Seth Christopher Yaw Appiah

Attitudes of health service providers: the perspective of Persons with Disabilities in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Introduction Awareness of disability issues has gained considerable interest by advocacy groups in recent years. However, it is uncertain whether attitudes and perceptions of all service providers and society have adjusted accordingly towards the health care of people with disabilities. This study sought to examine the attitudes of health providers from the perspective of people with disabilities in the Kumasi Metropolis. Methods A cross-sectional study using semi-structured questionnaires was conducted with people with disabilities (with physical, hearing and visual impairments,) in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study used a multi-stage sampling involving cluster and simple random sampling to select 255 respondents split amongst the following five clusters of communities; Oforikrom, Subin, Asewase, Tafo and Asokwa. Data were analysed using STATA 14 and presented in descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The study found that 71% of the respondents faced some form of discrimination including the use of derogatory remarks, frustration and unavailable required services on the basis of their disability, the type of services they need and the location. Women were 3.89 times more likely to face discrimination; Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.41, 10.76), and visually impaired was more likely to be discriminated at the facility compared with physical disability; AOR = 5.05 (95% CI; 1.44, 17.65). However, respondents with some educational qualification and those who stayed with their family members were less likely to face discrimination; AOR = 0.08 (95% CI; 0.01, 0.39). Conclusion The study recommends the provision of in-service training for service providers to update their knowledge on disability issues and improve access to services for people with disabilities.

Integrating Environmental and Social Considerations into Public Procurement Practice in Ghana

Article published in The International Journal Of Humanities & Social Studies,Vol 2 Issue 6

Domestic Violence and Its Effect on Women

Background: Domestic violence is a social phenomenon that has caught the attention of all and sundry in the recent times. The term domestic includes violence by an intimate partner wherever this violence takes place and by whatever forms. Violence against women constitutes any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women. This study sought to evaluate and examine the problem of domestic violence in general and specifically detail its effect on women in the Oforikrom Sub metro of the Ashanti region of Ghana.Methods: A sampling population of 60 mostly of females and few males was used in conducting the research. In addition, key informants in the furniture industry were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The questionnaires containing open and closed questions on domestic violence abuse, nature, its forms causes and remedial mechanisms were developed and administered. The questionnaires were either self-administered or through the face-to-face interview. The data was edited and analysed with the aid of SPSS software programme. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis. Results: The study brought to the fore that amidst the best means of mechanism for resolving conflict by respondents was allowing the natural sequence of time as each partner gets over it and they come together. Again it was unearthed that the demand for sex was mutual yet females continue to lack behind in terms of initiating a desire to have sex with partner. Money matters continue to be the major source of conflict in the marriages/relationships as a greater number of people in relationship/marriages are forced to do things beyond their wish. Among the challenges faced women include a persistent refusal and inability to report cases due to fear of collapse of marriage or intimate relationships.Recommendations: Among the recommendations includes the need for the DOVVSU unit of the police force to have a hot line with specialist who can attend to women when they are being abused. There is also a call for the ministry of education to integrate domestic violence study courses into the sylabi from basis to secondary to teach children respect for human dignity and tolerance as they will grow to live with it.