Homes In Ghana Research Articles

Subjective Poverty, Family Support and Health-Related Well-Being of School-Aged Children in Single-Parent Households in Ghana: The Role of Health Literacy and Duration of Parental Separation

This study expands ongoing inquiry and debates on the influence of single-parent households on child health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the phenomenon is rapidly increasing. It examines how conventional (i.e., access to money for children—conceived as experience of poverty—, family support, and experience of social isolation) and contemporary (i.e., health literacy) factors shape the health-related well-being of children in single-parent homes in Ghana in the short-, medium- (five years or less) and long-term (6 years +). It also investigates the extent to which health literacy explains how other factors influence their health-related well-being. Data was gathered through a cross-sectional survey conducted in Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana (n = 337). Based on binary logistic regression and structural equation modelling analysis, health literacy (Odds Ratio, OR, = 1.086, p < 0.05) and social isolation (OR, = 0.584, p < 0.05) were associated with the health-related well-being of children who had been separated from a parent for five years or less while family support (OR = 1.592, p < 0.05) was associated with the health-related well-being of children separated from a parent for more than five years. Health literacy explained the association of experience of poverty (β = -0.012, p < 0.05) and experience of social isolation (β = -0.010, p < 0.10) with their health-related well-being. However, these significant relationships did not differ according to the duration of separation. The results underscore the need to invest in policies and programmes that can reduce exposure to health risks and empower children in single-parent households to contribute to protecting their health-related well-being.

Advancing the Adoption of Net Metering: An Economic Assessment of Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Urban Homes in Ghana

Net metering schemes are pivotal in advancing grid-tied solar PV systems and promoting renewable energy adoption in developing nations. This study investigates the economic viability of implementing net metering within urban households in Ghana, considering the existing block tariff structure and a proposed time-of-use (ToU) structure for grid-tied PV systems. The study employed PVSOL premium (2023 R3) software for the economic performance assessment of the net metering schemes for simulated grid-tied residential PV systems in selected cities of Ghana’s Coastal, Forest, and Savannah climatic zones. The evaluation encompasses key economic metrics, including the levelized cost of electricity, accrued cash flow, annual cash savings, internal rate of return, and payback period. The study findings showed that, in most scenarios, the existing block tariff structure initially proved more economically favourable than the proposed two-tier Time-of-Use (ToU) structure. Consequently, financial investments were recouped within the project’s lifespan under net metering schemes based on the existing block tariff structure, whereas investments were not recouped under the ToU-based schemes. Nevertheless, factors such as improved daytime consumption, rising electricity tariffs, and aligning peak demand pricing hours with solar power generation hours emerged as potential drivers that could make ToU-based net metering schemes more attractive than block tariff structures. The study findings have significant implications for policy development related to tariff structures, particularly concerning the implementation of net metering for grid-tied solar PV systems within the residential sector of Ghana and other developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Harmonic injection of domestic nonlinear loads in Ghana's power distribution system: analysis and mitigation using a low-cost notch filter

Due to global efforts to save energy, digital light processing (DLP) and direct view televisions (DVTVs) are being replaced by energy-efficient liquid crystal display (LCD) and light emitting diode (LED) televisions. However, these energy-efficient appliances cause harmonics to be injected into the power distribution system, posing a threat to power quality. This study investigates the harmonics generated by common domestic appliances, particularly LCD and LED TVs used in homes in Ghana. Field harmonic measurements were taken using a C.A. 8335 Power Quality Analyzer at a selected facility and were then replicated in a simulation using MATLAB/SIMULINK to model the facility's area network capacity of 100-kVA, 11kV/433V. The study proposes a notch filter as a harmonic mitigation technique, which is integrated into the simulation design and found to be effective at reducing total harmonic distortion current to 0.05 % when applied in parallel to nonlinear loads. The study also compares the harmonic distortion generated by LED TVs and LCD TVs, finding that both types generate high levels of distortion.

