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Dataset on cocoa farmers' agrochemical handling practices and safety compliance in Ahafo Ano North district, Ashanti region, Ghana.

ABSTRACT: Agrochemicals are essential but hazardous inputs being utilized at different stages in cocoa production. Safeguarding the health of workers handling these chemicals is therefore of utmost importance. Although Ghanaian government implemented mass spraying of cocoa with every essential occupational safety being followed, non-workability of the programme in many parts of the cocoa producing areas necessitates supplementary application of agrochemicals by many farmers. Therefore, a survey was conducted in Ahafo Ano North district of the Ashanti region in 2015 to understand the compliance of farmers to safety guidelines in handling agrochemicals. The survey was conducted with structured questionnaires that were written in English language and translated into the local language in the course of the interviews. A total of 246 cocoa farmers were interviewed using stratified sampling procedures. The questionnaire, which was divided into four sections solicited information on farmers' socioeconomic characteristics, safeguard measures being taken by the farmers in the course of handling agrochemicals, health complaints after handling agrochemicals and stress and occupational hazards. The dataset is herewith made available and it is considered of vital usefulness given some serious policy implications of occupational health hazards among cocoa farmers.

SUBMITTER: Oyekale AS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6864171 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Dataset on cocoa farmers' agrochemical handling practices and safety compliance in Ahafo Ano North district, Ashanti region, Ghana.

Oyekale Abayomi Samuel AS

Data in brief 20191106

Agrochemicals are essential but hazardous inputs being utilized at different stages in cocoa production. Safeguarding the health of workers handling these chemicals is therefore of utmost importance. Although Ghanaian government implemented mass spraying of cocoa with every essential occupational safety being followed, non-workability of the programme in many parts of the cocoa producing areas necessitates supplementary application of agrochemicals by many farmers. Therefore, a survey was conduc ...[more]

PMID: 31763414

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Project description:BackgroundDespite global efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, stillbirths remain a significant public health challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. District health systems, largely seen as the backbone of health systems, are pivotal in addressing the data gaps reported for stillbirths. Available, accurate and complete data is essential for District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to understand the burden of stillbirths, evaluate interventions and tailor health facility support to address the complex challenges that contribute to stillbirths. This study aims to understand stillbirth recording and reporting in the Ashanti Region of Ghana from the perspective of DHMTs.MethodsThe study was conducted in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. 15 members of the regional and district health directorates (RHD/DHD) participated in semi-structured interviews. Sampling was purposive, focusing on RHD/DHD members who interact with maternity services or stillbirth data. Thematic analyses were informed by an a priori framework, including theme 1) experiences, perceptions and attitudes; theme 2) stillbirth data use; and theme 3) leadership and support mechanisms, for stillbirth recording and reporting.ResultsUnder theme 1, stillbirth definitions varied among respondents, with 20 and 28 weeks commonly used. Fresh and macerated skin appearance was used to classify timing with limited knowledge of antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths. For theme 2, data quality checks, audits, and the district health information management system (DHIMS-2) data entry and review are functions played by the DHD. Midwives were blamed for data quality issues on omissions and misclassifications. Manual entry of data, data transfer from the facility to the DHD, limited knowledge of stillbirth terminology and periodic closure of the DHIMS-2 were seen to proliferate gaps in stillbirth recording and reporting. Under theme 3, perinatal audits were acknowledged as an enabler for stillbirth recording and reporting by the DHD, though audits are mandated for only late-gestational stillbirths (> 28 weeks). Engagement of other sectors, e.g., civil/vital registration and private health facilities, was seen as key in understanding the true population-level burden of stillbirths.ConclusionEffective district health management ensures that every stillbirth is accurately recorded, reported, and acted upon to drive improvements. A large need exists for capacity building on stillbirth definitions and data use. Recommendations are made, for example, terminology standardization and private sector engagement, aimed at reducing stillbirth rates in high-mortality settings such as Ghana.

Project description:BackgroundChildhood immunization is one of the most cost effective health interventions but its rate has been declining recently in Ghana. Information on immunization coverage and determinants is needed to improve immunization programmes. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with incomplete immunization of children (12-23 months) in Kwabre East District, Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional, community-based survey involving 322 children and their mothers was carried out. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics of mothers, childhood immunization history and mothers' knowledge and practices of immunization using a structured questionnaire. Children were classified as incompletely immunized if they failed to receive at least one of 8 vaccine doses: - one dose of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), 3 doses each of pentavalent, 3 doses of polio and one dose of measles per WHO/UNICEF definition. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with incomplete immunisation.ResultsThe prevalence of incomplete immunization was low (15.5%) suggesting high immunisation coverage but the coverage of the second measles dose, taken at 18 months of age, was the lowest (23.9%). Most of the mothers knew the importance of immunisation (95.7%) and at least one vaccine-preventable disease or symptom (84.9%). Two factors associated with incomplete immunisation in bivariate analyses (community of residence, and mother's knowledge of number of oral polio vaccines given to children) were no longer significant in a logistic regression model. Compared to children in Aboaso, children in Gyamfi Wonoo (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI = 0.80-4.08), Mamponteng (Bonwunu) (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.24-1.48) and Mamponteng (Town) (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.26-1.55) had similar odds of incomplete immunisation. Similarly, mother's lack of knowledge of the number of doses of polio vaccine given to children had no effect on the odds of incomplete immunisation (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.22-1.26).ConclusionsImmunization coverage is high in the Kwabre East district but very few children received the second measles dose. None of the maternal and child factors assessed is associated with immunisation coverage. Further research is needed to identify the determinants of immunisation coverage and the reasons for the low uptake of second measles dose in the study area.

