The Challenge of Involvement and Detachment in Participant Observation

The technique of participant observation, and the roles involved, have been widely discussed in the literature across a range of settings and topics. However, researchers rarely argue for a particular role that a participant observer should adopt. In this paper, I attempt to argue for the participant-as-observer role. I do so by reviewing existing literature on the topic. I argue that the complete observer and the complete participant roles are not applicable in today\u27s research environment because, aside from their practical problems, they violate the ethical requirement of informed consent. I argued further that the observer-as-participant role, with its limited involvement in the life of informants, not only prevents the researcher from fully understanding the context of the study, but also instils doubts and suspicion in informants, leading to concealment or distortion of data. I therefore conclude that, where all the four roles are possible, the participant-as-observer role, which offers a higher degree of involvement, should be employed to enable the researcher to get deeper understanding of the context under study. I add, however, that the participant observer should, in this case, account for his/her biases and their possible effects on his/her observations

Child Labour in Ghana: Ecological Perspective

One of the major socio-economic problem that have engaged the attention of world leaders and researchers presently is child labour. The phenomenon persists in spite of the effort made by International Labour Organization and other reputable organizations to eliminate it. This paper examines this phenomenon in African context, with specific reference to Ghana. It draws on the ecological approach in Community Psychology which claims that, in both research and intervention planning, the notion of context must be placed front and centre. International conventions that seek to eliminate child labour, as well as Ghana’s Children’s Act, are examined in relation to the Ghanaian culture. Besides, several studies and articles in the area of child labour are also examined. It is argued that, for interventions to be successful, it should take into account the culture of the people. Thus, child labour and its related light work should be given contextual definitions. Keywords: Child Labour, Ecological Perspective, Ghana, Culture, Context

Barriers to Mainstream Participation of Persons with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study of Persons with Physical Disabilities in Techiman, Ghana

This study uses data from qualitative interviews and focus group discussions to explore the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in Techiman, Ghana. The study found that persons with disabilities hardly enjoy equal rights and privileges as their able-bodied counterparts in the Ghanaian society. Parsons with disabilities in Ghana are often denied access to education, employment, healthcare, social activities, decision making, and leadership positions. Persons with disabilities are also less likely to be accepted in marriage. Discrimination against persons with disabilities result mainly from negative perceptions about disability, especially the perception that disability is either a sickness or a curse. Participants observed, however, that perceptions about disability, and the corresponding attitudes towards persons with disabilities, are improving recently mainly due to public education. As control measures, participants suggested vigorous public education campaigns aimed at cultural and ideological changes. Participants also suggested structural changes, particularly policies and legislations that would make public places accessible to persons with disabilities, and enhance the opportunities of persons with disabilities to take part in all decisions affecting them

Cost-Utility of Prostaglandin Analogues Compared to Beta Blockers as First-Line Medication for Treating Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Ghana

Background – Ghana ranks among the countries most affected by glaucoma in the world. Glaucoma is estimated to account for 20.6% of all cases of blindness in the country. In recent years, there has been a growing concern that anti-glaucoma medications listed on the National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) medicines list are not adequate to manage the disease. This has led to calls from different stakeholders for prostaglandin analogues, particularly latanoprost, to be added to the NHIS medicines list. However, the cost-effectiveness of this medication is yet to be established. Objective – To establish the cost-effectiveness of prostaglandin analogue as a first-line medication for treating primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in Ghana. Method – A Markov Model was constructed to assess the life-time cost-effectiveness of treating a cohort of one thousand 55-year-old POAG patients with prostaglandin analogues compared to beta blockers. Effectiveness data was taken from literature. Cost data was obtained mainly from Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) medicines list for 2016 and the recently revised Ghana Diagnostic-related group (G-DRG) tariff lists. Costs of treatments not covered by the NHIS were estimated as the average of retail prices quoted by some leading pharmaceutical companies in Ghana. The effect of parameter uncertainty on cost-effectiveness was explored through one-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results – Compared to beta blockers, prostaglandin analogues resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of USD 11,600; based on an estimated incremental gain of 105 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), at an additional cost of USD 1,222,400. The probability that prostaglandin analogue is cost-effective compared to beta blockers at a willingness to pay threshold of USD 4,100 per QALY was 0.27. The ICER was not sensitive to the age of the cohort, the cost of prostaglandin analogues, or the probability of developing asthma. However, the ICER was sensitive to the age of the cohort and the cost of prostaglandin analogues when varied simultaneously. Conclusion – Given the existing evidence, prostaglandin analogue is not a cost-effective alternative to beta blockers as a first-line treatment for POAG in Ghana. The study, however, shows that further research to reduce decision uncertainty would be necessary if expected cost of research does not exceed USD 131 billion

Barriers to Mainstream Participation of Persons with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study of Persons with Physical Disabilities in Techiman, Ghana

This study uses data from qualitative interviews and focus group discussions to explore the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in Techiman, Ghana. The study found that persons with disabilities hardly enjoy equal rights and privileges as their able-bodied counterparts in the Ghanaian society. Parsons with disabilities in Ghana are often denied access to education, employment, healthcare, social activities, decision making, and leadership positions. Persons with disabilities are also less likely to be accepted in marriage. Discrimination against persons with disabilities result mainly from negative perceptions about disability, especially the perception that disability is either a sickness or a curse. Participants observed, however, that perceptions about disability, and the corresponding attitudes towards persons with disabilities, are improving recently mainly due to public education. As control measures, participants suggested vigorous public education campaigns aimed at cultural and ideological changes. Participants also suggested structural changes, particularly policies and legislations that would make public places accessible to persons with disabilities, and enhance the opportunities of persons with disabilities to take part in all decisions affecting them