People In Ghana Research Articles

Knowledge of Ghanaian Graduating Undergraduate Nurses About Ageing.

IntroductionKnowledge on ageing has an impact on the quality of care provided to older people. Although older Ghanaians provide various forms of support to family and communities, many of them experience poor nursing care in the Ghanaian health system. There is, however, dearth of evidence regarding knowledge of ageing among Ghanaian nurses.ObjectiveThis study therefore used a descriptive survey approach to investigate knowledge of graduating undergraduate nurses on physiological, and psychosocial changes in ageing.MethodsSeventy graduating undergraduate nurses were surveyed to identify their knowledge on physiological and psychosocial changes leading to care needs of older people in Ghana. Three undergraduate nursing programs with gerontological nursing courses were purposively selected for the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in order to present quantitative descriptions of variables in this study.ResultsThe response rate in the study was 42%. Findings of the study show graduating undergraduate nursing students have inadequate knowledge on ageing. Several gaps in knowledge regarding ageing were identified. Although undergraduate nursing schools had gerontological nursing courses in their programs, over 90% of participating graduating nursing students indicated pain, anxiety and depression are normal aspects in the ageing process.ConclusionIt is imperative to improve the current curricula content on gerontological nursing in Ghanaian nursing schools to equip nurses with knowledge and skills needed to provide quality healthcare to older people in Ghana. Improving knowledge on ageing through evidence-informed gerontological nursing curricula content will lead to better nursing care of older Ghanaians. Providing educational opportunities for improved quality nursing care of older Ghanaians is in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims at providing equal and quality healthcare to all age groups by 2030.

Communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation and associated factors among poor older people in Ghana

ABSTRACT Background Successful interactions between healthcare users and healthcare providers are facilitated by effective communication, which is one of the functions of quality healthcare delivery. Whereas a lack of financial resources impedes healthcare utilisation, a lack of meaningful communication is also likely to create a barrier between healthcare providers and users. Method and materials In this study, we use bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses to model the likelihood of communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation using socio-economic and demographic data collected from poor older people under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. Results The study finds that participants aged 85 years or above are significantly more likely to encounter communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation (AOR: 1.575, C.I: 0.927–4.452). The results show that non-Akan participants are significantly more likely to encounter communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation (AOR: 1.206, C.I: 0.507–2.869). Furthermore, we find that participants with high school education are significantly less likely to encounter communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation (AOR: 0.189, C.I: 0.051–0.700). Conclusions Based on the findings we conclude that the provision of location-specific language access services would improve communication and reduce healthcare disparities in minority ethnic groups who are coexisting with a majority ethnic group. Thus, the findings strongly suggest the need for policy makers to recruit language translators in healthcare systems to partly eliminate communication barriers to healthcare utilisation. From a broader perspective, the study offers valuable knowledge for health policy design and amendment aimed at lessening communication barriers to formal healthcare utilisation.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Adaptation to Climate Change in Ghana.

Climate change is a serious challenge to human existence. It threatens efforts towards the attainment of sustainable development goals and aggravates conditions that lead to health inequities and inequalities for vulnerable populations. The study aimed to investigate knowledge and adaptation to climate change among people in Ghana. A nationally representative survey of Ghanaian adults (N = 674) was conducted from August 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. Results showed that 43.9% of the respondents understood the meaning of climate change. Respondents perceived the causes of climate change to include burning of fossil fuel, deforestation, natural events such as ocean currents, carbon emission from vehicles and industries, agricultural emissions of nitrous oxide from fertilizers, and an act of God. About 53.1% and 41% of the male and female respondents, respectively, had an encounter with climate change-induced natural disasters. About two out of five respondents (43%) were either afraid or confused about climate change. Distilled or maintained public drainage from waste (30.2%) and clearing drains (25.6%) was the leading adaptation strategies towards climate change-induced natural disasters. Training (30.1%), national radio (27.7%), and television (19.1%) were the preferred leading methods for receipt of global warming information. These findings provide useful insights for policy directions. The government of Ghana and other stakeholders should develop a communication strategy to increase and sustain publicity and education on climate change to the citizenry.

