Central Region Of Ghana Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians and nurses at the cape coast teaching hospital in the Central Region of Ghana on spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting

Ghana’s rate of reporting adverse drug reaction (ADRs) over the past years has consistently been below the WHO standard despite utilizing the spontaneous or voluntary reporting system. While underreporting undermines the pharmacovigilance system and poses a huge threat to public health safety, there is limited information on the perspectives of healthcare workers directly involved in drug administration. The present study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians and nurses at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) towards spontaneous reporting of ADRs (SR-ADRs). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed in the study. Pre-tested (Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.72) and validated questionnaires comprising 37 open-ended and close-ended questions were administered to 44 doctors and 116 nurses at the CCTH who had been practicing for at least six months prior to study. Out of the 160 administered questionnaires, 86 was administered face-to-face and the remaining via e-mails. Descriptive analysis was performed and the results were presented in simple frequencies and percentages. Binary logistic regression model was used to test association of the independent variables with SR-ADRs. With a response rate of 86.4% for physicians and 59.5% for nurses, 38 (35.5%) physicians and 69 (64.5%) nurses completed the questionnaires and returned same. Majority (82.3%, 88) of the respondents knew that it is their responsibility to report ADRs although their knowledge levels was found to be inadequate (that is ≤80%) in majority (66.7%) of the text items that assessed knowledge levels. On the attitude of respondents, it was found that 57% (61) of them agreed that under-reporting was due to complacency whereas 80.4% (86) of them agreed that it was due the lack of adequate training. On the issues of practice, the prevalence of encountering, assisting in the management, and reporting of ADRs were 26.1% (28), 17.8% (19) and 7.5% (8) respectively. Also, nurses were 1.22 times more likely to encounter a patient with ADRs and twice more likely to fill and forward ADR form than doctors during management. Respondents with more than six months but less than one year of practice experience were more likely (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 2.72–7.3) to encounter a patient with ADRs as compared to those with just six months of practice experience. Furthermore, male respondents were more likely (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1–5.85) to encounter patients with ADRs but less likely (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.91–2.6) to fill and forward ADR form compared to their female counterparts. In conclusion, doctors and nurses at the CCTH had inadequate knowledge about ADRs and its existing pharmacovigilance systems, thus accounting for the low spontaneous ADRs reporting in the facility.

Senior High School Teachers’ Preference for Professional Development: A Case Study in the Central Region of Ghana Under the Current Free Senior High School Policy

The critical role of the educational sector in improving and reforming society and the world has aroused the interest of governments and agencies to exert substantial financial resources to reduce the financial burden of parents in educating children and attaining a holistic approach to national development. This paper evaluates the impact of variables such as professional needs, form of training, duration period, perceived impact, and feedback effect on teacher professional development (PD) in Ghana. To facilitate the study objective, we used a survey design approach to collect data from 400 teachers in the Central region of Ghana. This paper adopted PLS-SEM for analysis. The study concludes that: (1) The duration period of PD training significantly affects teacher feedback effect and professional needs. (2) Feedback effect from teachers has a significant effect on PD. (3) The form of training that teachers receive has a direct effect on PD. (4) Perceived impact influences feedback effect and PD. (5) Teachers’ professional needs impact their feedback effect. To achieve the target goals, stakeholders, teachers, and PD planners for SHS, must ask more specifically from teachers about what knowledge or content they would like to learn and their prioritized mode of training and duration period needed.

Improving School Quality in Junior High Schools in Ghana: Teachers’ Myth and Reality of a Decentralization Policy

In the education decentralization processes, community participation in education governance has been argued to be essential for improving accountability to service beneficiaries. Therefore, this paper examined the perspectives of key actors on the impact of an educational decentralization policy on improving school quality education in Junior High Schools in Ghana. Participants in the study were 54 School Management Committee (SMC)/Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members, 106 teachers, and 11 head teachers in 11 schools drawn from two districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Teachers filled out questionnaires and interviews were conducted with SMC/PTA members using a semi-structured interview guide and with 11 head teachers. The paper reveals that the education decentralization policy, with community participation at its heart, has given schools some autonomy in their decision-making process. However, the involvement of community members in school activities has been limited mainly to financing, with little emphasis on the decision-making process in school governance. The study recommends that there should be adequate support for communities to become more involved in the decision-making process, especially in implementing the School Performance Improvement Plan for Ghana to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.