The Magnitude of Hidden Hunger and Cognitive Deficits of Children Living in Some Selected Orphanages in Kumasi, Ghana During the COVID Pandemic

Many studies have assessed the magnitude of mixed micronutrient deficiencies or individual micronutrient deficiencies among children under 5 years, women of reproductive age (15‐ 49 years old) and pregnant women. This has led to various interventions for these population groups including supplementations, fortifications etc. However, the same attention has not been given to vulnerable children living in various orphanages, especially in Children’s Homes in Ghana where much is not known about their nutritional status. Socio‐ economic downturns like that induced by the current coronavirus pandemic affects food security and nutrition, thus the nutritional status of this vulnerable population could potentially be worsened.ObjectiveThis study assessed the magnitude of hidden hunger and cognitive deficits of 130 children (6‐ 13 years old) living in three selected orphanages in Kumasi, Ghana.MethodologySociodemographic data, anthropometric assessment (BMI‐for‐age and height‐for‐age), dietary assessment (3‐day repeated 24‐ hour dietary recall), urinary iodine levels and cognitive performance (Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices) were assessed.FindingsBoys formed 50.8% of the study population while girls formed 49.2%. The median age of participants was 10.50 years. About 12.3%, 7% and 10.0% of participants were stunted, thin and overweight/ obese respectively. Prevalence of mild iodine deficiency (i.e. 50‐ 99 μg/L) was 16.2%. Iodine deficiency was significantly higher (16.2%) in participants who had lived for at least 7 years in the orphanage compared to those who had lived less than 7 years (23.6%) (p = 0.047). About 17% of participants performed poorly (< 50%) in the cognition test. Mean cognitive test scores were significantly different among the orphanages (p = 0.027). Majority of participants, 89.2%, 54.6%, 76.9% and 77.7% had adequate intakes for iron, zinc, vitamin C and folate respectively whereas intake of vitamins A and B12 were inadequate for majority of participants (90.8% and 50.8% respectively). There was no significant correlation between micronutrient intake and cognitive performance. However, mean cognition test scores were significantly different between participants who had adequate and inadequate intake of iron and vitamin A (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001 respectively).The significance of the research is to provide data for relevant policy makers and stakeholders involved in the care of orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana like the Social Welfare Department. It is also expected that this research will stimulate further studies in the occurrence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable children since nutrition is not only necessary for physical development, but also for cognitive development and life‐long health (WHO, 2016).ConclusionFindings of this study warrant a closer look at nutritional intakes in orphanages to improve on hidden hunger.

The Dynamics of Remittances Impact: A Mixed-Method Approach to Understand Ghana’s Situation and the Way Forward

Many scholarly articles on remittance have focused on its positive or negative impact on the macro- or microeconomy. Given that trend, remittance is usually analysed without its sociological elements embedded within the migration process. Therefore, this paper employs a bird’s eye view to advance our understanding of the dynamics of remittance within the Ghanaian migration framework. By this, the paper uses a mixed-method approach to shed light on the Ghana case. First, through multiple linear regression, the paper shows that remittance inflow to Ghana is positively related to GDP per capita. Specifically, the evidence indicates that a 1% increase in remittance leads to an approximately 4% increase in the GDP per capita. Second, with the aid of household survey data from Ghana Statistical Service and Ghana’s poverty dimension, the paper shows that while the empirical finding suggests an improvement of the populace’s standard of living, the evidence on the grounds, however, conflicts with such findings. This is because remittance is primarily a private resource and is likely to reach only a few well-off homes in Ghana; hence, it does not consider an effective redistributive dimension. Third, to further elucidate why remittance reaches these few groups, the paper analyses within the Marxist political framework how legal migration to the developed countries has always been an option only for the well-off and middle-class Ghanaians who could afford the cost. With this clear establishment of the remittance dynamics in Ghana, the study proposes plausible suggestions to enhance the redistributive effect of remittance in Ghana. In particular, the study recommends a state-led online app for migrants to send money to Ghana. Notably, the state should champion this agenda because subsidising the transaction fees would make it relatively cheaper for migrants. While this would encourage migrants to use the official means, which undoubtedly is significant for the macroeconomy, the app’s returns could be used in addressing the country’s social inequality gap at the micro-level.

Hosting persons with mental illness: narrative study on the experiences of a female caregiver managing a mental home in Ghana

PurposePersons with mental illness (PWMI) need to be housed and cared for properly. Providing this support can be physically, financially and psychologically exhausting for the caregiver. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of a caregiver managing a mental home in Ghana and to get a deeper understanding of what it really takes to host and care for PWMI.Design/methodology/approachA narrative research design was used. The narrative approach was used to gather the stories of the caregiver. Data was collected through in-depth face-to-face interview, informal conversations and field notes. Thematic analysis was performed focusing on both the personal and social experiences of the participant.FindingsThree main themes emerged from the participant’s experience as follows: stigma and rejection, burden of hosting and support from others. The study also found that what it takes to host and care for PWMI is psychological resilience as follows: determination and love. An appeal is made to individuals to also support PWMI instead of the government alone.Originality/valueThe outcomes of this study indicate that the life of a caregiver managing a mental home is a journey characterized by stigma, rejection and financial burden. It highlights the importance of support from others for the caregiver to keep providing optimal care. This paper contributes to the literature on carer resilience by providing evidence that once there is determination and love, PWMI can be housed and cared for in Ghana.

Examining Welfare Provision for Children in an Old Relic: Focusing on Those Left Behind in Residential Care Homes in Ghana

The United Nations Guideline for the Alternative Care for Children is a framework intended to ensure global de-institutionalization and reintegration of children in care institutions. Despite Ghana’s commitments towards de-institutionalization of vulnerable children in need of care, for some children residential care still remains the only formal alternative option. Therefore, this study sought to examine the welfare of children who are still in residential care homes in Ghana. Using the phenomenological approach, triangulated data was collected through in-depth interviews with 79 participants including children, caregivers and management staff of six residential care homes in Ghana. Data from the interviews were thematically analyzed with the assistance of NVivo 11 software. The study revealed frontline staff limitation of addressing emotional needs of children and the managements’ fund-raising shortcomings to address logistical challenges. However, children in residential care homes had their basic provisions including; food, shelter and educational needs met. It is suggested that Ghana’s child welfare policies should be amended to include compulsory targeted training models to orient caregivers on secure attachment styles and the need to establish short-term bond with children in care. Further studies could examine Ghana’s cultural practices on attachment building and bonding among surrogate parents and how it can be adapted in formal childcare practice.

The Status of Older Adult Care in Contemporary Ghana: A Profile of Some Emerging Issues.

The paper examines how the healthcare and social care pillars of social policy for aging societies shape inequalities in health and well-being at old age, utilizing qualitative and quantitative datasets. The results intimate the lack of geriatric infrastructure, hence the inadequacy of geriatric care provision for older adults. Systemic problems or gaps existent in Ghana led to private individuals taking advantage of the situation, turning it into an opportunity for service providers. Thus, the evolution of recreational/residential homes in Ghana is situated along three distinct patterns or forms namely the occasional, the adult day care center and residential archetypes. Collectively, these constitute formal and informal care facilities. These are often privately owned and at a cost. The nature of quality of care may be affected by the types of homes available, especially in the globalized cultural setting. A growing number of older adults resort to care homes as an alternative measure. These are discussed from two viewpoints. First, geriatric data generation, the absence of which impedes healthcare provision. Second, cash-for-care policies may exacerbate existing inequalities in care with negative consequences for health and well-being. In short, policies for aging populations are being implemented across Ghana with too little known about their consequences for inequalities in health and well-being in later life. The paper sought to address this knowledge gap by exploring a significant infrastructure by undertaking a systematic examination of how recent policy developments for aging exacerbate or reduce inequalities in health and well-being among older adults. The paper concludes that social policy for aging societies' specific key pillars (healthcare and social care research) offers opportunities for analyzing and understanding internal dynamics including the effects of policy implementation for inequalities in health and well-being at older ages, therefore enabling the identification of strategies to improve older adults' circumstances, without which older adult population will far outpace elder care provision.

The Impact of Organizational Structure and Funding Sources on the Work and Health of Employed Caregivers in Children\u2019s Homes in Ghana

The strategies by which work is organized and carried out and the sources from which organizations obtain funding and other resources for their operations may influence employee outcomes including work performance and health. This study explored how organizational structure (dormitory vs family unit) and funding sources (government vs private) influence the work and health of individuals employed as caregivers in children’s homes in Ghana. Using qualitative research techniques we collected data from fifty-seven caregivers across three children’s homes in Ghana. We found that the structure adopted by children’s homes influence caregiver work performance by increasing work stress levels, complicating some caregivers’ ability to bond with the children and limiting the amount of time that some caregivers have to spend with their own families. These influences then exposed caregivers to physical, mental and social health risk factors including injuries from slips and falls, mental strain, and loss of social support. We also found that funding source influence the frequency of training caregivers receive, the extent of help caregivers receive with their own healthcare costs as well as the extent to which caregivers utilize international regulations like child rights principles in doing their jobs. Our findings suggest a need for stakeholder reconsideration of work design and strategizing for the homes taking into account caregiver health and well-being.

Barriers to childcare in Children's Homes in Ghana: Caregivers' solutions

The care of children in need of alternative care is a matter of concern to government, nongovernmental organisations and international communities. Understanding the barriers to childcare and knowing the measures to overcome them are important in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in alternative care. Few studies exist on caregivers' suggestions of solutions to overcome barriers to childcare in Children's Homes in Ghana. Drawing on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 37 caregivers in two Children's Homes in Ghana, this study sought to explore caregivers' suggestions of solutions to barriers in childcare. This study adopted a phenomenological approach, reporting findings in participants' own words. The study findings revealed ensuring gender balance, the need for staff and interdisciplinary teams, and financially motivating caregivers as measures to overcome barriers in childcare. Professionals working with children in alternative care and policymakers should pay attention to these solutions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care.

Care-\u2018less\u2019: exploring the interface between child care and parental control in the context of child rights for workers in children\u2019s homes in Ghana

BackgroundThis study explored how employed caregivers experience the interface between child care, parental control and child rights in the context of Children’s Homes in Ghana. The focus was on investigating caregiver perceptions of proper child care, their experiences with having to work with child rights principles and the implication of these for their relationships with the children and the care services they deliver.MethodsAdopting a qualitative approach with phenomenological design, data were collected from 41 caregivers in two children’s homes in Ghana using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.ResultsIt emerged that caregivers experienced frustrations with perceived limitations that child rights principles place on their control over the children describing it as lessening and, at the same time, complicating the care services they provide.ConclusionsThe findings suggest a need for a review of the implementation strategies of the child rights approach in that context. A re-organization of the children’s homes environment and re-orientation of caregivers and children regarding their relationship is also suggested.

CARING FOR “PARENTLESS” CHILDREN: AN EXPLORATION OF WORK STRESSORS AND RESOURCES AS EXPERIENCED BY CAREGIVERS IN CHILDREN’S HOMES IN GHANA

The experience of stress by workers in any work environment has negative impacts on employee health and productivity. However, work resources are known to have possible neutralizing impacts on the negative effects of stress depending on the availability of those resources and the extent to which employees are able to identify and utilize them. This study explores this stress–resource relationship and its implications in a work context where the lives of vulnerable children depend on the wellbeing and productivity of their employed caregivers. Qualitative exploratory techniques were used to investigate the sources and nature of stressors experienced by caregivers and the extent to which caregivers identify and utilize resources available in that work environment. Participants comprised 41 caregivers from 2 children’s homes in Ghana. It emerged that aspects of the work environment that were identified as stressors also tended to be identified as resources for caregivers. These included the children, the work environment, institution–community relations, and relationships between caregivers and their own families. Caregiver faith and intrinsic motivation stood out as the most frequently reported of the resources upon which caregivers drew to cope with their jobs.

Caregiver perceptions of children in their care and motivations for the care work in children's homes in Ghana: Children of God or children of white men?

