Formal sector workers' participation in urban agriculture in Ghana: perspectives from the Wa Municipality.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Bolang PD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6702434 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Formal sector workers' participation in urban agriculture in Ghana: perspectives from the Wa Municipality.
Bolang Peter Dery PD Osumanu Issaka Kanton IK
Heliyon 20190812 8
This paper assesses the participation of formal sector employees in urban agriculture and their contributions to food supply in the Wa Municipality, north-western Ghana. A cross-sectional research design was employed with survey as the data collection method. Respondents were randomly selected from various public sector agencies within the Municipality. Logistic regression was employed to identify the factors influencing participation in agriculture. The findings revealed that majority (62.1%) o ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:IntroductionIn spite of the countless initiatives of the Ghana government to improve the quality of maternal healthcare, Upper West Region still records poor childbirth outcomes. This study, therefore, explored women's perception of the quality of maternal healthcare they receive in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana.Materials and methodsThis is a qualitative cross-sectional study of 62 women who accessed maternal healthcare in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. We analysed the transcripts using the analytic inductive technique. An inter-coding technique (testing for inter-coding agreement) was employed. The iterative coding process resulted in a coding scheme with four main themes. We used peer-debriefing technique in ensuring credibility and trustworthiness.ResultsLogistics and equipment; referral service; empathic service delivery; inadequacy of care providers; affordability of service; satisfaction with services received; as well as experience and service delivery were the parameters used by the women in assessing quality maternity care. A number of gaps were reported in the healthcare system including limited healthcare providers, limited beds and inefficient referral system. Conversely, some of them reported that some healthcare providers offered empathetic healthcare. Contrary views were expressed with respect to satisfaction with maternity care.ConclusionGovernment and all stakeholders seeking to enhance quality of maternal health and accelerate the attainment of the third Sustainable Development Goal need to reconsider the financing of service delivery at health institutions. Indeed, our findings have illustrated that routine workshops on empathetic healthcare are required in efforts to increase the rate of facility-based childbirth, and thereby subside maternal mortality and all adverse pregnancy outcomes.
| S-EPMC8443026 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Poor food hygiene is a significant risk to public health globally, but especially in low and middle-income countries where access to sanitation, and general hygiene remain poor. Food hygiene becomes even more pertinent when untreated, or poorly treated wastewater is used in agriculture. In such circumstances the WHO recommends the adoption of a multiple-barrier approach that prescribes health protective measures at different entry points along the food chain. This study sought to assess the knowledge and awareness of wastewater use for crop production, its related health risks, and adoption of health protective measures by farmers, market salespersons and consumers using questionnaires and focus group discussions. In the period from September 2012 to August 2013, 490 respondents were interviewed during two cropping seasons. The study found that awareness of the source of irrigation water was low among consumers and street food vendors, though higher among market vendors. In contrast, health risk awareness was generally high among salespersons and consumers, but low among farmers. The study found that consumers did not prioritize health indicators when buying produce from vendors but were motivated to buy produce, or prepared food based on taste, friendship, cost, convenience and freshness of produce. Similarly, farmers' awareness of health risk did not influence their adoption of safer farm practices. The study recommends the promotion of interventions that would result in more direct benefits to both producers and vendors, together with hygiene education and enforcement of food safety byelaws in order to influence behaviour change, and increase the uptake of the multiple-barrier approach.
| S-EPMC4792467 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveWe examine the socioeconomic and health drivers of retirement decisions and compare these determinants between formal and informal sector workers in Mexico.Materials and methodsUsing data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study 2012 and 2015, we estimate conditional probit models of retirement using sociodemographic, health, health care utilization, health insurance, private pensions, and social security systems covariates. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Southern California reviewed and approved the research (IRB # UP-15-00023).ResultsWe find that the social security systems are an important determinant for retirement age for formal sector workers. The informal sector workers, who lack access to retirement benefits of the social security system, make retirement decisions mainly based on health and access to health insurance through social security.ConclusionDespite the lack of access to social security benefits, informal sector workers do not respond strongly to socioeconomic factors in determining the timing of retirement. Strengthening access to better health care services could improve health, extend working lives, and promote healthy aging for workers in the informal sector.
