Evaluation of In-Service Training for Senior Staff of a Public University in Ghana

This study is an evaluation of the effectiveness and relevance of an in-service training workshop organized by Human Resource Division of the College of Technology Education, Kumasi of University of Education, Winneba, Ghana for Senior Staff. Data were obtained by the use of questionnaire that covered the content and outcome at the end of the workshop. The study found that: duration of the workshop was adequate but there was insufficient time given for discussions and questioning; there was inadequate material resources such as handouts, softcopies, CDs and slide presentations; the resource persons provided for the workshop were generally good; the training workshop was relevant to the participants in relation to their work; participants benefited from the training in terms of capacity building, awareness of new trends, confidence building and general change of attitude towards work. Recommendations are made for future improvement of such workshop. Keywords: Evaluation, In-Service Training, Resources, Worksho

Let's move with Leon: a qualitative evaluation of a UK digital intervention to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition

This article presents a qualitative evaluation of a 13-week digital intervention, 'Let's Move with Leon', designed to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition. A qualitative evaluation embedded within a randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of the intervention at improving self-reported physical activity. A total of 184 participants received the intervention and were asked each week for 13 weeks to provide comment on their use and the usefulness of the digital physical activity behaviour change intervention. In addition, after 13 weeks, 12 participants took part in a semistructured interview to understand their use and the usefulness of the intervention. A thematic analysis was conducted on the combined qualitative data set. A total of 128 of the 184 intervention participants (70.11%) provided at least one qualitative comment over the course of the evaluation (mean number of comments per participant = 5); in total, 674 comments were received. The thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) dipping in and out, (2) one size does not fit all and (3) monitoring and feedback. The qualitative data suggest that participants used the intervention sporadically, dipping in and out due to other commitments, and competing programmes, their changing physical ability, confidence and motivation. Not getting off to a good start was detrimental to use; many wanted to come back to the programme at a more appropriate time. A 'one size fits' approach catered for some but not all participants. Whilst not a predetermined intervention component the act of monitoring levels of activity as a data collection method seemed to encourage physical activity but may also result in negative social comparisons. Digital physical activity behaviour change interventions are not one-size-fits-all; personalisation is key. Monitoring of activity by a named person can create commitment. Many dip in and out. Digital physical activity behaviour change interventions could complement physiotherapy exercises for people with musculoskeletal conditions. Signposting to local activities should be considered

Key issues in the implementation of the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for codes of conduct for scientists: a survey of biosecurity education projects

In order to effectively implement the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines in codes of conduct for life scientists, biosecurity awareness-raising and education are essential because if these are not in place scientists will not understand the need for biosecurity codes of conduct. In an effort to assist in the consideration of the implementation of the guidelines a small-scale survey was carried out in early 2022 of biosecurity awareness-raising and education projects that have been developed over the last two decades with a view to discovering what resources and experience has been accumulated. It is argued that the survey demonstrates that much of what is needed to effectively implement the guidelines has been developed, but that there are specific deficiencies that need to be remedied quickly. In particular, an updated teaching resource covering the core issues related to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the problem of dual use in scientific research needs to be made widely available and translated into at least the six official UN languages. Additionally, more specialists from the Humanities with expertise in ethics need to become involved in biosecurity awareness-raising and education activities, and while advantage should be taken now of the available national, regional and international networks of people involved in related activities, it is suggested that in the longer term cooperation in biosecurity awareness-raising and education will benefit from the development of an equivalent organisation to the International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) organised through the IAEA

Knowledge and attitudes of deaf persons towards safe abortion services in Ghana.

BackgroundDeafness refers to partial or total loss of hearing, which, if not appropriately accommodated, may interfere with day-to-day living experiences. Deaf people encountered challenges in their efforts to access essential services, such as health care. While some attention has been given to general access to reproductive health services, less research has focused on the experiences of deaf women and girls when accessing safe abortion services. With unsafe abortion being a major cause of maternal deaths among women in developing countries, this study attempted to explore the perception of deaf women and girls in Ghana towards safe abortion services.ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to understand the perception and awareness safe abortion services among deaf women and girls in Ghana. In doing this, the contributors towards unsafe abortion practices among deaf women and girls were gathered.MethodPenchansky and Thomas' accessibility to health care theory availability, accessibility, accommodation/adequacy, affordability, and acceptability guides this study. A semi-structured interview guide based on components of the theory was used for data collection from 60 deaf persons.ResultsThe components of the theory were used as a priori themes that guided the data analysis. The results showed challenges associated with the indicators of health access. For instance, in terms of availability, it was revealed that deaf women had little knowledge about existing laws on safe abortion in Ghana. In relation to acceptability, deaf women were highly opposed to abortion for cultural and religious reasons. However, there was consensus that safe abortion could be conducted under certain conditions.ConclusionThe results of the study have implications for policymaking aimed at attaining equitable access to reproductive health care for deaf women. The need for policymakers to expedite public education and incorporate the needs of deaf women in reproductive health policies, as well as other study implications, are discussed

