Papers by WILLIAMS AGYEMANG-DUAH
Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 2019
In spite of the growing literature on prevalence and patterns of health care use in later life gl... more In spite of the growing literature on prevalence and patterns of health care use in later life globally, studies have generally overlooked subjective standpoints of vulnerable Ghanaian older people obstructing the achievement of the United Nations’ health-related Sustainable Development Goals. We examined the prevalence and patterns of health care use among poor older people in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. Cross-sectional data were obtained from an Aging, Health, Lifestyle and Health Services Survey conducted between June 1 and 20, 2018 ( N = 200). Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were carried out to estimate the differences between gender and health care utilization with significant level of less than or equal to 0.05. Whereas, 85% of the respondents utilized health care, females were higher utilizers (88% vs. 75%) but males significantly incurred higher health care expenditure. The majority utilized health services on monthly basis (38%) and consulted public health c...
Forests Trees and Livelihoods, 2018
The effect of forest reserve management on the livelihoods of forest communities is an important,... more The effect of forest reserve management on the livelihoods of forest communities is an important, yet poorly researched issue. This study examines the effect of management on the livelihoods of communities living near the Tano-Offin forest reserve in the Atwima Mponua District of Ghana. Information was gathered from one hundred and fifty forest fringe community members in Atwima Mponua District using semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, interviews were undertaken with staff from the Forest Services Division at Nkawie, the Atwima Mponua District Assembly, and a Non-Governmental Organization. We found that the communities in the study area have limited livelihood pathways due to restrictions on their access to forest resources. Furthermore, over 70% of respondents had incomes below the international poverty line of US$ 1.90 a day which was largely attributed to limited access to forest resources. We conclude that forest fringe communities in the study area and more widely across Ghana are likely to have undesirable livelihood outcomes and we stress the need for policies to involve forest fringe communities as principal participants in the process of policy formulation and decision-making regarding management of forest reserves.
Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2017
In spite of the World Health Organization&amp... more In spite of the World Health Organization's recommendations over the past decades, Ghana features pluralistic rather than truly integrated medical system. Policies about the integration of complementary medicine into the national health care delivery system need to account for individual-level involvement and cultural acceptability of care rendered by health care providers. Studies in Ghana, however, have glossed over the standpoint of the persons of the illness episode about the intercultural health care policy framework. This paper explores the health care users, and providers' experiences and attitudes towards the implementation of intercultural health care policy in Ghana. In-depth interviews, augmented with informal conversations, were conducted with 16 health service users, 7 traditional healers and 6 health professionals in the Sekyere South District and Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Data were thematically analysed and presented based on the a posteriori inductive reduction approach. Findings reveal a widespread positive attitude to, and support for integrative medical care in Ghana. However, inter-provider communication in a form of cross-referrals and collaborative mechanisms between healers and health professionals seldom occurs and remains unofficially sanctioned. Traditional healers and health care professionals are skeptical about intercultural health care policy mainly due to inadequate political commitment for provider education. The medical practitioners have limited opportunity to undergo training for integrative medical practice. We also find a serious mistrust between the practitioners due to the "diversity of healing approaches and techniques." Weak institutional support, lack of training to meet standards of practice, poor registration and regulatory measures as well as negative perception of the integrative medical policy inhibit its implementation in Ghana. In order to advance any useful intercultural health care policy in Ghana, the government's total commitment in informed training and provider education, enforcement of regulatory instrument and improved community engagement is needed. Evidence-based incorporation of traditional medical therapies into clinical practice will provide safer, faster and more effective health care for the underserved and resource-poor, particularly in the rural areas.
Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology `, 2016
Since antiquity, mining has served as an integral component of nations' sources of revenu... more Since antiquity, mining has served as an integral component of nations' sources of revenue for many developing nations blessed with mineral resources. However, anecdotal evidence shows that the magnitude of the health impacts of mining in the Newmont Ghana Gold enclaves is beyond imagination. Yet, ardent research to measure the actual health implications is limited. This necessitated the need to examine the health implications of mining in Newmont Ghana Gold Limited enclaves in the Asutifi District, Ghana. A cross-sectional survey involving simple random and purposive sampled participants (N = 120) was conducted. Questionnaire and in-depth interview were used as research instruments. Data were analysed with a Pearson's Chi-square from the PASW for Windows application (V. 17.0). The study discovered that mining has a negative ramification on public health. The major health problems associated with mining in the Asutifi District include malaria, skin diseases, visual impairments and respiratory disorders which have a direct linkage to the morbidity pattern in the study communities. The prevalence of malaria is attributed to the neglect of uncovered mine pits which have accumulated water and serving as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Furthermore, it has been established that diseases such as respiratory diseases and sight problems (poor vision) have been caused by suspended particulate matter emanating from the blasting of mineral bearing rocks. The health statistics on the top ten OutPatient Diseases cases over a four year period (from 2006 to 2009) depict findings of our study. It has been recommended that Newmont Ghana Gold Limited collaborates with the various clinics to fight against certain diseases such as malaria and skin diseases and others found to be caused by the mining activities.