Project description:A nationwide outbreak of Vibrio cholerae occurred in Ghana in 2014 with Accra, the nation's capital as the epi-center. The outbreak spread to the Brong Ahafo Region (BAR) which is geographically located in the middle of the country. In this region a review of data collected during the outbreak was carried out and analyzed descriptively to determine the hot spots and make recommendations for effective response to future outbreaks.A review of patient records and line lists of cases of cholera reported in all hospitals during the period of the outbreak (July-December 2014) was conducted. Hospitals used IDSR (Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system) standard case definitions to detect and report cases for management. The GPS coordinates of all districts and health facilities were collected and utilized in the construction of spot maps. We also obtained populations (denominators) from the BAR Health surveillance unit of the Ghana Health Service. All the data thus collected was analyzed descriptively and expressed as frequencies and rates.A total of 1035 cases were reported, 550 (53.4%) were males and the rest females. Their ages ranged from 1 to 95 years; (mean age of 28.2 ± 19.6 years). The most affected (23.5%) was the 20-29 year old age group. On the 30th July, 2014, a 26 year old male (recorded as the index case of the cholera outbreak in the Brong Ahafo region) with a history of travel from Accra reported to the Nkoranza district hospital with a history of symptoms suggestive of cholera. The reporting of cholera cases reached their peak (17.3%) in week 15 of the outbreak (this lasted 25 weeks). An overall attack rate of 71/100,000 population, and a case fatality rate of 2.4% was recorded in the region. Asutifi South district however recorded a case fatality of 9.1%, the highest amongst all the districts which recorded outbreaks. The majority of the cases reported in the region were from Atebubu-Amanten, Sene West, Pru, and Asunafo North districts with 31.1, 26.0, 18.2 and 9.9% respectively. Vibrio cholerae serotype O1 was isolated from rectal swabs/stool samples tested.Vibrio cholerae serotype O1 caused the cholera-outbreak in the Brong Ahafo Region and mainly affected young adult-males. The most affected districts were Atebubu-Amanten, Sene west, Pru (located in the eastern part of the region), and Asunafo North districts (located in the south west of the region). Case Fatality Rate was higher (2.4%) than the WHO recommended rate (<1%). Active district level public health education is recommended on prevention and effective response for future outbreaks of cholera.

Project description:BackgroundDespite the existence of an abortion law and a safe abortion policy in Ghana, the Ghana Statistical Service found that 15% of all women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) have practiced unsafe abortions. The objective of this study was to explore factors that contribute to the high incidence of unsafe abortion practices in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study design was used to assess factors that contribute to unsafe abortion practices. Purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting participants. Data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. One hundred and eleven participants were involved in the study. Data analysis was carried out through qualitative content analysis.ResultsSeven thematic categories were elicited from data collected. The categories are: a) Lack of knowledge of safe abortion services; b) Socio-economic conditions as a perceived influence for unsafe abortion practices; c) Safe abortion as a perceived religious and cultural taboo in Ghana; d) Stigma of unplanned pregnancy; e) A desire to bear children only after marriage; f) Avoiding parental/guardian disappointment and resentment; g) A desire to pursue education.ConclusionsEvidence available in this study suggests that several factors are responsible for unsafe abortion practices in Ghana. Lack of knowledge on safe abortion services, poor socio-economic conditions, cultural and religious beliefs, a stigma of unplanned pregnancy, a desire to bear children only after marriage, attempts to avoid parental/guardian disappointment and resentment, and a desire to pursue education were cited by participants as situations that contributed to unsafe abortion practices. Measures such as Aunty Jane, Ms. Rose and Women Help Women programmes can be publicised to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality that occur as a result of unsafe abortions in Ghana. Improvement in family planning education in educational institutions needs to be considered in order to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancies among young women in school.

Dataset Information

Dataset on cocoa farmers' agrochemical handling practices and safety compliance in Ahafo Ano North district, Ashanti region, Ghana.

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Dataset on cocoa farmers' agrochemical handling practices and safety compliance in Ahafo Ano North district, Ashanti region, Ghana.

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