Experiences of Children Living in Overcrowded Homes: A Case of Ghana

The study explored children's experiences living in overcrowded homes in Apewosika Community, a suburb of the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. The descriptive phenomenological research design was adopted for the study. A face-to-face interview was used to collect data from 10 participants aged 12-17 years. These participants were purposively sampled from 10 nuclear families based on the inclusion criteria. The thematic data analysis method was used in analysing the data collected. The themes that emerged from the data analysis are lack of privacy, sleep disturbance, difficulty studying at home, and the spread of diseases. The study concludes that enough space should be provided at home for children to have rooms to reduce the spread of infectious diseases among children and their family members, promote sleep, ensure their privacy and promote their studies at home. 
 Keywords: Children, Ghana, Housing, Overcrowded Homes

‘Where there is fish, is where I put my head’: Challenges of mobile fishers in Elmina fishing community in Ghana

Small‐scale fisheries are crucial for improving livelihoods by providing fisher employment, and food security. As part of their work, fishers frequently move to different fishing communities to catch and trade in fish. This paper analyses the living circumstances of artisanal fishers and discusses their mobility patterns, lodging arrangements, and the difficulties they encounter as they carry out their work. This paper is based on a study that involved 385 artisanal fishers in the fishing community of Elmina in the Komenda Edina Equafo Abirem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. The results show that there are not many suitable places to stay for fishers when they travel from home to other fishing locations, and the few places that do offer affordable lodging also lack toilets, bathrooms and drinkable water. The paper also reflects on the gendered dynamics of these and related issues of insecurity for women in this case study. District authorities whose economies are heavily dependent on fishing ought to collaborate with private housing developers and the state to build affordable lodging facilities with standard household amenities like water, toilets and baths in fishing destinations to address the housing issues faced by fishers while travelling.

An Appraisal of Teachers’ Perception on Repairing of Clothes

The purpose of the study was to examine teachers’ perception on repairing of clothes in Agona Kwanyako in the central region of Ghana. Quantitative research approach and Descriptive survey design were adopted for this study. The population of this study comprised teachers in the seven public Basic Schools, one Senior High School, two private Basic Schools and one Vocational and Technical School in Agona Kwanyako. Krejcie and Morgan chart was used to sample hundred and fifty-five (155) out of two hundred and sixty (260) teachers in Agona Kwanyako schools. The main instrument for data collection and analysis was questionnaire. All the questionnaires retrieved were prepared by sorting and coding. They were then entered into IBM SPSS Statistics 2017 version 25.0 for data to be analysed. The SPSS software was used to generate mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages on the data because it is fast, energy saving and gives a consistent and accurate statistical representation of raw data. Findings were then discussed in relation to the research question for the study. Data were presented using tables and charts. The study indicated that the perception one holds about the repair of clothes affects how they view the act and their subsequent adaptation of the exercise. The perception teachers hold about clothes repair was that, clothes protect the environment, create employment and alleviate one from poverty, helps clothes stay trendy and can give one a sense of satisfaction. It can also be concluded that clothes that are normally used such as dresses, shirts and trousers are the types of clothes mostly repaired. Teachers have positive perception about clothes repair. Based on this it is recommended that Home Economics teachers should team up with other teachers to inculcate proper clothes care in their students. Also, clothes should be made in such a way that repairing is easier and possible based on the findings on the types of clothes that are mostly repaired.

Midwives' perceptions of and attitudes towards prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services has become an integral part of antenatal services. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission was introduced in all the regions of Ghana, but mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) continued to increase. To explore and describe midwives' perceptions and attitudes towards PMTCT of HIV services. Quantitative research approach and descriptive cross-sectional design were used. The population includes all midwives between the ages of 21 and 60 years who work in antenatal care (ANC) clinics in 11 district hospitals in the Central Region of Ghana where the study was conducted. Forty-eight midwives were interviewed using a census sample process. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21. Correlation analysis was performed to find the relationships between the attitudes and the perceptions of the midwives on PMTCT of HIV services. Seventy percent of midwives had positive perceptions of PMTCT of HIV services and 85% had positive attitudes towards the provision of PMTCT of HIV services. Midwives were screening all pregnant women who visited the ANCs and referring those who tested positive to other institutions where they can be monitored. Some of the concerns considered were views on retesting HIV-infected pregnant women throughout their pregnancy. There was a positive correlation between attitudes and perceptions of midwives on PMTCT of HIV services. Midwives had positive perceptions and positive attitudes towards the PMTCT of HIV services that they were providing to antenatal attendees. Also, as the attitudes of the midwives towards PMTCT of HIV services improved, their perceptions of PMTCT services also improved.Contribution: Decentralisation of PMTCT of HIV services to community-based health facilities is appropriate to enable sub-district health facilities to test for HIV and provide counselling services to pregnant women.

