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A long essay or dissertation or thesis involving personal research, written by postgraduates of University of Ghana for a university degree.
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Item Prevalence And Determinants Of Self-Medication Practices For Covid-19 Prevention Among Public Transport Drivers In La Nkantanang Madina Municipal District(University of Ghana, 2022-04) Forson, R.A.Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is abrupt and has unprecedentedly affected millions of people worldwide. Practices such as proper wearing of face mask, social distancing among other prevention interventions are some recommended mitigating measures. There is an increasing concern about self-medication and consequently, there is a need to respond to self-medicating practice among vulnerable populations such as drivers. The study therefore sought to investigate the prevalence of self-medication practices for COVID-prevention among public transport drivers in La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal District. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey using a multistage sampling technique. The data was collected using a semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaire through a face-to-face interview. Further, data was captured using Kobo-Collect and exported to Stata 16 for analysis. Means, standard deviation, proportions, and frequencies were used to summarize continuous and categorical variables. A Chi-square and logistic regression models were used to determine association between independent and dependent variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant statistically. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35.52. Majority, 243 (66.6%) of the drivers had no alternate occupation. Overall, prevalence of self-medication in the past 2 months to prevent COVID-19 was 9.3% (95% CI: 0.02-0.10). Factors mainly associated with self-medication were a previous experience with COVID-19 symptoms [OR= 6.35(95% CI:3.04 – 13.27); p=<0.001] and presence of a chronic disease [OR=3.32(95% CI: 1.53 – 7.23); p=0.02]. The drugs most commonly used by the drivers to self-medicate were Vitamin C (55%), Ibuprofen (27.5%), Zinc (15%) and Amoxicillin (12.5%). The most predominating herbal product used to prevent COVID-19 was the leaf of the Neem tree (29%). Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication for COVID-19 prevention among public transport drivers in La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipal District was low. Medicines commonly used by public transport drivers were well known by respondents are easily available on the open market at less expensive rates and so respondents can afford them. It is therefore vital to embark on educational campaigns and strict legislative measures in relation to the dispensing of drugs from private pharmacies and chemical shops and facilitate access to health facilities among other important interventions that may cause a behavior change among respondents.Item Community Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Relating To Covid-19 Among Taxi Drivers In La Dade-Kotopon District: A Case Study Of Kotoka International Airport(University of Ghana, 2022-03) Tsadidey, P.D.The covid-19 pandemic is one disease that has shaken the socio-economic status of almost every country in the world. Various social strata have not been spurred. The concern of covid-19 spans oceans and continents. The current study sought to primarily assess the knowledge and practices relating to COVID-19 and as well as sources of information of the virus among taxi drivers at the Kotoka International Airport in the La Dade-Kotopon District. The study used a qualitative research design. Purposive sampling approach was adopted to sample out the respondents at the port. Fifteen (15) respondents, members of the KIA Taxicab operators union were engaged with in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. An audio recorder and a field notebook were used in collecting data for thematic analysis. The study came out with the following key findings: the knowledge base of the taxi-drivers on the COVID-19 is quite high although some degree of misconception existed. Most of the taxi drivers perceive themselves to go by the standard protocols on the disease but in practice deviated from the expected norm. This deviation is motivated by religious sentiments, cultural conducts, and lack of belief in the political power. It was observed that most of the respondents prefer aligning themselves to traditional herbal medicine to treat symptoms of the disease rather than the orthodox procedures as stipulated by the world and the Ministry of Health. The respondents received knowledge on COVID-19 from various sources, but the predominant ones were, radio, television, family and friends, workplace facilities and Community information Vans by the National Communication Authority. In conclusion the study revealed that the knowledge on COVID-19 is very high and the practice of protocols regarding the disease are quite high, though some people still deviate from the practice based on their personal beliefs regarding the existence of the disease.Item Covid-19 Vaccine-Related Misinformation