Client-reported challenges and opportunities for improved antiretroviral therapy services uptake at a secondary health facility in Ghana.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens in African countries, including Ghana, are often faced with the challenge of treatment default. To maximize ART utilization and efficiency among people living with HIV (PLHIV), it is pertinent to ensure that ART-related challenges that clients encounter are identified and addressed holistically. A phenomenological qualitative study of thirty participants recruited through the purposive sampling technique was conducted using in-depth interviews from June to July 2021. Independent coding was done using Atlas ti. Sub-themes were developed from the codes, using the most expressive phrases, and grouped under two broad themes, challenges, and opportunities to maximise ART uptake. Ten different challenges, grouped into the health system and individual constraints were reported. Health system constraints included stigmatisation and discrimination by healthcare workers, queuing outside while waiting to be served, long waiting periods, non-communication of laboratory test results to clients, lack of proper education on side effects associated with ART, and language barrier. Individual constraints included financial constraints, perceived non-improvement in health outcomes, food insecurity, and forgetfulness. Opportunities identified for improved ART uptake were assuring ART clients of improved health outcomes, leveraging the good rapport between ART clients and healthcare providers, leveraging the better counselling services offered to PLHIV at the ART clinic, provision of varied ART treatment regimens to clients, routine communication of laboratory test results to clients, and leveraging clients' satisfaction with ART services at ART clinic. We recommend health system reforms targeting healthcare service delivery to PLHIV to encourage linkage, continuity, and retention in care and augmenting ART regimes with financial and nutritional support while encouraging status disclosure to a trusted family member.

Work-related challenges and their associated coping mechanisms among female head porters (Kayayei) in Ghana.

Background: While internal migrants (Kayayei) in Ghana have been perceived as a vulnerable group facing various health-related challenges, there has not been enough research on the impact of their work on their health and well-being. This study investigated the lived experiences of the Kayayei to identify the health-related challenges associated with their work and the coping mechanisms they adopt in dealing with these challenges. Methods: We interviewed 21 participants purposely selected and conducted two focus group discussions (FGD) of five participants each at the Agbogbloshie market. Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis Approach was used to identify themes and sub-themes. Statements from participants were presented as quotes to corroborate their views. Results: The work-related challenges identified in the study were physical health, mental health, accommodation, and social challenges. Religion, recreation, social support, hope, resilience, and self-medication were the coping strategies adopted by the study participants. Conclusion: The government of Ghana should be encouraged to work with stakeholders like social welfare to raise awareness about women's rights, build their skills to increase their employment opportunities, enhance their safety, health, and overall well-being. It is also important to ensure the networking of relevant stakeholders to work with women in the informal sector to foster agency and provide support when needed.

Betting high, feeling low: a cross-sectional examination of gambling severity and psychological distress among Ghanaian youth.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the nexus between online gambling and psychological distress among youth, especially in Ghana. This study aimed to investigate the effects of online sports betting on psychological distress, focusing on depression, anxiety, and stress among young individuals in the Volta region of Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at various betting centers in the Volta region of Ghana. Four hundred and three (403) participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. The study used a standardized questionnaire to assess psychological distress with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21) and problematic gambling with the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). The analysis included both descriptive and inferential methods. These include the implementation of the bootstrap technique within multiple regression models using the current versions of Jeffreys's Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) [0.18.2], Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) [29.0.2], and Microsoft Excel (2019). RESULTS: The study found a prevalence of 40% for problematic gambling and 44% for moderate gambling problems among participants, resulting in an overall gambling prevalence of 84%. Regarding psychological distress, the estimated prevalence of depression among participants was 43.6%, with stress reported at 31.1% and anxiety at 68.8%. The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 48%. When analyzing the link between gambling and psychological distress, the study noted that males were more prone to gambling-related psychological distress than females (ß = 2.036, p = 0.025). Furthermore, individuals with problem gambling showed the highest probability of experiencing more significant psychological distress compared to other groups (ß = 9.228, p = 0.002), followed by those with moderate gambling levels (ß = 3.283, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We recommend that the mental health unit of the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with the Gaming Commission of Ghana, should develop youth-friendly interventions to address the prevalence and onset of problematic gambling among the youth, especially males. This could, in turn, reduce the prevalence of psychological distress among youth engaged in online gambling in Ghana.