Physical activity and predictors of loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: The role of social connectedness

This study sought to examine whether and how social connectedness impacts the association between physical activity and loneliness among older people in Ghana. Data for the analysis were obtained from the 2016–2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-seeking Behavior Study (AgeHeaPsyWel-HeaSeeB) (N = 1200; mean age 66±12 years; women = 63%). Loneliness was assessed with the Short Form Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Multivariate linear regressions showed that increases in physical activity were associated with decreases in loneliness in the overall sample (β= −0.338, p < 0.005) and for men (β= −0.712, p < 0.005) but not in women (β = −0.039, p = 0.840). The negative association between physical activity and loneliness was moderated by social connectedness such that persons highly connected were much less likely to experience loneliness following physical activity engagement (β= −0.709, p = 0.023). Age-based analysis showed differential effects of physical activity on loneliness among the 65+ group (β = −0.437, p = 0.002) compared to the 50–64 group (β= −0.502, p = 0.031). Later life social connectedness tempers with the beneficial impact of physical activity on loneliness. Interventions to heal loneliness and for active aging should target physical activity and interpersonal engagements among older adults.

MATHEMATICALLY MODELING THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS INFECTION AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY IN GHANA.

One of the deadliest and highly infectious diseases is Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS). One person was first diagnosed with HIV-AIDS in the Eastern region part of Ghana in 1986, followed by 41 more in the same year. The spread of the disease was so unbearable in the subsequent years (1987-2003), even after several intervention measures taken by Government and other stakeholders. Hence, in 2003, the antiretroviral therapy (ART) program was introduced by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) through the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to sabotage the virus such that it cannot be transmitted from one person to another, not even from the pregnant mother to the unborn child. It is in this direction that this research was conducted to use differential equations to derive a model for the prediction of the HIV/AIDS infection rate, after the introduction of the ART program in Ghana. The data on the number of HIV infected people per each year (I) for the years 2003-2018 were collated from the reports given by Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), WHO and UNAIDS published on their associate websites. Differential equations, with the employment of numerical analysis of data, were used to derive a model for the prediction of the yearly number of HIV/AIDS infected people. Graphical analysis on the residuals of the predicted number of HIV/AIDS infected people (residual analysis) were carried out to check whether the derived model was adequate or not. Finally, a model was derived using ordinary differential equations and the yearly numbers of HIV infected people estimated using the model were in descending, order as portrayed in the original data set. The residual analysis on the model adequacy checking proved that the model is adequate for the prediction of the number of HIV infected people in Ghana. In effect, the ART program really played a major role in the reduction of the HIV infection rate. The uniqueness of this research is portrayed in the fact that it is the first time differential equation is being employed in Ghanaian academia to derive a model for the future prediction of the HIV infection rate. &#x0D; Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, antiretroviral therapy, HIV-Infected People, Susceptible People.

Capacity of intensive care units in Ghana.

PurposeTo document the equipment, resource and bed capacity of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in the Republic of Ghana.Materials and methodsCross-sectional observational study of all operating ICUs in Ghana. Sixteen operating ICUs in 9 hospitals were identified and surveyed (13 adult and 3 pediatric ICUs).ResultsThere were a total of 113 adult and 36 pediatric ICU beds for a population of 30 million, (0.5 ICU beds per 100,000 people). The median number of staffed ICU beds and ventilators were 5 (IQR 4–6), and 4 (IQR 3–5) respectively. There were 2 pediatric and 6 adult intensivists practicing in the country. About half of the ICUs (56%) were staffed solely by non-intensivist providers. While there is adequate nursing support and availability of essential critical care medications, the current financing model for critical care delivery creates a significant barrier for most patients.ConclusionGhana has a significant shortage of critical care beds that are inequitably distributed across the country and a shortfall of intensivists to staff ICUs. A holistic approach that focuses on the key bottlenecks to quality improvement would be required to improve the capacity and quality of critical care delivery.

English

Mining and cocoa production are important livelihoods for people in Ghana, particularly in rural communities like Upper Denkyira West District. However, mining activities can have negative impacts on cocoa production and access to basic necessities for the sustenance of the people. This study sought to investigate cocoa farmers’ perception of the impact of mining on socio- economic activities in Upper Denkyira West District and the determinants of their choice of alternative livelihoods. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 211 respondents who were selected via a multi-stage sampling method for the study. The study found that cocoa farming households agree that mining has negative impacts on socio-economic activities in the district. It was also revealed that about two-thirds of the cocoa farming households were engaged in farm-based and nonfarm-based alternative livelihoods, in addition to cocoa farming. Results from the empirical multinomial logistic regression model showed that sex, years of formal education, farm income, technical skills, extension services, and perception that mining have reduced farm sizes, and farm outputs significantly influence cocoa farming households’ choice of alternative livelihood. The study recommends the need for policies aimed at promoting skills acquisition and facilitating access to markets for products of alternative livelihoods. Key words: Mining, cocoa, alternative livelihoods, multinomial logistic regression, Upper Denkyira West District, Ghana.