Shared On Social Media In Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-01) Siba, M.Y.The approval of COVID-19 vaccine came as a relieve to the world. However, the roll out of the vaccines have been characterized by misinformation and misconceptions which has the potential to negatively affect uptake and coverage of the vaccination exercise. Many of these misinformation and misconceptions are circulated in various social media in Ghana. This study used social media content to determine the types, and forms of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine on social media in Ghana. The study used netnography, a form of ethnography that is conducted online. The study was conducted between 1st March 2021 to 30th September, 2021 (a period of seven months). A number of syntaxes were developed in relation to COVID-19 vaccine-related misinformation and searched on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. All posts containing the keywords were retrieved and saved for coding, categorization and thematic analysis using NVivo 12 software. The study included all COVID-19 vaccine related posts shared in English. The study results indicated that misinformation does not begin and stay on only one social media platform. Facebook and WhatsApp were found to have the most vaccine rumor content. The nature of misinformation was dependent on the stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumors and misconceptions including conspiracy theories were found to be the major forms of misinformation circulating in social media in Ghana. The strategies developed by the government to control misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in Ghana were to debunk misinformation, educate the online public and implement a vaccine mandate. In conclusion, misinformation can mar the efforts of researchers and scientist who are dedicated to fighting and providing solutions to curtail the effects of pandemics. Social media fueled vaccine hesitancy is a threat to public health and medical advancement.Item Covid-19 In Patients Presenting With Malaria-Like Symptoms At Korle Bu Polyclinic, Accra(University Of Ghana, 2022-08) Asamoah, I.Malaria is one of Ghana's most frequent illnesses and the most common cause of febrile sickness. The prevalence of malaria in patients who visit the Korle Bu Polyclinic in Accra with malaria-like symptoms is around 8%. It is therefore essential to look into COVID-19's contribution to malaria-like symptoms. Most infectious diseases including COVID-19 and arboviral infections mimic malaria due to the overlapping of non-specific symptoms they both share. This study investigated COVID-19 in patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms at the Korle Bu Polyclinic, Accra. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms at the Korle Bu polyclinic from June to August, 2021. A total of 300 patients who qualify for Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Testing, and met the criteria for the study, were selected using simple random sampling. Two to three millilitres of whole blood, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples was collected for screening of Plasmodium falciparum and SARS-CoV-2 respectively. The whole blood sample was also used for COVID-19 antibody test and full blood count. Sixty out of three hundred (20%) study patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2 using Real-time PCR and twenty six out of three hundred (8.7%) tested positive using COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test. Majority were females (42/60; 70%), and participants had mean age of 28 years. Seven out of three hundred (2.3%) tested positive for Plasmodium falciparum using Malaria RDT and microscopy and eight out of three hundred (2.7%) using Nested Conventional PCR. Two coinfection of Plasmodium falciparum and SARS-CoV-2 were reported. Most of the patients came from the Ablekuma South district. Most patients with CT’s below 30 (High viral load) presented with 5 or more symptoms (p value <0.01). The most common symptom experienced by the study patients at the polyclinic was headache (95%; 57/60) followed by general body weakness and pain (78.3%;47/60), tiredness (60%; 36/60) and fever ( 51.7%; 31/60) Comorbidities reported were hypertension, diabetes, Asthma, hypertension and diabetes and none had sickle cell diseases. Most of the study patients had been previously exposure to SARS CoV-2 (113/300) and 66.7% (34/51) Astrazeneca vaccinated patients had no antibody. Due to the synergy of symptoms, screening for COVID-19 in patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms is vital for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Keywords: COVID-19, Korle Bu, AccraItem The Politics Of Managing Epidemics As Global Security Threats: The Case Of Covid-19 And Ghana.