All Nations University

Contraceptive use is integral to improving reproductive health outcomes, but disparities in access and use persist across Africa, influenced by socio-economic, educational, and age-related factors. This study explores socioeconomic and education-based inequalities in modern and traditional contraceptive use among women in 41 African countries. Secondary data from the World Health Organisation’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkits and national demographic surveys (2010–2022) were analysed. The study focused on women aged 15–49, categorised by socio-economic status, education level, and age. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used, employing inequality measures such as D (Estimate), R (Estimate), PAF (Estimate), and PAR (Estimate) to assess disparities in contraceptive use. The study found significant variation in contraceptive prevalence, ranging from high-prevalence nations such as Zimbabwe (66.8%), Malawi (65.6%), and Lesotho (64.9%). South Sudan (4%) and Chad (8.2%) had very low prevalence rates. Age-related disparities were also significant, with contraceptive use generally higher in the 20–49 years age group compared to the 15–19 years age group. Again, Ghana exhibited 17% use among 15–19-year-olds compared to 53% in the 20–49-year-old group. The D revealed substantial inequalities in contraceptive use, particularly in countries like Kenya (22.5) and Malawi (20.6). The R highlighted greater disparities in countries such as Nigeria (4.0), indicating a significant socio-economic divide. The PAF demonstrated that socio-economic inequalities contributed to disparities, with Mozambique (5.8) and Niger (8.1) showing higher contributions. PAR further revealed that countries like Malawi (1.6) and Gambia (1.0) had a higher burden of inequality in contraceptive use. This study demonstrates persistent and intersecting age-, wealth-, and education-related inequalities in contraceptive use across Africa. By applying standardised inequality metrics in a cross-country comparative framework, the findings extend beyond prevalence-based analyses and provide actionable evidence to inform equity-oriented family planning policies and programmes. Not applicable.

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing during antenatal care (ANC) is pivotal for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), facilitating early initiation of antiretroviral therapy, infant prophylaxis, and retention in care. While coverage has improved globally, inequalities threaten progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 on ending the AIDS epidemic. This study examined trends and inequalities in HIV testing uptake among pregnant women during ANC in Ghana between 2008 and 2022.MethodsData were drawn from the 2008, 2014, and 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys, comprising a pooled sample of 41,574 women aged 15–49 years who had given birth within two years preceding each survey. The World Health Organization’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkit was applied to estimate Differences (D), Ratios (R), Absolute Concentration Indices (ACI), Population Attributable Fractions (PAF), and Population Attributable Risks (PAR) across equity stratifiers which include ge, education, marital status, residence, region, and wealth.ResultsThe study found that the national coverage of HIV testing during ANC increased from 28.9% in 2008 to 61.0% in 2014 and 72.4% in 2022. Uptake improved among women with no education (18% in 2008 to 60% in 2022) and rural women (20–70%). Nonetheless, wealth quintile, uptake in 2022 ranged from 92.3% in the richest to 51.7% in the poorest; the ACI was 8.2% (95% CI 7.2–9.1) and PAF 27.5% (95% CI 27.4–27.5). Regional disparities were largest with Volta achieving 88.9% versus 32.8% in Savannah, with D rising from 39.7% in 2008 to 56.1% in 2022, while PAF fell from 70.1% (95% CI 69.8–70.3) to 22.7% (95% CI 22.7–22.8). Educational inequalities narrowed; PAF declined from 106.0% (95% CI 105.4–106.5) in 2008 to 34.8% (95% CI 34.8–34.9) in 2022. Age-related differences were negligible, with ACI 1.8% (95% CI − 0.6 to 4.2) in 2022.ConclusionGhana has achieved substantial expansion of ANC-based HIV testing over the past decade. However, pronounced regional and socioeconomic inequalities remain. Targeted, equity-oriented interventions focusing on northern regions and poorest households are essential to prevent avoidable paediatric HIV infections and to sustain progress towards SDG 3.3.

Cloud computing has become a critical driver of digital transformation in emerging economies, enabling organizations to scale ICT capabilities without substantial capital investment. Ghana has made notable progress in expanding mobile and broadband connectivity, yet significant gaps remain in the country’s overall cloud readiness. This paper provides a secondary-data assessment of Ghana’s digital infrastructure, policy environment, and market maturity to evaluate the conditions that enable or constrain cloud adoption. Drawing on real-world datasets from the National Communications Authority (NCA), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Bank, and recent academic studies, the analysis highlights a strong submarine cable footprint but persistent bottlenecks in last-mile connectivity, broadband affordability, and data centre capacity. While banks, telecom operators, and fintech firms increasingly use cloud services, adoption across public institutions and SMEs remains uneven due to infrastructural limitations, regulatory uncertainties, and skills shortages. Through a structured cloud readiness framework, the paper identifies Ghana’s major strengths and weaknesses and proposes policy measures to accelerate cloud adoption. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on Africa’s digital transformation by offering a country-specific analysis that integrates technical, regulatory, and market perspectives.

