An exploration of stakeholder views and perceptions on taxing tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages in Ghana

BACKGROUND

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly 43% of Ghana's all-cause mortality. Unhealthy commodities (such as alcohol, sugar and tobacco) are an important factor in the growing NCD burden in the region of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite health taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) gaining renewed attention, adoption and implementation in SSA remain limited. This study aims to unpack the contextual politics and to examine current perceptions of opportunities and barriers for health taxes in Ghana.

METHODS

Semistructured qualitative interviews (n=19) conducted with purposively sampled stakeholders representing four sectors: government, civil society, media and international organisations, and two group interviews with nine industry stakeholders, informed by a review of relevant literature and policy/advocacy documents.

RESULTS

Stakeholders had a general belief that such taxes are primarily useful for revenue generation (for health spending) rather than for reducing consumption and improving health. There do appear to be opportunities for health taxes with stakeholders broadly supportive of taxing SSBs. This support could be strengthened via 'health' framing of any new tax proposals, the generation of Ghana-specific evidence about the potential impacts of such taxes and greater public awareness. Industry actors and some government representatives opposed health taxes, citing concerns about the potential to increase illicit trade and economic harm. Some stakeholders also believed that links between politicians and affected industries represent an important barrier.

CONCLUSION

These findings identify opportunities to introduce health taxes but also underline the potential resistance from affected industry stakeholders. Nevertheless, a strategic approach that focuses on achieving policy coherence (between central government, health and economic ministries), combined with efforts to strengthen stakeholder and public support, may weaken the lobbying position of industry. Such efforts could be supported by research to help demonstrate the value of different designs of health taxes for achieving Ghana's health goals and to better understand industry-political links.

Extent of illicit cigarette market from single stick sales in Ghana: findings from a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to measure the extent of illicit cigarette consumption from single stick sales, to determine the nature and types of illicit cigarettes present in Ghana, and to identify the factors associated with illicit cigarette consumption in Ghana.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study using empty cigarette packs generated by 1 day's single stick cigarette sales collected from cigarette vendors.

SETTING

Five large cities (Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and Bolgatanga) and three border towns (Aflao, Paga/Hamele and Elubo) in the northern, middle and coastal belt of Ghana.

PROCEDURE AND PARTICIPANTS

Ten areas were randomly selected in each city/town, and all shops selling cigarettes within 1 km of the central point were surveyed.

OUTCOME MEASURES

(1) Estimates of the share of illicit cigarette packs in the total cigarette sales from vendors selling single stick cigarettes in Ghana; (2) nature and types of illicit cigarette packs; (3) factors associated with illicit cigarette sales in Ghana.

RESULTS

Of a total of 4461 packs, about 20% (95% CI 18.3 to 20.7) were found to be illicit. Aflao (Ghana-Togo border) and Tamale (Ghana-Burkina Faso border) had the highest percentage of illicit cigarette sales at 99% and 46%, respectively (p<0.001). Over half of the illicit packs originated from Togo (51%), followed by Nigeria (15%) and then Cote d'Ivoire (10%). Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models indicated that convenience stores, border towns, pack price and the northern zone had higher odds of illicit cigarette sales.

CONCLUSION

To effectively tackle illicit cigarettes, market surveillance and strengthening supply chain control are required, particularly at the border towns and the northern region of the country.

Socioeconomic factors associated with the number of children ever born by married Ghanaian females: a cross-sectional analysis

OBJECTIVE

Most studies in Ghana on determinants of children ever born (CEB) are often conducted among all females of reproductive age and do not adequately report patterns among married females. Considering the importance of marriage to fertility in the Ghanaian context, this study seeks to explore the association of socioeconomic characteristics of married Ghanaian women with CEB.

DESIGN

Data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey were used. Three separate models were considered: linear regression model using CEB and two logistic regression models. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were considered for all models.

SETTING

The study was conducted in all 10 administrative regions of Ghana.

PARTICIPANTS

Married females aged between 15 and 49 years.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Socioeconomic factors associated with married females' CEB.

RESULTS

In all three models, place of residence, zone, wealth index, age, age at marriage, media exposure, level of education, number of abortions and age at first sex were all significantly (p<0.05) associated with CEB. Married females with higher education had lower odds of one or more births and lower odds of giving birth to three or more children. Also, married females from households with the highest wealth index had fewer CEB, lower odds of one or more births and lower odds of giving birth to three or more children.