(University of Ghana, 2022-04) Cizaro, K.A.The study analysed the politics of managing epidemic threats with Ghana as the case in point. The securitization theory served as the framework. It was a qualitative study and data was sourced from both secondary and interview sources. It found that Ghana’s response to the Corona Virus Infectious Disease (COVID-19) threat was to protect its citizens unfulfilled its responsibilities under the World Health Organization (WHO) and Section 169 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) in harmony with WHO’s IHR 2005. The 1994 Emergency Powers Act 1994 (Act 472) rolled back civil liberties and imposed autocratic policies. Ghana’s role in limiting the 2013 Ebola outbreak in West Africa equipped it with vital skills in pandemic management. Laboratories within and outside the GHS were ascribed to provide testing for COVID-19 raising the testing laboratories from 2 to 16 by April 2020 to reduce facility shortfalls; and the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the global community aided. The regime of COVID-19 was adversely affected by muddles, delusion, and myths that increased vaccine apathy and sapped pandemic rules zeal. The 2020 Elections and political expediency adversely impacted effective COVID-19 control. The huge financial mobilization contracts and supplies engendered by the pandemic promoted corruption. Contracts were awarded without complying with contract and procurement laws, costs of contracts were bloated, contracts were awarded without tenders mostly to unregistered companies, huge sums of funds were not accounted for, unused funds were not returned to government covers, beneficiaries of contracts and source of some fund were not stated, and healthcare and allied workers were not paid wages often. The sleaze resulted in a decrease in citizens’ trust, approval, and interest in pandemic activism. The study concluded that sociocultural and political culture ills such as superstition and corruption dysfunctional impacted the effective and efficient management of pandemics. It recommended high hygiene etiquette and good housing outlays, pro-health government expenditure, counter-misperception and superstitious media, empowerment of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with corruption oversight powers, and greater international donors and accountability.Item Assessing Factors Influencing Nurses’ Adherence To Standard Precautions Amidst Covid-19 At The Tamale Central Hospital.(University of Ghana, 2022-03) Osei, J.S.Background: Globally, it is reported that about half a million HCWs are infected with infectious diseases yearly. Preventing hospital-acquired illnesses and protecting patients and other healthcare personnel requires standard precautions. Breaking the cycle of infections, especially between health care staff and their patients, requires a high degree of knowledge, attitude, and adherence to conventional procedures. Information on the factors influencing HCW adherence to standard precautions at the Tamale Central Hospital is rare and hence increasing the risk of nosocomial infection among HCW and patients. The study aimed at assessing factors influencing nurses’ adherence to standard precautions at the Tamale Central Hospital. Methods: This study was a descriptive study design using a quantitative method to gather data involving 140 participants. A simple random sampling technique was applied for the selection of study participants using Stat Trek’s random number generator. Using a structured questionnaire, socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge level on standard precautions, adherence to standard precautions, individual level factors that influence nurses' adherence to standard precautions, and questions in relation to availability of infection prevention and control resources, training, and monitoring were obtained from respondents. STATA software version 16.0 was used to perform the analysis. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact used to determine the association between adherence to standard precautions and socio-demographic characteristics, individual level factors, and health system related factors. Simple logistic regression analysis reporting odds ratio was used to determine the strength of the association. Variables that were statistically significant at the bivariate analysis level were selected and placed into a multiple logistic regression analysis model for statistical significance (p-value < 0.05). Results: Majority 117 (83.6%) of nurses had good knowledge on standard precautions as they were able to correctly answer ≥ 80% of questions that assessed knowledge on standard precautions. Overall, nurses who were adherent to standard precautions were low (45.7%). Results of a multiple logistic regression analysis conducted on 6 variables that were statistically significant at 95% CI and P value < 0.05 at the bivariate level of analysis revealed only 2 were statistically significant and had an association with adherence to standard precautions. These variables include; receipt of motivation for sincere report and availability of clean water. Conclusion: The study concludes that nurses in the study area had a very good knowledge on standard precaution. Also, the study concludes that, overall, nurses’ adherence to standard precautions was low. The study recommends that nurses and other health professionals should have access to the resources they need to practice standard precautions in accordance with IPC policy guidelines, which should be provided by hospital management.Item Assessment Of The Implementation Of Covid-19 Prevention Protocols In Selected Health Facilities In The Kassena Nankana District Of Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-03) Sekwo, E.K.D.Background: In 2020, World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and recommended key preventive protocols, such as proper and frequent handwashing, physical distancing, and wearing of face masks, to contain the spread of the disease. Effective implementation of these protocols faced several challenges for health workers and non-healthcare workers. Aim: The study assessed the implementation of COVID-19 prevention protocols in selected health facilities in the Kassena-Nankana districts. Method: The study employed a hospital-based cross-sectional study design, using a quantitative and qualitative research approach including observations, surveys, facility assessments, and in- depth interviews to answer the research questions. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 qualitative analysis software while bivariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model were used to determine the actual factors associated with adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Results: Overall, adherence to prevention protocols was low with about 61.1% of participants having low adherence. Participants had adequate knowledge of COVID-19 prevention protocols (60.7%) but health facilities struggled to make available the prevention protocol materials. Knowledge and enforcement were found to be the factors that influence low adherence as participants with inadequate knowledge were two times more likely (2.30) (p-value; <0.001) to have low adherence and participants who were not reminded about the protocols being six times (5.78; p-value; <0.001) more likely to have low adherence. Implementation challenges included logistics, implementer motivation, facility environment, and finance. Conclusion: The study concludes that adequate knowledge of COVID-19 in the district did not positively reflect adherence, as expected. Health facilities in the district lack prevention protocol materials to effectively implement the protocols. Inadequate knowledge and poor enforcement significantly influence low adherence and the key challenges of logistics, finance, lack of cooperation, the burden of work, security challenges, and the hospital environment impede the implementation of the prevention protocols in the health facilities within the KND. Lessons learned in this study should guide.Item Factors Affecting Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Residents Of Adenta, Abokobi And Frafraha(University Of Ghana, 2022-03) Adade, W.A.Background: Vaccination is an important part of public health, and an important way of preventing the spread of contagious, dangerous, and deadly diseases thus saving lives. The introduction of COVID-19 vaccines has been a game changer in reducing hospitalization, death, and risk of severe complications from COVID-19. Success of vaccination programs is not only dependent on efficacy and safety of vaccines, but critically dependent on public perception and acceptability of the vaccines. Therefore, vaccine acceptance among the public and healthcare workers appears to be critical determinant on successful deployment and control of pandemics. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that determine acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among the public. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among residents in the Adenta, Frafraha and Abokobi communities. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire was conducted to collect data on factors or determinants of COVID- 19 vaccine acceptance among residents of Adenta, Frafraha and Abokobi. Result: Most of the study participants agreed that there is currently no effective treatment for COVID-19 disease (n=252 (58.3%)) and are awaremany people are taking the COVID-19 vaccine (n=263 (60.9%)). Generally, 19.4% of community members had high knowledge on COVID-19 vaccine. An estimated 38.7% and 41.9% had moderate / low Knowledge and awareness on COVID-19 disease and COVID-19 vaccine respectively. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine was high (63.4%) in the Adenta community as compared to Frafraha (29%) and Abokobi (6.5%). There was a significant association between marital status and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine (2=12.140: p=0.002). There was also a significant association between religion (2=6.971: p=0.031), ethnicity (2=10.533: p=0.005) and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: About 6 in 10 community members accepted the COVID-19 vaccine. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine was highest among residents of Adenta, an urban community compared to Frafraha and Abokobi. There is inadequate knowledge on COVID-19 vaccine in the communities studied. Recommendation: Public education should be conducted by the relevant stake holders in the three communities to improve vaccine information awareness and knowledge. Health practitioners, media personnel, government officials, community representatives, political groups, and the local assembly must all take the COVID-19 vaccine publicly. Communities aware of the acceptance of the vaccine by role models were more likely to accept the vaccine as compared to those who were unaware of acceptance.Item Covid-19 And Its Impact On The Profit Of Mango Value Chain Actors In Southern Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-12) Bright, K.This study assessed COVID-19 and its impact on the profitability of mango value chain actors in southern Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to analyze the governance structure and linkages that exist in disseminating market information along the mango value chain, examined the determinants of marketing outlets used by the value chain actors (producers, distributors and processors), analysed the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the profit of value chain actors and also analyzed the various factors constraining the mango value chain in Ghana. Data was collected with a well-structured questionnaire from 240 respondents consisting of 150 farmers, 60 distributors and 30 processors in Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta regions of Ghana. Panel data for 2019 and 2020 production season was obtained from these actors. Social Network Analysis (SNA), multinomial logistic regression, difference in difference and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance models were used to analyze the various specific objectives whilst using STATA 14 software. Retailers and FBOs were identified to be the most influential and prominent nodes respectively in disseminating market information within the value chain. FBOs were found to be the main bridging nodes in the network. Farm size, FBO membership, quantity produced, reliable customers and gender were found to be the key determinants of mango producers marketing outlet decisions. Ownership of transport, reliable customers, number of buyers and higher price were the key factors influencing the choice of marketing outlet by distributors. Mango processors are heavily influenced by higher prices and gender in choosing their marketing outlet. The outbreak of COVID-19 disease had a negative impact on the profit of mango producers and distributors while processors had positive impact of COVID-19 on their profit. The most pressing constraints confronting the mango producers, distributors and processors include incidence of pests and diseases, post-harvest losses and poor quality of mango fruit respectively. The study concluded that within the value chain retailers and FBOs are the major sources and receivers of market information respectively. Mango producers and distributors experienced a decline in their profit as a result of COVID-19 pandemic while processors profit increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommends that FBOs and retailers should be central and key stakeholders in policy development for the distribution of market information in the mango sector. Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) at the district level should encourage mango farmers to increase their farm size and join cooperatives, and distributors should be encouraged to own transport facility to aid in transportation of the fruits to maximize their profits during an exogenous situation like COVID-19 pandemic. MoFA together with Tree Crop AuthorityItem Modelling Covid-19 Transmission In Ghana Using A Discrete-Time Markov Model And Machine Learning Time-Series Forecasting Algorithms(University Of Ghana, 2022-09) Koduah, P.P.The COVID-19 pandemic has and continue to have a severe impact on the health sectors, businesses, economies, and the world at large, despite many healthcare interventions, with much still yet to be learnt regarding its infection dynamics. In addition, researchers have developed classical compartmental or epidemiological models and other advanced mathematical models to better explain COVID- 19 infection dynamics across many countries. Critical information, such as the likelihood of first infection and recovery, average infection duration before this infection dies out entirely, COVID-19 infected people's life expectancy, and generalised transition probabilities, is understudied at any given future time. Using nationwide aggregated COVID-19 datasets and a discrete-time Markov model (to estimate these key disease metrics), the current study adds to our understanding of COVID-19 infection dynamics in Ghana. Additionally, the predictive power of some existing state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) algorithms such as K-Nearest Neighbor regression (KNN), Neural Network Auto-Regressive (NNAR), Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Extreme Learning Machines (ELM) in forecasting daily cases of COVID-19 infection (over the study period) is investigated using an out-of sample rolling-origin evaluation by exploring the trade-o_ between computational speed and accuracy. It was estimated that there would be a prolonged COVID- 19 transmission for at least 150 years before infection could die out. The study supports the idea that with a high overall recovery rate, a low infection rate, and a longer infection period, there is a possibility of herd immunity (as evident in the 2021 infection period despite the relatively high overall rate of infection). Finally, the K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN) regression was found to be the most cost-effective ML algorithm to predict the daily cases of COVID-19 in Ghana via the rolling-origin evaluation strategy.