| S-EPMC10751961 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Abstract Objectives Little is known about how level of participation affects nutrition outcomes in rural interventions. This study examined the association between participation level in a nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention (NSA) and children's diet and anthropometric outcomes. Methods The Nutrition Links was a 2016–17 cluster RCT (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01985243) which enrolled caregivers with children < 18 mo in rural Ghana. Women in the intervention communities self-selected to receive poultry layers for egg production as part of a loan package, garden inputs, and nutrition education. Weekly meetings were used for education, for the staff to document egg production, and for the women to repay their loan and purchase feed. After endline, project participation was evaluated with a summative score that reflected 5 criteria: 1) egg productivity 2) timely and complete payment for feed and loan 3) meeting attendance 4) answering questions and making comments during the meetings and 5) attentiveness and helpfulness with the group. The field staff evaluated all criteria – from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent) – for each intervention woman who received poultry. Their participation was classified as high, medium, or low, based on tertiles. The participation of intervention women who never received poultry was ‘none’. Logistic and linear regressions tested the likelihood of consuming eggs and having a minimum diverse diet (MDD) and changes in anthropometric indices for the participation levels compared to those of the controls, who received standard-of-care services. Results In comparison to the control group, only a high participation level was significant for having a MDD (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI [1.1, 8.8]). Both medium and high participation levels were associated with an increased likelihood in egg consumption (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.0, 4.1]; aOR = 2.7, 95% CI [1.3, 5.4]), and length‐for‐age (LAZ)/height‐for‐age (HAZ) z‐scores (β = 0.4, 95% CI [0.2, 0.6]; β = 0.4, 95% CI [0.2, 0.7]), and weight‐for‐age (WAZ) (β = 0.2, 95% CI [0.0, 0.4]; β = 0.2, 95% CI [0.0, 0.5]), respectively. Conclusions These results show the potential effect of NSA interventions and highlight the importance of facilitating high participation of beneficiaries. Funding Sources Global Affairs Canada, Heifer International, World Vision, McGill University, International Development Research Centre.
| S-EPMC8340822 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) disrupted the food system motivating discussions about moving from a dependence on long food supply channels toward shorter local supply channels, including urban agriculture. This study examines two central questions regarding the adoption of urban agriculture practices at the household level during the COVID-19 pandemic: whether the outbreak of the novel coronavirus elicited participation in urban agriculture (e.g., community growing and home growing) and what are the characteristics of individuals who participate. To answer these questions, we conducted two online surveys in Phoenix, AZ, and Detroit, MI. The first round occurred during 2017 and the second during the lock-down in 2020. Using bivariate probit models, we find that (1) considerably fewer individuals participate in urban agriculture at community gardens compared to at-home gardening; (2) participation overall is lower in 2020 compared to 2017; and (3) respondents in Detroit practice urban agriculture more than respondents in Phoenix. Across both cities, our results suggest that the continuity of individuals' participation in growing food at community gardens and home is fragile. Not all characteristics that determined who participated in community gardens before COVID-19 are determining the likelihood to participate during the pandemic. In addition, growing food at home before COVID-19 was practiced by larger households and employed respondents, yet, during the pandemic, we find that home-growing was more likely when children were in the household and households were smaller and younger (Detroit), and younger and more educated (Phoenix). These findings suggest that many urban households' food-growing practices may not yet be mainstream and that other barriers may exist that inhibit households' participation.
| S-EPMC7753488 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Objectives: To evaluate the combined burden of heat and air quality exposure in Washington State agriculture by (1) characterizing the spatiotemporal pattern of heat and PM2.5 exposures during wildfire seasons; (2) describing the potential impact of these combined exposures on agricultural worker populations; and (3) identifying data gaps for addressing this burden in rural areas.MethodsWe combined county-level data to explore data availability and estimate the burden of heat and PM2.5 co-exposures for Washington agricultural workers from 2010 to 2018. Quarterly agricultural worker population estimates were linked with data from a weather station network and ambient air pollution monitoring sites. A geographical information system displayed counties, air monitoring sites, agricultural crops, and images from a smoke dispersion model during recent wildfire events.ResultsWe found substantial spatial and temporal variability in high heat and PM2.5 exposures. The largest peaks in PM2.5 exposures tended to occur when the heat index was around 85°F and during summers when there were wildfires. Counties with the largest agricultural populations tended to have the greatest concurrent high heat and PM2.5 exposures, and these exposures tended to be highest during the third quarter (July-September), when population counts were also highest. Additionally, we observed limited access to local air quality information in certain rural areas.ConclusionOur findings inform efforts about highest risk areas, times of year, and data availability in rural areas. Understanding the spatiotemporal pattern of exposures is consistent with the precision agriculture framework and is foundational to addressing equity in rural agricultural settings.
