Empirical Studies of Macroeconomic Interdependence

In this paper we examine the structure and empirical results from several groups of linked econometric models. The main focus of the paper is on the international transmission of fiscal policies, monetary policies, and oil price shocks, under both fixed and flexible exchange rates. The linkage models are divided into four groups: projects based on available national models; projects using structural models designed with monetary and exchange rate linkages in mind; projects focussed mainly on trade linkages; and projects using very small national models with common structure. Each group comprises from two to four projects. Comparable results on the transmission of fiscal policy under fixed exchange rates are available for eight projects, while four projects provide evidence on the domestic and international effects of monetary policy and oil price shocks.

Aerobic fitness and cardiovascular health profile two years after completion of cardiac rehabilitation

The aim of this dissertation was to evaluate the impact of a 12 week hospital-based phase III cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme on long-term aerobic fitness and cardiovascular health two years after completion. Nineteen male and five female participants (mean age 65 years + 2 years) who had completed the CR programme, were randomly recruited to the study. 15 (63%) participants had a diagnosis of MI, 4 (17%) had undergone PCI and 5 (21%) had undergone CABG. The study was a repeated measures design. Participants performed three sub-maximal exercise tests (up to 75% HRmax and/or RPE 12/13) on a cycle ergometer to assess aerobic fitness (determined by work rate in watts and METs achieved) at baseline, end of CR and at two year follow-up. Secondary measures for cardiovascular health profile (including body anthropometrics, HADS score) were also examined. A one-way (Repeated Measures) ANOVA and the Friedman test examined differences at baseline, end of the programme and at two year follow-up. Compared to baseline aerobic fitness improved significantly at the end of CR (p = 0.0005) and at two years (p=0.0005). At two years there was no significant difference in work-rate (p=0.41) or METs achieved (p=0.63) compared to levels at the end of CR, indicating that participants maintained their aerobic fitness. The mean work-rate achieved by participants was 56.9 (+4.0) watts at baseline, 78.8 (+5.5) watts at the end of CR, and 76.8 (+5.2) watts at two years. Median METs achieved were 4.3 METs (IQR = 0.9) at baseline, 5.2 METs (IQR = 1.4) at the end of CR and 5.2 METs (IQR = 1.7) at two years. A 12 week CR programme can lead to positive health behaviours, an improvement in participant’s aerobic fitness and aspects of their cardiovascular health profile, which is maintained two years following completion

The indigenization of Christian worship in urban Liberia : a key to Christian discipleship in the United Methodist Church of Liberia

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/1882/thumbnail.jp

Participation in Development Practice: A Poisonous Gift or Magic Bullet? A Case from Ahwiaa Wood Carving Industry, Ghana

Ghana's decentralised planning and administrative system encourages the involvement of communities and ordinary citizens in the planning and implementation of development projects which affect them. However, in line with some of the criticisms leveled against participation, the practical aspect of the system has been compromised in many situations. Based on a case study of a wood craft village project at Ahwiaa, a tourism destination in the Ashanti region in Ghana, this paper attests that, despite the apparent challenges and criticisms on the viability and usefulness of participation, the concept is very pertinent to development practice. Using qualitative methodology, data was gathered from about 45 informants intermittently within a period of 3 years. Although the project has been almost complete since 2008, it has remained unused. Discussions with the various stakeholders revealed that, the current state of the project is primarily due to the poor participatory methods adopted in the planning and implementation of the project. The intended final users and local leaders are therefore hesitant to use the facility due to anticipated conflicts in distributing the facility among the artisans and traders in the carving industry. It is therefore suggested that, participation should practically remain a core principle in development initiatives. However, it should be operationally defined and critically assessed in order to minimize its adverse influence on development processes and projects. Keywords: Development, Decentralisation, Participation, Wood carving, Tourism, Ghan

Social capital, health literacy, and access to healthcare : a study among rural and urban populations in Ghana

There is ample evidence supporting the association between social networks, and health and well-being. However, existing research and policies to address health-related inequalities in Ghana, have largely neglected this critical nexus. To address the knowledge gap, this study uses the concept of social capital (social relationships and the resources embedded in them) to investigate how and to what extent social relationships influence healthcare access and health literacy among selected rural and urban people. The study also examines how the stock of social capital, and the forms it takes, can influence implementation, and sustenance of local level pro-poor health policies. One such policy in Ghana is the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS). The CHPS is an initiative that aims to reduce healthcare barriers for people in deprived and remote areas. Compared to other countries in the sub-region, Ghana is one of the most politically stable and fastest developing, socioeconomically. However, major health goals are yet to be realised owing to numerous systematic bottlenecks. The study adopts a variety of methods including a cross-sectional survey of 779 individuals; 95 in-depth interviews with rural and urban residents as well as health personnel, community leaders, and six focus group sessions to offer a thorough understanding of the problem. The sample was drawn from eight rural and 36 urban communities/suburbs found in five districts in the Ashanti region. This region has a diverse population profile, which is analogous to that of the country as whole due to its nodal location. The results showed that social capital functions differently across the two population groups regarding its effects on healthcare access and health literacy. While high level of social capital had positive effects on health and well-being in some instances, it demonstrated negative consequences in other circumstances, leading to different levels of health and well-being among rural and urban people. Surprisingly, low degrees of social capital was sometimes better for health and well-being than high levels. Also, the properties and magnitude of different social capital proxies provided an important explanation for why the CHPS policy was fatally troubled in some localities while succeeding in others according to the study’s findings. These findings situate social capital as a vital component, not only at the policy initiation phase, but also in implementation, and in sustaining pro-poor health policies. The study establishes social capital as a “double-edged” determinant of health and well-being. Instead of being an unequivocally positive factor, as some studies suggest, its effects can be ambiguous. It shapes health by itself and in how health literacy and access to healthcare affect health and well-being particularly among rural people. To address health-related inequalities and consequently, disparities in health and well-being by using social capital as a resource, stronger relationships should be forged between social institutions and the populace Moreover, to strengthen social capital while curbing its adverse effects, pertinent social divisions such as rural and urban disparities must be probed. The study thus makes a significant contribution to the literature on social and public health. It postulates that social capital, while not a panacea, should be adopted strategically to improve health and strengthen health services in low-income countries