Prince Michael Amegbor
Prince Michael Amegbor
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Assistant Professor of Global and Environmental Health
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Professional overview
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As a health geographer using big data and a multi-methods approach in his research on the environmental and social determinants of health, Dr. Prince Michael Amegbor is an assistant professor in the Department of Global and Environmental Health. He specializes in visualizing the geospatial distribution of risks and burdens on health that are associated with environmental exposures. He works to unravel how factors such as climate change, air pollution and other environmental exposures contribute to health inequalities, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and other geographic contexts (e.g., Denmark).
Prior to his appointment at GPH, Dr. Amegbor was a postdoctoral research fellow with the Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA) and the Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University (Denmark). He is also a guest researcher at Statistics Denmark and has worked as a co-task leader of two European Union Horizon 2020 Projects: REGREEN and ICARUS (Integrated Climate forcing and Air pollution Reduction in Urban Systems).
Dr. Amegbor has published dozens of articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals including Scientific Report, Health & Place and Applied Geography. He earned his PhD in human geography from Queen’s University in Ontario, and holds an MPhil in development geography from the University of Oslo. He obtained his undergraduate degree in geography and resource development from the University of Ghana, Legon.
Below are links to the results from ICARUS – Favorite Location Study published in the Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science journal:
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Education
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PhD, Department of Geography & Planning, Queen’s University, Kingston, OntarioMPhil Developmental Geography, University of Oslo, Oslo, NorwayBA Geography & Resource Development, University of Ghana, Accra
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Honors and awards
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Principal's International Doctoral Award, Queen’s University (201520162017)Quota Scheme Scholarship, Department of Sociology & Human Geography, University of Oslo (201220132014)
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Areas of research and study
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Aging and the Life CourseAlternative MedicineChild HealthComplementary MedicineEnvironmental Public Health ServicesImmigrant HealthPublic Health PolicySocial Determinants of HealthSocio-cultural Identities and Health Seeking BehaviorsTraditional MedicineUrban GeographyViolence and VictimisationWomen's Health
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Publications
Publications
Effect of cognitive and structural social capital on depression among older adults in Ghana: A multilevel cross-sectional analysis
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., Braimah, J. A., Adjaye-Gbewonyo, D., Rosenberg, M. W., & Sabel, C. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Archives of Gerontology and GeriatricsVolume
89AbstractEvidence from existing studies suggests social capital has mixed effects on depression and other common mental disorders. There is little knowledge of the possible association between social capital and depression among the growing older population in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the effect of cognitive social capital (trust and sense of safety) and structural social capital (social participation or engagement in social activities) on depression among older adults in Ghana. Utilizing multilevel mixed-effect analysis, we investigate the effect of individual-level and neighborhood-level social capital (cognitive and structural) on depression using data from the World Health Organization Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (WHO-SAGE) survey (Wave 1). The findings show that at an individual level, older adults who felt safe at home were less likely to have depression. We observed mixed results for elements of structural social capital at the individual level. Older adults who frequently engaged in club or group meetings, worked with neighbors and engaged in social outings were more likely to have depression; while attending public meetings and socializing with co-workers were associated with reduced likelihood of having depression. At the neighborhood level, increased trust in neighbors was associated with an increased likelihood of having depression (OR = 1.01, p < 0.05) while higher levels of neighborhood safety and structural social capital were associated with a reduced likelihood of having depression. The findings suggest that the differential associations between elements of social capital and depression may be the result of contextual factors.Examining the Effect of Geographic Region of Residence on Childhood Malnutrition in Uganda
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., Yankey, O., & Sabel, C. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Journal of Tropical PediatricsVolume
66Issue
6Page(s)