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic characteristics of married females in Ghana, including education and wealth status had a significant influence on the number of CEBs. We recommend governments' intervention to help bridge the gaps in access to education and income-generating opportunities. The mass media must be used to propagate and counsel married females on the potential of high fertility and its consequences.

Socio-economic factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood: Analysis of the 2017 Ghana maternal health survey

BACKGROUND

Adolescent pregnancy and motherhood have been linked to several factors stemming from social, cultural and to a large extent economic issues. This study examined the socio-economic factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in Ghana.

DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis of the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey, which was a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Data from 4785 adolescents aged between 15-19 years were included in the analysis. Adolescent pregnancy was defined as adolescents who have ever been pregnant, whiles adolescent motherhood was defined as adolescents who have ever given birth. Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the association between the socio-economic variables and adolescent pregnancy and motherhood.

RESULTS

Of the 25062 women aged between 15 and 49 years included in the 2017 maternal health survey, 4785 (19.1%) were adolescents between 15-19 years. Adolescent pregnancy was reported in 14.6% (CI:13.2% -16.1%) of the respondents, whereas 11.8% (CI: 10.5% -13.1%) of the respondents had ever given birth. In the multivariate regression analysis, zone (p<0.001), wealth index (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001) and level of education (p<0.001) were all significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood. The odds of pregnancy and motherhood were significantly higher in the Middle and Coastal zones (p<0.001), and among older adolescents (p<0.001). However, the odds of pregnancy and motherhood was significantly lower among adolescents from households with the highest wealth index (p<0.001), among those who were never married (p<0.001) and among adolescents who had secondary/higher education (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Several socio-economic variables including education, household wealth, marital status and zone of residence were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy and adolescent motherhood. Sexual and reproductive health education should be intensified among these populations. Adolescent friendly corners should be made available and accessible to all adolescents in Ghana irrespective of where they live or their age.

Effectiveness of school-based interventions for preventing tobacco smoking initiation among young people in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Despite the commendable progress made globally in tobacco control, the world is falling short of achieving a 30% relative reduction in current tobacco use by 2025. The African region remains the least in the efforts in fighting the tobacco epidemic and is most exploited by the tobacco industry. Schools have been continuously used for over three decades as a setting for delivering youth smoking prevention programmes; however, the evidence of the effectiveness of those school-based interventions provides varying outcomes. Also, interventions that proved to be effective, in high-income countries (HICs), may not necessarily be effective in the African region as a result of cultural differences and other contrasting factors. An existing systematic review that explored school-based tobacco prevention programmes among the youth in African countries from 2000 to 2016 showed partial effectiveness. This review will address the gap by updating the 2016 review to examine studies in LMICs to generate findings to help target resources which have the potential to save lives by preventing smoking initiation among young people.

METHODS

The JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness will guide the conduct of this review. A comprehensive strategic search will be developed to retrieve both published and unpublished studies that evaluate school-based interventions to prevent tobacco smoking initiation among in-school young people in LMICs compared to non-intervention programmes. Published studies would be from databases such as MEDLINE via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycEXTRA, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Sources of grey literature would be ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, MedNar, EBSCO Open Dissertations, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, and Trove. The databases will be searched for published studies in the English language. The processes of study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis will be in accordance with the JBI approach for reviews of effectiveness with a minimum of two reviewers at each stage. The primary outcome of the review will be the non-initiation of tobacco smoking by the youth.

DISCUSSION

The review will provide synthesized evidence on the effectiveness of school-based smoking initiation prevention among young people in LMICs. The findings of the review would support policymakers and programme implementers to develop targeted interventions for effective tobacco control initiatives.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021246206.

Demographic disparities in unimproved drinking water and sanitation in Ghana: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The government of Ghana has targeted universal access to safe drinking water by 2025 and elimination of open defecation by year 2030. This study explored the use of unimproved drinking water and unimproved sanitation and assessed their association with demographic factors.

DESIGN

This was a secondary data analysis of the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Open defecation households were mapped to show regional differences. Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the association of demographic variables with use of unimproved drinking water and unimproved toilet facilities.

