Augustine Ankomah
Biographic Data
| ID | 3917942 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Augustine Ankomah |
| GIVEN NAMES | Augustine |
| FAMILY NAME | Ankomah |
| SIGNATURE | ANKOMAH A |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Ghana |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-9616-8291 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 15 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1992 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Barriers to implementation of domestic violence prevention policies and programs in northwestern Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a signatory to various international conventions, regional charters, and protocols related to violence against women, yet many women suffer domestic violence. To date, very little is known about how these conventions and protocols are being implemented, and the barriers associated with their implementation. This study explored the barriers to implementation of domestic violence against women prevention policies and programs in northwe…
Biobehavioral survey using time location sampling among female sex workers living in Ghana in 2020
Background: The HIV epidemic in Ghana is characterized as a mix of a low-level generalized epidemic with significant contributions from transmission among female sex workers (FSW) and their clients. This study seeks to identify and describe key characteristics and sexual behaviors of FSW and estimate the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) among FSW in Ghana. Method: A total of 7,000 FSW were recruited f…
Covid-19, relationships, and contraception
Globally, family planning services were disrupted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to these services was a challenge for sexually active urban youth, and this warrants investigation. Using in-depth interview data, we qualitatively explored the effect of the lockdown on the relationship quality and contraception behaviour of emerging adults (19-24 year olds) who were in relationships during a specified lockdown period. Participan…
Policymakers’ and healthcare providers’ perspectives on the introduction of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for key populations in Ghana
Policymakers and providers recognize the value of PrEP in cubing new HIV infections but have concerns about disinhibition, non-adherence, and cost. Therefore, the Ghana health service should roll-out a range of strategies to address their concerns including: sensitization with providers to mitigate underlying stigma towards KPs, particularly MSM, integration of PrEP into existing services, and innovative strategies to improve continued use of PrE…
Feasibility and Acceptability of LNG 1.5 mg as an On‐Demand Pericoital Contraceptive in Ghana
Globally, there is a need for more family planning method options as currently, available options do not adequately meet the needs of women, specifically those who have infrequent sex. Levonorgestrel (LNG) 1.5 mg is widely available as emergency contraception pills (ECP), and recent research has shown that certain women take it as their main form of contraception. Furthermore, limited studies have found repeat, on‐demand use safe and efficacious.…
Did Covid‐19 Impact Contraceptive Uptake? Evidence from Senegal
This study assessed the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the number of new contraceptive acceptors in Senegal overall and by method. Monthly service data from March 2019 to December 2020 were extracted for the number of new contraceptive users of IUDs, implants, injectables, and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and interrupted time series analysis for trend analyses overall and by the contraceptiv…
Perspectives of Policymakers on the Introduction and Scale-Up of HIV Self-Testing and Implication for National HIV Programming in Ghana
Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) has the potential to greatly increase HIV testing uptake, particularly among key populations (KPs) at higher risk for HIV. Studies have shown high acceptability and feasibility of HIVST among various target populations globally. However, less is known about the perspectives of policymakers, who are critical to the success of HIVST implementation. Their views on barriers to the introduction and scale-up of self…
Beliefs about children and the psychosocial implications of infertility on individuals seeking assisted fertilization in Ghana
Infertility presents challenges to individuals and couples, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to document beliefs about childbearing/children and the psychosocial implications of infertility in individuals seeking assisted fertilization in the Ghanaian context. The study had an exploratory descriptive qualitative design. Six males and 12 females were recruited purposefully from five private fertility centres in the Greater Accr…
Level of adherence and associated factors among HIV-positive adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Cameroon
Aim: Globally, there were over 250 000 new HIV infections among adolescents in 2017, with a higher proportion of these in sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, UNICEF estimated over 4 200 new HIV infections in adolescents in 2015; by 2016, there were over 40 000 adolescents who had HIV. Given that the number of adolescents living with HIV in Cameroon is on the increase, there is a need to better understand the factors influencing adherence to treatmen…
Modelling Geographical Variations and Determinants of Use of Modern Family Planning Methods Among Women of Reproductive Age in Nigeria
Understanding the level, trend, geographical variations and determinants of use of modern family planning (FP) plays a major role in designing effective interventions leading to increased usage. This study assessed these characteristics of FP use in Nigeria using data from the 2003, 2005 and 2007 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey, a national population-based household survey. A Bayesian geo-additive procedure was used, which provid…
