MISCONCEPTIONS AND PERCEIVED IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY ACROSS THE CURRICULUM AMONG STUDENT TEACHERS IN GHANA

The study sought to ascertain misconceptions and perceived importance of Literacy Across the Curriculum (LAC) among student teachers of Basic Education, University of Education, Winneba. Out of a targeted population of 1,386 student teachers of Basic Education, 490 were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to gather data and frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation were used to examine the data obtained. The results, among others, revealed that the misconceptions held by Basic Education students at the University of Education, Winneba, was the fact LAC shoul be restricted to the Arts, and not the Sciences. They were of the view that students from the arts background should focus on developing their literacy skill in order to excel in their field. However, the students were of the view that LAC is important since through the use of language, symbols, and text, literacy is promoted across the curriculum to give students the ability to share information about themselves and their experiences. Based on these findings, it was suggested that literacy should be integrated in all aspects of the curriculum. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are to be taught to students as fundamental abilities for many facets of daily life, not only in English Language lessons. Lecturers and student teachers should ensure that literacy across the curriculum is promoted regardless of the course(s) they teach and study respectively.  Article visualizations

Effect of Strategic Orientation on Performance of Star-Rated Hotels in Ghana

The study used the resource dependency theory to determine the strategic orientation that star-rated hotels in Ghana should adopt to realize both financial and non- financial performance. Out of a population of 680 star-rated hotel managers, a sample of 248 were chosen, using the stratified random sampling technique. Self- administered questionnaires were used to solicit the views of managers of the selected star-rated hotels. In all, a total of 178 responses were retrieved and analysed, using descriptive and partial least squares in structural equation modeling. Findings of the study indicate that none of the strategic orientation types influenced financial performance. However, aggressiveness, analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness were found to rather influence non-financial performance of star-rated hotels. The study, therefore, confirms the resource dependency theory and concludes that when star-rated hotels tend to be aggressive, analytic, futuristic and risky, it influences non-financial performance. The study, therefore, recommends that managers of star-rated hotels use analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness strategic orientation to enhance non-financial performance

Retrospective Study of an Epidemic Vibrio cholerae in the Central Region of Ghana

Background: In October 2016, a cholera outbreak occurred in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Central Region, Ghana, spreading rapidly in peri-urban communities.The Researchers conducted a descriptive analysis of surveillance data to examine the epidemiological characteristics of this outbreak. Methods: The retrospective analysis covered cholera cases from October to December 2016, focusing on onset date, age, sex, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) results, and residence. Pearson’s chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests were used to find associations. Results: The outbreak comprised 731 cases, resulting in an overall attack rate of 67 per 100,000 population, with no reported fatalities. The epidemic curve exhibited multiple progressive peaks, indicative of a person-to-person transmission outbreak. The mean age of affected individuals was 23, and 40% of cases occurred in the 15 - 24 age group. There was no significant gender difference (p = 0.619). Cape Coast Metropolis accounted for nearly 90% of cases, while Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo Abirem(KEEA) contributed to the remaining 10%. RDT results were significantly associated with bacterial culture (p < 0.001), and sex was linked to final case classification (p = 0.004). Conclusion: The Cholera outbreak was attributed to poor sanitation, hygiene, and water/food quality. Future interventions should prioritize addressing environmental and behavioural factors to prevent similar outbreaks in the future

The Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure on the Financial Performance of Financial Institutions: A 2002-2009 Analysis of Agricultural Development Bank, Ghana

Corporations are critical actors in the political, economic, social and cultural development of all countries. Besides providing goods and services in order to achieve profitability, they also serve as a source of livelihood for many, pay taxes that enable governments to operate, and have an impact on the physical and social environment. However, the practice of social responsibility poses a challenge to many financial institutions in Ghana including the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB). The socially responsible acts of financial have been assumed to have negative effect on the expenditure and profitability of some financial institutions thereby affecting their profit margins in the short-term. This research therefore focused on determining the extent of the effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditures on the financial performance of financial institutions. A survey and interviews of some selected department heads at the ADB and reviews of the annual CSR reports revealed that the immediate effect of socially responsible activities on the financial performance of financial institutions tends to be negative. In the long term, such efforts have the potential to accrue positive impacts for financial institutions that engage in socially responsible behaviors as part of their core functions. It is therefore recommended that financial institutions need to undertake socially responsible activities that are part of their core functions so as to overcome the initial shocks that are associated with such programs. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Performance, Financial Institution

Assessment of knowledge and treatment practices of hepatitis B infection in children among health professionals in Krachi districts in Ghana:a cross-sectional study

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains one of the neglected infectious diseases. Children infected with HBV are at higher risk of becoming chronic carriers. Barriers to measures against HBV in children are attributed to inadequate knowledge by some health professionals. This study assessed knowledge and treatment practices of HBV in children among health professionals. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among health professionals (185) in three districts in Krachi using a structured questionnaire. Stata version 15 was used to analyze participants’ responses on awareness, knowledge, and treatment practices. Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used to determine the relationship between knowledge and treatment practices. Multivariate regression analysis assessed the relationships between variables at P&lt;0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results. 20% were not aware of HBV in children and 85% had only fair knowledge about HBV in children. Only 29% indicated good knowledge and treatment practices of HBV in children. A unit increase in knowledge of HBV in children leads to a 1.42 unit increase in awareness (P&lt;0.01), and a 1.3 unit increase in treatment practice (P&lt;0.01) of HBV in children. Conclusions. Participants demonstrated only fair knowledge about HBV in children. Seminars and workshops on HBV in children for health professionals must intensify.</p

How can we make self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections and bloodborne viruses more inclusive? a qualitative study with people with mild learning disabilities and low health literacy

Objectives: 1.5 million people in the UK have mild to moderate learning disabilities. STIs and bloodborne viruses (BBVs) are over-represented in people experiencing broader health inequalities, which include those with mild learning disabilities. Self-managed care, including self-sampling for STIs/BBVs, is increasingly commonplace, requiring agency and health literacy. To inform the development of a partner notification trial, we explored barriers and facilitators to correct use of an STI/BBV self-sampling pack among people with mild learning disabilities. Methods: Using purposive and convenience sampling we conducted four interviews and five gender-specific focus groups with 25 people (13 women, 12 men) with mild learning disabilities (July-August 2018) in Scotland. We balanced deductive and inductive thematic analyses of audio transcripts to explore issues associated with barriers and facilitators to correct use of the pack. Results: All participants found at least one element of the pack challenging or impossible, but welcomed the opportunity to undertake sexual health screening without attending a clinic and welcomed the inclusion of condoms. Reported barriers to correct use included perceived overly complex STI/BBV information and instructions, feeling overwhelmed and the manual dexterity required for blood sampling. Many women struggled interpreting anatomical diagrams depicting vulvovaginal self-swabbing. Facilitators included pre-existing STI/BBV knowledge, familiarity with self-management, good social support and knowing that the service afforded privacy. Conclusion: In the first study to explore the usability of self-sampling packs for STI/BBV in people with learning disabilities, participants found it challenging to use the pack. Limiting information to the minimum required to inform decision-making, € easy read' formats, simple language, large font sizes and simpler diagrams could improve acceptability. However, some people will remain unable to engage with self-sampling at all. To avoid widening health inequalities, face-to-face options should continue to be provided for those unable or unwilling to engage with self-managed care

Preparing for future outbreaks in Ghana:An overview of current COVID-19, monkeypox, and Marburg disease outbreaks

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana is currently grappling with simultaneous outbreaks of Marburg virus disease and human monkeypox virus. The coexistence of these outbreaks emphasizes the imperative for a collaborative and global approach to enhance surveillance and expedite case detection. While Ghana has made efforts to respond to these outbreaks, this paper outlines the lessons learned and proposes recommendations in this regard. It is crucial to intensify response efforts at the local, regional, and national levels to effectively contain the spread of these infectious diseases. Therefore, this paper suggests prioritizing the following recommendations as crucial for assisting Ghana in adequately preparing for future outbreaks and safeguarding global public health: strengthening surveillance system through digitization, rapid and effective response; risk communication and community engagement; healthcare system readiness; and research and collaboration. Also, prioritizing building healthy public policies and developing personal skills of health personnel across the country is key for future outbreak response.</p

Perceived causes and management of epilepsy among rural community dwellers in Ghana: a qualitative synthesis

BackgroundIn Ghana, over 270,000 people live with epilepsy, of which 70% do not receive treatment. Despite the high number of people with the condition, misconceptions exist about its causes and management in African regions. The study assessed the perceived causes and management of epilepsy among rural community dwellers in Ghana.MethodsA qualitative approach and phenomenological design were employed for the study. The population comprised community dwellers in Berekum, a rural town in the Bono Region of Ghana. A convenience sampling technique was used to sample the participants. An in-depth face-to-face interview with a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect participant data. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultA total of 15 participants were interviewed in the study, after which saturation was reached. Seven of the participants were men, and eight were women. Two categories emerged as the causes of epilepsy: socio-cultural and superstitious causes and biomedical causes. The socio-cultural and superstitious causes include “a manifestation or an influence of an evil spirit,” “family curse or disease,” “punishment from ancestors or gods of the land,” “having several convulsions,” “exposure to foam from an epileptic,” and “bites from an epileptic during seizures”, while the biomedical causes are “brain damage,” “blood group,” and “genetic makeup”. Consulting with the spiritual realm, pouring water on the person or washing the person's face, and putting a spoon in the mouth were identified by the participants as ways to manage epilepsy.ConclusionThe causes of epilepsy are primarily linked to the supernatural, with the results indicating that rural community residents largely attribute epilepsy to “evil spirits”. This implies that the rural communities' knowledge about the causes of epilepsy is based on the social causation theory of disease and disability, which relates diseases to the supernatural. Management of the condition was mainly seen as spiritual

Economic costs of fever to households in the middle belt of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the main health problems in the sub-Saharan Africa accounting for approximately 198 million morbidity and close to 600,000 mortality cases. Households incur out-of-pocket expenditure for treatment and lose income as a result of not being able to work or care for family members. The main objective of this survey was to assess the economic cost of treating malaria and/or fever with the new ACT to households in the Kintampo districts of Ghana where a health and demographic surveillance systems (KHDSS) are set up to document population dynamics. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted from October 2009 to July 2011 using community members' accessed using KHDSS population in the Kintampo area. An estimated sample size of 4226 was randomly selected from the active members of the KHDSS. A structured questionnaire was administered to the selected populates who reported of fever within the last 2 weeks prior to the visit. Data was collected on treatment-seeking behaviour, direct and indirect costs of malaria from the patient perspective. RESULTS: Of the 4226 households selected, 947 households with 1222 household members had fever out of which 92 % sought treatment outside home; 55 % of these were females. 31.6 % of these patients sought care from chemical shops. A mean amount of GHS 4.2 (US$2.76) and GHS 18.0 (US$11.84) were incurred by households as direct and indirect cost respectively. On average a household incurred a total cost of GHS 22.2 (US$14.61) per patient per episode. Total economic cost was lowest for those in the highest quintile and highest for those in the middle quintile. CONCLUSION: The total cost of treating fever/malaria episode is relatively high in the study area considering the poverty levels in Ghana. The NHIS has positively influenced health-seeking behaviours and reduced the financial burden of seeking care for those that are insured