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Quarshie ENB, Dey NEY, Oppong Asante K. Adolescent suicidal behaviour in Namibia: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and correlates among 3,152 school learners aged 12-17 years. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:169. [PMID: 36922818 PMCID: PMC10018865 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04646-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While adolescent suicidal behaviour (ideation, planning, and attempt) remains a global public health concern, available county-specific evidence on the phenomenon from African countries is relatively less than enough. The present study was conducted to estimate the 12-month prevalence and describe some of the associated factors of suicide behaviour among school-going adolescents aged 12-17 years old in Namibia. METHODS Participants (n = 4531) answered a self-administered anonymous questionnaire developed and validated for the nationally representative Namibia World Health Organization Global School-based Student Health Survey conducted in 2013. We applied univariate, bivariable, and multivariable statistical approaches to the data. RESULTS Of the 3,152 analytical sample, 20.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.3-22.2%) reported suicidal ideation, 25.2% (95% CI: 22.3-28.4%) engaged in suicide planning, and 24.5% (95% CI: 20.9-28.6%) attempted suicide during the previous 12 months. Of those who attempted suicide, 14.6% (95% CI: 12.5-16.9%) reported one-time suicide attempt, and 9.9% (95% CI: 8.1-12.1%) attempted suicide at least twice in the previous 12 months. The final adjusted multivariable models showed physical attack victimisation, bullying victimisation, loneliness, and parental intrusion of privacy as key factors associated with increased likelihood of suicidal ideation, planning, one-time suicide attempt, and repeated attempted suicide. Cannabis use showed the strongest association with increased relative risk of repeated attempted suicide. CONCLUSION The evidence highlights the importance of paying more attention to addressing the mental health needs (including those related to psychological and social wellness) of school-going adolescents in Namibia. While the current study suggests that further research is warranted to explicate the pathways to adolescent suicide in Namibia, identifying and understanding the correlates (at the individual-level, family-level, interpersonal-level, school context and the broader community context) of adolescent suicidal ideations and non-fatal suicidal behaviours are useful for intervention and prevention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kwaku Oppong Asante
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 84, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Okyere J, Dey NEY, Owusu Ansah K, Thywill SE, Duodu PA. Prevalence and determinants of breast self-examination practices among women in their reproductive age in Namibia: an analysis of the 2013 Namibia demographic and Health Survey. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:30. [PMID: 36604629 PMCID: PMC9817264 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-14985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In resource-constrained settings like Namibia, breast self-examination (BSE) is considered an important cost-effective intervention that is critical to the early detection of breast cancer, and better prognosis. Even though BSE is a simple, quick, and cost-free procedure, its practice varies across different contexts. Knowing the determinants of BSE is necessary to inform the implementation of policies and targeted interventions to improve the practice across the population. In Namibia, estimating the magnitude of BSE practice and its determinants using nationally representative data has received limited scholarly attention. Hence, the present study sought to examine the prevalence and determinants of BSE practices among women of reproductive age in Namibia. METHODS This study relied on the 2013 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), analysing data from women aged 15-49 years. Statistical analyses including bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done using Stata version 14. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and confidence interval (CI) are presented. We followed the 'Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology' (STROBE) statement. RESULTS Only 30.67% of the respondents practiced BSE. The odds of performing BSE were higher among those with health insurance coverage [AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.89], those who were separated from their spouses [AOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.80], those within the richest wealth index [AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.33, p ≤ 0.001], and among Catholics [AOR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.98]. Women with secondary [AOR = 2.44, 95% CI:1.78, 3.35, p ≤ 0.001] or higher education [AOR = 3.39, 95%CI:2.24, 5.14] had higher odds of performing BSE. Women aged between 20-49 years had a significantly higher likelihood to practice BSE. Compared to women who live in Khomas, those living in Erongo, Karas, and Omaheke, were more likely to practice BSE than those in Kavango, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Oshikoto. CONCLUSION We conclude that the determinants of BSE practice are age, educational level, marital status, health insurance coverage, religion, mobility in the last 12 months, early sexual debut, parity, household wealth index, and region of residence. Any policy or intervention to improve BSE practice among Namibian women of reproductive age must target adolescent girls, those with no formal education, those without health insurance coverage, multiparous women, and those in the poorest wealth index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Okyere
