However, after controlling for the other background characteristics in the model, living in these urban poor communities has no significant relationship with male condom use. The results from the study indicate that it is necessary to include comprehensive sex education in the Junior and Senior High School curricula to orient young men early in life on the importance of male condom use. There is the need for more research on the reasons why men do not use condoms in their multiple sexual relations. This would give policy makers clear targets to reach in order to increase the levels of male condom usage in urban poor communities in Accra and by extension Ghana as a whole.
Correlates of Antenatal and Delivery Care in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Antindaana, N.N.; Kwankye, S.O.
Provision and improvement in maternal health services is of critical concern for all governments all over the world particularly those in low to middle-income countries. This led the global community to adopt the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 5 target of reducing by three-quarters the maternal mortality ratio between 1990 and 2015 (United Nations, 2010) so as to improve the well being of women. Crucial to this is access to quality maternal health care including antenatal and skilled attendance at delivery. However, an assessment of the extent of progress towards the achievement of this goal particularly in Ghana still remains a challenge. High maternal mortality ratio is estimated to range from 214 to 800 per 100,000 live births. There are also growing social inequalities with rates of skilled attendance either stagnating or declining for poorer women (Witter et al., 2007). Overall, the proportions of deliveries at health facilities rose from 46 percent in 2003 to 57 percent in 2008 according to the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) which is far less than the expected universal coverage of skilled attendance at birth. The main objective of this study was to examine the correlates of antenatal and delivery care in Ghana. The 2008 GDHS was the main source of data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to construct models that explored the socio-demographic correlates of antenatal and delivery care in Ghana. The results indicate among other things that age, household wealth, education, and insurance coverage are among the socio-demographic correlates of antenatal and delivery care in Ghana. It emerged from the study that women who had complete antenatal care services were also more likely to deliver in a health facility. The study, therefore, concludes that when more pregnant women are sensitized to patronize antenatal care services to the fullest, they are most likely to deliver in a health facility and hopefully by a professionally trained health worker, thereby reducing maternal mortality.
Correlates of Health Behavior in Urban Poor Communities
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Mensah, K.O.; Dodoo, N.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Regional institute for Population Studies
Despite an increase in the number of people living in poor urban communities in Ghana, little is known about their health behavior. This study examined the correlates of health behavior in three urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana. The third round of EDULINK survey carried out by the Regional Institute for Population Studies from August-September, 2013 Agbogbloshie, James Town and Ussher Town was used. A total of 775 individuals aged 15-59 years were selected for the survey and formed the sample size for this study. Four variables were used to generate an index for health behavior. These are: smoking, alcohol consumption, salt intake and engagement in physical activity. The scores ranged from 1 to 4 and the higher the score, the better the health behavior. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests and cross tabulations, and ordinal logistic regression respectively. The results showed that the highest proportion of respondents (41.3%) engaged in bad health behavior. At the bivariate level, the findings showed that age, sex, religion, marital status, occupation and risk perceptions of heart disease were significantly associated with health behavior. Further, at the multivariate level of analysis, the results showed that age, religion, locality and risk perception of heart diseases were correlates of health behavior. Specifically, the log-odds of engaging in healthy behavior was higher among the younger age groups, Muslims, those living in Agbogbloshie and those who perceived themselves to be of no risk of heart diseases. This study showed that socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents in these communities matter with regard to enhancing health behavior. Based on the findings, the study recommends that policy targets people in the older age and others who engaged in unhealthy behaviors by giving them effective education on adopting a healthy behavior. Also, the study recommends that future studies adopt a longitudinal approach in the study of the correlates of health behavior in these communities so as to be able to establish causality.