Journal of Mining, 2015
Drawing on the DFID’s sustainable livelihood framework, this paper explores the nexus between art... more Drawing on the DFID’s sustainable livelihood framework, this paper explores the nexus between artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and livelihood in Prestea mining region, Ghana. A cross-sectional mixed method survey involving simple random and purposively sampled participants (𝑁 = 151) was carried out. The results suggest both positive and negative relationships between ASM and livelihoods of the people. The study found various livelihood assets associated with ASM and how critical assets are adversely affected by ASM activities. Limited employment opportunities in rural areas (82%), economic hardships/poverty situations of people (59%), and “quick” income earnings from ASM (90%) were the major factors that influenced people to combine and use their personal assets to enable them to engage in ASM. ASM contributes to the livelihood enhancement through income generation, increased well-being and asset acquisition (50.7%), reduced vulnerabilities (31.1%), and empowerment of people (19.2%) to establish other economic activities.However, the small-scale miners and farmers as well as farmlands, forest, and water resources are most vulnerable to adverse effects of ASM activities. Accidents of various degrees, diseases, and death were the shocks in ASM. Regarding the massive impact of ASM on employment creation and poverty reduction in rural communities, it is recommended that stakeholders recast Ghana’s mineral policy to ensure concurrent environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development.
This study draws evidence from 180 respondents who were beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerme... more This study draws evidence from 180 respondents who were beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme with the underpinning objective of whether the LEAP beneficiaries are able to acquire other productive livelihood assets. Descriptive research involving both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The study used questionnaires and focus group discussions to obtain data from the respondents. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics from the SPSS version 17.0 and presented by tables and percentage counts. The study found that the LEAP beneficiaries do not have other preferable productive livelihood assets needed to expand their livelihood options, largely due to the low amount paid coupled with irregularity of payment. The paper therefore recommends that there should be empowerment of beneficiaries with productive capacities through the incorporation of skills and capability development into the programme. This will enhance beneficiary households to initiate new or strengthen old livelihood sources to ensure livelihood sustainability. Moreover, enrolling the LEAP beneficiaries' caregivers who are not working in a skilled training
Research on unconventional medical practices among students has proliferated lately in the global... more Research on unconventional medical practices among students has proliferated lately in the global space, hitherto, little is known explicitly in Ghana. This paper teases out insights for recent utilisation patterns of traditional medical therapies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. A sample of 754, randomly selected undergraduates were involved in a retrospective cross-sectional survey. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression and Pearson's c 2 test with p < 0.05 as significant. Overall prevalence of traditional therapies consumption was 89.1% in the last 12 months. Herbal-based products (67%), prayer healing (15%) and body-mind therapies (11%) were principally used and, accessed through purchases from pharmacy shops (29%) and encounter with faith healers (26%). Although students' knowledge on traditional therapies was acquired through family members (50%) and media (23%), literary materials remained significant information routes for Science related students compared to the Non-science related counterparts (p < 0.001). Pursuing Non-science-related programme [odds ratio (OR) 6.154 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.745e10.111; p < 0.001)] and having Christian faith [OR 2.450 (95% CI 1.359e4.415; p ¼ 0.003)] were strongly associated with students' traditional therapies use. Although students exhibited positive attitude towards unconventional therapies , there is an urgent need to validate the quality of traditional therapies through randomised clinical trials and regulatory practices to ensure quality control. Health forces should intensify efforts towards intercultural health care system in Ghana.
Thesis Chapters by WILLIAMS AGYEMANG-DUAH
OBJECTIVE: In spite of the World Health Organization's recommendations over the past decades, Gha... more OBJECTIVE: In spite of the World Health Organization's recommendations over the past decades, Ghana features pluralistic rather than truly integrated medical system. Policies about the integration of complementary medicine into the national health care delivery system need to account for individual-level involvement and cultural acceptability of care rendered by health care providers. Studies in Ghana, however, have glossed over the standpoint of the persons of the illness episode about the intercultural health care policy framework. This paper explores the health care users, and providers' experiences and attitudes towards the implementation of intercultural health care policy in Ghana. METHODS: In-depth interviews, augmented with informal conversations, were conducted with 16 health service users, 7 traditional healers and 6 health professionals in the Sekyere South District and Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Data were thematically analysed and presented based on the a posteriori inductive reduction approach. RESULTS: Findings reveal a widespread positive attitude to, and support for integrative medical care in Ghana. However, inter-provider communication in a form of cross-referrals and collaborative mechanisms between healers and health professionals seldom occurs and remains unoffi cially sanctioned. Traditional healers and health care professionals are skeptical about intercultural health care policy mainly due to inadequate political commitment for provider education. The medical practitioners have limited opportunity to undergo training for integrative medical practice. We also fi nd a serious mistrust between the practitioners due to the " diversity of healing approaches and techniques. " Weak institutional support, lack of training to meet standards of practice, poor registration and regulatory measures as well as negative perception of the integrative medical policy inhibit its implementation in Ghana. CONCLUSION: In order to advance any useful intercultural health care policy in Ghana, the government's total commitment in informed training and provider education, enforcement of regulatory
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Papers by WILLIAMS AGYEMANG-DUAH
Thesis Chapters by WILLIAMS AGYEMANG-DUAH