Conference Proceedings and Papers
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Conference proceeding is a collection of academic papers published in the context of an academic conference or workshop. Conference proceedings typically contain the contributions made by researchers at the conference. They are the written record of the work that is presented to fellow researchers.
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Item The Narrative Structure Of John Milton’s Paradise Lost(University Of Ghana, 2018) Fosu, J.C.Paradise Lost was written sometime in the 17th Century by John Milton as a Christian epic with a Christian-redefined meaning of heroism. Using the epic structure, Milton successfully outlines the genealogy of man, even the state of the world before man was brought into it by God. Milton does this by tracing the linear stories of man from Genesis, through the Messianic and redemption stories, and the introduction of the eschaton by Jesus Christ in the New Testament. In Paradise Lost, Milton talks about three objectives. They are: the fall of man, an epic aiming to surpass all other epics, and justifying God’s ways to men. My thesis is a structural discussion of the three objectives by way of narratology. In order to prove Milton’s three objectives, my research discusses the structure of the narrative using Gerard Genette’s Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method (1980). At the second level, my research focuses on the “Intertextual” elements of Paradise Lost using Gerard Genette’s Palimpsest: Literature in the Second Degree (1982). At the end of my discussion, it is obvious Milton’s epic is not a Miltonic Version Bible, but a work of art, borrowing its topic from the Bible and the epic form from icons Homer and Virgil. Indeed Milton has outgrown his occasion and withstood the test of time since Paradise Lost encapsulates the genealogy of man.Item Government rainwater harvesting initiative in northern Ghana and its impacts on local livelihoods and work-life balance: evidence from Savelugu Municipality(The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 2024) Koranteng, A.F.; Obour, P. B.; Owusu, K.The “One Village One Dam (1V1D)” is a rainwater harvesting technology initiated by the Government of Ghana in 2017 to make water available all year round for animal watering, irrigation and domestic use in dryland areas in northern Ghana. However, scepticism about the potential of the 1V1D to stave off water stress and its associated impact on local livelihood activities is still prevalent in the country. This case study of Savelugu Municipality investigated the impact of the 1V1D on local livelihood activities and the work-life balance of women. Using qualitative data collection methods, 12 focus group discussions and seven key informant interviews were conducted in six communities in the municipality. The results showed that after >5 years of implementation, not much has been achieved for the intended purposes of the project, namely water for animal watering, irrigation and household consumption. Non-performance of the dams was attributed to engineering flaws like poor design and small size which often resulted in early dry out of the dams in the dry season. However, emerging activities like water commercialisation have provided a source of sustenance to water vendors. The services of the vendors save women time to fulfil the demands of work, family andItem Item Exploring the burden on family caregivers in providing care for their mentally ill relatives in the Upper East Region of Ghana(PLOS Glob Public Health, 2024) Daliri, D.B.; Afaya, A.; Tienbia Laari, T.T.; Abagye, N.; Aninanya, G.A.Caring for the mentally ill involves numerous challenges, including financial difficulties, stigma, and psychosocial issues, among others. Unpaid family caregivers must endure these challenges as they continue their care for their relatives with mental illness. Despite these burdens and their concomitant effects on both the patients and their caregivers, there is no evidence of this burden in the Bolgatanga municipality. This study explored the burden on family caregivers providing care for mentally ill relatives in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study employed a phenomenological research design. Fifteen family caregivers were purposively sampled from two secondary-level health facilities. In-depth interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. NVivo 12 pro software was used for data analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted follow ing Braun and Clarke’s approach. The study identified three themes including social, physical, and psychological burdens. Under social burden, financial challenges and stigma were identified, weight loss was identified as a physical burden, and poor concentration as a psychological burden. These themes represent the challenges encountered by the family caregivers as they provided care for their mentally ill relatives. There is a need to provide support for family caregivers including respite, formation of support groups, and financial support to alleviate family caregivers of the burdens they endure. Additionally, it is imperative to integrate mental health services into the national health insurance scheme to alleviate the financial burden on family caregivers.Item Factors influencing patients on antiretroviral therapy loss to follow up: A qualitative analysis of healthcare workers perspective(PLoS ONE, 2024) Kogi, R.; Krah, T.; Asampong, E.Despite expanded and successful antiretroviral therapy program coverage, a large proportion of people drop out at different stages along their treatment course. As a result, treatment gains do not reach a large proportion of these groups. It has been demonstrated that around half of the patients who test Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive in Sub-Saharan Africa are lost between testing and being considered for eligibility for therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence patients on antiretroviral therapy who lost to follow-up in HIV treatment clinics in Asunafo South District, Ahafo Region. We used phenomenological qualitative research approach in conducting this study. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents, while key informant interview was used to collect the data. The major identified challenges in carrying out follow-up visits of patients on antiretroviral therapy were wrong addresses and phone numbers of clients, coupled with poor telecommunication networks, geographical relocation of clients, poor documentation of patients’ information, and non-availability of means of transport. The preferred reengage ment strategies identified in this study were: supply of drugs through home visits, intensive education, engaging the services of community-based surveillance officers, enhanced regular phone call visits, adoption and use of an integrated antiretroviral therapy clinic, intensified education on HIV, and involvement of religious leaders. In conclusion, all clinicians and stakeholders should consider the identified challenges and re-engagement strategies when providing antiretroviral servicesItem Population infection estimation from wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Nagpur, India during the second pandemic wave(PLoS ONE, 2024) Acheampong, E.; Husain, A.A.; Nayak, A.R.; et al.,Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as an effective environmental surveillance tool for predicting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) disease outbreaks in high-income countries (HICs) with centralized sewage infrastructure. However, few studies have applied WBE alongside epidemic disease modelling to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in low-resource settings. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of collecting untreated wastewater samples from rural and urban catchment areas of Nagpur district, to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 using real-time qPCR, to compare geographic differences in viral loads, and to integrate the wastewater data into a modified Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Confirmed Positives-Recovered (SEIPR) model. Of the 983 wastewater samples analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, we detected significantly higher sample positivity rates, 43.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 40.1, 47.4) and 30.4% (95% CI 24.66, 36.66), and higher viral loads for the urban compared with rural samples, respectively. The Basic reproductive number, R0, positively correlated with population density and negatively correlated with humidity, a proxy for rainfall and dilution of waste in the sewers. The SEIPR model estimated the rate of unreported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases at the start of the wave as 13.97 [95% CI (10.17, 17.0)] times that of confirmed cases, representing a material difference in cases and healthcare resource burden. Wastewater surveillance might prove to be a more reliable way to prepare for surges in COVID-19 cases during future waves for authorities.Item Clinical disease activity in autoimmune rheumatic patients receiving COVID-19 vaccines(BMC Rheumatology, 2024) Dey, D.; Katso, B.; Amoako, E.; Manu, A.; Bediako, Y.Background Vaccines are a crucial component of the global efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Very little is known about COVID-19 vaccine responses in patients living with autoimmune rheumatic conditions in Africa. We examined the clinical reaction to COVID-19 vaccinations in Ghanaians diagnosed with autoimmune rheumatic disease. Methods This was a hospital-based interventional cohort study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients recruited via regular face-to-face clinic visits. The systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index Selena modification (SELENA-SLEDAI) and the disease activity score 28-joint count-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) were used to measure changes in disease activity levels. Results Thirty-eight (38) patients of which 21 (55.3%) were diagnosed with SLE and 17 (44.7%) with RA contributed data for analyses. Most (89.5%) of the patients were females, with a mean age of 37.4 years. The SLE patients experienced a notable increase in severe flares during weeks three and six, as well as the third and sixth months, followed by subsequent decreases in the twelfth month, while remission levels increased throughout the same period. Among RA patients, high disease activity decreased during weeks three and six, as well as the third, sixth, and twelfth months, with remission levels increasing during the same time. A low dose (≥50<75 mg) dose of azathioprine was at some point associated with having a severe flare among SLE patients. After both vaccine doses, SLE patients were the majority having experienced both local and systemic reactions, all resolving within 24 h. Approximately 73.7% of the patients were COVID-19 negative at baseline. During post-vaccination visits, this increased to 100% by week six, with no positives thereafter. Conclusion This study explores COVID-19 vaccine responses in Ghanaian autoimmune rheumatic