Welcome to UGSpace

Recent Submissions

• Loading...

  Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,

  Migration And Agricultural Transformation in the Nandom District

  (University of Ghana, 2025) Tetteh, F. O.

  Show more

  The implications of out-migration on agricultural transformation have been a topical issue over the years. The mixed effects of the transformation brought about because of people migrating out of communities of origin have been the bone of contention among scholars in migration research. This study, therefore, sought to find out the relationship between agricultural transformation and migration using the Nandom Municipal District as a study area. The study was guided by three main objectives, which shaped the entire discussion and the exact communities sampled. The study adopted the mixed method using a sample size of 150 respondents for the survey using probability and non-probability sampling techniques at different stages of the study. SPSS version 21.0 was used to analyze the primary survey data after going through all the required ethical procedures. The study found that the communities in the Nandom Municipality are predominantly agricultural based, and migration to urban areas is a common phenomenon among the residents. Seasonal migration is common amongst residents, especially during the dry season. Nonetheless, the majority of the movements are within Ghana. Chieftaincy disputes, lack of a ready market for agricultural produce among others are not the reasons for which people migrate from the community rather; famine, long droughts due to changing climate, poor soils, poor health and educational services infrastructure and delivery, bad road networks, poor crop yields, improper housing facilities are considered by participants as the main reasons why many people migrate out of the communities in the area. Regarding the implications of the out-migration of migrants on the agriculture sector in the study area, the study found that migrant networks have helped left behind relatives to diversify their source of livelihood by establishing agro-chemical and other businesses which provide different services. Both cash and social remittances have helped transform the agriculture sector even though it is insignificant in comparative terms. The perspective of the implications of outmigration on community transformation, according to most study participants, is positive despite the challenges identified. Several recommendations are also offered at the end of this work.

  Show more
• Loading...

  Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,

  Gender Dimensions of Population Ageing and Older Adults’ Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Ghana

  (University of Ghana, 2024) Conduah, A.K.

  Show more

  The global rise in life expectancy has led to a growing proportion of older adults, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. This demographic shift presents both challenges and opportunities for health systems, as older persons experience distinctive and often complex health needs. Despite improvements in longevity, understanding of health-related quality of life among older adults in Ghana remains limited, especially with regard to gender differences. The health survival paradox, in which women outlive men but often experience poorer health outcomes, highlights the need for a deeper exploration of gendered ageing experiences. This study examines the gendered dimensions of HRQoL among older adults in Ghana across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. It analyses how socio-demographic factors such as age, marital status, education, and employment influence HRQoL, and how these associations differ between men and women. The study addresses a critical knowledge gap by providing evidence on gender-specific health patterns among older adults and offering insights for policy formulation. A cross-sectional design was employed using data from the World Health Organisation’s SAGE Wave 2 survey for Ghana. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations between socio-demographic variables and HRQoL domains. The analysis also explored how gender shapes these relationships, considering key factors such as occupation, education, and marital status. The study found significant associations between socio-demographic characteristics and HRQoL among older adults. Age emerged as a key determinant, with individuals aged sixty to sixty-four reporting higher physical and psychological health satisfactions compared with those aged eighty and above. Clear gender differences were observed. Men reported better physical health outcomes, while women experienced sharper declines in psychological well-being as they grew older. Marital status was associated with improved social and psychological outcomes, with married individuals reporting better levels of satisfaction. Employment, especially within the informal sector, played an important role in strengthening overall well-being and perceptions of quality of life in later years. The findings underscore the need to incorporate both gender and socio-demographic contexts into policies and interventions targeting the health of older adults in Ghana. While men report relatively better physical health, women face greater psychological vulnerabilities in later life. These disparities call for gender-sensitive health strategies and social support systems tailored to the diverse needs of older men and women. The study also highlights the significance of informal sector work in sustaining older adults’ well-being, underscoring the importance of extending social protection to informal workers. This research enriches the limited literature on gendered HRQoL in Ghana by providing empirical evidence that supports gender-sensitive health and social policy development. It demonstrates the multidimensional nature of ageing and emphasises the interplay between gender, socio demographic factors, and wellbeing. The findings serve as a foundation for future research on ageing in sub-Saharan Africa, including comparative analyses across similar contexts.

  Show more
• Loading...

  Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,

  Religiosity And Perceptions About Infertility in Ablekuma South, Accra

  (University of Ghana, 2024) Mensah, N.A.

