DOES PROXIMITY TO A GOLF COURSE MATTER?

In this study, we augment an earlier study by estimating the effect of golf courses on housing values using a data set of single-family homes sold between 1994 and 2000. We find that there is generally a positive impact on houses proximate to open space (golf courses and neighborhood parks). The value of proximity to a golf course is found to be greater than figures reported in previous studies. Proximity impacts extend beyond abutting properties and go as far as to those within almost a quarter of a mile. The value of properties proximate to parks is found to be significant and varies with park size and type. Parks classified as small and medium had positive impacts extending over a quarter of a mile with the small parks having the greatest impact on the value of properties.Land Economics/Use,

DEMOGRAPHICS AND THE VALUE OF PARK PROXIMITY IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

The effect of proximity to different types of parks on housing prices is estimated using a unique data set of single family homes sold between 1990 and 1999 in Greenville, South Carolina. The value of park proximity is found to vary with respect to park size and amenities, as well as household income and family size. The greatest impact on housing values was found with proximity to small neighborhood parks, with property values as much as 13 percent higher for homes within 600 feet of such parks. The positive impact of proximity to attractive medium size parks extended to homes as far as 1500 feet from the park. The value of park proximity increases with family size and is greater, as a percentage of housing value, for households with income below the median.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

SCHOOL QUALITY AND PROPERTY VALUES IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

This study estimates the impact of school quality on property values within the city limits of Greenville, South Carolina. This study differs from others in its use of a relative, rather than an absolute measure of school quality. We apply a hedonic pricing model to estimate the impact of K-12 rankings on the real constant-quality housing values. Based on 3,731 housing transactions carried out from 1994 to 2000, our results suggest that those who choose to live within the city limits of the study pay a premium to live in high quality school attendance areas. Therefore, high-ranked schools have values capitalized into single-family house prices. Further, greater distance to assigned K-12 schools has a negative impact on the value of the property.Land Economics/Use,

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUES IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

The effect on housing prices of proximity to different types of parks is estimated using a unique data set of single-family homes sold between 1990 and 1999 in Greenville, South Carolina. While the value of park proximity is found to vary with respect to park size and amenities, the estimates from this study are larger than previous studies. The greatest impact on housing values was found with proximity to small neighborhood parks, with the positive impact of proximity to both small and medium-size parks extending to homes as far as 1500 feet from the park.hedonic valuation, open space, urban parks, value of parks, Land Economics/Use,

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

Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among primary school children in Oforikrom, Ghana based on the disruptive behavior disorders rating scale

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among primary school children in Oforikrom, Kumasi, Ghana. METHODS: 10 of 35 primary schools in Oforikrom were readily available. Of 2000 children aged 5 to 13 years selected, 1540 (77%) of their parents/guardians consented to participate. Their parents/guardians and six teachers from each school were asked to complete the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale to screen children for the presence of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder. Children who displayed symptoms (pretty much or very much) in most related items as determined by parents and/or teachers were considered positive cases. RESULTS: The mean age of 1540 pupils was 9 ± 2.16 years. Most (31%) were primary 4 pupils. 5% of pupils displayed ADHD symptoms (attention deficit disorder subtype in 36%, hyperactivity disorder subtype in 27%, and combined subtype in 37%). Of them, 51% were male. Most (19%) of those who displayed the symptoms were in primary 5. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ADHD among primary school children in Oforikrom was 5%. 51% of those with ADHD symptoms were male. Most (19%) of those with ADHD symptoms were in primary 5

Feasibility of abstinence as a preventive strategy for HIV/AIDS control in the University student community in Kumasi, Ghana.

HIV is spreading and the youth bear the brunt of its onslaught. Though abstinence until marriage is thought to be the most effective method of HIV prevention for the youth, others think it is ineffective. This study assessed the feasibility of abstinence in preventing HIV/AIDS spread among tertiary students of the KNUST. Study type was non- interventional, descriptive and design current cross- sectional. Study participants were selected by stratified sampling, followed by systematic sampling. A total of 300 participants were sampled. Seventy nine (79%) (95% CI, 73.9-83.8) said STIs could be avoided by abstaining from sex. Ninety six (96%) (95% CI, 93.5-98.3%) said HIV could be acquired via sex. Ninety six (96%) (95% CI, 93.8- 98.5%) of those who said HIV could be avoided said it could be done by abstaining from sex. Seventy two (72%) were of the view that sex should start only after marriage. Sixty nine 69% (95% CI, 63.3-74.4%) said they would wait till after marriage to involve in sex. Sixty seven (67%) (95% CI, 60.7- 72.1%) were encouraged by peers to abstain from sex, Seventy four (74%) (95% CI, 68.5- 79.1%) thought colleagues their age had premarital sex and 28% (95% CI, 22.5- 33.4%) said they were pressured to have sex. Thirty one (31%) (95% CI, 25.6- 36.7%) of respondents were sexually experienced. There is the general view that HIV/AIDS spread among the youth can be reduced by abstaining from sex until marriage and that abstinence could and should be encouraged as a preventive strategy for HIV/AIDS.Journal of Science and Technology (Ghana) Vol. 27 (2) 2007: pp. 1-

Antibiotics Availability and Usage in Health Facilities: A Case of the Offinso-South Municipality of Ghana

The use of antibiotics has received increased public health attention in recent times because their irrational use could pose a global health problem. Since the introduction of antimicrobial agents, there has been an association between antibiotic use and the development of antimicrobial resistance. The emergence of antibiotic resistance is primarily due to excessive and often unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans. This study therefore sought to assess antibiotics availability and usage in a municipal area of Ghana. The study was retrospective and descriptive in nature. Folders of 300 patients were sampled from a municipal hospital and three health centres. Simple random sampling technique was used in the recruitment of patients’ folders. The study revealed a high antibiotics usage in the municipality. Overall, respiratory tract infections rated the highest so far as conditions for which antibiotics were prescribed were concerned. The penicillins which were the frequently prescribed antibiotics formed 50% of prescriptions for the treatment of gastroenteritis, which was in violation of the existing standard treatment guidelines to be adhered to by prescribers. Regular training and refresher courses could be organized for prescribers towards ensuring the adherence to the existing treatment guidelines. Key words: antibiotics, availability, usage, health facilitie

Stroke in Ashanti region of Ghana

Objective: To determine the morbidity and mortality in adult in-patients with stroke admitted to the KomfoAnokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).Methods: A retrospective study of in-patients with stroke admitted to the KATH, from January 2006 todecember 2007 was undertaken. Data from admission and discharge registers were analysed to determinestroke morbidity and mortality.Results: Stroke constituted 9.1% of total medical adult admissions and 13.2% of all medical adult deathswithin the period under review. The mean age of stroke patients was 63.7 (95% ci=62.8, 64.57) years. Males were younger than females. The overall male to female ratio was 1:0.96, and the age-adjusted risk of death from stroke was slightly lower for females than males (relative risk= 0.88; 95% ci=0.79, 1.02, p=0.08). The stroke case fatality rate was 5.7% at 24 hours, 32.7% at 7 days, and 43.2% at 28 days.Conclusion: Stroke constitutes a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana. Major efforts are needed in the prevention and treatment of stroke. Population-based health education programs and appropriate public health policy need to be developed. This will require a multidisciplinary approach of key players with a strong political commitment. There is also a clear need for further studies on this topic including, for example, an assessment of care and quality of life after discharge from hospital. The outcomes of these studies will provide important information for the prevention efforts.Keywords: Stroke, Cerebrovascular disease, CVD, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghan