Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis Research Articles

Correlate of safety measures of oil marketing companies and safety behaviours of fuel station attendants in Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis

Workers of fuel retail industry are exposed to many hazards as result of their job and behaviors. Management’s safety practices are important workplace preventive measures to reducing health and safety hazards. The purpose of this study was to explore the level of safety behaviors among pump attendants and the relationship between attendants’ safety behaviors and safety measures of the companies in the Sekondi-Takoradi. This survey involved 114 pump attendants from four purposively sampled oil marketing companies. Researcher generated questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency reliability of .81 was used to collect data, using SPSS version 16.0 with Pearson correlation as statistical tool. The results indicated that 70% of the respondents disagreed they sometimes ignore safety rules to get their work done quickly, while 86.8% disagreed they sometimes intentionally allow fuel to touch their body. Also, as 60% of the participants agreed they always change into house dresses after work, 78% agreed they always observe safety rules at their stations. Pearson bivariate correlation analysis showed that safety policy enforcement positively correlated moderately (r = 0.6) with attendants’ safety behavior while a low positive relationship was observed between personal protective equipment and safety behaviors of the attendants. The fuel attendants performed their jobs with high sense of safety. Furthermore, provision of appropriate workplace safety measures has positive relationship with the safety behaviors of the participants. Hence, instituting worksite safety policy and enforcing them will positively promote safe work performance among the attendants.

Relative Importance Analysis of Factors Influencing Unauthorized Siting of Residential Buildings in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana

The act of unauthorized siting of buildings has persisted in most developing countries. Despite numerous efforts at local levels to address this problem, its existence and effects keep on rising in various metropolises in Ghana. This research explores the causes of unauthorized siting of buildings in Asakae, a suburb of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, and suggests measures to curb them. In view of this, a sample size of 182 house-owners was chosen for the study. Accordingly, the sample size was determined using Fisher et al. formula and questionnaire survey approach was adopted for the study. More so, data generated from the survey were further analyzed, using Relative Importance Index. The findings of the survey indicated that ignorance on planning and building regulations, inadequate housing schemes, unrealistic zonings and the location of land are critical variables which influence unauthorized siting of buildings. It is recommended that the populace should be given regular public education on land-use planning and the building regulations of Ghana. More so, the Assemblies should automate their systems, with respect to monitoring and detection of buildings under construction; so that buildings that were being located at unapproved places could be quickly detected, and appropriate measures could be taken before their completion.

Municipal Solid Waste Management in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

The rapid increase in urban population due to the influx of the citizenry in search for better conditions of life has resulted in poor environmental conditions in most urban and peri-urban settlements in the country. Municipal solid waste management (MSW) for that matter has become problematic within Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis as the city is being inundated with so much filth which has proven to be very difficult and seemingly impossible for the municipal authorities to tackle. This study investigates the nature of solid waste problem in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. A mixed methodological approach including field investigation, questionnaire survey, and structured and face-to-face interviews were employed in the gathering of data for the study. The key findings established to be the factors affecting effective solid waste management in the metropolis are irregular solid waste collection, inadequate operational funding, inappropriate technologies, inadequate staffing, inadequate skip, and lack of cooperation on the part of the citizenry.

Influence of education on HIV infection among pregnant women attending their antenatal care in Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana.

This study investigated the influence of the level of education on HIV infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted at four hospitals in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. The study group comprised 885 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics. Questionnaires were administered and venous blood samples were screened for HIV and other parameters. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the level of education attained by the pregnant women and their HIV statuses. The data showed that 9.83% (87/885) of the pregnant women were HIV seropositive while 90.17% (798/885) were HIV seronegative. There were significant differences in mean age (years) between the HIV seropositive women (27.45 ± 5.5) and their HIV seronegative (26.02 ± 5.6) counterparts (p = .026) but the inference disappeared after adjustment (p = .22). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that pregnant women with secondary/tertiary education were less likely to have HIV infection compared with those with none/primary education (adjusted OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30-0.91; p = .022). Our data showed an association with higher level of education and HIV statuses of the pregnant women. It is imperative to encourage formal education among pregnant women in this region.

Work–family conflict among hotel employees in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

This study sought to identify the areas of concerns about the factors that influence work–family conflict among hotel employees in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana and investigated the differences in the concerns across socio-demographic groupings of respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect the data from hotel employees of one to three star hotels in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and 146 usable data were obtained. The results of the study depicted that work time involvement was the factor that affected most of the respondents as against family demands, job type, and spousal support. Notable differences were observed among married and unmarried in the area of work time involvement, likewise among age groupings. Differences also existed within levels of educational attainment with respect to job type. It is concluded that characteristics of hotel job such as unpredictable working hours, and countercyclical nature of the hotel were present among respondents.

Evaluating the knowledge of sickle cell disease and hemoglobin electrophoretic pattern among people living in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited lifelong hemolytic disorder affecting many children in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in West and Central Africa. There is a limited public health education on SCD in Ghana with only two information centers in Accra and Kumasi, respectively.Methodology: This cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge of SCD among people living in Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. Churches, saloons, internet cafes and bus stations were randomly selected in the center of the city with proximity to the central market.Results: A total of 621 individuals were recruited, 52.5% (326) had knowledge of their hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoretic pattern while 47.5% (295) had none. In addition, 93.4% individuals had knowledge of SCD while 6.6% had no knowledge of SCD. Older individuals exhibited better knowledge of their Hb electrophoretic pattern than the younger ones (P = 0.019). Individuals with tertiary education and married couples exhibited higher knowledge of SCD when compared to their counterparts (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Despite the relatively high knowledge of SCD and Hb electrophoretic pattern observed in this study, it is very important to increase neonatal screenings and health care services to the region. In addition, more emphasis is needed to increase public awareness of SCD especially in schools, churches, hospitals and the media.