Questions have been used as a teaching tool to assess the learner's knowledge, comprehension, and critical thinking. Thoughtfully crafted questions can lead to new discoveries that explore the subject matter, whereas poorly worded questions can lead to decreased learning, confusion, intimidation, and limited thought processing. This column is the first in a series exploring the use of questions. We will explore strategies, examples, and ideas that increase learning and critical thinking within professional development and during interactions with nurses. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2025;56(5):173-174.].

The summary of the debriefing session is critical to acknowledge the work of each participant and to identify the learnings. Key approaches include the importance of including everyone and maintaining a positive, upbeat attitude. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(9):423-424.].

Perishable fresh vegetables that do not meet cosmetic standards and other crop waste rich resources are presently wasted. Mangifera indica leaves, Psidium guajava leaves, Petroselinum crispum leaves and Daucus carota were selected as model vegetables to show that they can be converted into a shelf-stable novel functional powdered product. A novel functional product from a blend of these powdered vegetables (FPPV) was formulated. To evaluate the shelf-life of FPPV. The novel functional product from a blend of powdered vegetables (FPPV) was prepared in the Food Science and Nutrition laboratory, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, India. The samples were subjected to accelerated stability study maintaining temperature and relative humidity 40°C ± 2°C and 75% ± 5% respectively. Organoleptic, physico‑chemical and microbiological properties of FPPV was analyzed at an interval of 0, 1, 3 and 6 months to check the degradation levels in the formulation. Organoleptic characters showed no significant changes in accelerated stability condition. There were insignificant changes in physico-chemical profiles and product was free from microbial contamination at different intervals of analysis. On extrapolation of the observations the shelf-life of FPPV was found to be 51 months (4 years and 3 months) for climatic zone I & II countries and 34 months (2 years and 10 months) for climatic zone III & IV countries, respectively. The conversion of perishable vegetables and crop wastes into shelf-stable functional food products will reduce food loss and waste in the vegetable industry.

I en dombok för Visingsborgs grevskap 1596 förekommer frälsekvinnan Elin Månsdotter (Ulfsparre, nämnd 1548–1596) och hennes tre söner. En av dem var Åbjörn Persson († 1627). Här redovisas hans kända ättlingar fram till ungefär 1720. Dessa var i de första generationerna spridda inom ett begränsat område i norra Småland, främst i Ölmstad socken i Vista härad och i Adelövs socken i Norra Vedbo härad. Av hans ättlingar var två söner ryttare och rusthållare, en var dessutom nämndeman och en dotter var gift med en ryttare. Flera i de första generationerna var skattebönder och alltså självägande. Längre fram i leden förekom andra typer av bönder men också soldater och torpare. För den som hittar en anknytning till någon av dessa familjer blir Åbjörn Persson en grindana till släkter som leder sitt ursprung långt tillbaka i vår historia. Förutom Ulfsparre förekommer bland anorna under 1500-talet släkter som Bölja från Västbo och Fargalt.

In this paper, we bring to light the issue of appraising and diffusing information systems by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The empirical data was gathered through an online questionnaire-based survey from 312 SMEs in Ghana. All these enterprises are registered members of the association of Ghanaian industries (AGI) and are confirmed users of information system. The framework of the study is developed based on the approaches found in technology management literature: management principles for disruptive technology, information system strategy, technological decision making and the technology acceptance models. The aim of the paper is to unearth management principles which allow SMEs in Ghana to appraise and diffuse information system successfully. We defined these principles through the comparison of known principles with the practiced principles of management of the small enterprises in Ghana and distilling the best management practices in information system appraisal and diffusion.

Abstract Financial technology offers convenience, security, and affordability. In sub-Saharan Africa, mobile money is the flagship offering hypothesized to promote financial inclusion. Nonetheless, the persistent complaints from end-users about the cost associated with mobile money usage in the sub-region have gone under the radar. Therefore, using the semi-systematic review of news articles and blogs’ in direct content analysis, we explore the cost of mobile money usage in the sub-region. We examine the state of mobile charges and how it potentially reverses the original purpose of FinTech. Results indicate that governments and other stakeholders find mobile money charges to be high. The imposition of mobile money tax and the regressive structure of mobile money charges affect the poor. The effort of policymakers to reduce the cost of mobile money in the sub-region is ineffective because the FinTech market is dominated by few foreign-owned telecommunication companies. Thus, the creation and promotion of a domestic FinTech market are necessary to promote greater financial inclusion.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow activities are seen as a threat to the survival of resource-constrained SMEs in Ghana. Hence, this preconception stifles collaborations between foreign and local businesses. Therefore, to justify the need for such collaborations, we estimate the relationship between FDI inflow activities and SMEs’ strategic decision making as well as the mediating role of interfirm value co-creation using the structural equation model. Using data survey responses of 856 Ghanaian SMEs, we find positive significant relationships between FDI inflow activities, environmental sustainability decisions, economic sustainability decisions, and social sustainability decisions. Further, interfirm value co-creation mediates the positive relationship between FDI inflow activities and economic sustainability decisions. So, SMEs should embrace FDI inflow activities in the country and create knowledge from the technology and human expertise of these businesses. Again, policymakers should devise forward-thinking strategies to stimulate an information-sharing ecosystem promoting collaboration between domestic and foreign-owned businesses in Ghana.