Determinants of insecticide-treated net ownership and utilization among pregnant women in Nigeria
ITN use lagged well behind ITN ownership. This seems to suggest that the current mass distribution of ITNs at antenatal facilities and community levels may not necessarily lead to use unless it is accompanied by behaviour change interventions that address the community level perceptions, misconceptions and positively position ITN as an effective prevention device to prevent malaria
Modelling level, trend and geographical variations in stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/Aids in Nigeria
People living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA) often face stigma and discrimination. Stigma is a powerful tool for social control and PLHA are to varying degrees stigmatised against. Consequences of stigma and discrimination against PLHA may result in low turn-out for HIV counselling and testing, identity crises, isolation, loneliness, low self-esteem and lack of interest in containing the disease. To achieve the millennium development goal on HIV reduct…
The Impact of Exposure to Mass Media Campaigns and Social Support on Levels and Trends of Hiv-Related Stigma and Discrimination in Nigeria
People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) often face stigma and discrimination, especially in developing countries. HIV-related stigma is expressed through social ostracism, personal rejection, direct and indirect discrimination, and denial from families and friends. Consequently, it is associated with reduced adoption of preventive and care behaviours, including condom use, seeking for HIV test and care-seeking behaviour subsequent to diagnosis. …
Understanding self-appraisal of HIV-infection risk among young adults in Nigeria
A major component of HIV prevention is to encourage individuals to appreciate their personal risk of contracting the virus with the aim of encouraging them to take steps to reduce the risks. This article addresses the accuracy of an individual's risk assessment by matching this with individual's reported risk behaviours in order to assess possible congruence. Although the relationship between risk perception and risk behaviours has been studied b…
Sex, Love, Money and Aids
Empowering women, especially in developing countries, in AIDS prevention is one of the most important strategies in slowing down the AIDS pandemic. However, the different contexts within which young women are exhorted to embark on HIV risk-reduction sexual behaviours and the difficulties involved are often not fully explored. The article highlights the apparent powerlessness of young women in premarital sexual exchange relationships in urban Ghan…
Attitudes of Men Towards Family Planning in Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Family planning programmes in Tanzania date back to the 1950s. By the early 1990s, however, only 5-10% of women of childbearing age used contraceptives in the country. Low contraceptive prevalence in Tanzania is reportedly attributable to men's opposition to family planning. This paper employs focus groups to explore the role of Tanzanian men in family planning. More specifically, it presents a rural-urban comparison of the attitudes of men in Mb…
Unsafe abortions
Using quantitative and qualitative data, the authors present selected characteristics of 626 women who reported complications of induced abortion in five hospitals: one in Nairobi, two in Lima, and two in Manila. Although there are some similarities, the findings show some marked differences in demographic characteristics. In Nairobi nearly all respondents were single, nulliparous, and 25 years or younger; in Lima and Manila most were either marr…
Premarital relationships and livelihoods in Ghana
This study is based on interviews with a sample of 400 single women aged 18-25 years from the Fante ethnic group in Cape Coast, Ghana, in 1991, and on focus groups. This case study illustrates the importance of economic and living arrangement support expected from partners in premarital relationships. Support may be for living and maintenance ('chopmoney', provisions, household items, and rent); for financial security (provision of capital); and …
Significance of beliefs and values in predicting fertility and contraceptive behaviour in Pakistan
A comparative study of 1100 women aged 25–45 years, users and non-users of modern methods of contraception, in the urban centres of Lahore and Faisalabad was conducted in 1991. The objective of the study was to investigate reproductive behaviour and the extent to which social, cultural and attitudinal variables, such as beliefs and values about family life, religiosity and fatalism, influence the fertility decision-making process. Preferences for…
Premarital sexual relationships in Ghana in the era of Aids
Governments and health policy makers in Africa are confronted with the task of modifying their populations' sexual behaviour, and especially that of the youth, in response to the AIDS epidemic. The little that is known about the sexual life of Ghanaians is based mainly on anthropological studies. In addition, the evidence is scattered and provided by various social scientists with different cultural backgrounds and divergent interpretations of Gh…
Premarital sexual relationships in Ghana in the era of Aids
Governments and health policy makers in Africa are confronted with the task of modifying their populations' sexual behaviour, and especially that of the youth, in response to the AIDS epidemic. The little that is known about the sexual life of Ghanaians is based mainly on anthropological studies. In addition, the evidence is scattered and provided by various social scientists with different cultural backgrounds and divergent interpretations of Gh…
Premarital relationships and livelihoods in Ghana