Correlates of Knowledge of Ovulation Cycle among Women in Urban Poor Communities in Accra
(University Of Ghana, 2014-07) Gyekye, E.K
This study uses the Urban Health and Poverty Survey (2011) data to investigate the correlates of knowledge of ovulation cycle among women in urban poor communities in Ghana. Knowledge of the ovulation cycle of a woman is pivotal in the practice of the traditional methods of delaying childbirth and preventing unwanted pregnancies. These methods include periodic abstinence (rhythm), withdrawal, and country-specific folk methods. Bivariate analysis shows Catholics have the highest proportion of respondents with good knowledge of their ovulation cycle. Again women who were in a union were more likely to have correct knowledge of the ovulation cycle than women who were not in any union. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to analyze all the socio-demographic characteristics in a pool against the dependent variable (Knowledge of ovulation cycle of women). The results showed that women with women with primary level education were more likely to have correct knowledge of their ovulation cycle than women secondary and higher education and could be as a result of the fact that these women may be using the natural method unlike educated women who may prefer modern contraception and so, will have ample time to learn about ovulation through cultural socialization. Religion, education, marital status, occupation, locality and education were the major correlates of a woman’s knowledge of her ovulation cycle. However, age, ethnicity and parity were surprisingly not strongly associated with women’s knowledge of their ovulation cycle
Correlates of Pregnancy Loss Experiences in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Agyekum, P. D.; Frempong-Ainguah, F.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Regional Institute for Population Studies
The reduction in the rate of miscarriage, stillbirth and induced abortion is a major challenge for thehealth system, governments and the society (Schoeps et al., 2007). This incidence is often high and concentrated in regions with most disadvantaged populations with low income and Ghana is not an exception. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to identify and examine the correlates of pregnancy loss experience among ever pregnant women in their reproductive ages in Ghana using the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The other objectives of the study was to identify some risk factors associated with pregnancy loss among women in Ghana and also to examine household factors that influence pregnancy loss among women in Ghana. The study uses univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques to assess the influence of women’s demographic and socio-economic background characteristics. Results show that the highest proportion of ever pregnant women werebetween the ages of 25-29 years was (19.4%). On marital status of these ever pregnant women, 69.5 per cent of them were married as against 19.8 per cent who were never married. An overwhelming proportion (80.1%) of ever pregnant women reported that they had never consumed any alcoholic beverages relative to 19.9 per cent who affirmed that they had ever taken or consumed alcohol. Also about 74 per cent of these women reported having easy access to health facility for antenatal care services as compared to 26.3 per cent who affirmed that they encountered difficulty in accessing health care. The results shows that 1-in-5 women ever pregnant had experienced pregnancy loss. The bivariate results indicate a statistically significant relationship between the demographic and socio-economic background characteristics of ever pregnant women in Ghana and their pregnancy loss experiences. Higher proportion (23.3%) of women who have attained primary education had ever terminated their pregnancies compared to women who had no education (14.7%). Ever pregnant women who dwell in urban areas had a higher proportion (22.1%) of those who had experienced pregnancy loss relative to their counterparts who resides in the rural areas (18.4%). On the consumption of alcohol, women who ever consumed any alcoholic beverages have a higher proportion of them having loss their pregnancies as against those who never consumed. Binary logistic regression analysis was also conducted to determine the link between the correlates of pregnancy loss and pregnancy loss experiences. Results of the regression models indicated that ever pregnant women who ever consume alcohol were more likely to experience pregnancy loss. In terms of the other correlates of pregnancy loss experiences, the respondent’s age, educational level, their marital status, place and region of residence, the type of occupation and their wealth index were significant predictors of pregnancy loss experiences. The study therefore recommends there should be more reproductive health public education especially for young women as they enter their reproductive ages on safe practices during pregnancy period.
Deliberation for Development: Ghana ’s First Deliberative Poll
(Journal of Deliberative Democracy, 2019) Chirawurah, D.; Bawah, A.; Fishkin, J.; et al.
This article poses the problem of public consultation in developing countries and applies a solution in Ghana as a test case. It describes the theoretical rationale for deliberative consultation with random samples, describes specific criteria for success, and then assesses an application under the challenging conditions of a developing country. It builds on notions of “deliberative democracy,” and shows how they can be practically realized in an African context through “Deliberative Polling” (DP). The challenge is that the context is one of the poorest parts of one of the poorest countries in Africa. Rather than consulting just stakeholders, or self-selected populations, or using conventional surveys, DP’s have the advantage of consulting random samples with deliberation in depth in confidential surveys so that the opinion changes can be evaluated at the individual level, free of social pressures for consensus. Is this practical in this context? A DP was conducted in Tamale, Ghana on issues of water, sanitation, hygiene, and food security. Criteria for success for DPs that have been applied in highly developed countries are discussed and then applied in Ghana under challenging conditions.