disease patients, revealing disease activity levels in RA patients improved after vaccination compared to SLE patients. Our findings identify a potential link between low-dose azathioprine and severe flares in SLE patients, particularly evident in the third-week post-vaccination. Further research is warranted to clarify these findings and guide tailored treatment approaches in this medically significant population during pandemics and vaccination efforts.Item The Effects of Digital Banking Platforms on the Profitability of a Bank: The Case of a Private Bank in Ghana(International Congress on Information and Communication Technology, 2023) Owusu, A.Businesses are adapting digital technologies to reach bigger markets, reduce operational costs, improve financial performance or profitability, and gain competitive advantage. The banking sector in Ghana is a very competitive one with most banks adapting one or more forms of digital banking products to facilitate their current operations, gain competitive advantage, and achieve future business goals. While many studies have accessed the impact of digital banking solutions on the profitability of financial institutions mostly in developed economies, the same cannot be said about developing economies. There is, therefore, the need to add to the body of knowledge on how digital banking solutions impact the profitability of banks in developing countries. This paper was underpinned by the updated DeLone and McLean IS success model and used a qualitative approach with purposive sampling of 28 staff and customers to assess a private bank’s digital banking platforms through thematic data analysis. The findings show that system usage and user satisfaction which results in net benefits are positively influenced by information quality, system quality, and service quality. It is therefore concluded that the deployment and use of digital banking solutions improve the profitability of banks. Other implications are also discussed.Item Antenatal Care During Covid 19 Era In Sub – Saharan Africa(University of Ghana, 2022-09) Kwabiah, A.A.; Kwankye, S.O.Introduction: Corona virus pandemic has brought several challenges to countries and the world at large. After its insurgence in Wuhan, China, it has since spread to almost all regions of the world. COVID 19 has had an impact on some essential healthcare services in sub–Saharan Africa (SSA). These essential healthcare services include antenatal care service, which is critical in addressing maternal health related challenges in many countries in SSA. Objective: To assess antenatal care service during COVID 19 pandemic in SSA. Methods: A bibliography search was done using Google scholar, PubMed, BMC, Science direct and Scopus to obtain relevant literature and studies on the main subject of the review. A comprehensive review was carried and 33 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: It was found that there was high level of knowledge about COVID 19 symptoms and preventive measures among pregnant women, but there were also misconceptions that were documented about the disease. Pregnant women were reported to have poorly practiced the preventive measures although they knew these measures. Three major challenges were identified in ANC service during the era of COVID 19: delay in decision making, delay in reaching the health facility and delay in receiving ANC service. Conclusion: ANC service delivery during the pandemic faced important challenges with dire consequences. It is recommended that telemedicine be introduced into mainstream health service delivery while enhancing house- to-house ANC and support groups formation to support the COVID 19 campaign to ensure that while efforts are being made to address COVID 19 in SSA, it will not affect women and children’s health in SSA.Item Coastal vulnerability and migration in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2015-04-17) Atiglo, D.Y.; Quashigah, J.; Neri, P.; Appeaning, A.K.; Codjoe, S.N.A.Coastal vulnerability to sea level rise and other hazards is expected to push migration due to loss of land, habitat and livelihood security. The migration literature on Ghana rarely links coastal environmental systems with migration. This study aimed (i) to assess the vulnerability of Ghana's coasts to inundation and erosion (ii) to explore the relation between coastal vulnerability and population change through migration. We used data from Ghana's 2000 and 2010 Population and Housing Censuses and remotely sensed data to develop a coastal vulnerability index (CVI) comprising physical and socioeconomic vulnerability. The physical vulnerability index (PVI) was based on coastal elevation, geomorphology, geology, local subsidence,. shoreline change, tidal range and wave height. The socioeconomic vulnerability index (SVI) was based on economic activity, socio-demographic characteristics and housing conditions. Due to unavailability of explicit out-migration data at the district level, we estimated net migration using the Census Survival Ratio method. The results of the PVI revealed that districts in the farthest western and eastern coasts are highly vulnerable. The SVI showed the eastern coastal districts as the most vulnerable. Consequently, three districts in the eastern coast of Ghana with the highest combined CVI also tend to have very high deficit migration. Simple linear regression models show a negative correlation between coastal vulnerability and net migration. The technique employed in this study provides an improved assessment of coastal vulnerability and contributes to evaluating the environment-migration nexus