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Ensign Digital Repository is a digital service that collects, preserves, and distributes digital materials of the University. Repositories are important tools for preserving an organization's legacy; they facilitate digital preservation and scholarly communication.The Ensign Digital Repository platform enables the University to:
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Recent Submissions
Substance Use and Its Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Ningo Prampram Municipality in The Greater Accra Region, Ghana
(Ensign Global University, 2025-11) Wurah, Emelia Adwoa
Background:
Substance use in adolescents has become a growing concern globally. Its use affects the quality of life of adolescents as well as burdening them with short- and long-term effects encompassing their physical, social and mental wellbeing.
General aim:
The main aim of this study was to examine substance use and it associated factors among adolescents in Ningo Prampram municipal.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a quantitative approach. Study population was adolescents between the ages of 15 -19 residing in the Ningo Prampram municipality. Using a simple random sampling technique, a sample size of 183 students were selected. Structured questionnaires were administered to students and data were analyzed using STATA 18.
Results:
Awareness of substances was very high, particularly for alcohol (95.1%), shisha (90.2%), cigarettes and marijuana (85.3% each). Lifetime prevalence of any substance use was 38.6%, while past-30-day use was 10.9%, with alcohol being the most commonly used (34.2%). Bivariate analysis identified male sex, living with guardians/extended family, and environmental exposure as significant risk factors for substance use. Logistic regression confirmed that seeing people use substances in the home or community (AOR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.01–5.31) and living with guardians/extended family (AOR=2.98, 95% CI: 1.02–8.68) significantly increased the odds of use, while being in SHS 3 was protective (AOR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.06–0.59).
Conclusion:
Overall, the findings suggest high awareness but relatively lower current use, with environmental exposure and household structure emerging as critical determinants of adolescent substance use in the municipality.
Exploring The Perceptions and Effectiveness of Engage Now Africa’s Interventions for Persons Living with Albinism in Ghana
(Ensign Global University, 2025-11) Amoabeng, Edmund Enam
Background:
Persons living with albinism (PLWA) in Ghana face complex challenges that go beyond genetic and medical vulnerabilities. Despite efforts by non-governmental organizations such as Engage Now Africa (ENA) to improve their quality of life through targeted interventions, little is known about how these initiatives are perceived by the beneficiaries themselves. Understanding these perceptions is crucial to ensuring that such interventions are relevant, empowering, and culturally appropriate. This study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of PLWA regarding the relevance and effectiveness of ENA’s interventions.
Methodology:
Using an exploratory qualitative design, the study relies on secondary data drawn from a project evaluation conducted by ENA. The dataset includes 40in-depth interview transcripts involving PLWA and a few caregivers of children with albinism across the Northern, Upper East, and Volta Regions of Ghana. For this study, the transcripts were reanalyzed using thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, using ATLAS.ti software. Deductive codes based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and inductive themes emerging from the narratives was used to identify patterns related to intervention relevance, access, empowerment, and social impact.
Results:
The study found that interventions provided by Engage Now Africa (ENA) had a significant impact on the wellbeing of persons living with albinism (PLWA). Health-related support such as provision of sunscreen, skin care products, and access to healthcare services reduced vulnerability to skin cancer and improved health outcomes. Educational interventions, including scholarships, advocacy in schools, and awareness creation, enhanced enrolment and retention of PLWA in formal education. Livelihood empowerment programmes, particularly skills training and small business support, promoted economic independence and reduced dependency.
Advocacy and community sensitization initiatives were instrumental in reducing stigma, improving social acceptance, and strengthening inclusion at the community level. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as limited coverage, sustainability concerns, and persistent social misconceptions were identified.
Conclusions:
The study concludes that ENA’s multifaceted interventions are relevant and effective in addressing the health, educational, and socio-economic needs of persons with albinism in Ghana. These interventions have contributed to improving quality of life and promoting social inclusion. However, sustaining these gains requires stronger governmental commitment, integration of albinism-related issues into national health and social protection policies, and continuous community engagement. Expanding partnerships between NGOs, state institutions, and international bodies is also necessary to ensure long-term impact and equity for PLWA.
Assessment of Hygienic Practices Among Street Food Vendors in La Dadekotopon Municipality in The Greater Accra Region of Ghana
(Ensign Global University, 2025-11)
Background:
Street food is a vital source of nutrition and income, especially in developing countries, where it feeds millions daily. However, despite its importance, it poses significant food safety risks. Globally, unsafe food causes over 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths each year. In Africa, issues like poor hygiene, weak regulation, and limited vendor training contribute to frequent outbreaks of foodborne diseases, including cholera and aflatoxin contamination.