Lay beliefs of COVID-19 vaccine refusal among intercity commercial drivers in the Volta region of Ghana: recommendations for improved vaccine uptake.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 vaccine has faced increased hesitancy in Ghana and the Volta region in particular since its rollout. Acceptance of the vaccine among intercity commercial drivers is crucial, especially in the Volta region, as they transport people within and outside the country and could fuel the transmission of the virus if not vaccinated. OBJECTIVE: We therefore established lay beliefs surrounding COVID-19 vaccine refusal among intercity commercial drivers in the Volta region of Ghana, as well as their recommendations for improved vaccine uptake. METHODS: We purposively interviewed twenty-five (25) intercity commercial drivers who had not been vaccinated for COVID-19 in the Volta region of Ghana using a semi-structured interview guide and analysed their responses thematically using the ATLAS.ti software. RESULTS: Various (ten) beliefs surrounding COVID-19 vaccine refusal were identified. These include the nonexistence of COVID-19, being immune to COVID-19, and the belief in the nonexistence of vaccines and vaccines being meant for the sick. Other beliefs identified were the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine is meant to reduce Africa's population, that the vaccine triggers other health complications leading to death, the belief that vaccination could cause financial loss, political mistrust, that the COVID-19 vaccine is not permitted by God, and the belief that prayer prevents COVID-19 infection. They also suggested that the adoption of persuasive communication techniques, the publication of information on those who died of COVID-19, providing evidence of tests conducted on the vaccine, testing people before vaccination, provision of care to those who may experience side effects from the vaccine, and being able to explain why varied vaccines are used for the same virus could help improve vaccine uptake. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that there is a general lack of understanding and mistrust surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine among intercity commercial drivers in the Volta region. Hence, health promotion officers and communicators in the region need to be knowledgeable on the vaccine as well as on the conspiracy theories thwarting its uptake to provide comprehensive education to the public and intercity commercial drivers to improve its uptake.

Sociodemographic and health systems determinants of antiretroviral therapy adherence among human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients in the Volta Region of Ghana: A multi-centre study.

Objectives: Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy is required for viral load suppression. This study investigated the sociodemographic (age, sex, marital status, level of education, monthly income, settlement type, distance to the antiretroviral therapy-providing site, ethnicity) and health system (antiretroviral therapy-providing site) determinants of antiretroviral therapy adherence among human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients in the Volta Region, Ghana. Methods: A cross-section design was adopted, collecting data from 1729 human immunodeficiency virus patients and analysing them using STATA version 17 at level 0.05. Results: Antiretroviral therapy adherence was poor (51.2%). Being divorced (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.65), widow (AOR = 0.58), cohabiting (AOR = 0.22), Ewe (AOR = 3.7), Ga/Dangbe (AOR = 2.27), living in a rural area (AOR = 1.54) and an urban area (AOR = 0.64), having a monthly income of GH₵1000 or less (AOR = 3.21), covering a distance of 51 km and above to the antiretroviral therapy centre (AOR = 1.79), receiving antiretroviral therapy from Ketu South Municipal Hospital (AOR = 0.09), Hohoe Municipal Hospital (AOR = 0.03), Ho Municipal Hospital (AOR = 0.02) and Ho Teaching Hospital (AOR = 0.09) were the determinants of antiretroviral therapy adherence. Conclusion: Antiretroviral therapy adherence was low. Interventions to improve antiretroviral therapy adherence should target these significant determinants.

Experiences of care-seeking behaviour for sexually transmitted infections among gay and bisexual men: A phenomenological study.