Music Making and Ban on Drumming Among the Winneba People of Ghana

The paper reports an ethnographic study of music making and ban on drumming among the Winneba people of Ghana. Despite the volume of research on the use of music for several occasions in the African community, much attention has not been given to the observance of complete silence as part of the life of some African Societies. This paper discusses the place of ban on drumming in a community where music making permeates the lives of the people. It sought to document how the period of silence is negotiated in the contemporary society. Through purposive sampling and snowballing, traditional leaders and priests, members of historical missionary churches, and those of the Pentecostal/Charismatic orientation were interviewed and their activities within the period of the ban observed. Observance of the ban was, however, not uniform among the Christians. While the mission churches have a policy of accommodating local tradition and to observe the ban by reducing the intensity of music making during the period, the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, however, insist on not observing the ban, because of its association with traditional deities. The paper reveals that though music forms an important part of the life of the Winneba people in Ghana just as most African communities, ban on drumming is not only a belief that had purely been held as a traditional custom from ancestors, it also conveys the principle of silence, which is beneficial to humans in many respects. Keywords : Effutu, ban on drumming, Winneba, social stability DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/60-04 Publication date: June 30 th 2020

Abstract B092: Promoting HPV vaccination among adolescent girls in Ghana, West Africa: A case study

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among Ghanaian women. Although there are vaccines available to protect women against human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical cancer, the use of cervical cancer screening and prevention services among Ghanaian women remains low. In addition, many people in Ghana still reside in areas where access to health care services such as vaccinations and cancer screening is limited. Description: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, established a pilot HPV vaccine program to provide subsidized HPV vaccines to young girls living in low-income countries with a high cervical cancer burden. To be eligible, countries must demonstrate their capacity to vaccinate more than 50% of young girls between ages 9-13 years living in an average-sized district or community. In November 2013, the Ghanaian government partnered with Gavi to provide subsidized vaccines to over 6,000 girls living in seventeen districts in the Greater Accra, Central and Northern regions. Lessons Learned: Lack of political commitment is a challenge to the successful implementation of the HPV vaccine program in Ghana. Financial uncertainty, logistical problems such as poor infrastructure, lack of public buy-in, and the lack of relevant scientific data to inform decision making are threats to the successful implementation of the HPV vaccine initiative in Ghana. Conclusion: To improve vaccination coverage rate, we recommend that the Ghanaian government commits to making HPV vaccination a health priority. Community participation and buy-in must be strengthened through active advertisement and outreach programs. This case study has also given an indication of the importance of further studies on the burden of cervical cancer in Ghana and cost effectiveness of an HPV vaccine initiative. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Joycelyn Cudjoe, Dora Cudjoe, Bernard Fiifi Brakatu. Promoting HPV vaccination among adolescent girls in Ghana, West Africa: A case study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B092.

Micronutrient and Metal Content of Dried Oysters in Ghana

Abstract Objectives Oysters are potentially a good nutrition source but have the risk of being contaminated with toxic environmental metals. Micronutrient and metal levels in oysters in Ghana are currently unknown. Our objectives were to determine the micronutrient status and metal content of oysters in Ghana. Methods A total of 10 dried oysters originating near the Densu River in Ghana were analyzed in bulk by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for 12 micronutrients and 5 metals, including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Results Micronutrient content (mean ± SD) of the oysters included Fe (40 ± 11 mg/100 g), Zn (158 ± 61 mg/100 g), Mg (531 ± 65 mg/100 g), Ca (203 ± 87 mg/100 g), P (881 ± 189 mg/100 g), K (255 ± 51 mg/100 g), Mn (5 ± 2 mg/100 g), Cr (0.28 ± 0.05 mg/100 g), Co (9 ± 3 mg/100 g), Ni (0.17 ± 0.04 mg/100 g), Cu (7 ± 2 mg/100 g) and Se (0.23 ± 0.03 mg/100 g). The metal content of the oysters included Cd (96 ± 26 µg/100 g), Pb (59 ± 11 µg/100 g), V (108 ± 32 µg/100 g), and As (446 ± 67 µg/100 g). Conclusions Dried oysters from Ghana are an excellent source of iron and zinc. These oysters were also contaminated with cadmium and lead. Our data supports that cadmium and lead levels may be a health concern for people in Ghana who consume dried oysters. This research supports further sampling on dried oysters in Ghana. Funding Sources University of Rhode Island start-up grant, awarded to Dr. Brietta M. Oaks.

