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Consistent and proper condom use offers a safer, economically cheap and practically effective means of preventing HIV infection. Using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey with a sample of 2779 sexually active youth (males = 682 and females = 2,097) in the age range 15–24, this study explored the prevalence of, and factors associated with consistent condom use among sexually active young adults in Ghana. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Our results showed that approximately 11% of the respondents reported consistent condom use in their previous sexual activity. Females were more likely than males to have used a condom consistently. The logistic regression results showed that females who had tested for HIV were less likely to use a condom consistently. However, those who have obtained family planning information from print media and those from the northern part of Ghana were more likely to practise consistent condom use. Furthermore, males who professed the Traditional African religion were less likely to use a condom consistently. In contrast, males in the rich wealth category were more likely to use a condom consistently. These findings underscore the need for behavioural change campaigns targeting young adults, particularly those who are sexually active, to encourage consistent condom use. These interventions should target young adults with less family planning knowledge, those who know their HIV status and those who profess the Traditional African religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the demographic and socio-economic correlates of alcohol consumption and drinking frequency among Ghanaian women aged 15-49 years. The study utilizes the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data, which remains the most recent DHS for studying the phenomenon in Ghana. Using logistic regression, our findings indicate that alcohol consumption among Ghanaian women is influenced by age, education, and wealth status. In addition, while health insurance ownership significantly affects alcohol consumption among urban women, employment status is reported to be a significant determinant among rural women. Results from the ordered logistic regression show that age, wealth status, pregnancy status, and place of residence are significant predictors of alcohol drinking frequency among Ghanaian women. Moreover, while secondary educational attainment is significant among urban women, primary educational attainment is significant among rural women. The study concludes that the predictors of alcohol consumption and drinking frequency among women of childbearing age in Ghana vary by place of residence (i.e., rural vs urban).

This paper investigates the impact of farm-nonfarm diversification (FND) on household income and food expenditure in urban Ghana using propensity score matching (PSM) technique to account for potential selection bias. We find diversified households to be statistically different from undiversified households in terms of household characteristics. Age, gender, educational attainment of the household head, household size, ownership of livestock and agricultural land, and receipt of miscellaneous and rent incomes are positive and significant determinants of FND in urban Ghana. In addition, we find that participation in both farm and nonfarm activities positively and significantly impacts household income and food expenditure. In the light of growing urbanization, with its implications for unemployment, poverty and food insecurity, we recommend diversification among urban households as a means of smoothing income and consumption.

The relationship between membership in Ghana's national health insurance scheme and out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure (OOPHE) was quantified using data from two rounds of the Ghana Living Standards Survey for 2013 and 2017. Censored quantile regressions were evaluated with and without instrumental variables. The results show that going from having no insured household member to all insured predicted less OOPHE (by 19% at the median). We find statistically significant differences between the 2013 and 2017 estimates. Insurance reduced OOPHE in 2013 but had a statistically insignificant effect in 2017. The effect on spending on outpatient care was greater than that related to medicine and medical supplies. There was no statistically significant relationship with hospitalisation fees. Falling government health spending and growing reliance on private healthcare financing have been observed. The insurance scheme has become less generous, and it was therefore less effective in 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the predictors of HIV/AIDS awareness and knowledge among older and younger Ghanaian women of reproductive age. Logistic regression was estimated using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data. Results indicate that older Ghanaian women are significantly different from their younger counterparts in terms of the selected socio-economic and demographic characteristics that influence awareness and knowledge of the epidemic. In all, the respondents' age, region of residence, wealth status, education, marital status and religious affiliation were found to significantly predict knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS among women. In addition, pregnancy status and place of residence proved to be significant correlates of HIV/AIDS awareness among Ghanaian women. The study suggests that higher social status is critical in determining whether women of reproductive age are aware of and knowledgeable about the epidemic. Thus, there is the need for policies and interventions to target messages taking into account the varied socio-economic and demographic backgrounds of women in Ghana. Further, health education interventions should be sensitive to the changing technological landscape in order to develop messages that can be delivered via mobile phones, whether as reminders or ringtones, and therefore enhance health knowledge and promote behaviour that brings about desirable health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]