  Show more

  Infertility is a significant public health issue which is recognised as one of the six overlooked aspects of maternal health. It carries both physiological and mental health ramifications. Even in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where birth rates are notably high, infertility remains prevalent and constitutes a major concern among couples or partners. Generally, the understanding of and attitudes towards infertility are inadequate, with causes often ascribed to supernatural or non-scientific phenomena. This misunderstanding contributes to stigmatisation of those believed to be infertile, influencing their pursuit of treatment. People facing infertility may simultaneously turn to medical, traditional, and/or faith-based interventions. Religion and religious beliefs serve as coping mechanisms for various challenging life situations. They offer hope during tough times, although "religion" itself is a complex term with over 17 definitions identified in scholarly literature. On the other hand, religiosity refers to the degree to which an individual follows their religious beliefs or convictions. These beliefs influence morals, behaviours, preferences regarding fertility, and approaches to addressing infertility. While religion plays a significant role in the narrative surrounding fertility, there is still limited understanding of how strict adherence to religious beliefs impacts views on infertility and its management. The study has three objectives: to examine how respondents’ religiosity aligns with their perceptions of infertility; to explore religious leaders’ perceptions about infertility and its treatment; and determine how healthcare personnel navigate through their beliefs and those of their clients when treating infertility. The study employed a convergent parallel mixed-method approach. For the quantitative aspect, 950 male and female respondents were sampled through a multistage sampling approach in the study community (Ablekuma South Metropolitan Area). The independent variable of interest was religiosity, measured using the Centrality of Religiosity Scale version 15, while the two outcome variables were perceptions about treatment seeking and perceptions about primary solutions. Religiosity was categorized as highly religious, moderately religious, and less religious, while the outcome variables were binary in nature. Treatment seeking was categorized as either both partners seeking treatment or one partner seeking treatment, with the model predicting the outcomes for both partners. The second outcome variable, perception about infertility, was also a binary variable, categorized as medical or non-medical, with the model predicting medical as the primary solution. At the multivariate level, four binary logistic regression models were run after employing descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis using STATA version 18. The qualitative aspect explored the perceptions about infertility among religious leaders and how healthcare workers navigated the religious context in their care of infertile clients. This involved in-depth interviews with 10 healthcare workers (obstetricians and gynecologists) and 17 religious leaders in the community. The data were analyzed separately, employing thematic analysis by bringing similar basic codes together to form organizing and overall global themes using Atlas. ti version 23. Respondents’ religiosity aligns with the perception that both partners should seek infertility treatment with those identifying as less or moderately religious showing a lower likelihood of supporting this approach. However, respondents’ religiosity does not predict the perception that medical treatment is the primary solution. Variables such as education and blame for infertility predict both perceptions about treatment seeking and the primary solution, emphasising the need for education and community engagements. The second objective of the study focused on understanding the views of religious leaders regarding infertility and its treatment. From the analysis, three principal themes emerged: perceptions concerning infertility; attitudes towards assisted reproductive technology (ART); and proposed solutions. It was noted that religious leaders’ understanding of infertility and ART was not comprehensive, mirroring findings from the quantitative part of the research. Identified causes of infertility were categorised into physical and spiritual realms, with the latter including both human-induced and divine origins. Physical causes ranged from medical reasons, such as complications from abortions to non-medical factors like ignoring specific cultural rites. Despite the variety of cited reasons, explanations frequently circled back to spiritual interpretations. The viewpoints on ART among religious leaders varied significantly, falling into three categories: full acceptance, outright rejection, and a neutral or middle stance. They acknowledged their role in addressing infertility, suggesting that solutions should be delivered through both medical and spiritual approaches. The third objective of this study was to investigate how healthcare professionals manage the interplay between their own beliefs and those of their clients in treating infertility. This led to the identification of three main themes: solutions offered, barriers to solutions offered and faith integration. Predominantly, women were the ones seeking help at medical centers in varied psychological states including feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Healthcare providers consistently offered solutions to infertility, but also acknowledged the hurdles in accessing these treatments. Identified barriers included the patients' acceptance of certain treatments, financial constraints, socio cultural attitudes, the complexity of the adoption process, and religious considerations. While recognising the significant role of religion in infertility treatment, healthcare workers tended to focus more on scientific methods, given the ambiguous nature of religious aspects. However, they did advocate for their religious clients to supplement medical treatments with faith-based, non-intrusive practices such as prayer. Echoing the views of religious leaders, healthcare professionals generally agreed that a combined approach of religion and medicine offered the best solution to infertility. The study concludes that a complex interplay of cultural, educational, and demographic factors influences individuals' beliefs and decisions regarding infertility treatment. This observation is supported by some scholarly perspectives while contradicting others. Conversations with religious leaders and healthcare professionals further emphasize the crucial role of religion in addressing infertility. Both religious leaders and healthcare workers recognize the significant role that religiosity plays in the care of infertility. However, healthcare workers caution that certain rituals may be harmful, and religiosity can potentially cause rejection of some forms of medical intervention and delays in seeking treatment. Religious leaders believe that they offer solutions to infertile clients either through spiritual or psychological support. Their stance on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) lies between acceptance, total rejection and neutral. This research extends the study on infertility by deepening our understanding of the many factors that influence the pursuit of infertility treatment. It emphasizes the need to consider various cultural, social, and educational aspects when addressing infertility issues in different communities.

