Item No.

Recommendation

Title and abstract

1

Homosexuality in Ghana (Page 4).

This paper investigated the incidence and prevalence of homosexuality and lesbianism in Ghana. Assessment was done on association between psychosocial background, sexual attitudes and homosexuality; including the use of paraphernalia in the sexual lives of the people.

The study revealed that the national attitudes towards homosexuality in general are changing from ambivalence to focused activism and agitation against homosexuality on one hand and acceptance on the other hand. Homosexuality and lesbian practices are prevalent in all socio-economic classes and ages of society (Page 2).

Introduction

Background/rationale

2

Explain the scientific background

The rationale for conducting this research is that, homosexuality is a crime in Ghana yet, it is observed to be still practiced among all social classes of individuals in the population, yet these practitioners are not able to openly declare their sexual orientation because of the fear of opposition and agitation (Page 4).

Objectives

3

This paper investigated the incidence and prevalence of homosexuality and lesbianism in Ghana. Assessment was done on association between psychosocial background, sexual attitudes and homosexuality; including the use of paraphernalia in the sexual lives of the people (Page 7).

Methods

Study design

4

Present key elements of study design early in the paper

This is a cross-sectional study. It consisted of questionnaire survey, desktop and internet review (Page 7).

Setting

5

Describe the setting, locations, and relevant dates, including periods of recruitment, exposure, follow-up, and data collection

The study targeted the general population of Ghana but looked at only people who were at least 16 years old. The study was purely exploratory and did not test any hypothesis (Page 7).

Participants

6

a) Give the eligibility criteria, and the sources and methods of selection of participants

The study targeted the general population of Ghana but looked at only people who were at least 16 years old (Page 7).

Variables

7

N/A

Data sources/measurement

8*

For each variable of interest, give sources of data and details of methods of assessment (measurement)

Obviously each variable of interest came from the questionnaire used and measured appropriately. The attachment might help with this.

Describe comparability of assessment methods if there is more than one group

Chi-square tests were used to compare categorical variables initially for independence or homogeneity; continuous variables like age were categorized into age ranges for this. Logistic regression was further used to compare unadjusted odds ratios where the Chi-square test results were significant.

Bias

9

Describe any efforts to address potential sources of bias

Due to the sensitive nature of the study, respondents were interviewed out of their homes (Page 7).

Study size

10

Explain how the study size was arrived at

The sample consisted of (N = 1068) respondents. Sampling selection was of random, pre-stratified by gender and region, which was based on the population survey by the Ghana Statistical Service for 2009 (Page 8).

Quantitative variables

11

Explain how quantitative variables were handled in the analyses. If applicable, describe which groupings were chosen and why

Data entry was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and exploratory analyses were carried out using SPSS to assess if there are trends in the sexual mores of a conventional society (Ghana); and to assess if there is association between psychosocial background and sexual attitudes. Analyses were also carried out to find the demographic characteristics of respondents as well as their sexual attitudes and behaviors. Further analyses using SPSS and STATA (Chi-square tests and logistic regression methods) were also carried out to explore if there were associations between respondents’ background, sexual behaviours and orientation (Page 8).