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) are stigmatized in the Ghanaian society and that negatively affect their care-seeking behaviour. We sought to understand the experiences of care-seeking behaviour (CSB) for STIs among gay and bisexual men in Sunyani, capital of Bono Region, Ghana. A respondent-driven sampling was used to collect data from 17 gay and bisexual men in Sunyani based on phenomenological qualitative approach. The data were thematically analysed using the Atlas.ti software. Results were presented under various themes with appropriate accompanying excerpts. Two broad themes emerged from the data - personal and health system experiences of treating STIs. Personal experiences such as economic conditions, knowledge on STI, marital experiences and bisexual's partner awareness of sexual orientation had influences on CSB. Experience with cost of treatment, stigmatisation by health care workers (HCW) and perceived quality healthcare were the health system factors found to influence CSB. To help improve STIs care-seeking behaviour, government need to encourage and economically empower GBM, while at the same time, improving their knowledge on STI prevention and control. The National Health Authority should intensify and monitor the implementation of the national health insurance at the private healthcare sectors without favour and discrimination for gay and bisexual men.

Challenges and opportunities for improved contact tracing in Ghana: experiences from Coronavirus disease-2019-related contact tracing in the Bono region.

BACKGROUND: In Ghana, contact tracing received heightened attention in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic during its peak period. Despite the successes achieved, numerous challenges continue to limit the efforts of contact tracing in completely curtailing the effect of the pandemic. Despite these challenges, there are still opportunities that could be harnessed from the COVID-19 contact tracing experience for future eventualities. This study thus identified the challenges and opportunities associated with COVID-19 contact tracing in the Bono Region of Ghana. METHODS: Using a focus group discussion (FGD) approach, an exploratory qualitative design was conducted in six selected districts of the Bono region of Ghana in this study. The purposeful sampling technique was employed to recruit 39 contact tracers who were grouped into six focus groups. A thematic content analysis approach via ATLAS ti version 9.0 software was used to analyse the data and presented under two broad themes. RESULTS: The discussants reported twelve (12) challenges that hindered effective contact tracing in the Bono region. These include inadequate personal protective equipment, harassment by contacts, politicisation of the discourse around the disease, stigmatization, delays in processing test results, poor remuneration and lack of insurance package, inadequate staffing, difficulty in locating contacts, poor quarantine practices, poor education on COVID-19, language barrier and transportation challenges. Opportunities for improving contact tracing include cooperation, awareness creation, leveraging on knowledge gained in contact tracing, and effective emergency plans for future pandemics. CONCLUSION: There is a need for health authorities, particularly in the region, and the state as a whole to address contact tracing-related challenges while simultaneously harnessing the recommended opportunities for improved contact tracing in the future for effective pandemic control.

Cell-surface contacts determine volume and mechanical properties of human embryonic kidney 293 T cells.

Alterations in the organization of the cytoskeleton precede the escape of adherent cells from the framework of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions into suspension. With cytoskeletal dynamics being linked to cell mechanical properties, many studies elucidated this relationship under either native adherent or suspended conditions. In contrast, tethered cells that mimic the transition between both states have not been the focus of recent research. Using human embryonic kidney 293 T cells we investigated all three conditions in the light of alterations in cellular shape, volume, as well as mechanical properties and relate these findings to the level, structure, and intracellular localization of filamentous actin (F-actin). For cells adhered to a substrate, our data shows that seeding density affects cell size but does not alter their elastic properties. Removing surface contacts leads to cell stiffening that is accompanied by changes in cell shape, and a reduction in cellular volume but no alterations in F-actin density. Instead, we observe changes in the organization of F-actin indicated by the appearance of blebs in the semi-adherent state. In summary, our work reveals an interplay between molecular and mechanical alterations when cells detach from a surface that is mainly dominated by cell morphology.

Protective Behavioural Mechanisms Against Cannabis Use Among Adolescents in Cannabis-Growing Settings of South Africa: Insights Into Adolescent Cannabis Use Prevention.

We aimed to explore the behavioural protective mechanisms against cannabis use among adolescents living in South African illicit cannabis-growing communities, based on the Self Determination Theory (SDT). Exploratory qualitative design techniques were followed in conducting the study. The snowball sampling technique was used to recruit thirty (30) non-cannabis smoking adolescents from 2 purposively selected communities and grouped into 4 focus groups and interviewed. A semi-structured focus group interview guide was used to moderate the discussions. Data were analysed inductively, using the ATLAS. ti software. Nine behavioural coping mechanisms, grouped under intrinsic and extrinsic protective behavioural mechanisms, protected participants from using cannabis. Intrinsically, participants' determination not to engage in bad behaviours, focus on their academic work during their free periods, their non-financial dependence on cannabis-using peers, self-preservation to ensure good marriages, and religious beliefs on substance abuse motivated them to not use cannabis. On the other hand, the concept of Ukuphoxa (preservation of family dignity), fear of arrest, fear of being tagged a social deviant, and the fear of contracting illnesses such as lung cancer served as protective behavioural mechanisms against cannabis use. Health promotion and education programmes for adolescents on non-cannabis use in communities where illicit cannabis abounds must identify and draw on contextual intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that ensure non-cannabis use.