Counseling needs of prisoners at the Ankaful prisons in the Central Region of Ghana

Counseling needs of prisoners at the Ankaful prisons in the Central Region of Ghana

High burden of asymptomatic malaria and anaemia despite high adherence to malaria control measures: a cross-sectional study among pregnant women across two seasons in a malaria-endemic setting in Ghana.

Anaemia remains a serious concern among pregnant women, and thus, it is closely monitored from the onset of pregnancy through to delivery to help prevent adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In malaria-endemic settings, continuous low-level carriage of P. falciparum parasites is common and its contribution to maternal anaemia should not be underestimated. In this study, we evaluated the impact of adherence to malaria control measures [number of antenatal clinics (ANC) attended, supervised intake of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (SP), and use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs)] on asymptomatic malaria and anaemia outcomes among pregnant women on ANC in hospitals in the Central region of Ghana. The study was conducted during two seasons; October-November 2020 (dry season, n = 124) and May-June 2021 (rainy season, n = 145). Among the women, there was a high adherence to the control measures for both seasons (ANC ≥ 3 visits; ~ 82.0%, intake of SP; ~ 80.0% and ITNs use; ~ 75.0%). Asymptomatic P. falciparum carriage was high for both seasons (44.4% for the dry season; 46.9% for the rainy season). Correspondingly, the occurrence of anaemia was high for both seasons (57.3% for the dry season; 68.3% for the rainy season) and was strongly predicted by carriage of P. falciparum parasites. Despite the high adherence to ANC protocols, asymptomatic P. falciparum infection was common and contributed to the high burden of maternal anaemia. Our findings emphasize the need for improved control measures that can clear asymptomatic/sub-microscopic P. falciparum infection and protect against malaria-induced anaemia among pregnant women attending ANC in malaria endemic-settings.

Farmers and Consumers Perceptions and Preferences for Yellow Flesh Cassava (YFC) in the Central Region of Ghana

Farmers and Consumers Perceptions and Preferences for Yellow Flesh Cassava (YFC) in the Central Region of Ghana

Knowledge And Practice of Healthcare Ethics Among Healthcare Professionals: An Awareness Creation Apparatus

Background: Because healthcare professionals are well versed in patients' fundamental rights and obligations, people are growing more worried about their ethical behavior. The accusations regarding unethical behavior and the rise in legal action against healthcare providers frequently reflect this. Threats and intimidation directed at healthcare workers have also increased recently. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of healthcare ethics among healthcare professionals in Winneba Municipal Hospital and Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Effutu Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design and a qualitative research approach. The research design used offered a deeper understanding of the experiences, phenomena, and settings under study while addressing the "what," "how," and "why" of the research questions. The interpretive approach was chosen as the research's epistemological stance because it emphasised how unique humans are from the material world and how research methodologies should reflect this distinction. Results: This study identified ethical issues bordering on areas of communication, decision-making, confidentiality, and professional duty as key themes for ethical reflection. It explored the experiences of healthcare professions in different fields of practice within the clinical context. The study also identified strategies for improving knowledge and adherence to ethical codes regarding the profession, which are education, routine orientation, workshops and retraining programmes. Conclusion: Despite the commendable efforts of health professionals in adhering to healthcare ethics, policy-makers in the healthcare arena of Ghana such as the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and the Association of Health Administration and Support Services should gear health policy towards enhancing staff-patient relationship. Keywords: Healthcare professionals, patients' fundamental rights and obligations, unethical behaviour, ethical reflection, Ethical codes and Communication.

Historians and High School Students as Partners: Community-based Learning Experiences as a Tool for Democratizing Research

AbstractThere is a great need for new practices to match evolving theories in decolonizing and democratizing the field of African history. This article is a report on a research practice undertaken in the Central Region of Ghana in which researchers worked with teachers to deliver a community-based history experience for high school teachers. The historians contributed lessons in methodology as well as an approach that valued the students as co-creators. Students selected their own research topics and produced original interpretations for their community. The evidence from this intervention suggests benefits for researchers, students, and community members. Although it required a great deal of preparation and learning on the part of the historians, this kind of practice may build community confidence in the researcher, foster valuable partnerships, produce more accurate information and interpretations, and nurture the development of future historians from local communities.

Reduction of Suicide Ideation by the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Individual Psychology among Undergraduate Students of University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to find out the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Individual Psychology (IP) in the reduction of suicide ideation among undergraduate students in the University of Cape Coast.
 Methodology: It was a quantitative study using the quasi-experimental research design, specifically, the pre-test, post-test and control group design. A total of 30 undergraduate students from four colleges of the University of Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana were non- randomly assigned to two treatment groups (CBT and IP) and one control group. Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was used for the collection of data for the study. Both the descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential (dependent samples t-test and independent samples t-test) statistics were used to analyse the data at the alpha level of .05.
 Findings: The study revealed that CBT and IP are effective in reducing suicide ideation among undergraduate students at University Cape Coast.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: It was recommended that screening for suicide ideation among students be carried out on a regular basis organised by the Counselling Centre. This is with the intention of helping to educate them and creating more awareness on suicide ideation among students thereby bringing in more people per the screening to benefit from the therapies

A Cultural Analysis of Painted Canoe Symbols and Their Significance in the Fishing Acculturations of Axim and Winneba in Ghana

This study examined the symbols present on canoe paintings in the Axim and Winneba fishing communities located in the Western and Central Region of Ghana. The research approach employed was qualitative, using a descriptive research design. Data was collected through observation, interviews, and document reviews, with 25 participants providing insights into the phenomenon. The study found that the symbols on the canoes represented the owners' personal relationships and incorporated various art forms such as animals, human figures, multinational telecommunication networks, and football clubs. These images served multiple purposes, including physical protection, decoration, identification, sanitation, and conceptual representation. The researchers recommend that the Ghana Museums and Monument Board (GMMB), the Centre for National Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, as well as individuals and businesses in the tourism industry, should focus on the coastal areas and recognize the cultural significance of the canoe symbols present in the fishing communities of Ghana. By doing so, they can tap into the tourism potential of these areas and use them to attract visitors

Administrative capacity and local level development in metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in Ghana: mediating role of resource capacity

PurposeThis study aims to examine the mediating role of resource capacity on the effect of administrative capacity on local level development.Design/methodology/approachData is obtained from three Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Central Region of Ghana using a survey. A structural equation modelling that includes a formatively measured construct (administrative capacity) is used in the analyses.FindingsLeadership, human resource management, financial resource management, technical and adaptive capacities are supported as formative constructs of administrative capacity. More so, it is established that administrative capacity has an effect on resource capacity. Also, administrative capacity and resource capacity each has an effect on local level development. The mediation analysis shows that resource capacity mediates the effect administrative capacity has on local level development.Practical implicationsAdministrative capacity is a necessity for local governments as enhancing it together with the resource capacity of MMDAs are vital if local level development is to be achieved. In this regard, administrative and resource capacities of local governments must be pursued by both the central government and decentralised governments for the latter to achieve its primary mandate.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to empirically ascertain leadership, human resource management, financial resource management, technical and adaptive capacities as the dimensions of administrative capacity using a structural equation model. Given that there is a lack of consensus on the dimensions of administrative capacity, this study contributes significantly to the discourse. The study also highlights the need to pursue and enhance administrative and resource capacities for local level development.

The status of biology teaching and learning materials in selected central regional schools, Ghana

This paper investigated constraints associated with biology teaching and learning materials in selected schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the classroom implementation of biology curriculum. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used for the study. The target population comprised 187 biology teachers and 7790 second year biology students in all the 58 public senior high schools that offered elective biology during the 2016/2017 academic year. The accessible population however consisted of 4500 second year biology students drawn from 21 schools. The final sample comprised 106 biology teachers and 354 biology students. Factor analysis was used to perform inferential analysis and draw conclusions on the research questions. Resources for teaching and learning biology was inadequate in all schools visited. Most teachers did not organise practical activities regularly and this affected some profile dimensions suggested by the teaching curriculum. It is recommended that only qualified and experienced teachers should be employed to handle senior high school students in order to build a good and strong foundation for them.