The effects of malaria and HIV co-infection on hemoglobin levels among pregnant women in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana

ObjectiveTo assess the burden of maternal malaria and HIV among pregnant women in Ghana and to determine the risk of anemia among women with dual infection. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at 4 hospitals in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana. The study group comprised 872 consenting pregnant women attending prenatal care clinics. Venous blood samples were screened for malaria, HIV, and hemoglobin level. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between malaria, HIV, and risk of anemia. ResultsIn all, 34.4% of the study cohort had anemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that pregnant women with either malaria (odds ratio 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.43–2.77; P=<0.001) or HIV (odds ratio 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–2.80; P=0.014) had an increased risk of anemia. In adjusted models, pregnant women co-infected with both malaria and HIV displayed twice the risk of anemia. The adjusted odds ratio was 2.67 (95% confidence interval, 1.44–4.97; P=0.002). ConclusionPregnant women infected with both malaria and HIV are twice as likely to be anemic than women with a single infection or no infection. Measures to control malaria, HIV, and anemia during pregnancy are imperative to improve birth outcomes in this region of Ghana.

Adolescent pregnancy and the risk of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and anaemia—A pilot study from Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana

The problem of malaria in adolescence has been surpassed by the immense burden of malaria in children, most especially less than 5. A substantial amount of work done on malaria in pregnancy in endemic regions has not properly considered the adolescence. The present study therefore aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and anaemia infection in adolescent pregnant girls in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana. The study was carried out at four hospitals in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the western region of Ghana from January 2010 to October 2010. Structured questionnaires were administered to the consenting pregnant women during their antenatal care visits. Information on education, age, gravidae, occupation and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Venous bloods were screened for malaria using RAPID response antibody kit and Geimsa staining while haemoglobin estimations were done by cyanmethemoglobin method. The results revealed that adolescent pregnant girls were more likely to have malaria infection than the adult pregnant women (34.6% verses 21.3%, adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI, 1.03–2.65, P=0.039). In addition, adolescent pregnant girls had higher odds of anaemia than their adult pregnant women equivalent (43.9% versus 33.2%; adjusted OR 1.63, 95% CI, 1.01–2.62, P=0.046). Taken together, these data suggest that adolescent pregnant girls were more likely to have malaria and anaemia compared to their adult pregnant counterpart. Results from this study shows that proactive adolescent friendly policies and control programmes for malaria and anaemia are needed in this region in order to protect this vulnerable group of pregnant women.

The Continuous Use of Asbestos in Ghana Despite Its Hazards (Case Study Area: Sekondi-Takoradi)

This paper reported on a research work conducted with the aims of investigating the regulatory position regarding the use of asbestos and also of assessing the evidence of the continuous use of asbestos cement products in the construction industries in Ghana, using Sekondi-Takoradi as a case study area. This paper adopted both quantitative and qualitative research approach to seek information from, landlords, and manufacturers of asbestos cement products, parliament and other Government Agencies. Data was obtained through questionnaire, interview and field work survey. In all, a total of 20 questionnaires were distributed. The research emerged that about 1200 housing units roofed with asbestos cement roofing sheet were constructed by the state owned construction company between 1976 and 2000 in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (about 12,000 nationwide), a period when the risk of asbestos was known in Ghana. The study in the newly developing areas in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis indicated that, out of every 100 housing unit being built, at least 40 of these were roofed with asbestos cement corrugated roofing sheet. It was also emerged from this research that there were no laws prohibiting the use, manufacturing or importation of asbestos products in Ghana. And this exposes maintenance workers in the building construction industries to the risk of asbestos related diseases. The research recommended that those who have asbestos materials present in their premises should take action to manage the risk so that no one will unknowingly disturb it and also provide information about the material to those who are likely to disturb it.

Statistical Analysis of the Risk Factors of the Major Epidemic Disease Among Residents of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STMA)

Problem statement: This study focused on statistical analysis of risk factors of the major disease among residents of STMA. The objectives of the study were to find the predominant diseases affecting residents in the catchments area. The study was also meant to identify risk factors associated with the incidence of the predominant disease. Approach: Purposive sampling technique was used to select residents from the target population. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the sampling units. The data was analyzed using measures of risk, principal component analysis and chi-square tests. Results: Malaria (68%) topped the list of predominant diseases. It was also found that (44%) of those who had been diagnosed of malaria disease lived around swampy areas. The absolute risk value (78%) suggested that people living around the swampy area were at risk of infection by malaria parasites. The absolute risk value of 62% for dwellers of non-swampy areas indicated that aside the environmental factors there are other factors which were associated with the incidence of malaria. The principal component analysis results showed that; diets, social and educational status affect the incidence of malaria. The p-value of the chi-square test on two risk factors (environment and ones family history) were also significant, indicating that there was an association between the incidence of malaria in the catchments area and the identified risk factors. This result confirmed earlier researches that sought to investigate the relationship between diseases and environmental factors. Conclusion/Recommendations: It was revealed that apart from environmental factors and family history; diets, social status and educational background play an important role in the health of the residents. It was recommended that STMA takes the appropriate measures to prevent 6 people from the risk factor at any case.