Hesitant or not: A cross-sectional study of socio-demographics, conspiracy theories, trust in public health information, social capital and vaccine hesitancy among older adults in Ghana.

Vaccination is an effective strategy to reduce the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) burden, but its effectiveness hinges on timely vaccine uptake. Addressing concerns among vaccine-hesitant individuals is critical to preventing the immunization program from failing. This study analyzes the determinants of vaccine hesitance among older adults (aged 50 years and older) in Ghana. We adopted a cross-sectional survey with a quantitative approach that accessed data from 400 older adults from the Accra and Kumasi metropolitan areas using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the socio-demographic, social capital, conspiracy theories about COVID-19, and public health information factors associated with vaccine hesitance within the sample. The study found that only minority (5%) of respondents had been vaccinated, with 79% indicating willingness to be vaccinated. The study found that females (AOR: 0.734, CI: 0.019-0.036, p = .027) and those who have retired (AOR: 0.861, CI: 0.003-0.028, p = .034) were significantly less likely to engage in COVID-19 vaccine hesitance. Furthermore, the study revealed that participants who trust public health information (AOR: 0.065, CI: 0.022-0.049, p = .031) and have social capital (AOR: 0.886, CI: 0.017-0.032, p = .001) were significantly less likely to present COVID-19 vaccine hesitance. Finally, participants who believe in conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and vaccines (AOR: 3.167, CI: 1.021-2.043, p = .004) were significantly more likely to engage in COVID-19 vaccine hesitance. Efforts to convey vaccination benefits and address issues through evidence-based information are needed to strengthen and preserve the public's trust in vaccines in Ghana.

Lessons for averting the delayed and reduced patronage of non-COVID-19 medical services by older people in Ghana

This reprinted chapter originally appeared in Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2020, 63[6-7], 728-731. (The following of the original article appeared in record 2021-00510-035.) With the low level of mHealth (a variant of telehealth) usage in Ghana a sustained decline in healthcare utilization among non-COVID-19 patients could be more disastrous than the COVID-19 pandemic itself. It is therefore imperative for new policies to encourage older people in need of non-COVID-19 care to seek healthcare under supervised conditions to avert another catastrophic scenario especially in the face of the limited operationalization of telehealth services in Ghana. In line with this, the following measures must be taken to promote non-COVID-19 care in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic (particularly among older people). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Re-integrating older adults who have recovered from the novel coronavirus into society in the context of stigmatization: Lessons for health and social actors in Ghana

This reprinted chapter originally appeared in Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2020, 63[6-7], 691-693. (The following of the original article appeared in record 2020-53470-001.) The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to pose health and economic challenges to both developed and developing countries. Compounding these challenges is social stigmatization of recovered patients, especially older adults. Unfortunately, potential policy suggestions aimed at lessening stigmatization among this vulnerable group are missing. In this letter, the authors seek to offer policy recommendations on how to re-integrate older adults who have recovered from the COVID-19 infection into society amid stigmatization. We recommend that health and social actors should develop a comprehensive plan for dealing with stigmatization to ensure a successful and stigma-free re-integration of older adults who have recovered from the COVID-19 infection into society. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19 and the marginalized: an opinion piece on further measures to address COVID-19 in prisons in Sub-Saharan Africa.

PURPOSE: This paper examines prison services and how they can be managed to uphold COVID-19 prevention etiquettes, in light of the contemporary rise in COVID-19 cases across the sub-Saharan Africa continent and the world at large. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: An extensive review of existing literature on COVID-19 was conducted to ascertain the nature of the pandemic in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa. FINDINGS: In line with empirical observations, the paper recommends regular disinfection of prisons and correctional facilities on the sub-continent. Again, there is the need for countries to resort to alternative punitive measures other than imprisonment, to curb the issue of overcrowding in prisons. Furthermore, there is the need for national governments to build ultramodern prison facilities, which would make room for emergency situations, as well as make provision for any future rise in the number of inmates while, at the same time, meeting fundamental needs as peculiar to prisoners. Finally, medical units in prisons need to be well-equipped against contemporary rise in COVID-19 cases. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The authors hereby declare that this submission is their handmade which has not been submitted to any other journal outlet.