  Show more
• Loading...

  Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,

  Investigating the Role of Neuregulin-1 in Mitigating Haemolysis Mediated Kidney Injury in Humanized Sickle Cell Mice.

  (University of Ghana, 2024) Agbozo, W.

  Show more

  Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as the persistent and gradual decline in kidney function, is a common and severe complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). CKD in SCD is reported in childhood and worsens with age. More than half of adults with SCD over the age of forty (40) develop CKD, leading to end-stage renal disease. This contributes significantly to 16 18% of SCD global deaths each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI), the sudden loss of kidney function, is a major risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). In sickle cell disease, the incidence of AKI is three times higher than in non-sickle cell patients, affecting over 30% of hospitalized individuals. Again, AKI is a leading cause of early death in critically ill SCD patients. Despite its significant role in kidney disease, treatment options for AKI in SCD remain limited and uncertain, posing a significant challenge in its clinical management. A major driver of kidney injury in SCD is intravascular haemolysis, which releases excess protein free heme into circulation, triggering kidney injury through vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and cytotoxicity. Hydroxyurea (HU), the approved SCD‑modifying therapy, partly improves renal function, but its impact on heme‑driven kidney injury remains uncertain and underexplored. There is an urgent need for targeted interventions against heme driven kidney injury in SCD. Neuregulin‑1 (NRG‑1), an endothelium‑derived peptide with anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective properties, holds therapeutic potential in SCD. It is hypothesized that Neuregulin-1 reduces kidney injury in sickle cell mice by modulating haemolysis, inflammation and inducing anti-heme cytoprotective factors. This PhD work assessed the effects of NRG‑1 and HU on haemolysis, inflammation, kidney injury, and renal histopathologic changes in a humanized sickle cell mouse model that mimics clinical features of SCD. Methods: The HbSS-Townes mouse model, developed by Dr. Tim Townes’ laboratory (University of Alabama, Birmingham), which carries human haemoglobin knock-in genes and develops kidney injury resembling human disease, was used. Control mice (HbAA), which do not develop the disease, were also included. Cohorts of twelve‑week‑old Townes sickle cell (HbSS) and non‑sickle (HbAA) mice (n = 8 per group, sex-matched) were intraperitoneally administered with recombinant human neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) at doses of 5 µg/kg/day and 25 µg/kg/day; 50 mg/kg of hydroxyurea (HU) or sterile phosphate-buffered saline (vehicle) for two weeks. Following treatment with NRG-1, HU or vehicle, blood and urine samples were collected for analysis of complete blood count, haemolysis markers, and kidney injury biomarkers. Kidney tissue sections were examined for histopathologic renal changes, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess the effect of neuregulin-1 on the expression and tissue distribution of heme oxygenase-1, a heme degrading enzyme. Results: HbSS mice exhibited anaemia, leucocytosis, elevated haemolysis (total plasma heme, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]), increased urinary kidney injury biomarkers (neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin [NGAL] and cystatin C), and reduced renal repair biomarkers (clusterin, epidermal growth factor [EGF]) prior treatment. Urinary levels of NGAL and Cystatin C positively correlated with total plasma heme (ρ = 0.98, p < 0.05) and LDH (ρ = 0.97, p < 0.05) respectively. Both NRG-1 and HU significantly reduced white blood cell counts, total plasma heme, lactate dehydrogenase, and pro-inflammatory kidney injury mediators (NRG-1: FN-γ, IL-6, CXCL10, VEGF-A, CCL19, MCP-5; HU: CXCL10, VEGF-A, IFN-γ) in HbSS mice. Notably, NRG-1 (25 µg/kg/day), like HU, significantly increased circulating fetal haemoglobin containing red blood cells (F-cells). HU reduced urinary cystatin C and NGAL levels more than NRG‑1, whereas NRG‑1 significantly increased urinary clusterin and EGF. HU significantly reduced medullary congestion, while NRG‑1 markedly reduced iron deposition in cortical tubular epithelial cells. Both treatments reduced glomerular congestion, Bowman’s membrane thickening, tubular brush border loss, and glomerulosclerosis. NRG‑1 enhanced HO‑1 expression in HbSS kidneys, whereas HU had no significant effect on HO-1 expression. ErbB4 was highly expressed in HbSS kidneys compared to HbAA, suggesting its involvement in kidney protection pathways. Conclusion: This work provides new insight supporting the exploration of NRG‑1 as a targeted therapeutic agent for kidney injury in SCD. The complementary renoprotective effects observed with NRG‑1 and hydroxyurea support further evaluation of their combined use to improve kidney outcomes in SCD.