Profile of abortion seekers and their views on financial cost of induced abortions: implications for preventing unsafe abortions among young people in Accra, Ghana

ObjectivesDespite liberal abortion laws, unsafe abortions remain a public health challenge in Ghana. This study examines implications of financial cost of abortion in assessing safer services for young people in Ghana. Study designThis is a retrospective cross-sectional mixed-method study. MethodsQuestionnaires (401) and in-depth interviews (21) were used to collect data from women seeking elective abortions (320) and those treated for postabortion complications (81) in 6 health facilities comprising non-governmental organizations (2) and public (2) and private (2) hospitals from January to December 2018 in Accra. ResultsResults suggest high hospital abortion charges as major barriers to accessing safe abortion care in Accra as the surgical procedures cost three times more than that of other methods because of cost of anesthetics and antibiotics. ConclusionsStandardizing costs of abortion services across hospitals and integrating these costs into the National Health Insurance Scheme is highly recommended.

Attributions of elder neglect: A phenomenological study of older people in Ghana

The purpose of the study was to explore how neglected older people describe the factors contributing to their state of neglect. A Phenomenological qualitative approach making use of a semi-structured interview was adopted. Purposive criterion and snowballing sampling were employed to recruit 12 older people facing neglect from Winneba in Ghana. Thematic data analysis making use of in-vivo and focussed coding was employed. Four major interrelated themes were identified. The themes are (a) "Since the death of my husband": neglect as a function of a natural cause; (b) "I did not plan well by then": neglect attributed to the self; (c) "They do to all of us": neglect resulting from the failure of government institutions; and, (d) "Our family do not even come to see us": neglect attributed to the breakdown of the extended family system. Application of the ecological theory in the discussion improves our understanding of holistic factors depriving older people of care and protection in Ghana. The findings draw attention to programs and policies, taking into consideration the personal, health and environmental factors to meet the needs of older people in Ghana.

Accessibility and Transport Needs of Rural People in Ghana: How Relevant Are Appraisal Models

The focus of governments in developing countries like Ghana is on the construction of feeder road infrastructure with little or no provision for the vehicles that are needed to ply on the roads after their construction. It is generally assumed that once the feeder roads have been put in place, they will attract the private sector to complement the effort of government by operating commercial transport services on the feeder roads. However, most people living along feeder roads in Ghana face difficulties in accessing reliable transport for their social and economic needs. Through a qualitative approach, the study was done in five rural communities in two Regions in Ghana by engaging 72 participants in focus group discussions as well as 18 feeder roads experts to assess the accessibility and mobility needs of people living along feeder roads in Ghana. Responses gathered from the experts indicate that in the design of roads, the type of vehicles that are envisaged to be used on the road are factored by experts. However, issues on transportation itself, such as the use of vehicles are left to the rural people. The study revealed that feeder roads selected for construction using Government of Ghana funds are not appraised. However, roads funded by donors are always subjected to evaluation to merit their selection for construction or rehabilitation. The study concludes that road projects can have significant positive impact on people if it considers the environment, improves safety, supports sustainable economic growth, provides equal access and integrates all transport networks.