Attitudes and self-efficacy of preservice teachers toward teaching gifted and talented students

Teacher training is fundamental to the success of gifted and talented education (GATE). Unfortunately, in sub-Saharan Africa, which is still in the early stages of practicing inclusive education, knowledge about GATE is limited because preservice teacher training programs have yet to prioritize this subject area. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine the attitudes and self-efficacy of 304 preservice teachers regarding GATE at three education colleges in Ghana. Using Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework, the results show a positive association between attitude and self-efficacy, with the latter emerging as a significant predictor of the former. Other background variables—such as gender, knowledge of inclusive education policy, specialization, and level of study—provide insights into the attitudes and self-efficacy of preservice teachers. Also discussed is the need for teacher training institutions to introduce training courses and develop culturally responsive policies, guidelines, and strategies for GATE

Achieving universal reproductive health coverage for deaf women in Ghana : an explanatory study of knowledge of contraceptive methods, pregnancy, and safe abortion practices

Background The first world conference on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in 1994 helped create the awareness that reproductive health is a human right. Over the years, attempts have been made to extend services to all persons; however, lapses persist in service provision for all in need. Recently, countries have been encouraged to target minority groups in their reproductive health service provision. However, studies have rarely attempted to develop deeper insights into the experiences of deaf men and women regarding their knowledge of SRH. The purpose of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the knowledge of deaf persons regarding services such as knowledge of contraceptive methods, pregnancy and safe abortion practices. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was adopted for this study. In the first quantitative phase, 288 deaf persons recruited from three out of the 16 regions in Ghana participated in this study. They completed a 31-item questionnaire on the main issues (knowledge of contraceptive methods, pregnancy and safe abortion practices) addressed in this study. In the second phase, a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from 60 participants who took part in the first phase. The key trend emerging in the first phase underpinned the interview guide used for the data collection. While the quantitative data were subjected to the computation of means, t-tests, analyses of variance, correlations and linear regressions to understand the predictors, the in-depth interviews were analysed using the thematic method of analysis. Results The results showed a convergence between the quantitative and qualitative data. For instance, the interview material supported the initial findings that deaf women had little knowledge of contraceptive methods. The participants offered reasons explaining their inability to access services and the role of religion in their understanding of SRH. Conclusion The study concludes by calling on policymakers to consider the needs of deaf persons in future SRH policies. The study limitations and other implications for future policymaking are discussed

Demographic characteristics of study participants.

Demographic characteristics of study participants.</p

Disaggregation of study participants.

BackgroundDeafness refers to partial or total loss of hearing, which, if not appropriately accommodated, may interfere with day-to-day living experiences. Deaf people encountered challenges in their efforts to access essential services, such as health care. While some attention has been given to general access to reproductive health services, less research has focused on the experiences of deaf women and girls when accessing safe abortion services. With unsafe abortion being a major cause of maternal deaths among women in developing countries, this study attempted to explore the perception of deaf women and girls in Ghana towards safe abortion services.ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to understand the perception and awareness safe abortion services among deaf women and girls in Ghana. In doing this, the contributors towards unsafe abortion practices among deaf women and girls were gathered.MethodPenchansky and Thomas’ accessibility to health care theory availability, accessibility, accommodation/adequacy, affordability, and acceptability guides this study. A semi-structured interview guide based on components of the theory was used for data collection from 60 deaf persons.ResultsThe components of the theory were used as a priori themes that guided the data analysis. The results showed challenges associated with the indicators of health access. For instance, in terms of availability, it was revealed that deaf women had little knowledge about existing laws on safe abortion in Ghana. In relation to acceptability, deaf women were highly opposed to abortion for cultural and religious reasons. However, there was consensus that safe abortion could be conducted under certain conditions.ConclusionThe results of the study have implications for policymaking aimed at attaining equitable access to reproductive health care for deaf women. The need for policymakers to expedite public education and incorporate the needs of deaf women in reproductive health policies, as well as other study implications, are discussed.</div