This study is based on interviews with a sample of 400 single women aged 18-25 years from the Fante ethnic group in Cape Coast, Ghana, in 1991, and on focus groups. This case study illustrates the importance of economic and living arrangement support expected from partners in premarital relationships. Support may be for living and maintenance ('chopmoney', provisions, household items, and rent); for financial security (provision of capital); and …
Did Covid‐19 Impact Contraceptive Uptake? Evidence from Senegal
This study assessed the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the number of new contraceptive acceptors in Senegal overall and by method. Monthly service data from March 2019 to December 2020 were extracted for the number of new contraceptive users of IUDs, implants, injectables, and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and interrupted time series analysis for trend analyses overall and by the contraceptiv…
Premarital sexual relationships in Ghana in the era of Aids
Governments and health policy makers in Africa are confronted with the task of modifying their populations' sexual behaviour, and especially that of the youth, in response to the AIDS epidemic. The little that is known about the sexual life of Ghanaians is based mainly on anthropological studies. In addition, the evidence is scattered and provided by various social scientists with different cultural backgrounds and divergent interpretations of Gh…
Significance of beliefs and values in predicting fertility and contraceptive behaviour in Pakistan
A comparative study of 1100 women aged 25–45 years, users and non-users of modern methods of contraception, in the urban centres of Lahore and Faisalabad was conducted in 1991. The objective of the study was to investigate reproductive behaviour and the extent to which social, cultural and attitudinal variables, such as beliefs and values about family life, religiosity and fatalism, influence the fertility decision-making process. Preferences for…
Premarital relationships and livelihoods in Ghana
This study is based on interviews with a sample of 400 single women aged 18-25 years from the Fante ethnic group in Cape Coast, Ghana, in 1991, and on focus groups. This case study illustrates the importance of economic and living arrangement support expected from partners in premarital relationships. Support may be for living and maintenance ('chopmoney', provisions, household items, and rent); for financial security (provision of capital); and …
Unsafe abortions
Using quantitative and qualitative data, the authors present selected characteristics of 626 women who reported complications of induced abortion in five hospitals: one in Nairobi, two in Lima, and two in Manila. Although there are some similarities, the findings show some marked differences in demographic characteristics. In Nairobi nearly all respondents were single, nulliparous, and 25 years or younger; in Lima and Manila most were either marr…
Attitudes of Men Towards Family Planning in Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Family planning programmes in Tanzania date back to the 1950s. By the early 1990s, however, only 5-10% of women of childbearing age used contraceptives in the country. Low contraceptive prevalence in Tanzania is reportedly attributable to men's opposition to family planning. This paper employs focus groups to explore the role of Tanzanian men in family planning. More specifically, it presents a rural-urban comparison of the attitudes of men in Mb…
Sex, Love, Money and Aids
Empowering women, especially in developing countries, in AIDS prevention is one of the most important strategies in slowing down the AIDS pandemic. However, the different contexts within which young women are exhorted to embark on HIV risk-reduction sexual behaviours and the difficulties involved are often not fully explored. The article highlights the apparent powerlessness of young women in premarital sexual exchange relationships in urban Ghan…
The Impact of Exposure to Mass Media Campaigns and Social Support on Levels and Trends of Hiv-Related Stigma and Discrimination in Nigeria
People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) often face stigma and discrimination, especially in developing countries. HIV-related stigma is expressed through social ostracism, personal rejection, direct and indirect discrimination, and denial from families and friends. Consequently, it is associated with reduced adoption of preventive and care behaviours, including condom use, seeking for HIV test and care-seeking behaviour subsequent to diagnosis. …
Understanding self-appraisal of HIV-infection risk among young adults in Nigeria
A major component of HIV prevention is to encourage individuals to appreciate their personal risk of contracting the virus with the aim of encouraging them to take steps to reduce the risks. This article addresses the accuracy of an individual's risk assessment by matching this with individual's reported risk behaviours in order to assess possible congruence. Although the relationship between risk perception and risk behaviours has been studied b…
Modelling level, trend and geographical variations in stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/Aids in Nigeria
People living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA) often face stigma and discrimination. Stigma is a powerful tool for social control and PLHA are to varying degrees stigmatised against. Consequences of stigma and discrimination against PLHA may result in low turn-out for HIV counselling and testing, identity crises, isolation, loneliness, low self-esteem and lack of interest in containing the disease. To achieve the millennium development goal on HIV reduct…
Determinants of insecticide-treated net ownership and utilization among pregnant women in Nigeria
ITN use lagged well behind ITN ownership. This seems to suggest that the current mass distribution of ITNs at antenatal facilities and community levels may not necessarily lead to use unless it is accompanied by behaviour change interventions that address the community level perceptions, misconceptions and positively position ITN as an effective prevention device to prevent malaria
Modelling Geographical Variations and Determinants of Use of Modern Family Planning Methods Among Women of Reproductive Age in Nigeria
Understanding the level, trend, geographical variations and determinants of use of modern family planning (FP) plays a major role in designing effective interventions leading to increased usage. This study assessed these characteristics of FP use in Nigeria using data from the 2003, 2005 and 2007 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey, a national population-based household survey. A Bayesian geo-additive procedure was used, which provid…
Level of adherence and associated factors among HIV-positive adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Cameroon
Aim: Globally, there were over 250 000 new HIV infections among adolescents in 2017, with a higher proportion of these in sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, UNICEF estimated over 4 200 new HIV infections in adolescents in 2015; by 2016, there were over 40 000 adolescents who had HIV. Given that the number of adolescents living with HIV in Cameroon is on the increase, there is a need to better understand the factors influencing adherence to treatmen…
Perspectives of Policymakers on the Introduction and Scale-Up of HIV Self-Testing and Implication for National HIV Programming in Ghana
Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) has the potential to greatly increase HIV testing uptake, particularly among key populations (KPs) at higher risk for HIV. Studies have shown high acceptability and feasibility of HIVST among various target populations globally. However, less is known about the perspectives of policymakers, who are critical to the success of HIVST implementation. Their views on barriers to the introduction and scale-up of self…
Beliefs about children and the psychosocial implications of infertility on individuals seeking assisted fertilization in Ghana
Infertility presents challenges to individuals and couples, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to document beliefs about childbearing/children and the psychosocial implications of infertility in individuals seeking assisted fertilization in the Ghanaian context. The study had an exploratory descriptive qualitative design. Six males and 12 females were recruited purposefully from five private fertility centres in the Greater Accr…
Did Covid‐19 Impact Contraceptive Uptake? Evidence from Senegal
This study assessed the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the number of new contraceptive acceptors in Senegal overall and by method. Monthly service data from March 2019 to December 2020 were extracted for the number of new contraceptive users of IUDs, implants, injectables, and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and interrupted time series analysis for trend analyses overall and by the contraceptiv…
Covid-19, relationships, and contraception
Globally, family planning services were disrupted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to these services was a challenge for sexually active urban youth, and this warrants investigation. Using in-depth interview data, we qualitatively explored the effect of the lockdown on the relationship quality and contraception behaviour of emerging adults (19-24 year olds) who were in relationships during a specified lockdown period. Participan…
Policymakers’ and healthcare providers’ perspectives on the introduction of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for key populations in Ghana
Policymakers and providers recognize the value of PrEP in cubing new HIV infections but have concerns about disinhibition, non-adherence, and cost. Therefore, the Ghana health service should roll-out a range of strategies to address their concerns including: sensitization with providers to mitigate underlying stigma towards KPs, particularly MSM, integration of PrEP into existing services, and innovative strategies to improve continued use of PrE…
Feasibility and Acceptability of LNG 1.5 mg as an On‐Demand Pericoital Contraceptive in Ghana
Globally, there is a need for more family planning method options as currently, available options do not adequately meet the needs of women, specifically those who have infrequent sex. Levonorgestrel (LNG) 1.5 mg is widely available as emergency contraception pills (ECP), and recent research has shown that certain women take it as their main form of contraception. Furthermore, limited studies have found repeat, on‐demand use safe and efficacious.…
Biobehavioral survey using time location sampling among female sex workers living in Ghana in 2020
Background: The HIV epidemic in Ghana is characterized as a mix of a low-level generalized epidemic with significant contributions from transmission among female sex workers (FSW) and their clients. This study seeks to identify and describe key characteristics and sexual behaviors of FSW and estimate the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) among FSW in Ghana. Method: A total of 7,000 FSW were recruited f…
Barriers to implementation of domestic violence prevention policies and programs in northwestern Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a signatory to various international conventions, regional charters, and protocols related to violence against women, yet many women suffer domestic violence. To date, very little is known about how these conventions and protocols are being implemented, and the barriers associated with their implementation. This study explored the barriers to implementation of domestic violence against women prevention policies and programs in northwe…
Medicine (15 works) · Environmental health (14 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (10 works) · Demography (9 works) · Family medicine (9 works) · Population (9 works) · Sex work and related issues (8 works) · Sociology (8 works) · Global Maternal and Child Health (7 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (7 works)