- grid.413081.f0000 0001 2322 8567Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana ,grid.9829.a0000000109466120Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nutifafa Eugene Yaw Dey
- grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 84, Legon, Ghana ,grid.215654.10000 0001 2151 2636Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Kenneth Owusu Ansah
- grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 84, Legon, Ghana ,grid.11956.3a0000 0001 2214 904XDepartment of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sonu Elijah Thywill
- grid.413081.f0000 0001 2322 8567Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Precious Adade Duodu
- grid.15751.370000 0001 0719 6059Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, England, UK
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Yeboah I, Okyere J, Dey NEY, Mensah RO, Agbadi P, Essiaw MN. Multiple sexual partnership among adolescent boys and young men in Ghana: analysis of the 2003-2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Trop Med Health 2022; 50:88. [PMID: 36443834 PMCID: PMC9703711 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-022-00484-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sexual partnership (MSP) is a major cause of HIV/AIDS epidemic and unplanned pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigate how individual, household, interpersonal, community and structural factors correlate with multiple sexual partnership of adolescent boys and young men in Ghana. METHODS We pooled secondary data from the 2003, 2008 and 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS). Analytic sample of 1422 males aged 15-24 years who are sexually active and never married were used for the study. The outcome variable for the study was two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months preceding the survey. Five models were fitted using multilevel mixed effects logistic regression to identify predictors of multiple sexual partners. Results were presented using adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) with its corresponding 95% confidence interval. RESULTS The pooled data prevalence of multiple sexual partnership was 28.1%, with 18.7%, 30.0% and 33.3% of adolescent boys and young men involved in multiple sexual partnerships in 2003, 2008 and 2014, respectively. Results of the study showed that young men aged 20-24 years [ORadj = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.01-1.91], being from household with richest wealth index [ORadj = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.01-3.06] and those with secondary/higher education [ORadj = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.44-6.06] were more likely to have multiple sexual partners. On the other hand, those who delayed their first sex [ORadj = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.29-0.70] and those currently using modern contraceptive methods [ORadj = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.28-0.50] were less likely to have multiple sexual partners. CONCLUSION The findings provide support for the social ecological argument that sexual health behaviours are influenced by individual, interpersonal, community and contextual characteristics. Future policies and interventions seeking to address the increasing prevalence of multiple sexual partnerships among adolescent boys and young men should take into consideration family planning programmes and sexual education in affluent communities, secondary and higher institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Yeboah
- Institute of Work, Employment and Society, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Joshua Okyere
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | | | - Ronald Osei Mensah
- Centre for Languages and Liberal Studies, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Ghana
| | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, SAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mary Naana Essiaw
- Institute of Work, Employment and Society, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana
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Dey NEY, Oti-Boadi M, Malm E, Selormey RK, Ansah KO. Fear of COVID-19, perceived academic stress, future anxiety, and psychological distress of Ghanaian university students: A serial mediation examination. Journal of Psychology in Africa 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2022.2120703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mabel Oti-Boadi
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legan, Accra, Ghana
| | - Esther Malm
- Department of Psychology, Murray State University, Murray, KY, USA
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Malm EK, Oti-Boadi M, Dey NEY, Adade AE, Ocansey G. Social media use, and fear of COVID-19 among Ghanaian university students: the moderating role of gender. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:208. [PMID: 36038940 PMCID: PMC9421622 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00915-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 and its associated social restrictive measures and lockdowns exacerbated the use of social media and other technological facilities for communication. This study, therefore, examined Ghanaian students’ social media use and its relationship with fear of COVID-19, paying close attention to the moderating role of gender.
Methods A correlational online survey was used to collect data from a purposive sample of 209 University students in June and July 2020. Participants completed online measures on social media use and fear of COVID-19. Statistical analyses including independent-t test, Pearson correlation test and moderation analysis in PROCESS were conducted using SPSS v.24.