  Show more
• Loading...

  Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access ,

  Genetic Analysis of Maize Genotypes Under Drought, Low Soil Nitrogen and Combined Stress, and Herbicide Reaction of Selected Inbred Lines

  (University of Ghana, 2025) Awity, M.A.A.

  Show more

  The maize breeding programme at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) leverages genetic diversity from collected and developed parental lines to develop hybrids that would contribute to improved maize yields in Ghana. However, the performance of newly developed maize inbred lines across varying environments remains inadequately understood as there is limited information. Evaluating genetic diversity and its relationship to plant performance under varying environments is a crucial step for the identification of elite inbred lines with broad adaptability and resilience as well as the development of resilient hybrids for commercialization using these identified inbred lines. The objectives of this research included the following: i) assess the genetic diversity among selected white and yellow kernel maize inbred lines using field phenotyping and ISSR markers, ii) evaluate the response of maize inbred lines to nicosulfuron based herbicide for potential selection of herbicide-tolerant inbred lines, iii) determine the gene action conditioning tolerance to drought, low soil N, combined drought and low soil N in maize inbred lines, and iv) assess the performance and stability of the hybrids under drought, low soil N, combined stresses, and optimum environments. One hundred maize inbred lines were evaluated under two optimal conditions - one with manual weed control and the other with chemical control using a nicosulfuron-based herbicide – to identify herbicide-tolerant lines. Based on per se performance, fifty inbred lines were subsequently selected and evaluated under drought conditions to identify drought-tolerant lines. The selected fifty lines were assayed using thirty inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) with only ten showing amplified bands. C316-7, DHL 258 POP 2, and TZIL 25 (60E) 0.4 EMS were consistently identified as superior inbreds across environments, showcasing their resilience and potential for use in breeding programmes with the objective of stress tolerance and yield stability. Inbred lines such as C316-7, DHL 258 POP 2, and DHL 99 POP 2 exhibited herbicide tolerance while DHL 101 POP 5, EXP 124 and TZIL 25 (35G) 0.4 EMS showed superior performance with high Yield Stability Index (YSI) and low Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI), confirming their potential as sources of drought tolerance. Molecular characterization using ISSR markers revealed high polymorphism among the 50 inbred lines, with ISSR-06 recording the highest Polymorphic Information Content (PIC = 0.78), revealing substantial genetic diversity and clutering of inbred lines into four distinct clusters. Twenty-four maize inbred lines were selected and used to generate ninety-six single cross hybrids using the North Carolina Design II (NCD II). The hybrid trials were evaluated at two locations, Legon and Kwadaso, under low soil nitrogen (N), induced drought, combined drought and low soil nitrogen and optimal environments in 2023 and 2024. There was preponderance of additive gene action (GCA) for most traits across environments indicating that recurrent and pedigree selection would be effective for yield improvement and stress tolerance. However, notable non-additive gene action for yield components such as number of ears per plant and ear aspect, highlight the importance of heterosis breeding in exploiting specific parental combinations. Hybrids such as LMI 102 X LMI 140, HP020-4/1(A)/1/1 X DHL 46 POP 1, 1368 X DHL 186 POP 2 and TZIL 25 (40C) 0.4 EMS X TZIL 25 (60E) 0.4 EMS were the superior hybrids in different stress environments, while DHL 99 POP 2 x 9006 and DHL 99 POP 2 x EXP 124 demonstrated broad adaptability across multiple environments. GGE biplot analysis identified three mega-environments and revealed that LMI 102 X LMI 140 was the highest-yielding across all the environments but with moderate stability, whereas DHL 99 POP 2 x 9006 and 1368-150GY(119)S x DHL 184 POP 2 were the most stable, making them ideal for wide adaptation. Superior hybrids identified should be further tested in multiple environments. These can be recommended for location- and stress-specific conditions.

  Show more