Testing the Relationships between Marketing Strategies and Customer Retention: The Growth of Hotels and Guesthouses in Upper East Region, Ghana

Organizations continually seek new ways to acquire, retain and increase business, since the cost of losing customers is rising. This study investigated the marketing strategies employed by hotels and guesthouses in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The main objective of the research was to examine the effects of marketing strategies on customer retention in the region. In a qualitative and quantitative study of 87 owners/managers of hotels and guesthouses in the region were selected with the use of the simple random sampling technique from 2 municipals and 5 districts.  A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from owners/managers of hotel/guesthouses in the region. The results revealed a positive relationship between pricing, product/service, promotion, place and physical evidence strategies with customer retention for growth of small hotels/guesthouses. It is suggested that these hotels and guesthouses should employ coordinated marketing strategies in their transactions to attain higher performance. This performance can be achieved if managers/owners and employees work together to ensure provision of quality goods and services to satisfy customers. Keywords: Marketing, Retention, customers, Strategies, Managers, Business

Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma in Skin of Color Individuals

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is a malignancy with a worldwide incidence. Literature is replete in the Caucasian population, but in skin of color, there is a dearth of literature. Documented reports of the epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma reveal a low incidence in the skin of colour individuals (SCIs). However, this incidence is rising. It is also documented that when CMM does occur, it is commonly acral, unlike in Caucasians in whom it is truncal, and the most common histopathological pattern is acral lentiginous melanoma. There are as yet no observed differences in the histopathology of melanoma in individuals with skin of color and that in Caucasians. SCIs have a low awareness of CMM with consequently advanced lesion presentation, ulcerated lesions, and poor survival compared to Caucasians. The genetics of CMM in the skin of color has not been well studied. The only available study of the genetics of melanoma reveals a difference in melanoma genetics between SCIs and Caucasians. In SCIs, due to the low incidence of cutaneous melanoma, cutaneous melanoma is commonly misdiagnosed. This misdiagnosis can be both clinical and histopathological. Awareness of the features of cutaneous melanoma and sun protection practices is poor in individuals with skin of color. A high index of suspicion should be entertained of any hyperpigmented lesion in any SCI, especially if it is acral and a histopathological assessment should be made as early treatment improves survival

Domestic Violence and Legal Reforms in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges

The article focuses on the challenges for women’s rights activists attempting to provide a better legal regime for victims of domestic violence in Nigeria. It is my desire to provide a resource material on the issue of domestic violence for activists, policy makers, legislators and law reformers who are engaged in providing a better legal framework for the protection and promotion of women’s rights in a developing country like Nigeria. Having worked extensively on this issue, the article documents my experience on law reform advocacy in Nigeria

L’utilisation des émotions en matière de communication persuasive: une étude comparative des effets de la peur et de la joie dans la lutte contre la covid19

Cette recherche interroge l’efficacité des messages persuasifs utilisés durant la pandémie du covid19. Elle compare les effets de l’appel aux émotions négatives (peur) et positives (joie) sur l’adoption des gestes barrières et le dépistage volontaire. Une enquête a été réalisée sur deux échantillons indépendants 95 individus respectivement 49 (joie) et 46 (peur). Les enquêtés ont été exposés à deux messages, l’un faisant recours à la peur et l’autre à la joie. Les résultats des tests t sur échantillons indépendants montrent que les deux types de messages induisent l’adoption des gestes barrières. Cependant, les messages faisant appel à la joie n’ont pas plus d’effet que les messages faisant appel à la peur sur l’intention d’adopter les gestes barrières anticovid19. Par contre en ce qui concerne le dépistage volontaire, le message faisant appel à la joie est plus efficace que celui faisant appel à la peur. Les implications concernant les stratégies de communication de santé publique en période de crise sont ensuite discutées

Blistering eruptions following isotretinoin therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa: a case report

A 33-year-old male was treated with isotretinoin (20mg daily) for hidradenitis suppurativa. After 6 weeks on the medication, he developed symmetrical erythematous tense blisters on the lower legs. Report of biopsy done was of intraepidermal blisters with superficial dermal lymphohistiocytic infitrates. He was commenced on oral prednisolone 30mg daily and Isotretinoin was withdrawn. The blisters resolved over a 2week period. The lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa were noticed to have improved with the short course of isotretionoin

Economic Analysis of Rice Processing by Women in Navrongo Municipality of Upper East Region of Ghana

The study economically analyses rice processing by women in the Navrongo Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The objectives were to determine the profitability of rice processing, estimate the efficiency of the value addition by the women and identify the factors influencing the profit. Primary data was collected from 65 randomly selected women rice processors using interview schedule. The study revealed that processing 93kg bag paddy rice valued averagely at Gh?273.42 would yield output of 3

Acceptability of Malaria raid diagnostic test among health workers in Kintampo North municipality, Ghana