Results Findings revealed that the mean scores of social media use and fear of COVID-19 did not statistically differ by gender. However, social media use had a small and positive association with fear of COVID-19 (r = 0.18, p = 0.009). Furthermore, gender was a significant moderator of the relationship between social media use and fear of COVID-19. Specifically, the increased use of social media resulted in greater experiences of fearing COVID-19 for females (B = − 0.24, p = 0.034) compared to males. Conclusion Although social media was useful in connecting with people and accessing pandemic-related information, our findings clearly suggest that overuse or over-engagement with social media was problematic, especially for females. Aside from developing interventions to reduce students’ fears of COVID-19, appropriate usage of social media should be advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther K Malm
- Department of Psychology, Murray State University, Murray, KY, USA
| | - Mabel Oti-Boadi
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | | | | | - Godwin Ocansey
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Adade AE, Owusu Ansah K, Dey NEY, Arthur-Holmes F, Duah HO, Pascal A. Exposure to substance and current substance among school-going adolescents in Timor-Leste. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0000797. [PMID: 36962611 PMCID: PMC10021776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have examined how exposure to substance influences adolescent's use of substance in Timor-Leste. We assessed this relationship using nationally representative data from Timor-Leste to address this gap. Data was pulled from the 2015 Timor-Leste Global school-based student health survey. Data of students aged 13-17years (N = 3700) from class 7-11 across schools in Timor-Leste were analyzed for this study. Second-hand smoking exposure (AOR = 1.57 [1.31, 1.89] and parental tobacco use, AOR = 1.94 [1.54, 2.44]) was significantly related to in-school adolescent's current use of substance after adjusting for covariates. Current substance use was also positively associated with being male, being in class 10-12, and being food insecure and negatively associated with having at least three close friends and benefiting from parental supervision. To reduce substance use among in-school adolescents, policymakers must consider the inclusion of all models in the social learning environment of adolescents in Timor-Leste.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth Owusu Ansah
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Department of Psychiatry, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Agbadi Pascal
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
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Dey NEY, Owusu Ansah K, Norman QA, Manukure JM, Brew ABK, Dey EA, Agbadi P. HIV Testing among sexually active Ghanaians: an examination of the rural-urban correlates. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:4063-4081. [PMID: 35704123 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03731-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
HIV testing is critical in reducing the risk of HIV transmission. We investigated the rural-urban correlates of HIV testing amongst sexually active Ghanaians using data from the 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six (GMICS 6). Robust Poisson models (reporting Adjusted Prevalence Ratios (APR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs)) were used to achieve this aim. About 46% of the participants had ever tested for HIV. According to the results, approximately 52% and 39% of urban and rural dwellers, respectively, have undergone HIV testing. HIV knowledge, HIV stigma, gender, age, education, marital status, childbirth history, sexual history, health insurance coverage, media exposure, household wealth, and region of residence were significantly related to HIV testing with observed variations across rural-urban areas. The findings call for the expansion of advocacy efforts towards encouraging HIV testing, targeting sexually active Ghanaians particularly in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Enam Amen Dey
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31, Ho, Ghana
| | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, 8 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, SAR, Hong Kong
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Gyasi-Gyamerah AA, Manukure JM, Andoh LN, Dey NEY, Ansah KO, Agbadi P. Rural-urban variation in exclusion from social activities due to menstruation among adolescent girls and young women in Ghana. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09463. [PMID: 35620617 PMCID: PMC9126932 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Menstruation among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) can be marked by several challenges that often result in exclusion from social activities. Information regarding this subject matter is however sparse in Ghana. This study examined the rural-urban differences in prevalence and correlates of exclusion from social activities due to menstruation among AGYW in Ghana. The study used cross-sectional data drawn from the women dataset of 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six (GMICS 6). Data of adolescents (n = 2927; age 15–19) and young women (n = 2194; age 20–24) was analyzed in Stata version 14. About 21.65% of the respondents indicated that they excluded themselves from activities during menstruation with slightly higher rates for rural AGYW (22.2%) compared to their urban counterparts (21.11%). Multivariable Poisson regression models showed that compared with nonattainment of formal education, urban AGYW who attained a primary level education were more likely to exclude themselves from social activities due to menstruation [APR = 2.76, 95% CI:1.11, 6.90]. Also, currently married urban AGYW were less likely to exclude themselves from social activities due to menstruation [APR = 0.63, 95% CI:0.44, 0.91]. AGYW residing in the second-lowest wealth household in rural areas had a higher likelihood of exclusion from social activities due to menstruation [APR = 1.34, 95% CI:1.03, 1.75]. Region of residence was a significant correlate in both rural and urban samples but with an observed rural-urban variation. Given the prevalence of AGYW who exclude themselves from social activities, the government and non-governmental organizations that seek to improve menstrual hygiene and empower young women to participate in social activities regardless of their monthly menstrual flow should take into consideration the urban-rural differentials in the associated factors identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela A. Gyasi-Gyamerah
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Corresponding author.