Association of food insecurity with psychological disorders: Results of a population-based study among older people in Ghana

ObjectiveFood insecurity has been related to poor health, and the effect may be heightened in later life. This study examines age and gender differences in the association of food insecurity with psychological disorders (PD) in older people in Ghana. MethodsOrdinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions separately examined the associations between food insecurity and PD score using data from the 2016-2017 AgeHeaPsyWel-HeaSeeB Study. PD was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) whilst food insecurity was assessed with past 30-day hunger (H), breakfast skipping (BS) and time of first daily meal. ResultsAmong 1,200 individuals aged ≥50 years, the prevalence of food insecurity indicators of hunger (36%), skipped breakfast (29%) and late intake of first daily meal (5%) were revealed. After full adjustment, moderate (H: β = 0.705, p < 0.001; BS: β = 0.824, p < 0.001) and severe (H: β = 1.813, p < 0.001; BS: β = 1.096, p < 0.001) food insecurity significantly increased PD score compared to no food insecurity. Moreover, having late daily meal was associated with increased the risk of PD (β = 1.035, p < 0.001). These associations were moderated by gender and age (men and 65+ age group had increased risk of PD compared to women and 50–64 age cohorts). ConclusionsFood insecurity independently increases PD in older people. These findings are relevant for public health and policy interventions aimed at improving mental health of older people.

Impact of food insecurity with hunger on mental distress among community-dwelling older adults.

Hunger frequently and persistently occur in older populations in low-income countries especially in sub-Sahara Africa. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between food insecurity with hunger and psychological distress among older people in Ghana. A total of 1200 individuals aged ≥50 years were recruited during 2016/2017 Ageing, Health, Psychological Well-being and Health-seeking Behavior Study. Associations between psychological distress (assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and hunger (assessed with a 30-day subjective scale) were evaluated using linear regression modeling. The overall prevalence of food insecurity was 36% with approximately 27% and 9% respectively for moderate and severe levels of hunger whilst the mean score of psychological distress was 9.5 (±4.10). Persons experiencing moderate hunger (β = 0.71, SE = 0.160, p < 0.001) and severe hunger (β = 1.81, SE = 0.280, p < 0.001) significantly reported increased psychological distress outcome compared to those without hunger. These associations varied between women (β = 1.59, SE = 0.359 p < 0.001) and men (β = 2.33, SE = 0.474, p < 0.001) as well as 50-64 age group (β = 1.48, SE = 0.368, p < 0.005) and 65+ age group (β = 2.51, SE = 0.467, p < 0.001). The results suggest that experiencing hunger is associated with psychological distress and the effect may be aggravated with advancing age and in men. These findings may inform social policy initiatives and health programmatic interventions for older people exposed to food insecurity.

Vulnerable minds, bodily thoughts, and sensory spirits: local theory of mind and spiritual experience in Ghana

AbstractThis essay looks at the resonances between common cultural models of the mind in the central region of Ghana and patterns of spiritual experience among charismatic evangelical Christians and practitioners of southern Ghana's indigenous religion, known as traditionalists. In particular, I examine the resonance between the model of the mind that construes it as porous, as vulnerable to forcible take‐over by hostile entities, and experiences of divine beings insistently pushing people to do their will. It is also relatively common for people in Ghana to report seeing the divine with their eyes and hearing it with their ears. I argue that this experience resonates with, and is perhaps facilitated by, a tendency of local models of mind in Ghana to blend sense and percept.

Predictors of healthcare utilisation among poor older people under the livelihood empowerment against poverty programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana

BackgroundLike many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Ghanaian healthcare system remains poor which is likely to affect the utilisation of healthcare services, especially among poor older people who are faced with multiple health problems. Yet, factors that explain healthcare use among poor older people in LMICs, particularly Ghana remain largely unexplored. Understanding the predictors of healthcare use among poor older people could have a huge impact on health policies in LMICs including Ghana. This study, therefore, examined factors associated with healthcare use among poor older people under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana.MethodsCross-sectional data were obtained from an Ageing, Health, Lifestyle and Health Services (AHLHS) study conducted between 1 and 20 June 2018 (N = 200) in Atwima Nwabiagya District, Ghana. Sequential logistic regression models were performed to estimate the variables that predict healthcare use among poor older people. All test results were considered significant at 0.05 or less.ResultsThe fully adjusted model showed that respondents aged 85–89 years (AOR = 0.094, CI: 0.007–1.170), acquired basic education (AOR =0.251, CI: 0.085–0.987), received no family support (AOR = 0.771, CI: 0.120–0.620), with no past illness records (AOR = 0.236, CI: 0.057–0.197) and who were not diagnosed of chronic non-communicable diseases (AOR = 0.418, CI: 0.101–0.723) were significantly less likely to utilise health facility compared with their respective counterparts. Moreover, those with no disability (AOR = 19.245, CI: 2.415–29.921) and who consumed low fruits (AOR = 1.435 = CI: 0.552–8.740) and vegetables (AOR = 1.202 = CI: 0.362–10.20) had a higher likelihood to use healthcare.ConclusionThe study has outlined multiple factors influencing utilisation of healthcare among poor older people under the LEAP programme in Ghana. The results, therefore, validate the importance of social and behavioural determinants of healthcare use in the Ghanaian poor older population. We highlight the need for health planners and stakeholders to consider demographic, socio-economic, health-related and lifestyle factors when formulating health policy for poor older people in Ghana.

