Emerging Security Challenges to Africa: the Case of Haphazard Disposal of Pharmaceuticals in Ghana

The study of the Disposal of Unused/Unwanted Medicines Project examines ways in which medicines are disposed of in Ghana and assesses how disposal methods can impact water resources. The study showed a number of challenges: gaps in the legislative framework for the disposal of medicines; environmentally-unfriendly methods of disposal of medicines; and large quantities of medicines potentially disposed of indiscriminately with major impact on the environment. It recommends a review of the legal framework to ensure the proper disposal of all unused medicines; policies to mop up excess medicines with members of the public; review of prescribing and dispensing practices to reduce excess medicines; and further research into the types of pharmaceuticals that are present and persist in the environment, their effects and how they affect quality of life

Watching of Occult Film and its Influence on African’s Supernatural Belief System; Specifically Ghana

Occult practices or issues surrounding occultism have been on the increase in Ghana, especially among the youth. It is believed that our belief system help nurture these practices when experienced through the propagating mediums. These propagating mediums are quite unclear however, suspected ones included access to the internet, occult materials and ‘perhaps’ movies. Hence, this study examined the influence of watching occult film on African’s supernatural belief system; specifically Ghana. The objective of this study was to examine whether occult film increases one’s supernatural belief system as compared to non-occult film; age, sex, and educational level differences exist in supernatural belief system.   Sixty-six subjects were sampled using stratified random sampling technique. Subjects were randomly assigned into either control or experimental group equally. Both control and experimental group subjects responded to a questionnaire (pre-test) and later watched a non-occult film and occult film respectively. They then answered the questionnaire again (post-test). The hypotheses were analysed using Correlated t test, Independent t test and One-Way ANOVA. The findings revealed that occult film significantly increases ones’ supernatural belief system as compared to non-occult film. However, there was no significant difference between ages, sexes, and educational levels on supernatural belief system. This implies that what we watch can influence our behaviour. Keywords: Occultism, Supernatural Belief System, Occult Film, Non-Occult Fil

Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS based Watershed Analysis: Implications for Soil and Water Conservation Practices in the Denkyira Watershed, Ghana

Land degradation, deforestation and accelerated soil erosion through anthropogenic actions have restricted numerous watersheds and river basins to contribute to agricultural productivity, food security and economic growth. The study examined morphometric characteristics and land use change and their implications for soil and water conservation practices in Denkyira Watershed, Ghana. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data and Landsat images of Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) were used in generating morphometric and land use data. ERDAS imagine (10.1) and ArcGIS (10.6) software were employed to analyze Landsat and ASTER data. Results revealed that Denkyira Watershed exhibited dendritic drainage pattern, elongated in shape and with high number of first-order streams, an indication of homogenous soil and rock formation, low infiltration rate and high surface runoff. Morphometric analysis further indicated that the Watershed has higher values of drainage density (12.82 km/km2), drainage texture (5.15), infiltration number (5.13) and ruggedness number (5.16) exposing the Watershed to peak discharge and flash flood risks.  Between 1986 and 2015, natural forest, secondary forest and water bodies decreased by 26.08 %, 13.67 % and 237.50 % respectively while degraded lands increased by 91.33 %. Land use and land cover changes in the watershed have triggered mechanical soil erosion and altered hydraulic stream characteristics. Installation of check dams, creation of earth bunds, construction of water absorbing terraces and trenches and valley bottom cropping are the most recommended restoration measures for the watershed. The study concludes that investment in soil and water conservation practices in the watersheds will help to reduce the erosive velocity of surface runoff, mitigate seasonal flooding risks and reclaim degraded farmlands while ensuring agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability

Prevalence of active trachoma two years after control activities

Background: Following an epidemiological assessment to map out the endemicity of trachoma in Ghana, Trachoma control interventions were put in place in two districts in Upper West and three in Northern Regions in the year 2001. The control activities were based on the WHO recommended strategy of SAFE. After two years of intervention,a study was undertaken to determine the impact of the control activities. Methods: A simple random selection of compoundswas done. Trained and standardized ophthalmic nurses examined children aged 1 to 10 years for dirty faces and signs of active trachoma.Community members were interviewed to ascertain availability of potable water and latrines. Results: A total of 9,288 children aged 1-10 years were examined in 2003. Overall TF/TI prevalence for Upper West was 5.6% and for Northern Region was 3.5%. In 2000, 6,241 children aged 1-10 years were examined. The overall prevalence of TF/TIfor baseline was 15.0% for Upper West and 9.1% for Northern Region. The prevalence of TF/TI showed significant reduction (p-valu

Emerging Security Challenges to Africa: The Case of Haphazard Disposal of Pharmaceuticals in Ghana

The study of the Disposal of Unused/Unwanted Medicines Project examines ways in which medicines are disposed of in Ghana and assesses how disposal methods can impact water resources. The study showed a number of challenges: gaps in the legislative framework for the disposal of medicines; environmentally-unfriendly methods of disposal of medicines; and large quantities of medicines potentially disposed of indiscriminately with major impact on the environment. It recommends a review of the legal framework to ensure the proper disposal of all unused medicines; policies to mop up excess medicines with members of the public; review of prescribing and dispensing practices to reduce excess medicines; and further research into the types of pharmaceuticals that are present and persist in the environment, their effects and how they affect quality of life

Psychometric properties of three simplified Chinese online-related addictive behavior instruments among mainland Chinese primary school students

Background/Objective: There are inadequate screening instruments for assessing specific internet-related addictions among mainland Chinese primary school students. Therefore, the present study validated the psychometric properties of three simplified Chinese online-related addictive behavior instruments among mainland Chinese primary school students. Method: Fourth to sixth graders (n = 1108; 48.3% males; mean [SD] age = 10.37 years [0.95]) completed the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scales-Short Form (IGDS-SF9), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) in a classroom. The factorial structures and the unidimensionality of the three scales were examined using confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs). Measurement invariance of the three scales was examined using multigroup confirmatory factor analyses (MGCFAs) across gender. Results: The findings demonstrated that the three scales (Cronbach’s α = 0.73 to 0.84) had unidimensional structure as supported by satisfactory fit indices (comparative fit index = 0.98 to 1.00). The MGCFA findings indicated that the unidimensional structures of the three scales were invariant across gender. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the three simplified Chinese scales (IGDS-SF9, BSMAS, and SABAS) are valid instruments for assessing online-related addictive behaviors among mainland Chinese primary school students irrespective of their gender

Depression, anxiety, and stress mediate the associations between internet gaming disorder, insomnia, and quality of life during the COVID-19 outbreak

Background: or many individuals, the COVID-19 outbreak has increased their psychological distress, changed their behaviors, and impacted their health. With more time spent indoors, many individuals have engaged in increased videogame playing. However, the associations between such behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak period is unclear. Objective: The present study examined the mediating role of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) in the association between internet gaming disorder (IGD) and two health outcomes (insomnia quality of life) among adolescents during this COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising adolescents (N = 1512) aged 13–18 years (mean age = 15.51 years) was utilized to assess measures on insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress, IGD, and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: There were small to large significant relationships between the variables. Psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) served as a strong mediator in the association between IGD and insomnia and quality of life. IGD directly influenced insomnia and quality of life among the participants. Conclusions: IGD is associated with different psychosocial outcomes comprising multiple pathways. Parents need to pay special attention to how much time and how frequently their children play videogames. Parents may need to assist their children in coping with psychological distress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic period

Investigating mediated effects of fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 misunderstanding in the association between problematic social media use, psychological distress, and insomnia

