Exposure to mass media chronic health campaign messages and the uptake of non-communicable disease screening in Ghana.

The main goal of this study was to examine the relationship between exposure to mass media health campaign massages and the uptake of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) screening services in Ghana and whether this relationship differs by place of residence. Available evidence suggests a general low uptake of NCDs screening in developing country settings. Unfortunately, many NCDs evolve very slowly and are consequently difficult to detect early especially in situations where people do not screen regularly and in settings where awareness is low. In this study, we contribute to understanding the potential role of the media in scaling up NCDs screening in developing countries. We fitted multivariate logistic regression models to a sample of 1337 individual surveys which were collected at the neighborhood level in three Ghanaian cities. Overall, the results show that exposure to mass media chronic NCD health campaign messages was significantly associated with increased likelihood of screening for NCDs. The results further highlight neighborhood-level disparities in the uptake of NCDs screening services as residents of low-income and deprived neighborhoods were significantly less likely to report being screened for NCDs. Other factors including social capital, knowledge about the causes of NCDs and self-rated health predicted the likelihood of chronic NCDs screening. The results demonstrate mass media can be an important tool for scaling up NCDs screening services in Ghana and similar contexts where awareness might be low. However, place-based disparities need to be addressed.

"Quenching the thirst of others while suffering": Embodied experiences of water vendors in Ghana and Kenya.

Informal water sellers (commonly known as water vendors) have emerged as part of urban water infrastructure systems in many low- and middle-income countries to meet the water needs of unserved urban populations. These vendors include water tanker operators, those who sell water from private standpipes and boreholes, and those who use hand carts, bicycles, tricycles to transport water around for sale. However, we know little about the embodied impacts of their work on their health and wellbeing. In this article, we consider how embodied experience can add to our understandings of water access and decent work in urban centers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study examines health risks associated with informal water vending in three cities, Accra and Wa (Ghana) and Kisumu (Kenya), where close to 48%, 65%, and 26% of residents respectively rely on vendors for their drinking water needs. We used in-depth interviews to explore the lived experiences of 59 water vendors and perspectives of 21 local stakeholders. Water vendors were mostly exposed to injury, environmental pollution, stigma, and work-life balance. Vendors who transport water in containers using bicycles or hand-pushed carts and those who carry water around complained about harsh weather conditions, poor physical terrain, and abuse from customers. Female water vendors also complained about pregnancy complications, baldness and water related diseases. Female water vendors experience unique physical threats that may put them at greater risk for chronic health and safety impacts. Gaining a better understanding of the health risks faced by these water vendors will provide policy makers with greater insight into how water vendors can be better supported to provide more improved services to enhance greater access to safe water. Findings from this work are also important for contributing to social protection policies, promoting inclusive growth, and designing empowerment programs for women.

Tourism amid COVID-19 pandemic: impacts and implications for building resilience in the eco-tourism sector in Ghana's Savannah region.

The novel coronavirus which first emerged in Wuhan, China has affected many sectors of the global economy particularly, the tourism sector. While prior studies have explored how pandemics and crisis in the tourism sector can be managed, only a few have tackled how the tourism industry, especially in developing countries can be restructured to withstand shocks and remain resilient in the face of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic in the future. This article sheds light on the socio-economic and ecological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the eco-tourism sector of Ghana's Savannah region while offering short and long term strategies for building resilience to withstand shocks. Between September and October 2020, data was collected in the tourism enclave of the Savannah region in Ghana using focus group discussions and interviews. Results show that the major socio-economic impact of the pandemic was the loss of livelihoods. Ecological impacts were however mixed - both positive and negative. The study concludes that socio-economic impacts have been severe because they are closely tied to tourism. The study therefore recommends that immediate measures including stimulus packages be offered to local enterprises affected by the pandemic. In the long term, efforts should be made to diversify the local economy and promote domestic tourism in the country.