| S-EPMC8171194 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) co-epidemic continues to increase globally. Low-and middle-income countries bear the highest burden of co-epidemic, and Ghana is no exception. In 2011, the World Health Organisation (WHO) responded to this global challenge by launching a collaborative framework with a view to guide countries in implementing their DM and TB care, prevention and control plans. Subsequently, several countries, including Ghana, adopted this framework and began implementing bidirectional screening of TB and DM patients. Almost a decade later since the launch of the framework, the implementation of bidirectional screening in Ghana has not been subjected to empirical research. This study explored the barriers and facilitators to bidirectional screening through the lenses of the implementing healthcare workers.MethodsThis was an exploratory qualitative study conducted in three public health facilities offering both TB and DM services in Northern Ghana. In-depth interviews, document review and observations, were used to generate data. In total twenty-three healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, prescriber, health managers and TB task- shifting officers delivering care in TB and DM clinics) were interviewed, using semi-structured interview guides. The interview questions solicited information on the screening process, including knowledge of the collaborative framework, comorbidity, collaboration and workload.ResultsSix themes emerged from the analysis, of which two (Increase in staff capacity, and Institutionalisation of bidirectional screening) were facilitators, and four (Delays in screening, Fear and stigmatization of TB, Poor collaboration between TB and DM units, and Skewed funding for screening) were barriers.ConclusionsThe implementation of bidirectional screening at public health facilities in Ghana was evident in this study and increased staff capacity, funding and institutionalisation enhanced the policy implementation process. However, the screening of TB patients for DM is yet to be prioritised, and emphasis should be put on the design for cost-effective screening approaches for low- and middle-income countries.
| S-EPMC7360027 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundObesity is rising in sub-Saharan Africa and globally, and is a highly significant public health problem that needs urgent attention. To reduce the obesity prevalence levels and associated challenges, public health interventions highlight healthy eating and increased physical activity, which are key elements for weight management.AimThis study explored perceived factors that hinder or facilitate weight management in an urban poor context in Accra, Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional qualitative data was obtained from eight focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted among community members. The FGDs were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe findings indicate that weight management is mainly inhibited by the perception that healthy foods are expensive and not satisfying, laziness, lack of time to engage in physical activity, and social representation of being fat or slim. On the contrary, personal decision to manage weight and social support facilitated engagement in weight management.ConclusionThe findings indicate that weight management is influenced by individual, community, and structural factors. These findings have programmatic implications in terms of health education strategies and messaging.
| S-EPMC9359579 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Providing economic opportunities for youth in agriculture is essential to securing the future of agriculture in Africa, addressing poverty, unemployment, and inequality. However, barriers limit youth participation in agriculture and the broader food system. This scoping review aimed to investigate the opportunities and challenges for youth in participating in agriculture and the food system in Africa. This review conducted a scoping review using the PRISMA guideline. Published studies were retrieved from online databases (Web of Science, Cab Direct, and Science Direct) for 2009 to 2019. The findings showed that existing agricultural interventions are production-centric and provide low-income earnings and inadequate social protection. We also found that the youth have pessimistic perceptions about agriculture's capability of improving their living standards. This could be ascribed to the minimal youth involvement in agricultural activities and the youth's shared understanding of the agricultural sector's contribution to general economic growth. From a policy perspective, the literature revealed that current agricultural development programs do not adequately address structural issues underpinning youth participation in the economy. Therefore, to enhance the involvement of youths in agriculture, there is a need for policy implementation in the area of integrated agricultural-based interventions that are context-specific and promote meaningful youth participation in shaping future food systems.
| S-EPMC7615079 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundDespite the health and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, there is evidence of a decline globally and in Ghana. Previous studies addressing this problem are mostly quantitative with only a few of such studies using qualitative or mixed methods to examine the predictors, benefits, ways of improving and managing exclusive breastfeeding, and the challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding from the perspective of exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding mothers, and health workers. This study employs the health belief model to examine the experiences of mothers and health workers regarding exclusive breastfeeding to fill this gap in the literature.MethodsA cross-sectional qualitative study involving in-depth interviews was conducted among health workers and mothers attending child welfare clinic at two polyclinics in Madina, Accra-Ghana in 2019. Purposive sampling was used to select health facilities and participants for the study. Twenty participants comprising ten exclusive breastfeeding mothers, six non-exclusive breastfeeding mothers and four health workers were interviewed for the study. The data were analyzed based on emerging themes from inductive and deductive coding.ResultsThe decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding was based on mothers' work, advertisement on exclusive breastfeeding and education on breastfeeding provided by health workers. Insufficient flow of breast milk, pressure from family and friends, and insufficient breast milk for infants were among the reasons for discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding. The factors that help improve exclusive breastfeeding include eating healthy food and breastfeeding on demand, while counselling and monitoring, restricting advertisement on infant formula and granting maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers were identified as factors that can facilitate the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.ConclusionDifferent levels of experience affect and shape exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ghana. The decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding, as well as the challenges and strategies employed in managing exclusive breastfeeding, emanates from mothers' personal experiences and interactions with institutional factors. In view of this, there should be counselling on the management of challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding and provision of accurate information on exclusive breastfeeding to enable mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding.
| S-EPMC8935745 | biostudies-literature