Economic Growth and Environmental Quality: Analysis of Government Expenditure and the Causal Effect.

Environmental expenditures (EX) are made by the government and industries which are either long-term or short-term investments. The principal target of EX is to eliminate environmental hazards, promote sustainable natural resources, and improve environmental quality (EQ). Thus, this study looks at the impact of economic growth (EG), and government finance expenditure (GEX) on EQ in Northern Africa and Southern Africa (NASA) republics from 2000-2016. The panel quantile regression (PQR) and panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model in a generalized method of moment framework (GMM) were employed as a framework. The PQR results show that; (i) In Northern republics, GEX had a significant positive effect on EQ at 25%, 50%, and 75% quantiles levels. (ii) In the Southern republics, GEX had a significant negative impact on EQ at 25%. Moreover, the PVAR through the GMM established that EG and GEX are significantly positive while the parameter for CO2 is insignificant and negative in the North. However, in the South, GEX and CO2 were statistically significant, while EG positively impacts EQ. Lastly, the granger causality report in North indicates uni-directional causation running from LNGEX → LNGDPpc, LNCO2 → LNGDPpc, LNFF → LNGEX, and LNFDI → LNGEX. Similarly, there is uni-directional causation in South republics from LNGEX → LNGDPpc, LNCO2 → LNGEX, and LNFDI → LNGEX.

Structural elements´ availability for the provision of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV services among health facilities in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Introduction: despite advancement in global efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, more work needs to be done to achieve the desired results in most African countries including Ghana. Inadequate structural elements can hinder the progress made so far in PMTCT of HIV. This study assessed the availability of structural elements for the provision of PMTCT of HIV services among health facilities in the Volta region of Ghana. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional design was used among thirty-two health facilities. Data obtained were analysed using Stata version 14.0 and the Chi-square test was used to determine associations at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: a majority of the health facilities were Health Centers (50.0%) and most (43.8%) were located in rural areas. Only 9.5% of health practitioners at the Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compounds and Mission-based Hospitals were trained in PMTCT, while 50.5% and 30.5% of health practitioners providing services at the Health Centers and District Hospitals respectively were trained in PMTCT. About 40.0% of District Hospitals had one room with auditory and visual privacy for PMTCT services. While all Mission-based and District Hospitals had ART regimens, no CHPS compound had, and only 8 (50.0%) of the Health Centers had ART regimens. Conclusion: there is a need for regular training of the health care practitioners providing PMTCT services. Also, programme managers should invest in PMTCT commodities, especially ART regimens, at the lower levels of healthcare for a holistic PMTCT service provision.

The impact of banks' financial performance on environmental performance in Africa.

To better understand Africa's banks and the environment, this study investigates the impact of financial performance on environmental performance in Africa. We examined financial performance, environmental performance, and some control indicators dated from 2000 to 2016 by applying panel quantile regression and panel vector autoregressive techniques. Our results indicate that (i) in North African countries, carbon emission had a significant negative impact on financial performance on the 25th quantile and (ii) in the South, carbon emission had a statistically positive impact on financial performance on the 25th and 50th quantiles with the marginal effect increases from the lower quantile to the highest quantile. Also, bank deposits statistically negatively impacted financial performance on the 25th and 50th quantiles for both North and South economies. The dynamic panel quantile results show dissimilar effects at different quantiles. Also, the panel vector autoregressive results show that in North Africa carbon emission had a positive impact. Our results validate the stability test of the panel vector autoregressive model. The granger causality results in the North show a bilateral causal link between carbon emission and bank credit, carbon emission, and bank deposit. Since sustainability has become one of our era's most thorny issues, this paper provides extensive policy directives to assist African nations in boosting a greener future.