An Investigation into the Infrastructure and Management of Computerized Tomography Units in Ghana

IntroductionIn Ghana, there is a need to document computed tomography (CT) infrastructure and management systems for the development of interventions to promote CT practices while ensuring patient protection through the establishment of diagnostic reference levels and improved dose management systems. MethodsA quantitative inquiry using a descriptive, cross-sectional approach was used to collect data, using a semistructured questionnaire related to CT infrastructure and management from the technical heads responsible for CT scanners. Data collected included the scanner characteristics, basic management system and organizational arrangements, number of attending practitioners, clinical indications for CT examinations, and the operation of CT facilities in Ghana. ResultsOf the 35 CT scanners installed across the country, 31 were involved in the study. The majority (29%) were Toshiba models. Equipment slices ranged from 1 to 640, of which 45.2% were 16-slice scanners. Many (n = 28, 90.3%) were functioning, and most were installed in the capital city, Accra. The equipment mean age was 7.3 ± 4.4 years, and 25.6% were 10 or more years old. There were 107 operating radiographers, 60 reporting radiologists, and 10 medical physicists employed across the facilities. A total of 204,760 CT examinations were performed yearly (6.8 CT procedures per 1000 people in Ghana). Head CT procedures were the most common, and suspicion of cerebrovascular accident or stroke (32.8%) was the most common indication. Some basic quality management system and policy driving CT infrastructure in Ghana were lacking. ConclusionThe results have provided essential information on the status of CT infrastructure and management systems for policy development and planning in CT facilities in Ghana. This study provides those interested in CT services, jobs, or medical equipment investment in Ghana the information needed to make appropriate decisions.

Assessing Service Quality in the Ghanaian Private Healthcare Sector: The Case of Comboni Hospital.

The healthcare industry has become a paramount concern for most people in Ghana and the quality of services rendered to the patients in the private hospitals cannot be overemphasized. Patients need quality of services most and are willing to seek better services. The government has been the main provider of health care services in Ghana but recently, some Non-Governmental Organization’s (NGO’s), private individuals and stakeholders also provide health care services which has surged the competitiveness in creating more healthcare facilities in Ghana. This study seeks to explore patients' choice of selecting quality healthcare services and the factors that affect patient satisfaction in private hospitals using the Comboni Hospital in Sogakope, Ghana. &#x0D; The study therefore used the quantitative research method to collect the data and SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data on high-quality healthcare. Also, the SERVQUAL model was used as the measurement scale. Multiple regression analysis was used to reveal the effect of the independent variables (reliability, responsiveness, empathy, assurance, and tangibility) on the dependent variable (patient satisfaction). A detailed description in the analysis and the data processing identified the main factors affecting the general perceptions and patient preferences about their healthcare in the private hospital.&#x0D; The study revealed that there exist a positive result and perception for quality healthcare services without a negative expectation of the patient healthcare being compromised. In this case, the study recommends that both the government and the private agencies should consider the important aspects of hospital’s healthcare management and also the policy and decision makers should have an efficient and effective standard that impact the quality of healthcare assessment in Ghana.&#x0D;

Parangadinkra: potencialidades pretagógicas, ensinamentos e filosofias de três adinkras do povo Akan em Gana

In this paper we propose to present the Parangadinkra, an esthetical-pedagogic object which we invented to envolve School and University in African oralities and traditional philosophies and oralities, still very seldom explored as source and production of knowledge, because of prejudice or ignorance. We have particular interest in ganeian ideograms called adinkra that transmit ethic-estetical and philosophic values of Akan people in Ghana. We thereby expect to 1) show that the language of these traditional simbols also make part of the great concept of orality of Hampâte Bâ, 2) that they show a wealth of possibilities of didactic educacional use, that can be enhanced by afroreferentials as Pretagogy.