SETTING

Ghana.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 26 324 households were included in the analysis.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Use of unimproved drinking water and unimproved toilet facilities.

RESULTS

Out of the 26 324 households, 8.9% used unimproved drinking water while 81.6% used unimproved sanitation. Open defecation was practised by 15.2% of Ghanaian households, with a prevalence of 58.8%, 6.7% and 12.5% in the Northern, Middle and Coastal zones, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, rural households (p<0.001), households with more than five members (p<0.001), households with heads less than 25 years (p=0.018), male-headed households (p<0.001) and household heads with no/low level of education (p<0.001) were significantly associated with drinking unimproved water. Also, rural households (p=0.002), households in the Northern zone (p<0.001), single-member households (p<0.001), households with heads less than 25 years (p<0.001) and household heads with no/low level of education (p<0.001) were significantly associated with using unimproved toilet facilities.

CONCLUSION

The target of universal access to safe drinking water by 2025 and elimination of open defecation by 2030 seems impossible to be achieved if appropriate measures are not implemented. We recommend that state authorities, health partners and non-governmental organisations support local-level sanitation plans and strategies.

Determinants of contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years in Ghana: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

There is a decline in contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried young women in Ghana. This study assessed the prevalence of contraceptive knowledge and use, and the determinant of contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried young women in Ghana.

DESIGN

This was a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, using data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the association between background and obstetric characteristics of young women and contraceptive use.

SETTING

Ghana.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 809 sexually active unmarried adolescent girls (15-19 years) and young women (20-24 years).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Knowledge and use of both modern and traditional contraceptive methods.

RESULTS

Knowledge of at least one modern and traditional contractive method was 99.8% and 95.0%, respectively. The prevalence of contraceptive use was 43%-with 34% modern and 9% traditional methods. From the unadjusted analyses, age (p=0.002), past pregnancy (p<0.001), abortion in the past 5 years (p=0.007) and history of childbirth (p=0.025) were independently associated with contraceptive use, whereas education (p=0.072), place of residence (p=0.702), household wealth (p=0.836) and age at first sex (p=0.924) were not independently associated with contraceptive use. In the adjusted analysis, contraceptive use was significantly higher among respondents with secondary education compared with those with primary education (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.49, p=0.017), and was higher among respondents with a history of pregnancy (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.48 to 3.06, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

There is a significant gap between knowledge and use of contraceptives among the study population. While intensifying knowledge of adolescents and young women on contraceptives, adolescent-friendly corners should be established at vantage points to increase utilisation and to prevent societal stigma on young women who access contraceptives services.

Adherence to smoke-free policies in Ghana: Findings from a cross-sectional survey of hospitality venue owners and staff

INTRODUCTION

Implementation of and compliance with smoke-free policies (SFPs) can be problematic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to limited resources. This study evaluated knowledge, opinions and compliance related to Ghana’s SFPs among owners and staff of hospitality venues by city, staff designation, and venue type.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used in venue types including hotels, bars, pubs and restaurants in the three cities of Kumasi, Accra, and Tamale, in Ghana.

Data were collected between July and September 2019. Interviewer administered face-to-face surveys were conducted with owners and staff (n=142) recruited from randomly selected hospitality venues (n=154) in these three large cities of Ghana. The relationship between knowledge, opinions, and compliance items on SFPs, and city, venue type and staff designation was first studied using χ² or a Fisher’s exact test, and then with univariate logistic regression model analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 142 respondents, some had heard of Ghana’s 2012 Tobacco Control Act (27.5%), smoking restriction in public places (29%), smoke-free places (22%), and display of ‘no smoking’ signage (6.3%). Knowledge levels were higher in Accra compared to Tamale (OR=3.08; 95% CI: 1.10–8.60). Staff designation and type of venue did not have any relationship with knowledge levels. Support for SFPs was over 80%, but opinions in support of SFPs were lower in Accra than Tamale (OR=0.25; 95% CI: 0.08–0.71). Compliance with SFPs was similar in the three cities. Hotels were three times more compliant compared to bars and pubs (OR=3.16; 95% CI: 1.48–6.71).

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the strong support for restriction of smoking in public places including hospitality venues despite poor knowledge and low compliance levels with the current SFPs. A review of the current SFP in Ghana together with education of hospitality staff on the benefits and requirements of SFPs is recommended.