Switching in the expression pattern of actin isoforms marks the onset of contractility and distinct mechanodynamic behavior during cardiomyocyte differentiation.

Differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPC) into cardiomyocytes is a fundamental step in cardiogenesis, which is marked by changes in gene expression responsible for remodeling of the cytoskeleton and in altering the mechanical properties of cells. Here we have induced the differentiation of CPC derived from human pluripotent stem cells into immature cardiomyocytes (iCM) which we compare with more differentiated cardiomyocytes (mCM). Using atomic force microscopy and real-time deformability cytometry, we describe the mechanodynamic changes that occur during the differentiation process and link our findings to protein expression data of cytoskeletal proteins. Increased levels of cardiac-specific markers as well as evolution of cytoskeletal morphology and contractility parameters correlated with the expected extent of cell differentiation that was accompanied by hypertrophic growth of cells. These changes were associated with switching in the balance of the different actin isoforms where ß-actin is predominantly found in CPC, smooth muscle α-actin is dominant in iCM cells and sarcomeric α-actin is found in significantly higher levels in mCM. We link these cytoskeletal changes to differences in mechano-dynamic behavior of cells that translate to changes in Young's modulus that depend on the cell adherence. Our results demonstrate that the intracellular balance of actin isoform expression can be used as a sensitive ruler to determine the stage of differentiation during early phases of cardiomyocyte differentiation that correlates with an increased expression of sarcomeric proteins and is accompanied by changes in cellular elasticity.

Use and awareness of emergency contraceptives among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Emergency contraception (EC) is a method used to avoid pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraceptives can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy by up to over 95% when taken within 72 h of sexual intercourse. EC is helpful to women who have experienced method failure, incorrect use of contraceptives, raped or have consented to unplanned, and unprotected sexual intercourse. We set out to systematically review the current literature on the awareness and usage patterns of ECs among women of reproductive age in Sub-Saharan Africa. METHOD: Eight hundred and sixty-seven (867) articles were selected from EMBASE and Google Scholar databases after a search was conducted. Sixty (60) full-text articles were checked for eligibility and 27 articles met our inclusion criteria. Manual data extraction on excel sheets was used to extract the authors' names, year of publication, country, sample size, study type, objectives, awareness levels, and the EC types. FINDINGS: Awareness rates ranged from 10.1 to 93.5% (both reported from Ethiopia). The level of use was relatively low (ranging from 0% in DR Congo and Ethiopia to 54.1% in Nigeria). The most used types of EC were Postinor 2 (levonorgestrel), EC pills such as Norlevo (levonorgestrel only) and Nodette (levonorgestrel and estradiol), and intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD). CONCLUSIONS: Although variations in use and awareness do exist between countries in SSA according to the year of study, the general level of EC awareness has been on the increase. On the other hand, the level of EC use was lower compared to the level of awareness. Postinor 2 (levonorgestrel-only pills) was reported as the most type used EC. Further, studies could be done to find out the effect of culture, religion and believes on the use of contraceptive methods. It is important to understanding barriers to EC use despite high awareness rates. Emergency Contraceptive awareness and use should be promoted among women of reproductive age in SSA to reduce unwanted pregnancies and their complications.

Financial development and environmental quality: the role of economic growth among the regional economies of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Sub-Saharan African region is considered to be the most susceptible to the effects of climate change. The region's climate is influenced by several factors, the most notable of which is increased variation in development. The conglomerate between the financial sector and environmental quality (EQ) has been a priority for policymakers and analysts. This study looked at the complex relationships between financial development (FD) and environmental quality, as well as the position of economic growth (EG), from the perceptions of the five sub-national economies, from 1980 to 2017. The study tested the EKC hypothesis across the sub-regions. We employed the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model in a generalized method of moment framework to investigate the topic. The PVAR result showed that (i) financial development had a negative impact on CO2 in four geographical regions (Western, Southern, Northern, and Central). As a result, FD in these countries minimizes carbon emissions and enhances the atmosphere. (ii) Also, FD had a positive impact on carbon emissions in Western Africa. As a result, FD in these countries increases CO2 rather than improving environmental quality. The EKC hypothesis was validated in the Western African sub-region but was rejected in Central and Eastern (u-shape relationship) African sub-regional economies indicating variations in growth and environmental outcomes among the sub-regional economies. The Granger causality results in the West and Central African republics was a two-way causal connection between EG and CO2. The results demonstrate how "EG and CO2" and "CO2 and EG" are intertwined in Western and Central, while most of the relationships were unidirectional. Detailed sub-regional policy recommendations are deliberated.

Prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among adults in Ghana: A community-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past two decades, there have been several global interventions including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at improving health outcomes. Despite efforts by countries to achieve the SDG targets, mental health challenges remain major public health concerns globally. We examined the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress as well as the comorbidities of these mental health issues among adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 2456 adults in four districts of the Volta Region of Ghana using data from the UHAS-Yonsei University Partnership Project. We analysed the data using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation, and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 51.8% of the participants had at least one of the mental health issues examined. The prevalence of a mental health issue was 25.2%, 53.3%, and 9.7% for depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. Participants constituting 8.3% experienced all three mental health issues as comorbidities. Participants' level of formal education and income significantly predicted depression, anxiety, and stress respectively at the multivariable level. Adults with a tertiary level of education were, for instance, 68% (AOR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.15-0.66), 65% (AOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.17-0.73), and 50% (AOR = 0.50, 95%CI = 0.33-0.76) less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively compared with those who had no formal education. CONCLUSION: The majority of our study participants either experienced depression, anxiety, or stress. There were quite high comorbidities of the mental health issues among the adult population. To accelerate progress towards the achievement of SDG 3.4 target of promoting mental health and wellbeing for all by the year 2030, there is a need for effective implementation of the country's 2012 Mental Health Act which makes provisions for the establishment of a Mental Health Fund. This could improve the financial circumstances of indigenes as income has been realised in the present study as an important factor influencing depression, anxiety, and stress among the adult population.

Theoretical understanding of contextual motivations for sustained adolescent marijuana use in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Although various reasons for adolescent marijuana use have extensively been explored, contextual factors that sustain the practice in settings where the plant is illegally cultivated, especially in South Africa, remain a grey area. AIM: We aimed to explore the contextual factors of sustained adolescent marijuana use in two illicit marijuana-growing settings of the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality of South Africa, based on the differential opportunity theory (DOT) and subcultural theory (SCT). SETTING: The study was conducted in two illicit marijuana-growing communities in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. METHODS: Exploratory qualitative research, using focus group discussions approach, was conducted amongst 37 participants, four focus groups and in two communities in the Ingquza Hill Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the communities and participants, respectively. The data were analysed using a thematic content analysis approach and presented under various themes. RESULTS: Nine themes, grouped under two broad factors, DOT influences (availability and affordability of marijuana, idleness and means of dealing with personal problems) and SCT influences (peer conformity, the pleasure derived from marijuana smoking, manipulation of appetite, health reasons, for higher cognitive function and addiction), emerged from the analysis. CONCLUSION: As marijuana has been identified to be a gateway drug for the use of other illicit drugs, its sustained usage amongst adolescents poses a health challenge to the user, community and the country's healthcare system at large. Hence, there is the need to intensify adolescent marijuana use prevention campaigns in illicit marijuana-growing contexts of South Africa, focussing on the differential opportunities and subcultural inclinations that promote the behaviour in those contexts.

Perspectives of illicit marijuana growers and traders on commercial legalisation of marijuana in South Africa: considerations for policy formulation.