The perceptions and motivations that workers have in their work and work environment are important determinants of the quality of work they do. For people who work in residential institutions where children who have lost the care of their parents receive care, these perceptions and motivations become a crucial part in determining the quality of services or care the children are given. This study set out to explore the perceptions and motivations of caregivers in the institutional context in Ghana. Adopting a qualitative, phenomenological approach, data were collected from 35 caregivers in two children's homes in Ghana through participant observations, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. It emerged that caregivers perceived the children in their care first as children of God and then as children of white men and were predominantly motivated by their religious convictions to keep doing ‘the work of God’. Other motivations included personal life situations and economic aspects of the job. Implications for the workers and children in this environment are discussed.

Assessment of pharmaceutical waste management at selected hospitals and homes in Ghana

The practice of use and disposal of waste from pharmaceuticals compromises the safety of the environment as well as representing a serious health risk, as they may accumulate and stay active for a long time in the aquatic environment. This article therefore presents the outcome of a study on pharmaceutical waste management practices at homes and hospitals in Ghana. The study was conducted at five healthcare institutions randomly selected in Ghana, namely two teaching hospitals (hospital A, hospital B), one regional hospital (hospital C), one district hospital (hospital D) and one quasi-governmental hospital (hospital E). Apart from hospital E which currently has a pharmaceutical waste separation programmr as well as drug return programme called DUMP (Disposal of Unused Medicines Program), all other hospitals visited do not have any separate collection and disposal programme for pharmaceutical waste. A survey was also carried out among the general public, involving the questioning of randomly selected participants in order to investigate the household disposal of unused and expired pharmaceuticals. The results from the survey showed that more than half of the respondents confirmed having unused, left-over or expired medicines at home and over 75% disposed of pharmaceutical waste through the normal waste bins which end up in the landfills or dump sites.

Adoption of children and the contribution of the Osu Children's Home in Ghana

The purpose of the paper is to explore the adoption of children and the contribution of the Osu Children's Home. Using information obtained from questionnaires completed by social workers as well as interviews conducted with the Director of the Department, the Supervisor of the Home and the Senior Development officer, the main objectives of adoption are discussed. The study revealed that this includes providing abandoned, orphaned and neglected children with new parents and/or homes. The adoption procedures entail the purchase and filling of an application form as well as the submission of this form together with a medical form to the Director of the Department. The difficulties encountered in adoption include the unavailability of children and financial problems. It is concluded that adoption results in the provision of new parents, families and homes for abandoned, orphaned, abused and neglected children.

Pet allergen levels in homes in Ghana and the United Kingdom

The frequency of cat and/or dog ownership in Ghana is comparable to that in the United Kingdom (~50%). However, in Ghanaian communities pets are predominantly kept outdoors. Levels of pet allergens (Fel d 1 and Can f 1) in 100 Ghanaian homes (49 without pets) were compared with levels in 410 homes in the United Kingdom (258 without pets). Homes with pets in the United Kingdom contained much higher allergen levels than homes with pets in Ghana (for Fel d 1: mean difference, 275-fold; 95% CI, 129-fold to 594-fold; P < .0001; for Can f 1: mean difference, 75-fold; 95% CI, 33-fold to 169-fold; P < .0001). Homes without cats in the United Kingdom contained significantly higher levels of Fel d 1 than homes with cats in Ghana (mean difference, 3.7-fold; 95% CI, 2.0-fold to 7.2-fold; P < .0001). In the United Kingdom, homes with dogs contained 75-fold (95% CI, 47-fold to 139-fold) more Can f 1 than homes without dogs, whereas in Ghana, homes with dogs contained 3.1-fold (95% CI, 1.5-fold to 6.1-fold; P = .003) more Can f 1 than homes without dogs. In the United Kingdom, homes with cats contained 77-fold more Fel d 1 (95% CI, 46-fold to 129-fold; P < .0001) than homes without cats; there was no difference in cat allergen levels between homes with cats and homes without cats in Ghana. In conclusion, levels of pet allergens in Ghanaian homes with pets were (1) between 75-fold (dog) and 275-fold (cat) lower than levels in homes with pets in the United Kingdom and (2) lower than or comparable to levels in homes without pets in the United Kingdom. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:463-5.)