598-611AbstractObjectives: In our study, we examine how geographic region of residence may predict childhood malnutrition, expressed as stunting, wasting and underweight, among children under the age of 5 years in Uganda. Methods: Using data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, we performed an incremental multivariate multilevel mixed-effect modelling to examine the effect of a child, parental and household factors on the association between region of residence and each indicator of childhood malnutrition. Results: Approximately 28%, 3% and 9% of children under age 5 suffered from stunting, wasting and underweight, respectively. The bivariate result shows that the proportion of children suffering from stunting and underweight was relatively lower in the Kampala region compared with the other regions. With the exception of the Northern region (6.44%), wasting was higher (4.12%) among children in the Kampala region. Children in the other regions were more likely to experience stunting and underweight. When controlling for child, parent and household factors, children in the other regions were less likely to suffer from underweight and stunting, compared with those in Kampala region. Children in the other regions, except the Northern region, were less likely to be wasted compared with those in Kampala region. Conclusion: Our finding suggests that child, parental and household characteristics have effects on the association between region of residence and childhood malnutrition. Addressing individual and household socioeconomic disparities may be vital in tackling regional differences in childhood malnutrition.Multilevel and spatial analyses of childhood malnutrition in Uganda: examining individual and contextual factors
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., Zhang, Z., Dalgaard, R., & Sabel, C. E. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Scientific reportsVolume
10Issue
1AbstractIn this study, we examine the concepts of spatial dependence and spatial heterogeneity in the effect of macro-level and micro-level factors on stunting among children aged under five in Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3624 Ugandan children aged under five, using data from the 2016 Ugandan Demographic and Health Survey. Multilevel mixed-effect analysis, spatial regression methods and multi-scale geographically weight regression (MGWR) analysis were employed to examine the association between our predictors and stunting as well as to analyse spatial dependence and variability in the association. Approximately 28% of children were stunted. In the multilevel analysis, the effect of drought, diurnal temperature and livestock per km2 on stunting was modified by child, parent and household factors. Likewise, the contextual factors had a modifiable effect on the association between child’s sex, mother’s education and stunting. The results of the spatial regression models indicate a significant spatial error dependence in the residuals. The MGWR suggests rainfall and diurnal temperature had spatial varying associations with stunting. The spatial heterogeneity of rainfall and diurnal temperature as predictors of stunting suggest some areas in Uganda might be more sensitive to variability in these climatic conditions in relation to stunting than others.Predictors of Unmet Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Need Among Persons of Sub-Saharan African Origin Living in the Greater Toronto Area
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., & Rosenberg, M. W. (n.d.).Publication year
2020Journal title
Journal of Immigrant and Minority HealthVolume
22Issue
5Page(s)
1031-1038AbstractOur study seeks to examine how chronic health status, insurance coverage and socioeconomic factors predict unmet traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) needs among immigrants from sub-Saharan African origin living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The data for the study comes from a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 273 sub-Saharan African immigrants living in the GTA. ~ 21% of respondents surveyed had unmet TCAM needs in the 12-month period prior to the survey. Persons with chronic health conditions, lower socioeconomic status, and those with previous history of TCAM use before immigrating were more likely to have unmet TCAM need. The study suggests that the current TCAM healthcare environment in the GTA limits that ability of sub-Saharan immigrants to meet their healthcare needs, especially persons in most need of such treatments—persons with chronic health conditions and those of lower socioeconomic background.Modern or traditional health care? Understanding the role of insurance in health-seeking behaviours among older Ghanaians
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., Kuuire, V. Z., Bisung, E., & Braimah, J. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2019Journal title
Primary health care research & developmentVolume
20Page(s)
e71AbstractAIM: This paper examined the association between wealth and health insurance status and the use of traditional medicine (TM) among older persons in Ghana. BACKGROUND: There have been considerable efforts by sub-Saharan African countries to improve access to primary health care services, partly through the implementation of risk-pooling community or national health insurance schemes. The use of TM, which is often not covered under these insurance schemes, remains common in many countries, including Ghana. Understanding how health insurance and wealth influence the use of TM, or otherwise, is essential to the development of equitable health care policies. METHODS: The study used data from the first wave of the World Health Organisation's Study of Global Ageing and Adult Health conducted in Ghana in 2008. Descriptive statistics and negative loglog regression models were fitted to the data to examine the influence of insurance and wealth status on the use of TM, controlling for theoretically relevant factors. FINDINGS: Seniors who had health insurance coverage were also 17% less likely to frequently seek treatment from a TM healer relative to the uninsured. For older persons in the poorest income quintile, the odds of frequently seeking treatment from TM increased by 61% when compared to those in the richest quintile. This figure was 46%, 62% and 40% for older persons in poorer, middle and richer income quintiles, respectively, compared to their counterparts in the richest income quintile. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that TM was primarily used by the poor and persons who were not enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme. TM continues to be a vital health care resource for the poor and uninsured older adults in Ghana.What geography can tell us? Effect of higher education on intimate partner violence against women in Uganda
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., & Rosenberg, M. W. (n.d.).Publication year
2019Journal title
Applied GeographyVolume
106Page(s)
71-81AbstractStudies in Uganda show that a sizeable proportion – between 27% and 48% – of women suffer from intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV leads to negative health outcomes among women, including vulnerability to HIV infection, depression and suicide. Lower socioeconomic status among women has been identified as a major risk factor for exposure to IPV. Evidence from existing studies shows that higher education level among women serves as a protective measure against IPV. However, knowledge about spatial variations in IPV and higher education among women is limited. Using estimates from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data, we employed geographically weighted regression analysis to examine the spatial variability of the relationship between women's post-secondary education and IPV. The results of our OLS and GWR models show that women's post-secondary education significantly reduce their exposure to IPV. Mapping the GWR coefficient estimates of women's post-secondary education shows that the protective effect of women's post-secondary education is high in the eastern and central parts of Uganda. The findings suggest geographical variations in the relationship between women's post-secondary education and IPV. It also offers insight on areas for possible interventions measures to reduce IPV rates among women and increase women's access to post-secondary education.Does place matter? A multilevel analysis of victimization and satisfaction with personal safety of seniors in Canada
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., Rosenberg, M. W., & Kuuire, V. Z. (n.d.).Publication year
2018Journal title
Health and PlaceVolume
53Page(s)
17-25AbstractStudies on the victimization and abuse of seniors in Canada have largely ignored the influence of place-based variations in social bonds and socioeconomic characteristics. Using the 2014 General Social Survey (GSS) data on Canadians’ safety, we examine neighborhood, social capital, and socioeconomic characteristics as predictors of the incidence of victimization among seniors and their satisfaction with personal safety from crime. Generally, seniors with poor neighborhood ties and social capital were more likely to have experienced victimization and have a lower satisfaction with personal safety. Seniors who viewed people in their neighborhood as unhelpful were more likely to have experienced some form of victimization and more likely to have a lower satisfaction with personal safety. Highly educated and high-income seniors were also more likely to have experienced some form of victimization. Paradoxically, such seniors were less likely to have lower satisfaction with personal safety. The results also show that place, defined as population centers (urban and rural) may have a significant influence on variations in victimization and satisfaction with personal safety. A significant proportion of the variance in victimization (38%) and satisfaction with personal safety (23%) are largely the result of differences in place of residence (urban and rural). Our findings suggest that there is the need to improve neighborhood social capital, reduce neighborhood disorder and improve the socioeconomic status of community-dwelling seniors in order to minimize their susceptibility to victimization as well as to improve their sense of safety from crime.Predictors of basic self-care and intermediate self-care functional disabilities among older adults in Ghana
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., Kuuire, V. Z., Robertson, H., & Kuffuor, O. A. (n.d.).Publication year
2018Journal title
Archives of Gerontology and GeriatricsVolume
77Page(s)