BACKGROUND: Over the years, there has been a clarion call for legalising marijuana cultivation and trading for commercial purposes in South Africa. Proponents of the call argue that the criminalisation of commercial marijuana cultivation and trading has failed to halt illicit marijuana cultivation and trading. However, the views of those who economically benefit from the illicit marijuana trade on its legalisation remain empirically unsolicited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to solicit the views of illegal marijuana growers and traders from two selected communities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa regarding the commercial legalisation of marijuana cultivation and trading to inform policy on the debate. METHODS: In-depth key informant interview approach was used to interview 18 purposively sampled participants that were selected through the snowball sampling technique. The data were analysed using the thematic content analysis approach. RESULTS: Participants had both positive and negative perceptions of the possible legalisation of marijuana cultivation and trading. On the positive side, participants indicated freedom from police, the opportunity to grow marijuana on a larger scale, capital acquisition for commercial marijuana cultivation and trading, and regulation of marijuana prices through unionisation as some of the benefits they would derive from the commercial legalisation of marijuana cultivation and trading. On the negative side, loss of their source of livelihood, fall in the price of marijuana and perceived increase in school drop-out rates were the concerns raised. CONCLUSION: While participants relished improvement in their economic fortunes upon commercial legalisation of marijuana cultivation and trading, they were also apprehensive about this policy due to the perceived consequences it may have on their livelihoods and communities. We, therefore, recommend that future discussions of the commercial legalisation of marijuana cultivation and trading in South Africa should be done in consultation with illicit marijuana growers and traders to ensure that their interests are safeguarded by such a policy.

Contextual influences of illicit adolescent marijuana cultivation and trading in the Inqguza Hill local municipality of South Africa: implications for public health policy.

BACKGROUND: Although commercial cultivation and trading of marijuana, commonly known as cannabis or dagga in the South African context, remains an illicit practice, adolescents actively engage in it. However, contextual influences that sustain adolescent involvement in illicit marijuana-related activties remain empirically unascertained. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to ascertain the various contextual influences of adolescent illicit marijuana cultivation and trading in two communities in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality (IHLM) of South Africa, using the tenets of the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM). METHODS: The study utilised focus group discussions approach to interview thirty-three purposefully sampled participants who were recruited through the snowball sampling technique. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the interviews, while thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: We found that illicit adolescent marijuana cultivation and trading was influenced by eleven contextual factors that are grouped under four levels of socio-ecological influence. These include intrapersonal influences (knowledge and skills in marijuana cultivation and courage), interpersonal influences (peer and family influences), communal level influences (economic reasons, early childhood exposure to marijuana activities, protection of family lands, the topography of the area and soil fertility) and policy-related influences (lack of communal bylaws on marijuana activities and laxity in law enforcement). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that substance abuse prevention policies and programmes focus on discouraging children from engaging in illicit marijuana activities in IHLM across the four tenets of SEM and curtailing adolescent involvement in marijuana cultivation and trading. There is also the need to incorporate the law enforcement approach into demand reduction strategies of the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP), which employs only an educative approach in its current form. Working agreements between municipal authorities, law enforcement agents and social service professionals also need to be strengthened to push demand reduction strategies for marijuana in communities to protect the rights of children as enshrined in the Children's Act, 38 of 2005.

Investigating the dynamic relationships between credit supply, economic growth, and the environment: empirical evidence of sub-regional economies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is considered the most vulnerable to challenges emanating from climate changes. A number of factors notably accelerated changes in growth influence SSA environment. Linking financial sector within growth and environmental outcomes has been the focus of policy makers and researchers. This study investigated the dynamic relationships between credit supply, economic growth, and the environment from the perspectives of the four sub-regional economies (Central, East, Southern, and West African regions) in SSA over the period 1990-2018. In addition, the study tested Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis across sub-regions. We employed panel vector autoregressive (panel VAR) model in a generalized method of moment framework to investigate the topic. The panel VAR results revealed that (i) economic growth negatively influence on carbon emissions of Central African countries but not in the East, Southern and West African sub-regions, (ii) credit supply had significantly positive influence on carbon emissions and economic growth of Central and East African sub-regions but negative influence on carbon emissions and economic growth West African sub-regions in SSA, and (iii) carbon emissions had significantly negatively influence on credit supply of East and West African sub-regions. The granger causality results revealed bidirectional causal links between credit supply and carbon emissions, economic growth, and credit supply in the Central and East African sub-regions, while most of the relationships were unidirectional. The impulse response function revealed that the impact of one variable on another vary throughout the periods and across sub-regions. Similarly, the elasticity of the variables to each other varies across sub-regions over the period studied. EKC hypothesis was validated in East African sub-region but was rejected in Central (u-shape relationship), Southern, and West African sub-regional economies indicating variations in growth and environmental outcomes among the sub-regional economies. Specific sub-regional policy recommendations are discussed.