Assessment Of Communication Messages Used In Adolescent Reproductive Health Education

The adolescent being a primary agent of socialization, the communication can exert a strong influence on adolescent sexual behaviour. Reproductive health is a vital aspect of growth and development throughout our lives, especially among the adolescence.  Therefore, to aid in the design and implementation of effective prevention programmes, it is important to assess the communication messages used in adolescent reproductive health education among school-going adolescents. The study used a survey methodology that involved self-administered questionnaires to solicit data from 190 SHS students from the Kwahu-South District. Data analysis was done using SPSS and results presented using tables and charts.  In this study, significant discoveries have been made. It was found out that the sources of adolescent reproductive or sexual health education included school and media. About (72.9%) of males and 52 (67.5%) of females indicated mothers as those who normally give education. The most identified channel of communication was the inter-personal form. The Levene's Test (t=-3.077, Sig. = 0.002) revealed a significant difference between the opinion of males and females toward frequency of facing of sexual health problems. The findings of this study suggest that prevention programmes that seek to educate Ghanaian school-going adolescents about sexual risk behaviour must strongly encourage communicatio

The Challenge of Concurrently Sustaining Private and Public Development Initiatives: A Case Study of Public and Private Mutual Health Insurance Schemes in Ghana.

The direct and indirect economic cost associated with health care have a strong relationship with access to health care. Since the 1980s, user fees had constituted a well-documented barrier to health care in Ghana when patients were made to pay for the full cost of medication and care. The disadvantages of the user fee policy encouraged the introduction of health insurance scheme in 2003. However, the simultaneous implementation of this initiative alongside other private efforts has sometimes been problematic in terms of sustainability due to policy and strategic differences. The paper uses the packages offered by selected public (Atwima Nwabiagya District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme) and private St. (Peters Co-operative Credit Union Mutual Health Scheme) health insurance schemes to appreciate the sustainability of these schemes based on issues relating to client satisfaction. The data for the paper started in 2009 and continued in 2014 using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches to gather the primary and secondary data from approximately 200 primary participants and 4 key informants. Owing to factors such as coverage area and conditions for membership as well as benefit packages, enrolment levels, attitudes of staff, types and availability of health facilities and drug and mode of premium contribution, the public initiative demonstrated comparatively greater prospects and sustainability after the first phase of data collection. However, due to a myriad of challenges, the private scheme had indeed collapsed during the second phase of data collection. The paper thus suggests that, both public and private health finance related initiatives should be given the necessary support by relevant state institutions such the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). This is due to the fact that, in favorable conditions, both sectors could contribute to alleviating the financial constrains of access to health services especially among the poor and vulnerable. Keywords and Phrases: healthcare, health insurance, health care financing, public and private, sustainability, Ghan

Revisiting the Relationship between Poverty and Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan African Countries using Dynamic Econometric Models

Sustainable development remains an important issue in the quest to achieve a safe and a better world. The expansion of the 8 millennium development goals into the 17 sustainable development goals is a testament of the conscious desire to improve the human environment to ensure better quality of life for its citizens. This study assembles a collection of four sophisticated econometric models to determine the impact of poverty and other variables on two indicators of environmental sustainability. Beside, economic development, the study confirmed the negative impact of poverty on both indicators of sustainable development. The results prove that poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is a threat to environmental quality and its consequential challenges. The call to promote environmentally responsible behaviours should not be focused on developed countries alone. Poverty is also associated with high levels of pollution and poor countries including countries in sub-Saharan Africa contributes must equally restrategise for effective environmental goals. The study further discloses that poverty is one of the strongest factors that affect environmental sustainability. This observation is not a contradiction to the well-established fact that prosperity or economic growth is a major precursor of unsustainable environment. On the contrary the evidence in this paper amplifies a consequence of a social crisis if they fester at both ends. In one breath, whereas economic growth or economic prosperity can compromise the quality of the environment. In conclusion, this result implies that African countries in their pursuit of economic growth, education and effective healthcare to ameliorate poverty must incorporate other aggressive strategies to hasten poverty reduction