| | - Joseph Mfum Manukure
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lily N.A. Andoh
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nutifafa Eugene Yaw Dey
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kenneth Owusu Ansah
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, 8 Castle Peak Road, Hong Kong, SAR
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Duodu PA, Bayuo J, Mensah JA, Aduse-Poku L, Arthur-Holmes F, Dzomeku VM, Dey NEY, Agbadi P, Nutor JJ. Trends in antenatal care visits and associated factors in Ghana from 2006 to 2018. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:59. [PMID: 35062909 PMCID: PMC8783507 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Given that maternal mortality is a major global health concern, multiple measures including antenatal care visits have been promoted by the global community. However, most pregnant women in Ghana and other sub-Saharan African countries do not attain the recommended timelines, in addition to a slower progress towards meeting the required minimum of eight visits stipulated by the World Health Organization. Therefore, this study explored the trends in antenatal care visits and the associated factors in Ghana from 2006 to 2018 using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Methods The study used women datasets (N = 7795) aged 15 to 49 years from three waves (2006, 2011, and 2017-2018) of the Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (GMICS). STATA version 14 was used for data analyses. Univariable analyses, bivariable analyses with chi-square test of independence, and multivariable analyses with robust multinomial logistic regression models were fitted. Results The study found a consistent increase in the proportion of women having adequate and optimal antenatal attendance from 2006 to 2018 across the women’s sociodemographic segments. For instance, the proportion of mothers achieving adequate antenatal care (4 to 7 antenatal care visits) increased from 49.3% in 2006 to 49.98% in 2011 to 58.61% in 2017-2018. In the multivariable model, women with upward attainment of formal education, health insurance coverage, increasing household wealth, and residing in the Upper East Region were consistently associated with a higher likelihood of adequate and/or optimal antenatal care attendance from 2006 to 2018. Conclusion Women who are less likely to achieve optimal antenatal care visits should be targeted by policies towards reducing maternal mortalities and other birth complications. Poverty-reduction policies, promoting maternal and girl-child education, improving general livelihood in rural settings, expanding health insurance coverage and infrastructural access, harnessing community-level structures, and innovative measures such as telehealth and telemedicine are required to increase antenatal care utilization. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04404-9.
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Owusu Ansah K, Dey NEY, Adade AE, Agbadi P. Determinants of life satisfaction among Ghanaians aged 15 to 49 years: A further analysis of the 2017/2018 Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261164. [PMID: 35061700 PMCID: PMC8782464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The inclusion of life satisfaction in government policies as a tracker of the social and economic progress of citizens has been recommended. This has encouraged the scientific investigation of life satisfaction levels of people in tandem with factors responsible for these levels. Only a few studies have attempted to do this in Ghana with mixed findings. This study, therefore, extends previous literature by examining the determinants of life satisfaction among Ghanaians in two ways: a full sample and a gender-stratified sample. We analysed cross-sectional data from the 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six (MICS 6). A sample of 20,059 women and men of ages ranging from 15 to 49 years participated in this study. The Cantril's Self-Anchoring Ladder Life Satisfaction scale was used to capture the life satisfaction of participants alongside relevant sociodemographic questions. About 35% of participants reported they were satisfied in life with males reporting more suffering levels [39.59%; 95% CI:36.38, 42.88] and females more thriving levels [36.41%; 95% CI:35.01, 37.84]. In the full sample multivariable model, gender, age, parity, education, marital status, wealth index, and region of residence were significantly associated with life satisfaction. Gender variations were also found across these associations. These findings collectively provide useful information for policymakers and practitioners to optimize interventions for the Ghanaian population aimed at improving life satisfaction. Evidence from this study also calls on the government of Ghana to begin tracking the life satisfaction of her citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
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Owusu DN, Owusu Ansah K, Dey NEY, Duah HO, Agbadi P. Bullying and truancy amongst school-going adolescents in Timor-Leste: results from the 2015 global school-based health survey. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08797. [PMID: 35106390 PMCID: PMC8789538 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies in Southeast Asia found that bullying commonly occurred among students, and it has a detrimental impact on their school attendance. However, there is a paucity of literature in Timor-Leste on the association between bullying and truancy. Therefore, this study examined the association between bullying and truancy among Timor-Leste school-going adolescents. METHODS We used the 2015 Timor-Leste Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) dataset to examine our hypothesis in logistic regression models for both full adolescents (N = 3609) and gender stratified samples. The models further controlled for other sociodemographic variables. Statistical significance was pegged at p ≤ 0.05, and the analyses were performed in Stata version 14. RESULTS About 28% [95% CI:25.7, 30.8] and 36% [95% CI:33.5, 39.5] of school-going adolescents had experienced bullying and truancy, respectively. In-school adolescents who were bullied were more likely to be truant in school even after controlling for the effects of sex, age, grade in school, food insecurity, current substance use, number of friends, colleague support, and parental involvement. This relationship remained significant in the full and gender stratified models. Additionally, school-going adolescents who were currently using substances were truant. Males who were in a physical fight while females who were physically attacked were more likely to be truant. CONCLUSION The study showed that bullying was related to truancy among school-going adolescents in Timor-Leste. Implementation of interventions such as Project START (Stop Truancy and Recommend Treatment) to curtail the incidence of bullying, regulation of current substance use, creating an enabling environment to reduce physical fights, and attacks will significantly reduce the rate of truancy among school-going adolescents in Timor-Leste.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, 8 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
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Dziwornu E, Dey NEY, Owusu Ansah K, Arthur-Holmes F, Duah HO, Amoah PA, Agbadi P. Association between remembering difficulty and anxiety and depression among children in Ghana. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Norman QA, Dey NEY, Owusu Ansah K, Arthur-Holmes F, Duah HO, Agbadi P. Relationship between mothers'/caregivers' reported learning difficulty and internalizing symptoms (anxiety and depression) of children aged 5-17 years in Ghana. Res Dev Disabil 2021; 119:104108. [PMID: 34653831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with learning difficulties are vulnerable to internalizing symptoms, particularly anxiety and depression. However, only few studies have examined this relationship in low-and-middle-income countries using a nationally representative data. AIMS This study aimed to examine the relationship between learning difficulty and internalizing symptoms of children aged 5-17 years in Ghana while controlling for covariates. METHODS AND PROCEDURES We analyzed children's data using mothers'/caregivers' reports from the 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six (MICS 6). Data of 8,958 children aged 5-17 years were used for the analysis. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS About 20% of the children had some learning difficulties whereas 5% could not learn at all. Learning difficulty was associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression of children. Specifically, children who had some learning difficulties had higher odds of feeling anxious [APOR = 1.28, 95% CI:1.11, 1.49, p = 0.001] while those with some difficulties [APOR=1.24, 95% CI:1.07, 1.44, p = 0.004] and a lot of difficulties or could not learn at all [APOR=1.74, 95% CI:1.28, 2.37, p < 0.01] had higher odds of feeling depressed. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The findings call on stakeholders in education and health to prioritize the mental health of all school-going children, particularly those with learning difficulties in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francis Arthur-Holmes
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, 8 Castle Peak Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | | | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, 8 Castle Peak Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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14
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Seidu AA, Agbadi P, Duodu PA, Dey NEY, Duah HO, Ahinkorah BO. Prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with vision difficulties in Ghana, Gambia, and Togo: a multi-country analysis of recent multiple Indicator cluster surveys. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:2148. [PMID: 34814858 PMCID: PMC8612002 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12193-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sense of sight is one of the important human sensory abilities that is required for independent functioning and survival. The highest burden of sight-related problems is recorded in low-and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the burden, nationally representative analyses to understand the prevalence and determinants of vision difficulties are hard to find. Therefore, this study addressed this knowledge gap by estimating the prevalence of vision difficulties and its correlates in gender-stratified models in three West African countries: Ghana, Gambia, and Togo. Methods The study used the most recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys of Ghana (2017–2018), Gambia (2018), and Togo (2017). Summary statistics were used to describe the participants and logistic regression was used to perform the bivariate and multivariate analyses. The analyses were performed using Stata version 14 and the complex survey design of the datasets was accounted for using the ‘svyset’ command. Results Gendered differences were observed for vision difficulties. More women than men reported vision difficulties in Ghana (men: 14.67% vs women: 23.45%) and Togo (men: 14.86% vs women: 23.61%), but more men than women reported vision difficulties in Gambia (men: 11.64% vs women: 9.76%). We also observed gender differences in how age, education, marital status, and region of residence were significantly associated with reported vision difficulties. The direction and magnitude of these relationships were different among men and women across the survey data in Ghana, Gambia, and Togo. Conclusion The findings imply the need to tackle the existing gender inequities that are associated with vision difficulties to promote the quality of life of individuals, especially among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- Centre for Gender and Advocacy, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Ghana. .,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Precious Adade Duodu
