Bible, ecology and sustainable development: A reading of Genesis 1:1-2:4a

This paper explores how Gen. 1:1-2:4a reflects the concept of sustainable development (SD) and posits symbols for addressing ecological crisis: symbols that can be used to inform our belief systems. This investigation is imperative in the face of the integrated effort in finding solutions to ecological and environmental difficulties. Its rationale, therefore, is to demonstrate that the Bible can equally engage in the discourse on SD. It, indeed, has something to offer in the quest for solutions to ecological crisis. In this respect, there is the need for exploratory studies aimed at investigating the prospects for positive interface between the Bible and ecology, toward pragmatic response to ecological crisis

Student attitude towards Mathematics and performance: Does the teacher attitude matter?

The indispensable role of attitude in the learning of Mathematics has garnered the attention of educational researchers and Mathematics educators for a very long time. Hence, literature is replete with empirical evidence on the relationship between teacher attitude and student academic performance in Mathematics. The study was fashioned to extend the discussion to the influence of teacher attitude on student attitude. The samples for the study were one hundred students and four Mathematics teachers making a total of one hundred and four respondents. The students were randomly selected while the teachers were purposively sampled. Two sets of questionnaires were used to gather data from the respondents after they had been validated and their reliability established. Students’ end of term examination scores were used as a measure of students’ academic achievements. The study unveiled a significant relationship between teacher attitude and student attitude toward Mathematics. It was realised that teachers’ positive attitude radiated confidence in students hence made them develop positive attitude towards the learning of Mathematics. The results of the study were also consistent with existing findings on the relationship between teacher attitude and students’ performance in Mathematics. Implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations             have been proffered for practice.  Key words: Mathematics, teacher attitude, student attitude, student performance, influence and relationshi

Determinants of low birth weight in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern region of Ghana

Background: Low birth weight refers to new borns weighting less than 2.5 kg at birth. In November 2017, the WHO reported a global prevalence of 15.5% with 96.5% of these cases happening in developing countries. Whilst this is a global canker, the risk factors differ from locality to locality.  This study aims at determining which maternal factors explains low birth weight baby delivery in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality.Methods: The chi-square test for independence was used to test for independence. The binary logistic model is fitted for the associated factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) is used to classify unbiased estimators.Results: ANC (yes β= -2.769 sig.=0.000); Alcohol (none β=-1.479 sig.=0.000, occasionally β= −2.043 sig.=0.000); Age (<20years β=0.178 sig. =0.676, 20 to 25years β= -1.487 sig.=0.000, 26 to 30 β= -0.941 sig.=0.086); Education level (None β=2.778 sig. =0.000, primary β=3.090 sig.=0.000, JHS β=1.913 sig.=0.002, SHS/Secondary β=1.951 sig.=0.000); Exposure to Heat (Yes β=4.507 sig.=0.000). AUC education=0.67, 95% CI=0.6,0.7 and AUC Exposure to heat=0.73, 95% CI=0.68,0.77 of low birth weight.Conclusions: Social status was not significant factor. Mothers exposed to heat had the highest risk (odds=90 times). Adolescent mothers stand high risk with odds 1.195. Mothers who attended antenatal clinics were at 94% less likelihood. Mild drinkers had lesser risk compared to no and heavy drinkers. Mothers with primary education (odds=21 times) were the riskiest compared to mothers with tertiary education. This differs from researches where no education mothers were riskiest. Only mother’s exposure to heat was found to be fairly good unbiased estimators

Exploring the Staff Development and Retention Challenges Faced by Tertiary Educational Institutions in Ghana: The Case of Takoradi Technical University

Human resource is essential in the development of every nation. Nations including Ghana have and continue to make concerted efforts in terms of human capital formation required to drive their development agenda. To achieve effective human resource means that institutions such as the polytechnics and universities charged with the responsibility of churning out well-qualified personnel have the capacity to carry out their mandate. Efforts towards human resource capacity at the polytechnics and universities require that investments are made in staff development and retention at these institutions. Failing to develop and retain well-qualified personnel in these institutions will make the dream of sustainable human resource development a mirage. In essence, staff development within the tertiary institutions is vital in positioning them as centers of excellence within the discourse of strategic human capital formation measures. This paper therefore focuses on analyzing factors affecting staff development and retention within the tertiary educational institutions of Ghana using Takoradi Technical University as a case. The researchers adopted the convergent parallel mixed method research based on descriptive survey design. Stratified, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 94 respondents made up of 92 teaching staff and two key officers of the University. Questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used in gathering relevant data for the study. For the quantitative analysis, frequencies, percentages and an independent sample t-test were used whereas transcribed data were analyzed thematically in the case of the qualitative analysis. The study found that staff development challenges the University was faced with include inadequate funds, rigid institutional policies, high cost of replacing personnel, lack of transparency, and favoritism. Staff development challenges that male lecturers faced were not different from that of their female colleagues. A number of challenges such as poor conditions of service, low involvement of lecturers in decision making, delay in promotion, inadequate feedback, as well as poor recognition of and reward for hard work in the institution threatened staff retention. There was statistically significant difference in retention challenges based on the gender of lecturers. The Management of the University should team up with faculty to come out with measures to generate additional sources of revenue for the institution including writing innovative research proposals that can attract both local and international sponsorships. Keywords: Organizations, Human resource, tertiary education

Inferior vena cava injury: survival of a rare case

The inferior vena cava is the most commonly injured abdominal vessel and accounts for about 25% of abdominal vascular injuries. Despite improved preoperative care and operative techniques, the mortality rates for the inferior vena cava injuries are still high due to delayed presentation, inadequate or delayed fluid resuscitation, difficulty of diagnosis and technical problems in repair. A case of the inferior vena cava injury encountered after abdominal stabinjury with about 4cm vertical tear of infrarenal vena cava, survived due to immediate transportation, appropriate and successful perioperative fluid and blood resuscitation, prompt surgical management with a team approach and critical post-operative surgical management.Keywords: The inferior vena cava (IVC), stab wound, venorrhaphy, haemoperitoneu

The interaction between typically developing students and peers with autism spectrum disorder in regular schools in Ghana : an exploration using the theory of planned behaviour

The purpose of this study is to assess the intention of typically developing peers towards learning in the classroom with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In developing countries, such as Ghana, the body of literature on the relationship between students with disabilities and typically developing peers has been sparsely studied. Using Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework for this study, 516 typically developing students completed four scales representing belief constructs, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural controls (self-efficacy), hypothesised to predict behavioural intention. The data were subjected to a t-test, analysis of variance, and structural equation modelling. The modelling confirmed the combining ability of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural controls to predict intention. We conclude by revealing the need for policymakers to consider designing programmes aimed towards promoting social relationships between students with ASD and typically developing peers

Social capital is associated with improved subjective well-being of older adults with chronic non-communicable disease in six low- and middle-income countries

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly contributing to the morbidity and mortality burden of low and-middle income countries (LMIC). Social capital, particularly participation has been considered as a possible protective factor in the prevention and management of chronic conditions. It is also largely shown to have a negative effect on the well-being of patients. The current discourse on the well-being of individuals with NCDs is however focused more on a comparison with those with no NCDs without considering the difference between individuals with one chronic condition versus those with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). Method and objective: We employed a multinomial logit model to examine the effect of social capital, particularly social participation, on the subjective well-being (SWB) of older adults with single chronic condition and MCC in six LMIC. Findings: Social capital was associated with increased subjective well-being of adults in all the six countries. The positive association between social capital and subjective well-being was higher for those with a single chronic condition than those with multiple chronic conditions in India and South Africa. Conversely, an increase in the likelihood of having higher subjective well-being as social capital increased was greater for those with multiple chronic conditions compared to those with a single chronic condition in Ghana. Discussion: The findings suggest that improving the social capital of older adults with chronic diseases could potentially improve their subjective well-being. This study, therefore, provides valuable insights into potential social determinants of subjective well-being of older adults with chronic diseases in six different countries undergoing transition. Additional research is needed to determine if these factors do in fact have causal effects on SWB in these populations