In Ghana, street food is part of everyday urban life and a key economic activity, particularly for women. Yet, many vendors lack adequate knowledge of food safety, and infrastructure challenges persist. While regulatory bodies exist, enforcement is often inconsistent. Experts recommend practical interventions such as vendor education, hygiene training, and improved waste management to reduce risks and promote safer street food practices. This study explores food hygiene practices among street food vendors in urban Ghana, with a focus on the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality. It aims to highlight the key challenges vendors face and how they manage food safety. The insights gained shall help shape practical solutions, such as training and policy recommendations, to improve hygiene and protect public health.
Research Methodology:
A cross-sectional design with a analytical approach will be employed for this study. Data will be collected from both structured questionnaires and direct field observations. This will be systematically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Microsoft Excel. These tools will facilitate efficient data coding, cleaning, and statistical analysis.
Results:
The study surveyed 352 street food vendors in La Dade-Kotopon Municipality. The majority were female (97.2%) and aged 35–44 years (40.6%). Findings indicated generally high knowledge of food hygiene among 53% of participants. A large proportion of vendors (over 80%) prepared food in open or poorly sheltered spaces, and 56.3% inspected ingredients mainly for visible spoilage rather than using standard quality checks. Vendor type and years of experience were significantly associated with both knowledge and practice (χ² = 3.91, p = 0.048; χ² = 22.31, p < 0.001). Knowledge also declined with longer years of vending, from 49.0% among those vending for 1–5 years to 13.6% among those with >10 years of experience. Other demographic factors such as education level, age, and marital status showed no statistically significant association with food hygiene outcomes (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
The results demonstrate that while knowledge of hygiene among street food vendors is high, its application in daily practice remains inadequate, exposing consumers to potential health risks. The persistence of unsafe practices highlights the need for continuous training programs, improved access to safe water and sanitation facilities, and stronger regulatory enforcement by municipal authorities. Strengthening vendor capacity and institutional oversight will not only reduce the burden of foodborne diseases but also enhance consumer safety and support the economic sustainability of street food vending in urban Ghana.
Exploring the Experiences of Individuals Living with Chronic Kidney Disease in The South Tongu District in The Volta Region, Ghana
(Ensign Global University, 2025-11) Dzokoto, Ethel Esinu Adzo
Background:
Individuals living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face challenges such as financial constraints, stress stemming from both the illness itself and its treatment. These challenges encompass physical, psychological, emotional, and social dimensions. As CKD impacts various aspects of a person’s life, the experience of managing the disease is unique to each individual; however, there is limited research on the lived experiences of individuals living with chronic kidney disease.
Methods:
This study adopted a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of individuals with chronic kidney disease. Participants were purposely selected from among CKD patients receiving care at the South Tongu District Hospital and Richard Novati Catholic Hospital. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide through an in-depth interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically using the Atlas. Ti software.
Results:
The results revealed that CKD patients experienced symptoms that are non-specific in the early stages of the disease, such as headache, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Health-seeking was initially characterized by reliance on alternative medicines and over-the-counter medications; however, after diagnosis, patients relied solely on hospital-based treatment, especially dialysis.
Financial challenges, distance to treatment centers, and inadequate institutional support hindered treatment adherence. Support from family was the most used support system for care.
Conclusion:
The findings revealed that the experiences of people living with CKD are shaped by a combination of socioeconomic and systemic factors. It highlights the gaps in institutional support while exposing the critical role of family in sustaining care. These results underscore the need for sustainable interventions such as enhancing institutional support systems and improving access to renal services to improve the experiences of people living with CKD.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Oral Health Problems on the Overall Health and Well-Being of People in the Ho Municipality, Ghana
(Ensign Global University, 2025-11) Kukubor, Dziedzorm Peace
Oral health is a vital component of general health and quality of life, yet it remains one of the most neglected aspects of public health in developing countries. This study examined the effect of poor oral health on the overall health and well-being of people living in the Ho Municipality of Ghana. Specifically, it sought to assess the prevalence of oral health problems, identify factors associated with poor oral health and well-being, and determine the oral health-seeking behavior of residents. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, involving 461 respondents selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression at a 95% confidence level.
The findings revealed that more than half of the respondents (54.7%) had experienced at least one oral health problem, with mouth odor (15.8%), gum disease (13.5%), oral ulcers (13.0%), and tooth decay or loss (12.4%) being the most common. Although socio-demographic and behavioural factors such as age, occupation, income, and tobacco use showed observable trends with well-being, none were statistically significant (p > 0.05). The study further found low preventive oral health-seeking behaviour, with only 28.4% visited a dentist more than four times a year, and 23.6% had never visited a dentist. Additionally, 22.8% never brushed their teeth, and only 33.4% used fluoride toothpaste.
The study concludes that oral health problems are prevalent in the Ho Municipality and are influenced by poor oral hygiene practices, limited awareness, and inadequate access to dental care. It recommends strengthened oral health education, integration of oral health into primary healthcare, and expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover basic dental services.