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, England, UK
| | | | | | - Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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15
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Amponsah B, Dey NEY, Oti-Boadi M. Attitude toward cheating among Ghanaian undergraduate students: a parallel mediational analysis of personality, religiosity and mastery. Cogent Psychology 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2021.1998976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Amponsah
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 84, Legon, Ghana
| | | | - Mabel Oti-Boadi
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 84, Legon, Ghana
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Abstract
The advent of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the psychological well-being of many people. This study examined the relationship between fear of COVID-19, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) and coping strategies adopted by undergraduate students in Ghana. A sample of 209 students were recruited to complete online surveys on fear of COVID-19, psychological distress and coping strategies between June and July 2020. Students scored between normal to mild levels of psychological distress but above average scores on fear of coronavirus (M = 19.45, SD = 6.04). Fear of COVID-19 was positively related to psychological distress. Only maladaptive coping was found to be significantly and positively associated with fear of COVID-19. However post-hoc analysis of the components of coping strategies revealed that denial (β = .17, p = .028), venting (β = .18, p = .036) and humour (β = -.18, p = .023; an adaptive coping strategy) were associated with fear of COVID-19. Finally, both adaptive coping and maladaptive coping strategies had a mediating effect on fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress. These findings emphasize the need to design and optimize institutional interventions that will assess psychological distress and fear of COVID-19 levels during this pandemic and provide psychotherapeutic support for students as they return to school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel Oti-Boadi
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Esther Malm
- Department of Psychology, Murray State University, Murray, KY USA
| | | | - Stephen Oppong
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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17
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Dzomeku VM, Duodu PA, Okyere J, Aduse-Poku L, Dey NEY, Mensah ABB, Nakua EK, Agbadi P, Nutor JJ. Prevalence, progress, and social inequalities of home deliveries in Ghana from 2006 to 2018: insights from the multiple indicator cluster surveys. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021; 21:518. [PMID: 34289803 PMCID: PMC8296527 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03989-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Delivery in unsafe and unsupervised conditions is common in developing countries including Ghana. Over the years, the Government of Ghana has attempted to improve maternal and child healthcare services including the reduction of home deliveries through programs such as fee waiver for delivery in 2003, abolishment of delivery care cost in 2005, and the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2005. Though these efforts have yielded some results, home delivery is still an issue of great concern in Ghana. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors that are consistently associated with home deliveries in Ghana between 2006 and 2017–18. Methods The study relied on datasets from three waves (2006, 2011, and 2017–18) of the Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster surveys (GMICS). Summary statistics were used to describe the sample. The survey design of the GMICS was accounted for using the ‘svyset’ command in STATA-14 before the association tests. Robust Poisson regression was used to estimate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and home deliveries in Ghana in both bivariate and multivariable models. Results The proportion of women who give birth at home during the period under consideration has decreased. The proportion of home deliveries has reduced from 50.56% in 2006 to 21.37% in 2017–18. In the multivariable model, women who had less than eight antenatal care visits, as well as those who dwelt in households with decreasing wealth, rural areas of residence, were consistently at risk of delivering in the home throughout the three data waves. Residing in the Upper East region was associated with a lower likelihood of delivering at home. Conclusion Policies should target the at-risk-women to achieve complete reduction in home deliveries. Access to facility-based deliveries should be expanded to ensure that the expansion measures are pro-poor, pro-rural, and pro-uneducated. Innovative measures such as mobile antenatal care programs should be organized in every community in the population segments that were consistently choosing home deliveries over facility-based deliveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Millicent Dzomeku
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Precious Adade Duodu
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, England, UK
| | - Joshua Okyere
