Prince Osei-Wusu Adjei

Does spatial location matter? Traditional therapy utilisation among the general population in a Ghanaian rural and urban setting

Despite the recognition for rising consumption rate of traditional medicine (TRM) in health and spatio-medical literature in the global scale, the impact of location in traditional therapy use has been explored least in Ghana. This paper analysed the role of spatial variation in TRM use in Kumasi Metropolis and Sekyere South District of Ashanti Region, Ghana. A retrospective cross-sectional and place-based survey was conducted in a representative sample (N=324) selected through systematic random sampling technique. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were espoused as the main research instruments. Data were analysed with Pearsons Chi-square and Fishers exact tests from the Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) version 17.0. The study found that over 86% reported TRM use. Whilst majority (59.1%) of the respondents had used TRM two or more times within the last 12 months, biologically-based therapies and energy healing were common forms of TRM accessed. Although, the use of TRM did not vary (p>0.05), knowledge about TRM, modalities of TRM and the sources of TRM differed significantly across geographically demarcated rural and urban splits (p<0.005). The study advances our understanding of the spatial dimensions as regards TRM utilisation.

From Poverty to Poor Health: Analysis of Socio-Economic Pathways Influencing Health Status in Rural Households of Ghana

Abstract The need for the poor, the marginalised and socially excluded to live healthier and longer lives has in recent times become paramount in the development literature and policy discussions seeking to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In response to this, attempts are being made to redirect the research focus to examine socio-economic factors underpinning disease occurrence and ill health for health planning policies and practices to benefit the poor and vulnerable in society. This paper explores the relationship between socio-economic conditions and health outcomes. It identifies and examines through participatory rural assessment techniques, basic socio-economic factors acting as significant pathways through which poverty increases the susceptibility of rural households to diseases. It seeks to address the reasons why the poor are poorer in health in rural communities of the Amansie West district of Ghana. This paper thus emphasises how social stratification and inequalities could affect quality of life of people in any given society, hence supporting the theory of social suffering and its implications on societal health.

Sociocultural hegemony, gendered identity, and use of traditional and complementary medicine in Ghana

ABSTRACT This study investigated gender differences in the use of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) in Ghana. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, we collected data from March to June 2013 from 324 randomly sampled adults in the Ashanti region. The prevalence of TCM use in the prior 12 months was 86 percent. Females constituted the majority (61 percent) of TCM users. Female TCM users were more likely than male users to have had only a basic education, been traders (p ˂ .0001), and have health insurance (p ˂ .05). Using multiple logistic regression, TCM use was associated with urban residence for females (odds ratio [OR] = 7.82; 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 1.28–47.83) but negatively related for males (OR = 0.032; 95 percent CI: 0.002–0.63). Being self-employed was associated with TCM use among males (OR = 7.62; 95 percent CI: 1.22–47.60), while females’ TCM use was associated with higher income (OR = 3.72; 95 percent CI: 1.21–11.48) and perceived efficacy of TCM (OR = 5.60; 95 percent CI: 1.78–17.64). The African sociocultural structure vests household decision-making power in men but apparently not regarding TCM use, and the factors associated with TCM use largely differed by gender. These findings provide ingredients for effective health policy planning and evaluation. Adoption and modernization of TCM should apply a gendered lens.

Biodiversity, environmental health and human well-being: analysis of linkages and pathways

Well-being, a condition of positive physical, social and mental state of life, has become a prime focus of research in recent years as people seek to achieve and sustain it. Interacting with the natural environment has been established as a way of acquiring well-being benefits. However, the extent to which well-being depends on various aspects of the environment particularly biodiversity has received less attention. This paper examines the relationship between the level of biodiversity in an environment and human well-being. The depression and happiness scale was employed to sample 236 visitors of eight green spaces in Anglesey and Gwynedd, North Wales, while also noting socio-demographic and environmental factors such as perceived naturalness, density of visitors and noise level to establish the relationship. In each green space, the levels of native and introduced plant diversity were estimated. The paper established that level of ecological diversity determines level of people’s wellness and happiness derived from a green environment. Visitors to green spaces with higher plant diversity receive higher levels of happiness. Significantly too, diversity of introduced species was a better predictor than native plant diversity. Perceived naturalness, density of visitors and visitors’ age was also predictors of happiness. It is concluded that increasing the level of biodiversity in an environment could improve people’s well-being. However, the finding about introduced versus native species deserves more attention.

The syncline and anticline nature of poverty among farmers: Case of cashew farmers in the Jaman South District of Ghana

ABSTRACT This article sought to empirically find out factors behind the rising and falling nature of poverty among rural cashew farmers in the Jaman south district of the Brong Ahafo Region. A sample size of 160 cashew farmers were selected for the study. It was established that nine (9) major factors contribute to the rising level of poverty among the respondents at some point in the year. It is recommended that cashew farmers should be encouraged by the district assembly and other stakeholders to save during the harvesting season as well as borrow from the banks if the need be.

Democratic decentralization and disempowerment of traditional authorities under Ghana’s local governance and development system: a spatio-temporal review

Abstract In this paper, we argue that democratic decentralization defined as the transfer of power and resources from central government to lower units of government to deliver downwardly accountable and responsive local representation does not entirely produce stronger local institutions for mass participation, good local governance and community development. This is supported with selected cases from Ghana to demonstrate how in the name of decentralization and effective local governance, spaces have been created to subvert and disempower traditional authorities and their institutions thereby affecting their relevance and active participation in local governance and development through time and across space.

Global Economic Crisis and Socio-Economic Vulnerability: Historical Experience and Lessons from the "Lost Decade" for Africa in the 1980s

An article published by Ghana Studies, Volume 17, 2014, pp. 39-61 , DOI: https//doi.org/10.1353/ghs.2014.0009

FROM POVERTY TO POOR HEALTH: ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC PATHWAYS INFLUENCING HOUSEHOLDS HEALTH STATUS IN RURAL GHANA

The need for the poor, the marginalized and socially excluded to live healthier and longer lives have in recent times become paramount in development literature and policy discourse towards the actualization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) particularly within deprived communities. In response to this, attempts are being made to redirect research focus to examine socio-economic factors underpinning disease occurrence and ill health for health planning policies and practices to benefit the poor and vulnerable in society. This paper expounds the relationship between socio-economic conditions and health outcomes. It identifies and examines through participatory rural assessment techniques basic socio-economic factors acting as significant pathways through which poverty increases the susceptibility of rural households to disease occurrence. It seeks to address the reasons why the poor are poorer in health in the rural communities of the Amansie West district of Ghana.