Is Grit the Best Predictor of University Students’ Academic Achievement?

This paper investigated the predictors of academic achievement of university students in two courses for second-year students in a public university in Ghana. Using a quantitative design, data were collected from 154 second-year trainee teachers (for the 2019/2020 academic year), randomly selected from the said public university. The study showed a direct significant relationship between gender, age, motivation to study, and academic achievement in two education courses. Again, age, gender, motivation, and grit were significant predictors of student academic achievement in two education courses, with grit as the best predictor contributing to 67% variability in student academic achievement. Based on the results, the study recommended that university authorities, among other things, should, through their academic and quality assurance sections, determine students' grit levels, identify those likely to have challenges, initiate appropriate measures to enhance perseverance and retention, thereby, improving academic achievement. Keywords: grit, economics, office management, academic achievement, motivation DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-29-08 Publication date:October 31st 202

Association Between Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus, Related Cancers, and Barriers to Information

Globally, over 250,000 women die every year from cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV). The purpose of this quantitative study was to discover the relation between sociodemographic factors of age, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, personal belief, and knowledge about HPV and related cancers. A cross-sectional design was used to determine statistical relationships. Secondary de-identified data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 2018 was accessed from the National Center Institute and was employed in the study. The study used a simple random technique to select a sample of 3,504 women. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of knowing about HPV and related cancers. The binary logistic regression model explained between 37.5% and 60.4% of the variance in the dependent variable. All the independent variables predicted knowledge about HPV and were statistically significant. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with knowledge of HPV and related cancers, OR = 54.3, 95% Cl [2.20, 134.5], p= .015. Access to HPV information, particularly from the internet, improves respondents’ knowledge of HPV and related cancers OR = 3.24, 95% Cl [1.42, 7.43], p=.005. Educational programs should target women of lower socioeconomic status and society at large to be more informed about HPV and related cancers. Additionally, the internet is an important tool that can be used to spread knowledge of HPV and related cancers to those at risk. Implications for positive social change include successful implementation of programs and policies to increase awareness of HPV, its risks, and methods of prevention

Association Between Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus, Related Cancers, and Barriers to Information

Globally, over 250,000 women die every year from cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV). The purpose of this quantitative study was to discover the relation between sociodemographic factors of age, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, personal belief, and knowledge about HPV and related cancers. A cross-sectional design was used to determine statistical relationships. Secondary de-identified data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 2018 was accessed from the National Center Institute and was employed in the study. The study used a simple random technique to select a sample of 3,504 women. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of knowing about HPV and related cancers. The binary logistic regression model explained between 37.5% and 60.4% of the variance in the dependent variable. All the independent variables predicted knowledge about HPV and were statistically significant. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with knowledge of HPV and related cancers, OR = 54.3, 95% Cl [2.20, 134.5], p= .015. Access to HPV information, particularly from the internet, improves respondents’ knowledge of HPV and related cancers OR = 3.24, 95% Cl [1.42, 7.43], p=.005. Educational programs should target women of lower socioeconomic status and society at large to be more informed about HPV and related cancers. Additionally, the internet is an important tool that can be used to spread knowledge of HPV and related cancers to those at risk. Implications for positive social change include successful implementation of programs and policies to increase awareness of HPV, its risks, and methods of prevention

Proximate composition and basic phytochemical assessment of two common varieties of Terminalia catappa (Indian Almond).

Terminalia catappa is a common tree found in Ghana but it is much underutilized. The objective was therefore set to investigate the medicinal and nutritive potential of two common varieties of the plant; the red and yellow varieties. The proximate composition of the nut and pulp of the two varieties were determined using certified methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Phytochemical screening was also determined using standard screening methods. The red nut had a moisture content of 31.05%; crude fat, 36.9%; protein, 22.19%; ash, 2.76%; carbohydrate, 5.24% and crude fibre, 1.86%. The pulp contained up to 81.96% moisture; 0.04% crude fat; 1.07% protein; 1.47% ash; 14.05% carbohydrates and 1.41% crude fibre. The moisture content constituted 32.06% of the nut of the yellow variety, crude fat was 35.69%; protein, 23.05%; ash, 2.68%; carbohydrate, 4.92% and crude fibre, 1.6%. The pulp of the yellow variety had the proximate composition as: moisture, 84.37%; crude fat, 0.05%; crude protein, 1.54%; ash, 1.62%; carbohydrate, 11.03%; crude fibre, 1.39%. The pulps of both varieties were found to contain saponins, general glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones and anthraquinone glycosides. The nut of the yellow variety had terpenoids and steroids present in it while the nut of the red variety had alkaloids present. Statistical analyses carried out showed that there were no significant differences (p≤0.05) between the two varieties based on their proximate composition

Geophagia, nutrition and health of women with pregnancy-induced hypertension

Background: Calcium is a major nutrient implicated in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Aside dietary sources, geophagia has been reported to provide calcium needed to prevent PIH. These soils are shown to contain significant amount of heavy metals which have been associated with hypertension. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between geophagia and PIH, assess the dietary intakes and health of participants. Methods: This study was a case-control involving 30 women with PIH and 70 normotensive pregnant women. Results: Geophagia was not significantly associated with PIH. Women with PIH practicing geophagia recorded significantly low levels of haemoglobin, calcium and ferritin. Hypertensives recorded impaired fasting blood glucose (5.77\ub11.71mmol/L, p=0.051), higher levels of urea (3.60\ub11.29 mmol/L, p=0.000) and creatinine (382.67\ub111.66 \ub5mol/L, p=0.000). Percentage intakes of macronutrients for normotensives were within the Adequate Macronutrient Distribution Range and PIH group recorded higher intakes of carbohydrate (72.75\ub116.16 %), lower protein (9.77\ub15.61 %) and fat (17.15\ub111.99%). Dietary calcium intakes in both groups were lower than recommended (< 1,000 mg/day). Conclusion: In this study, geophagia during pregnancy is not directly associated with PIH but is detrimental to maternal health. The pregnant women in this study had considerably low intakes of energy and nutrients. There is a need for measures to ensure adequate maternal nutrition for a positive health and pregnancy outcomes

Household cost of chronic kidney disease care among patients presenting at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a major effect on global health, both as a direct cause of morbidity and mortality and as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study was carried out to determine the household cost of CKD care among patients receiving treatment at a tertiary healthcare facility in Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of three months. The estimated household cost of CKD care was made up of direct and indirect cost of treating the condition. The direct cost was divided into direct medical cost and direct non-medical cost. The direct medical cost included cost of medication, outpatient consultations, cost of dialysis, diagnostic investigations (including laboratory investigations), and ultrasound and computed tomography requests. The direct non-medical cost included cost of feeding and transportation. The indirect cost was based on the total time lost to productivity. Results: A total of 224 patients were included in the study. The mean ±SD age of the patients was 49.62 ±15.37 years. The overall average monthly cost of CKD care for the 224 patients was GH₵ (US$) 1,121.42 (198.63), making up of 87.70% direct cost and 12.30% indirect cost. The cost incurred by CKD patients on dialysis was significantly higher and almost four times higher than that of the end stage non-dialysis CKD patients

Anti-proliferative effect of Ficus pumila Linn. on human leukemic cell lines

Background: Cancer is one of the many diseases of global concern due to its high mortality rate with drug resistance becoming a major challenge to chemotherapy and this have propelled many cancer patients to seek alternative and complementary methods of treatment. The objective for this study was, therefore, to determine the antiproliferative activity as well as phytochemical, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity of the stem and leaf extracts (FPS and FPL) of Ficus pumila (L.) using standard methods.Methods: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to evaluate anti-proliferative effect and spectrophotometric-based assays for antioxidant and TPC. Phytochemical constituents were accessed by standard methods.Results: The hydroethanolic extracts of the leaves and stems were rich in tannins, general glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids (leaves only), and sterols (stem only). Strong total antioxidant activities were observed with FPL and FPS with EC50 values of 0.07 mg/ml and 0.089 mg/ml, respectively. All the crude extracts showed anti-proliferative effect towards the three human leukemic cell lines used (Jurkat, CEM, and HL-60). However, FPL gave the strongest inhibition concentration at 50% values of 130.97 µg/ml (Jurkat) and 56.31 µg/ml (HL-60).Conclusion: These findings suggest that crude extracts of FPS and FPL have anti-proliferative effect on the leukemia cells. The antioxidant properties of the plant including phenolics may be partly responsible for the anti-proliferative activity. Further studies are required to isolate chemical components of the plant and establish their anti-proliferative activities and mechanism of action

Prevalence and Determinants of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Lower Extremity Amputations in Three Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Ghana

Background. The occurrence and complications of diabetes are increasing worldwide. This study examined the prevalence and determinants of diabetic foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations in three selected tertiary hospitals in Ghana. Methods. A cross-sectional multicenter study involving 100 subjects was carried out. Subjects were selected through simple random sampling from three selected tertiary hospitals in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to document information on sociodemographic, medical history, lifestyle, and physical characteristics of subjects. Foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations were also investigated. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, serum urea, serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate of subjects were assessed. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Results. The study revealed that 31% and 69% were males and females, respectively, with a mean age of 53.8±13.8 years. Among the patients, 11% had diabetic foot ulcers whilst 3% had lower extremity amputations. In the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, previous history of foot ulcers (OR=40.4, 95% CI=5.5-299.9) and foot deformities (OR=14.4, 95% CI=1.3-161.2) were identified as independent predictors of diabetic foot ulcers. Foot deformity (p=0.043) and serum urea (p=0.002) were associated with diabetic lower extremity amputations in the univariate analysis. Conclusion. This study showed that the prevalences of diabetic foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations are high among diabetes patients. Foot deformities and previous history of foot ulcers are determinants of diabetic foot ulcers. Foot deformity and serum urea are associated with diabetic lower extremity amputations