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Private Mail Bag, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Livingstone Aduse-Poku
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health & Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Florida, USA
| | | | - Adwoa Bemah Boamah Mensah
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Kweku Nakua
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jerry John Nutor
- Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Dey NEY, Dziwornu E, Frimpong-Manso K, Duah HO, Agbadi P. Correlates of child functional difficulties status in Ghana: A further analysis of the 2017/18 multiple indicator cluster survey. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05727. [PMID: 33364496 PMCID: PMC7750366 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional difficulties have long-term implications for children's physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and academic growth and development. Although the subject of functional difficulties has received enough scholarly attention in the developed world, few studies have addressed the issue in Ghana. Therefore, the study aimed to regress child, maternal and household and geographical level factors associated with the functional difficulty of children in Ghana. METHOD We analysed the 2017/18 multiple indicator cluster survey dataset. The study sample consists of weighted cases of 21,871 children within the ages of 5-17 years. Summary statistics were produced for the study variables. Bivariate analyses were performed to select significant correlates for the multivariate analysis. We accounted for sample design and weight before using Poisson regression techniques to do the bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS These factors were significantly associated with functional difficulties among 5-17 years old children in Ghana: not covered with health insurance, mothers who have a functional difficulty and those without information on their functional difficulty status, and children who dwelt in richer households compared to the richest households. Compared to the northern region, children from the remaining nine regions in Ghana were more likely to have had a child functional difficulty. CONCLUSION Given the results, the government of Ghana and other development partners should promote policies and programs to reduce the consequences of disability or functional difficulties in children by taking into consideration factors like mothers' functional difficulty, access to health insurance, and regional and economic disparities in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel Dziwornu
- University of Health and Allied Sciences, Department of Psychological Medicine and Mental Health, School of Medicine, PMB 31, HO, Volta Region, Ghana
| | | | | | - Pascal Agbadi
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
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Dey NEY, Amponsah B. Sources of perceived social support on resilience amongst parents raising children with special needs in Ghana. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05569. [PMID: 33294701 PMCID: PMC7695950 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While parenting a child with special needs is burdensome, some parents do overcome through protective resources. Social support has been widely linked to this unique ability to overcome the challenges of raising a child with special needs. In spite of this, there is still paucity of research about the influence of the sources of perceived social support on this ability, known as resilience. AIM This study examined three sources of perceived social support-family, friends and significant other-on the resilience of Ghanaian parents raising children with special needs while adjusting for covariates (parental gender, marital status and educational level). METHODS One hundred and seven (107) biological parents were recruited from special schools and parents support groups in Accra, Ghana. They completed paper-and-pencil or online questionnaires on resilience and perceived social support. RESULTS Output from hierarchical multiple regression after adjusting for covariates showed that only support from significant others predicted resilience. Additionally, being married was positively and holding a higher education was inversely associated with resilience. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION These findings indicate the importance of support from significant others in the resiliency of parents but underscore the need to fully integrate and emphasize support from the other sources in resilience enhancing interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Amponsah
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 84, Legon, Ghana
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Dey NEY, Amponsah B, Wiafe-Akenteng CB. Spirituality and subjective well-being of Ghanaian parents of children with special needs: The mediating role of resilience. J Health Psychol 2019; 26:1377-1388. [PMID: 31516014 DOI: 10.1177/1359105319873956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The study explored the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between spirituality and subjective well-being of 107 Ghanaian biological parents raising children with special needs. Results from mediational analyses revealed that spirituality indirectly influenced life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect through resilience. Specifically, greater levels of spirituality predicted greater resilience, which successively led to greater life satisfaction, greater positive affect and reduced negative affect. These findings emphasize the necessity of targeting parents' well-being through resilience to help them deal with the burden of providing care for their children with special needs.
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