A question of omission of care or social reciprocity? Low-income families’ perception of child neglect in Ghana

Child neglect is the most contested type of child maltreatment as its definition and measurement are more subjective, however, the less researched area of concern is the basis of its construction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore what low-income families deem as child neglect to inform more acceptable interventions for both Social Workers and families to ensure better outcomes for children. This paper presents the findings of a pilot study in Assin Assempanaye, a low-income community in the Central Region of Ghana. Adopting an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach with an in-depth interview guide, 18 parents from different households’ views were explored using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that age and expected social behaviour were the basis for neglect. Where omission of care for a child below 10 years was deemed as parental failure, for those, 10-17 years, the incidence of neglect was linked to the child’s failure to conform to the reciprocal social relationship between a parent and a child. It is suggested that Social Workers have to address adolescent neglect differently in programme interventions by also focusing on social role expectations.

Security Implications of Refugees on Host Communities: Perspectives from Buduburam in the Central Region of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives and lived experiences of the people of Buduburam in the Central region of Ghana about the security implications of refugees in their community and the meaning they make of those experiences. The study adopted a qualitative research approach through a case study design. Data was collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The analysis of the data was thematic. The findings show that there are mixed perceptions of the prolonged refugee stay in the Buduburam community. While participants expressed some positive views (attraction of development, source of market, cordial interactions) about the refugees’ presence in Buduburam, they equally shared some concerns (increase in criminal activities, social vices, and influx of other foreigners) about their stay. The study also reveals serious security challenges about the refugees’ presence in the community. The Buduburam community has been turned into a hiding ground for criminals from other parts of the country and beyond. To cope with the situation, community members resort to faith for protection and safety. The overarching recommendation of the study is that the government of Ghana should take immediate steps to address the security concerns in the Buduburam community. Keywords: Security Implications, Refugees, Buduburam, Perspectives, lived experinces DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/13-8-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2023

Analysis of seven micronutrients in breast milk of lactating mothers from the Central Region of Ghana using epithermal neutron activation

Background: Breast milk contains various micronutrients which nourishes a baby with nutrition, and therefore the endorsement for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months after birth. Such micronutrients, if in excess, can have adverse effects on the baby.
 Objective: The levels of seven micronutrients in breast milk obtained from 27 lactating mothers in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area have been determined using Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis (ENAA). This technique was used because it is suitable for performing both qualitative and quantitative multi-nutritional analyses on samples, and offers accuracies and sensitivities superior to those attainable by other methods.
 Materials and Methods: During the analysis, a- 3 mm thick flexible boron was used to cut-off thermal neutrons so as to assess epithermal neutrons, thereby creating an activation energy which measured the levels of micronutrients in the breast milk. The standard reference materials used were the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-336; IAEA-407, IAEA-350 and National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) USA SRM 1577b. The Relative standardization method was used in the quantification of the micronutrients, with an accuracy of about 94.7 %. The micronutrients are Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Iodine (I).
 Results: Except for iodine which had levels below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), the remaining micronutrients had levels above the upper limit of the RDA, with Manganese being the highest.
 Conclusion: The levels recorded are directly linked to the food intake of the mothers, and therefore the need for pregnant and lactating mothers to be mindful about what they eat. Children could be exposed to metabolic disorders and diseases as a result of such high levels.

Teachers’ Knowledge and Practice of Indoctrination in Teaching Christian Religious Studies in Mission Schools of Central Region, Ghana

The impetus of this study was to unpack teachers’ knowledge and use of indoctrinatory practices in the teaching of Christian Religious Studies in mission schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The study used the concurrent parallel design of the mixed-methods research approach. The population for the study was all CRS teachers from mission schools in the Central Region. The census method was used to get all the 39 teachers of CRS in the schools. The instruments for data assembling were a questionnaire and an observation guide. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyse the data. Mission school CRS teachers were found to have moderate knowledge of what indoctrination is. They engaged in indoctrinatory practices at a lower extent when teaching CRS. There was no significant difference (t (37) =-.017, p=.987) in CRS teachers’ participation in indoctrinatory practices based on their religious backgrounds. It was consequently recommended that the Central Regional Office of Ghana Education Service (GES) should organise in-service training workshops and seminars for teachers to deepen their understanding of the meaning and consequences of indoctrination. Furthermore, the Ghana Education Service should encourage teachers to desist from any form of indoctrination during the teaching of CRS.