Background: Research suggests that treatment of malaria is not evidenced based resulting in malaria parasites becoming resistant to antimalarial drugs. WHO recommends a malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) for implementing the policy of test-based management of malaria to avoid inaccurate diagnosis and misuse of antimalarial drugs. Ghana adopted the “Test-Before Treat” guideline to facilitate the diagnosis for malaria with mRDT. However, Health Workers (HWs) still treat half of febrile patients with negative malaria results with antimalarial drugs suggesting limited or lack of acceptability of the intervention. This study sought to measure the level of mRDT acceptability and examine its associated determinants among HWs in the Kintampo North Municipality (KNM) of Ghana. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional study design from February to April, 2017. Data on mRDT acceptability, its determinants and user characteristics were collected from 110 HWs in KNM involved in malaria management. The survey tool was based on two frameworks – the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Normalization Process Theory (NPT). The latter proposed coherence, collective action, cognitive participation and reflexive monitoring as determinants for the implementation of the health intervention. A composite acceptability score was computed from a 21-item questionnaire for each respondent. Composite scores were also computed for the key determinants as well as median and inter quartile ranges. The respondents were divided into three equal groups (tertiles) for ordered logistic regression to examine the relationship between acceptability and its determinants. Results: The median acceptability score was 84 with interquartile range of 68-103. About 34% of HWs were in the low acceptability tertile, while 37% and 29% were in the moderate and high acceptability tertiles respectively. In the unadjusted model, determinants relating to each of the constructs of the adapted conceptual framework were identified, with a the clarity ii over the scope and boundaries of mRDT (coherence); variable investment in mRDT (cognitive participation); availability of resources, skills and training to deliver mRDT (collective action), improved reflection and feedback on the HW role in mRDT implementation and its impact (reflexive monitoring), rural HWs and HWs with three and above years’ experience positively influenced acceptability of mRDT. In the adjusted model, improved coherence, cognitive participation, working in rural facilities, community health officers and HWs with three and above years of experience were associated with high acceptability of mRDT. Whilst improved reflexive monitoring negatively influenced acceptability of mRDT. Conclusion: To successfully implement mRDT for test based management of malaria, HWs need to be equipped, resourced individually as well as the social or organizational context within which they work. In addition, programme implementers and policy makers must consider the roles of HWs and the how mRDT fit with their existing skill-sets. Furthermore, supervision and technical support of HWs is essential to facilitate transition to test based management with mRDT.GR201

Business failure Prediction Models: A Review and Analysis of Literature of Listed Firms in Ghana

This paper examines the phenomenon of corporate insolvency from a developing economy perspective using data from Ghana to test the applicability of the Altman Z-score model. Drawing sample data from 16 non-distress and distressed companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange is tested for the Z-score to predict possible failure or insolvency. The study replicates Appiah's (2011) model to investigate different companies' results with datasets within the 2018 and 2019 financial years. The sample data revealed that 18.75% were financially distressed, 37.50% were in the grey zone making their survival uncertain, and 43.75% were safe for investment. This study contributes significantly to the literature on business failure prediction from an increasingly globalized perspective while seeking to assist investors to be cautious in the cause of making investment decisions Keywords:Business failure, Corporate Governance, Financial Distress, Z-Score DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-20-05 Publication date:October 31st 202

PENDEKATAN REALISTIC MATHEMATICS EDUCATION UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN KOMUNIKASI MATEMATIS SISWA

The purpose of this study is no other to know the extent to which the RME approach can improve the mathematical communication skills of students MTS Negeri 2 Purwakarta. The method used is quasi experiment with pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design. The 5th grade students of MTsN 2 Purwakarta, which were 5 classes, were used as the population for this study while the research samples were class VIIA as the experimental class and VIIE as the control class. Determination of the sample is taken by the researcher accepting the state of the subject as it is after being grouped not randomly purely to be subjected to the treatment of mathematics learning through Realistic Mathematics Education approach and conventional approach. Instrument of research in the form of test instrument of mathematical communication ability. The results show that the improvement of students' mathematical communication ability using RME approach is better than using the usual approach.

Community Based Study of the Influence of Social class on the Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Adolescent Facial Acne Vulgaris

Background: Facial acne vulgaris is the most common disease of the skin in adolescents. In Nigeria, studies of the prevalence of  dolescent facial acne vulgaris, lesion type and distribution, and influence of social class on prevalence are few. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of adolescent facial acne vulgaris, clinical characteristics, and the influence of social class on this prevalence. Methods: This was a community‑based cross‑sectional study. One thousand and seventy‑nine students from four secondary schools (two private and two public) were assessed. Students were clinically examined for facial acne vulgaris, and acne severity was graded. A structured questionnaire for sociodemographic variables was administered to the students. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: One thousand and seventy‑nine students were studied; 52% were male, and 47.9% were female. The students were aged 9–20 years with a mean age of 14 ± 2.1 years. The prevalence of facial acne vulgaris was found to be 53.2%. More females (56.7%) had acne than males (50%), the prevalence was found to increase from 28% in the 9–11 years age group to 71.1% in the 18–20 years age group and more prevalent in adolescents from the high social class (60.7%). The severity of acne was mild in 67.2%, moderate in 28.9%, and severe in 4.9%. Conclusion: Prevalence of adolescent facial acne vulgaris increases with age, more prevalent in adolescents from a high social class. Male gender, age, a family history of acne, and previous treatment of acne contribute to the severity of acne. Keywords: Acne vulgaris, adolescent, clinical profile, prevalence, severity, social class&nbsp