Introduction: Due to the serious situation of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide, many countries have implemented policies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 infection. However, some of these policies prevent people from physical contact. Consequently, many individuals may rely on social media to obtain information concerning COVID-19. Unfortunately, social media use (especially problematic social media use) may give rise to psychological distress. Therefore, this study thus examined potential psychopathology to explain the association between problematic social media use, psychological distress, and insomnia. Methods: Utilizing an online survey, a sample of Iranian young adults (n = 1078 with 628 males; mean age = 26.24 years [SD ± 7.41]) completed questions and psychometric scales concerning psychological distress, insomnia, problematic social media use, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 misunderstanding. Results: Problematic social media use was significantly associated with psychological distress both directly and indirectly. The indirect effects were through fear of COVID-19 (unstandardized coefficient [B] = 0.177; Bootstrapping SE = 0.026) and COVID-19 misunderstanding (B = 0.060; Bootstrapping SE = 0.014). Problematic social media use was significantly associated with insomnia both directly and indirectly. The indirect effect was through fear of COVID-19 (B = 0.062; Bootstrapping SE = 0.019) but not COVID-19 misunderstanding (B = 0.012; Bootstrapping SE = 0.014). Discussion/conclusion: Due to the pressure of the COVID-19 outbreak, individuals are highly likely to develop psychological distress and insomnia. Apart from developing appropriate health policies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 infection, healthcare providers should design appropriate online campaigns to eliminate people's fear of COVID-19 and to diminish misunderstanding concerning COVID-19

Factors related to preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors among people with mental illness

Background/Purpose: Because of the spread of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019), preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors become important for individuals, especially those who are vulnerable. The present study proposes a model to explain the preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors among people with mental illness in Taiwan. Methods: A cross-sectional design was carried out and 414 patients with mental illness (230 males [55.6%]; mean age = 46.32 [SD = 10.86]) agreed to participate in the study. All the participants completed the Preventive COVID-19 Infection Behaviors Scale, Self-Stigma Scale-Short, Believing COVID-19 Information Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. Regression models and structural equation modeling (SEM) were applied to examine the factors associated with preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors. Results: Both regression models and SEM showed that trust in COVID-19 information sources (standardized coefficient [β] = 0.211 in regression; β = 0.194 in SEM) and fear of COVID-19 (β = −0.128 in regression; β = −0.223 in SEM) significantly explained preventive behaviors among individuals with mental illness. The SEM further showed that fear of COVID-19 was significantly explained by trust in COVID-19 information sources (β = 0.220) and self-stigma (β = 0.454). Conclusions: Based on the results, healthcare providers should help individuals with mental illness reduce self-stigma and fear of COVID-19 which would consequently improve their preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors. Moreover, improving trust in COVID-19 information sources for individuals with mental illness may be another method to improve their preventive behaviors

The mediational role of trust in the healthcare system in the association between generalized trust and willingness to get COVID-19 vaccination in Iran

For some individuals, there appears to be some level of unwillingness in getting a COVID-19 vaccine which may be due to trust issues. The present study used a mediation model to investigate how trust is associated with an individual’s willingness to get COVID-19 vaccination among Iranians. A total of 10,843 Iranian adults were recruited in Qazvin province using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method. The survey was completed between February 19 and April 9, 2021. The findings showed that generalized trust was positively associated with trust in the healthcare system, trust in the healthcare system was positively associated with willingness to get COVID-19 vaccination, and generalized trust was positively associated with willingness to get COVID-19 vaccination. Also, trust in the healthcare system mediated the association between generalized trust and willingness to get COVID-19 vaccination. There were some significant demographic differences in COVID-19 vaccination willingness. The findings suggest that generalized trust plays a significant role in directly or indirectly influencing individuals’ willingness to get COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, government bodies and health officials may utilize these findings to appeal in a more transparent and professional manner in encouraging individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine. However, for those with lower trust levels (in general and in the healthcare system), the focus may be to re-build and/or regain the individuals’ trust through carefully planned transparent communication, information dissemination, and ethical education to help increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination