Sources of Information About COVID-19 Among Older Adults in Ghana, 2019-2021

The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a worldwide search for information. Information about COVID-19 is crucial and it could be the first step toward designing practical disease-control strategies. Misinformation amid the widespread information about COVID-19 has undoubtedly caused psychological distress, especially among older adults. We present an empirical and descriptive study of the sources of information among older adults and how they perceived the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 58 participants were recruited and interviewed using an in-depth semi-structured interview and structured questionnaire for our study. The study participants were recruited using purposive and convenience sampling in their respective homes from Mallam, a community in Ghana. The semi-structured interviews were transcribed, and themes were created for analysis. Our study revealed multiple sources of information regarding COVID-19, including radio, television, social media, family members, and friends. The COVID-19 information consisted of precautionary measures, effects, causes, symptoms, daily reported cases, and regarding vaccination. Our study revealed that the perception of COVID-19 information via social media, traditional media, families, and friends increased psychological distress among older persons by causing fear and panic. We contend that having a reliable source of information about COVID-19 is essential for older adults in mitigating the burden of the disease. Ultimately, our study substantiates the need for researchers, advocates, and policymakers to partner with social workers and healthcare workers to develop effective and practical policy interventions to address language and access difficulties for older adults seeking to obtain health information

The Effect of Work Stress and Its Relationship with Employee Health at Sunyani West NHIS

This study was conducted to assess the effect of work stress and its relationship with employee health at Sunyani West National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The study revealed that factors that bring about stress include lack of training to make work easier, work demands that outweigh abilities, working under poor working conditions, the risk factor associated with the work of employees, working under pressure from superior and dissatisfaction with job. Also, it was revealed that there exist a significant negative relationship between work related stress and workers health (β-value=-0.480, p-value=.003) as well as a significant negative relationship between stress and employee job performance (β-value=-0.500, p-value=.003). Lastly, the study depicts  how stress was manage at Sunyani West NHIS which include; ability to take mind off things, involvement in exercises, employee ability to understand their situation, control of situation, keeping health in check, eating of healthy diet, talking over problems with colleagues at work, personally manage of feelings and emotions and seeking for distractions to reduce pressure. The study recommended that Sunyani West NHIS should invest in work stress issues which in return can pay huge dividends both in terms of reduced stress-related costs, and increased job performance. It also recommended that research be done on non-work stress or both work stress and non-work stress and their influence on employee’s health and job performance. Keywords: Stress, Occupational stress, Employee health, Job performance, and Stress Management.

Integrated Flower Vases in Clayware and Wood

The local pottery industry faces tremendous challenges from the increasing interest Ghanaian are showing in imported products because of their functional value, quality and aesthetic appeal. This is due among others, to the monotonous approach to production and finishing of indigenous products, conditions that also marred the philosophical impact they are supposed to convey. To overcome some of these challenges the researchers experimented on the integration clay-wear and wood for the production of flower vases. The qualitative research method where observational, experimental and descriptive approaches were employed to investigate the viability of integrating clay-wear with wood for the project. The research unveiled that clay-wear and wood can be integrated in the production of finished products that are functional, aesthetically presentable and of high quality. Besides, it is also proven that with appropriate manipulation through experiment other locally available raw materials can be used to produce products would convey the Ghanaian culture to would be buyers and the outside world. Keywords: Clay, Wood, Integration, Decoration, Production

Indigenous systems of forest conservation: a tool for traditional medical practices in Akyem Abuakwa traditional area of Ghana

Forest conservation is a very important concept across the world. It is not only crucial for climate change but also very critical for the survival of humanity. In Africa, forests have always been an important aspect of nature that is regarded with uttermost reverence and care. Importantly, discussions on health, healthcare, culture, economics and other factors have been associated with forests. Part of this benefit is the use of herbs from the forests for local medicinal purposes. The current study sought to ascertain the value of conserving forests resources for indigenous herbal medicine among the Akyem Abuakwa people of Ghana. Among other things, it aimed at exploring the indigenous means or methods of conserving forests in Africa. The study adopted a purely qualitative research approach, with a blend of interviews and secondary materials. From the current discourse, it was revealed that African traditional medicine, both spiritual and physical, make very good use of the forests. From earliest times, several strategies and indigenous knowledge systems were deployed to ensure a proper means for the protection of herbal plants, trees and animal parts to enhance the practice of traditional medicine in Akyem Abuakwa. Based on the findings and discussions arising from the research, we argue that rigorous education and orientation programmes toward the protection and sustenance of the forest environment should suffice. Howbeit, the discussions and debates surrounding African indigenous forest conservation and its contribution to African medicinal resources appear to be complex. Such puzzlement must be resolved with continuous research beyond this current contribution

Effect of Inquiry-based Teaching Approach on Students Achievement in Circle Theorems

This study investigated the effect of inquiry-based teaching approach on students’ achievement in Circle theorems in Senior High Schools. The study used sequential exploratory mixed method research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data to answer the various research questions. A sample of 105 students and 6 mathematics teachers from the two schools were randomly and conveniently selected respectively for the study. Circle Theorems Achievement Tests (CTAT) was administered to both intact classes (control and experimental) as pre-test and after the intervention a similar CTAT was administered as post-test. During treatment, the experimental group were taken through inquiry- based teaching approach instruction while the traditional instruction was applied to the control group. Results from paired sample t-test showed that participants in the experimental group had increment in their post-test as compared to the pre-test. However, independent samples t-test results revealed that students in the experimental group achieved better in the post-test as compared to those in the control group. Interview data showed students negative attitudes and teachers’ teaching methods (use of traditional teaching method) were the main cause of students’ poor performance in circle theorems. The observation data also revealed that time factor was challenging since inquiry class activities needed more time to complete and also forming the small groups was a challenge in the class due to large class size and classroom not spacious. In conclusion, inquiry-based teaching approach was found to increased students’ achievement in circle theorem than the traditional instruction and hence recommended for teachers to implement it in their teaching

A Loop Region in the N-Terminal Domain of Ebola Virus VP40 Is Important in Viral Assembly, Budding, and Egress

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and can have clinical fatality rates of ~60%. The EBOV genome consists of negative sense RNA that encodes seven proteins including viral protein 40 (VP40). VP40 is the major Ebola virus matrix protein and regulates assembly and egress of infectious Ebola virus particles. It is well established that VP40 assembles on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane of human cells to regulate viral budding where VP40 can produce virus like particles (VLPs) without other Ebola virus proteins present. The mechanistic details, however, of VP40 lipid-interactions and protein-protein interactions that are important for viral release remain to be elucidated. Here, we mutated a loop region in the N-terminal domain of VP40 (Lys127, Thr129, and Asn130) and find that mutations (K127A, T129A, and N130A) in this loop region reduce plasma membrane localization of VP40. Additionally, using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and number and brightness analysis we demonstrate these mutations greatly reduce VP40 oligomerization. Lastly, VLP assays demonstrate these mutations significantly reduce VLP release from cells. Taken together, these studies identify an important loop region in VP40 that may be essential to viral egress

FUNERALS AMONG THE AKAN PEOPLE: SOME PERSPECTIVES ON ASANTE

This work discusses the processes of celebrating funerals among the Akan people, some Akan belief systems and modern trends that have evolved in funeral ceremonies. It also demonstrates the complexities involved in organizing the funeral from the day of death culminating into the celebration of the final funeral rite. The actual purpose of funeral is to honor the dead for their meritorious services on earth, ushering them into eternal glory and to integrate them into the next world. However, there are often some skirmishes that militate against these positive motives. As a result, some families that used to be closely knitted end up being divided. Other members of a family stop communicating with each other. In some cases , funerals result in legal wrangling lasting for a number of years and some have been slapped with injunctions, leaving a heavy debt on some families. Others are also disorganized as a result of misunderstanding. The objective of this study is to identify the factors and perspectives that characterize funeral celebration among the Akan people , and the Asante in particular. It studies the processes in Akan funerals and the changes they have undergone through time

Prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension and its related risk factors among undergraduate students in a Tertiary institution, Ghana

Objectives: This study sought to provide information about pre-hypertension and hypertension status among undergraduate students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 540 students. Participants were interviewed using questionnaires and their blood pressures (BP), height, weight were measured and Body Mass Index ‘BMI’ and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Repeated measurements were obtained on two successive times in students with persistently elevated BP. Data obtained was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Final prevalence was adjusted for loss-to- follow up on participants with first elevated BP from the reading and logistic regression used to evaluate risk factors. P-value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Twelve (2.2%) of the students were hypertensive, whilst pre-hypertension was prevalent in 26.1% of the student. Family history of hypertension [OR = 1.68(0.73–1.68)], kidney failure [OR = 1.38(0.34– 5.60)], stroke [OR = 1.10(0.64–1.91)] and heart failure [OR = 1.03(0.27–3.94)] were associated with increased risk of developing pre-hypertension; however no significant association was observed (p > .05). WHtR and BMI were independent positively correlated with blood pressure status after controlling for gender and age (p < .05). Further analysis revealed that, obesity detected by WHtR [OR = 3.67 (1.13–11.94), p = .031] and BMI [OR = 6.89(0.71–66.48), p = .0005] were significant predictors of hypertension using logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: The study revealed considerable prevalence rates of pre-hypertension and hypertension among undergraduate students, with significant risk factors such as obesity detected by BMI and WHtR. Gender as male was also significant for pre-hypertension and hypertension. Sound prevention and control programmes of hypertension should be devised among students, to improve their knowledge and lifestyle practices early in life.Keywords: Hypertension, Pre-hypertension, Obesity, Tertiary students, Ghan

Predictors of noncompliance to antihypertensive therapy among hypertensive patients Ghana: Application of health belief model

This study determined noncompliance to antihypertensive therapy (AHT) and its associated factors in a Ghanaian population by using the health belief model (HBM). This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Kintampo Municipality in Ghana recruited a total of 678 hypertensive patients. The questionnaire constituted information regarding sociodemographics, a five-Likert type HBM questionnaire, and lifestyle-related factors. The rate of noncompliance to AHT in this study was 58.6%. The mean age (SD) of the participants was 43.5 (±5.2) years and median duration of hypertension was 2 years. Overall, the five HBM constructs explained 31.7% of the variance in noncompliance to AHT with a prediction accuracy of 77.5%, after adjusting for age, gender, and duration of condition. Higher levels of perceived benefits of using medicine [aOR=0.55(0.36-0.82),p=0.0001] and cue to actions [aOR=0.59(0.38-0.90),p=0.0008] were significantly associated with reduced noncompliance while perceived susceptibility [aOR=3.05(2.20-6.25),

Nexus between constructs of social cognitive theory model and diabetes self-management among Ghanaian diabetic patients: A mediation modelling approach

The promotion of Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) practices, education, and support is vital to improving the care and wellbeing of diabetic patients. Identifying factors that affect DSM behaviours may be useful to promote healthy living among these patients. The study assessed the determinants of DSM practices among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients using a model-based social cognitive theory (SCT). This cross-sectional study comprised 420 (T2DM) patients who visited the Diabetic Clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi-Ghana. Data was collected using self-structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic characteristics, T2DM-related knowledge, DSM practices, SCT constructs; beliefs in treatment effectiveness, level of self-efficacy, perceived family support, and healthcare provider-patient communication. Path analysis was used to determine direct and indirect effects of T2DM-related knowledge, perceived family support, and healthcare provider service on DSM practices with level of self-efficacy mediating the relationships, and beliefs in treatment effectiveness as moderators. The mean age of the participants was 53.1(SD = 11.4) years and the average disease duration of T2DM was 10 years. Most of the participants (65.5 %) had high ( \u3e 6.1mmol/L) fasting blood glucose (FBG) with an average of 6.93 (SD = 2.41). The path analysis model revealed that age (p = 0.176), gender (p = 0.901), and duration of T2DM (p = 0.119) did not confound the relationships between the SCT constructs and DSM specified in the model. A significant direct positive effect of family and friends’ support (Critical ratio (CR) = 5.279, p \u3c 0.001) on DSM was observed. Self-efficacy was a significant mediator in this relationship (CR = 4.833, p \u3c 0.001). There were significant conditional indirect effects (CIE) for knowledge of T2DM and family and friends’ support at medium and high levels of belief in treatment effectiveness (p \u3c 0.05) via level of self-efficacy on DSM practices. However, no evidence of moderated-mediation was observed for the exogenous variables on DSM. Diabetes-related knowledge of T2DM, family and friends’ support, level of self-efficacy, and belief in treatment effectiveness are crucial in DSM practices among Ghanaian T2DM patients. It is incumbent to consider these factors when designing interventions to improve DSM adherence