81-88AbstractThe number of older adults in Ghana is growing rapidly. Associated with this growth, is the rise in age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions. However, there is limited knowledge in the Ghanaian context on the effect of chronic diseases on functional disabilities among older adults. In this study, we examine the association between chronic diseases, socioeconomic status, and functional disabilities. Data from 4107 Ghanaian older adults (persons aged 50 years and above) who participated in the World Health Organization's Global Ageing and Adult Health survey (SAGE-Wave 1) were used to fit random effect multivariate logistic and complementary log-log regression. Stroke was significantly associated with difficulty in performing both basic self-care functions and intermediate self-care functions. Hypertension and arthritis, on the other hand, were associated with basic self-care functional disability only. Socioeconomically vulnerable groups such as females, those with less education and low-incomes were more likely to have functional disabilities associated with basic self-care and intermediate self-care activities. In order to reduce functional disabilities among older persons in Ghana, efforts should be aimed at reducing chronic conditions as well as improving socioeconomic status.The use of dental care services in Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador: A comparative analysis
AbstractAmegbor, P. M., & Rosenberg, M. W. (n.d.).Publication year
2018Journal title
Canadian GeographerVolume
62Page(s)
414-426AbstractPublic support for dental care in Canada is uniform. Universal coverage and access to health care in the country are narrowly limited to hospital-based and physician-based services—“medically necessary services.” In view of the variations in public support programs for dental care, our study examines differences in the use of dental care services among different socio-economic groups in Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The study used 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey data. Our analyses find that in all the three provinces persons of lower socio-economic status have lower utilization of dental care. However, the study further reveals that the gaps between age and household income groups was wider in Newfoundland and Labrador compared to the other provinces. These findings suggest that public support for dental care reduces socio-economic disparities in the use of dental services.An Assessment of Care-Seeking Behavior in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District: A Triple Pluralistic Health Sector Approach
AbstractAmegbor, P. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2017Journal title
SAGE OpenVolume
7Issue
2AbstractDiscussions and studies on Ghana’s pluralistic health care system usually ignore or downplay self-care as a crucial sector in this system of care. In view of this, this study uses a triple sector approach of the pluralistic health care system as advocated by Kleinman to assess care-seeking behaviors of residents in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District (Ghana). The results of cross-tabulation analysis demonstrate that respondents’ general care–seeking behavior is different from the type of care sought for last illness before the study. Data for the study were obtained from 227 urban and rural respondents in the study district in 2013. The findings indicate that factors such as geographic location, health insurance, and perception of the cost of professional care had a bearing on residents’ general care–seeking behavior. However, age, sex, relationship status, economic status, and proximity to nearest biomedical care service influenced the type of treatment sought for last illness. The approach use of the study demonstrates that self-care remains a general avenue of care for residents, whereas in times of severe illness, respondents often rely on professional biomedical care. The use of professional indigenous care services is generally low due to the financial burden associated with its use.Understanding usage and preference for health care therapies in a Ghanaian context: A pluralistic perspective
AbstractAmegbor, P. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2017Journal title
Norsk Geografisk TidsskriftVolume
71Issue
5Page(s)
288-300AbstractStudies of health care and health-care seeking behaviour in Ghana have mainly shown that many patients tend to use indigenous medicine to address their health care needs. These studies have cited affordability, acceptability, availability, and accessibility as major factors behind the predominant use of indigenous medicine. Nevertheless, in these studies, researchers often ignore the third health care option–self-care, usually subjugated under the indigenous medical system. Since the mid-1980s, both biomedical and indigenous health care systems have witnessed transformations that have shaped and changed their modes of operation, as well as the cost of treatment. In light of this, the author seeks to understand the motivations behind the preference for and use of self-care, professional biomedical care, and indigenous forms of care in the context of Ghana’s health care system. A qualitative, in-depth interview technique was used for data gathering. Findings from the study revealed that time and cost of treatment were major factors accounting for the predominant use of self-care. The author concludes that the findings challenge the long-held belief that biomedicine is not widely accepted by people in Ghana compared with indigenous medicine.