Investigating the Challenges Facing the Teaching and Learning of Science and Technology in Selected Schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

The heightening public apprehension about instructional deliveries and the learning of science in Ghanaian schools have taken a different dimension as many shareholders keep interrogating the Government's pledge to ensure equity and quality science education for primary schools in the country. The study explored and defined the standing and quality of teaching, learning, and assessment of science and technology while finding the challenges faced by science educators at the JHS level in selected schools in the Ashanti region. The study randomly sampled science teachers' views and students in 27 schools from the 27 districts in the Ashanti Region in Ghana. Fourteen (14) and thirteen (13) schools were sampled from rural and urban areas. It was found that Government inadequately funds most schools. As a result, few qualified science teachers can handle the integrated science topics, among many other setbacks. It was concluded that the lack of infrastructure, TLMs, and other factors make the teaching and learning of science practically impossible. These challenges can be mitigated when specific, well-defined measures such as the provision of required infrastructure, teaching, learning materials (TLMs), and a few more are urgently implemented

Education and Employment Outcomes in Ghana through the Lens of the Capability Approach

Existing literature on education and employment confirms that in Ghana educational qualification largely influences the type of work. Through the lens of the Capability Approach, which sees human development in terms of the expansion of freedoms and opportunities, this paper identifies, for a cross-section of Ghanaians, the array of employment opportunities between and within education endowments. “Between endowments” refers to differentials in opportunities for individuals with different levels of educational qualifications, while “within endowments” considers the differentials for individuals with the same level of education. The source of data is the 2005/06 Ghana Living Standard Survey (GLSS5). Results show that education is not enough to erase inequalities. Multinomial regression analysis demonstrates that functionings differ according to the individual’s context, household and personal conversion factors. This is explained by inequalities in the requirements for a particular job (between educational endowments) and by job accessibility due to personal characteristics (within educational endowments)

The Role of Institutional Policies in Promoting Agribusiness Development in Rural China

Sustainable agricultural growth has become an area of interest for many researchers in the quest to increase food production in the midst of an escalating population. However, the evidence remains largely scanty, isolated and devoid of an in-depth analysis of how some economic policies promote agribusiness development in mainland China. Using time series data from 1990 to 2013, this paper adopts semi-parametric quantile regression to study the complex relationship between institutional policies in rural areas and agribusiness development. The study revealed the role of family household in promoting agribusiness development at the higher quantiles of the distribution. Moreover, government investment in rural health and education contributed significantly across the quantile distribution. The impact of research and development on agribusiness development is positively significant across the quantile points of the distribution within the study period. The result from the quantile graph clearly shows the disparities between OLS and quantile regression coefficients

Factors Influencing the Agricultural Technology Adoption: The Case of Improved Rice Varieties (Nerica) in the Northern Region, Ghana

This paper analyses factors that influence the adoption of (Nerica) rice technology in the Northern Region of Ghana. Both logit and probit models were used in the analysis. The results from the two models are consistent with each other; they have similar signs for each variable but slight difference in the magnitude of the coefficients.  Factors such as farm size, credit access, on-farm demonstration, tractor ownership, and family labor had positive influence on (Nerica) rice technology and statistically significant. The age, and profit orientation of the farmers had negative influence on the adoption on (Nerica) rice technology and statistically significant. Keywords: Nerica rice; probit; logit; technology adoption; Northern Ghana

The Role of ICT in Teaching and Learning Mathematics at College of Education: A Systematic Review

Integrating ICT in education has become increasingly popular. This systematic literature review explores the role of ICT in teaching and learning mathematics at the College of Education level. A comprehensive search was conducted using various academic databases, resulting in a final sample of 27 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate that the use of ICT in mathematics education has positively impacted teaching and learning. The studies reviewed reported improved student engagement, motivation, and achievement in mathematics, as well as increased teacher effectiveness and confidence in their ability to teach mathematics. Regarding specific ICT tools and strategies, the studies reviewed suggest that interactive whiteboards, educational software, and online resources effectively enhance teaching and learning mathematics. However, the effective integration of ICT requires adequate infrastructure, professional development opportunities, and teacher support. This review highlights the potential benefits of integrating ICT into mathematics education at the College of Education level. Further research is to be conducted to investigate the most effective strategies for integrating ICT in mathematics education and to address the challenges associated with ICT implementation in educational settings. Keywords:Information and Communication Technology, Collaborative Learning, Community of Practice, Constructivism, Teaching and Learning. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-12-06 Publication date: April 30th 202

Snakebites and Antisnake Venom Utilization in Ghana’s Oti Region: A 6-Year Retrospective Study

Background: Snakebite is a global environmental and occupational hazard and a significant public health threat. In rural areas, snakebite cases often go unreported and undocumented due to the lack of access to well-structured healthcare facilities/infrastructure. In some cases, the need for antisnake venom (ASV) far outstrips supply, negatively affecting treatment outcomes. This study, therefore, assessed the epidemiological characteristics of snakebite cases, their management, and how antivenoms are utilised at the selected hospital in the Jasikan District Hospital. Methods: A 6-year retrospective study using secondary data from antivenom return forms (pharmacy records), clinical records (patient folders), the District Health Information Management System-2 (DHIMS-2) database, and consulting room registers was carried out in selected hospitals in the Jasikan District, Oti, Ghana. Results: The predominant symptom of snakebite was localised pain (71.4%). The snakebite commonly occurred at home (19%) and on farms (18%). Of the 98 snakebite cases, ASV was administered to 73 (74.5%) cases. Supportive treatment applied included prophylactic antitetanus immunoglobulin (ATS) (80.6%), prophylactic antibiotics (63%), corticosteroids (80.6%), and analgesics (63%). 95% (n=94) of complete recoveries were recorded; three were discharged against medical advice, and one was mortality. The supply and use of antivenom were erratic throughout the months of high incidence, partly due to inconsistent availability at the Regional Medical Stores. The average ASV vials and hospital stay duration were 1.23±0.86 vials and 2.67±1.97 days, respectively. Although the peak of snakebites occurs in April, May, and June, the demand for antivenom in April and May exceeded supply. Conclusion: The outcome of most snakebite case management was appropriate, irrespective of inadequate ASV supply in certain months. The erratic antivenom supply should be aligned with seasonal and facility-use patterns to enhance regional snakebite management

Controlled transmission of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) by Bemisia tabaci from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to seedlings of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.)

Jatropha curcas, a plant with great biodiesel potential is also used to reduce the population of whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci on cassava fields when planted as a hedge. We therefore, investigated the transmission of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) by the whitefly vector from cassava to seedlings of 10 accessions of J. curcas as part of a wider investigation on the possible role of J. curcas as an alternative host of ACMV. Transmission tests were conducted in insect-proof cages using adult B. tabaci collected from ACMV-infected cassava in the field, at a rate of three adult whiteflies per J. curcas seedling and a transmission feeding period of four days. Twenty one (21) days after the infestation, leaf samples from individual plants of the 10 J. curcas accessions were tested for the presence of ACMV by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), using the monoclonal antibodies SCRI 33. DAS-ELISA detected ACMV in five out of the ten J. curcas accessions while PCR detected it in eight of the 10 accessions. Furthermore, 18 out of the 35 Nicotiana benthamiana indicator plants mechanically inoculated with sap from symptomatic J. curcas seedlings produced symptoms typical of ACMV infection. This indicates that J. curcas is a likely host of ACMV and it may in turn, be able to infect cassava, and presumably other ACMV-susceptible hosts, in the presence of the vector.Keywords: Jatropha curcas accessions, controlled transmission, mechanical inoculation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV)-susceptible hosts.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(28), pp. 4465-447