High School Students In Ghana Research Articles

Factors contributing to anxiety among final year junior high school students in Ghana: implications for supporting mental well-being during basic education certificate examination

Introduction/problemAnxiety disorders are increasingly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Limited data exist on factors contributing to anxiety, particularly among final year junior high school (JHS) students in Ghana preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Exam (BECE).PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the factors influencing anxiety levels among final year JHS students in Ghana, focusing on hunger, parental support, sleep duration, co-occurring mental health concerns, gender, and other variables.MethodsA sample of 394 final year JHS students in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana was surveyed using established measures for anxiety, sleep duration, parental support, hunger, substance use, and mental health concerns. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between these variables and anxiety levels among students.Key findingsThe study revealed a high prevalence of anxiety among final year JHS students, with 71.4% exhibiting symptoms above the chronic anxiety cut-off point. Significant factors associated with anxiety included hunger, living with a single parent, and co-occurring mental health concerns. Age, gender, access to school counseling, school type, and substance use showed no significant associations with anxiety.Conclusions/implicationsThe findings underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing anxiety among final year JHS students, considering socio-economic factors, family dynamics, and mental health support. Stakeholders can use these insights to develop targeted interventions that promote mental well-being and academic success.RecommendationsEnhancing access to mental health services, addressing socio-economic disparities, providing support for students from single-parent households, and integrating mental health education into school curricula are recommended.

Academic mindfulness, self-regulated learning and school engagement as predictors of academic resilience among high school students in Ghana

Academic mindfulness, self-regulated learning and school engagement as predictors of academic resilience among high school students in Ghana

Low Dietary Diversity and Low Haemoglobin Status in Ghanaian Female Boarding and Day Senior High School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: Anaemia is one of the most common forms of malnutrition globally, with most anaemia cases related to micronutrient deficiency. Diets with higher dietary diversity scores (DDS) are usually nutritionally diverse and could positively impact micronutrient status, including haemoglobin (Hb) concentration improvement. The study aimed to determine DDS and its association with the Hb concentration of Boarding and Day adolescent Senior High School students in Ghana. Materials and Methods: A semi-structured and three 24 h dietary recalls were used to obtain the participants' demographic and diet intake data, respectively. Hb concentration was assessed using a validated portable haemoglobinometer. DDS was evaluated using the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) approach. Results: A significant difference in the DDS between Boarding and Day students existed. Only 22% of the Boarding students had adequate dietary diversity, whereas 64% of the Day students had adequate dietary diversity. A significantly smaller proportion of the Boarding students consumed nuts and seeds, dairy, flesh foods, eggs, vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruits, other vegetables, and other fruits compared to Day students (p < 0.05, all). No significant difference (p = 0.925) in mean (±SD) Hb concentrations between Boarding (11.9 ± 1.1 g/dL) and Day (11.9 ± 1.1 g/dL) students was found. Additionally, no significant correlation between mean DDS and Hb concentration (p = 0.997) was recorded. Using Hb < 12 g/dL as the determination of anaemia, 55.1% Boarding and 57.8% Day students had anaemia. Conclusions: Low dietary diversity in Boarding students highlighted inadequate nutrition provided by school meals. Strategies to increase meal diversity should be prioritised by stakeholders in Ghana's educational sector.

Access to Digital Media and Digital Literacy among Ghanaian Youth: An Explore, Engage, Empower Model Study

ABSTRACT Across Africa, increased availability of mobile devices and internet connectivity means that more young people can participate in digital spaces. Yet media access and use are not universal either across the continent or within countries. Indeed, as the euphoria around technological advancements wanes, researchers and policymakers recognise that technology has the capacity to exacerbate social and other inequalities. This paper problematises the capacity of under-served African youth to effectively use media, given scholarship that suggests that frequent media use enhances digital literacy capacity. It makes use of a quantitative approach by surveying students in senior high schools using a multi-stage sampling approach and draws on the explore, engage, empower (EEE) model to examine young people’s access to digital spaces and how this shapes the acquisition of digital literacy skills. The findings from a nationwide survey of senior high school students in Ghana, using a newly developed media and information literacy (MIL) scale, indicate that Ghana’s youths have reasonably high levels of access to digital spaces (83 per cent) and that such access is related to their development of specific MIL skills, including competencies of accessing, critically evaluating, and creating and sharing information in digital spaces.

Gender Differences in Academic Resilience and Well-Being among Senior High School Students in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Senior high school (SHS) students are at risk of stress and other adverse exposures that may negatively affect their well-being and possibly cause attrition. The concepts of academic resilience and well-being share commonality as psychological attributes linked to positive functioning among students. Despite this connection, there seems to be limited research exploring these concepts across genders among SHS students in developing regions. This study examined the gender difference in academic resilience and well-being among SHS students in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 190 SHS students in three schools from Kwahu North and South district (i.e., Afram Plains) of Ghana's Eastern Region completed the Academic Resilience Scale (ARS-30) and College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (CSSWQ). The sample consists of 102 males and 88 females, with a mean age of 17.83 years. The data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and hierarchical regression. The study established that students have a moderate level of academic resilience and a higher level of well-being, with no statistically significant variation in students' academic resilience (t = 0.718; p = 0.474) or well-being (t = -1.596; p = 0.112) across gender. Further, the study discovered that resilience significantly predicted academic well-being (B = 0.425; SE = 0.050; t = 8.50; p < 0.001). This study highlights the importance of promoting gender-sensitive intervention strategies that enhance the academic resilience and well-being of SHS students and help boost their educational attainment.

Peer Influence, Family Influence, Academic Difficulties and Gender Differences as Agents of Career Indecisiveness of Senior High School Students in Ghana

This research aimed at finding out how peer influence, family influence, and academic difficulties affect the career decision-making process among senior high school students in Ghana. Employing a descriptive survey design, the study involved 450 students selected through multi-stage sampling. Data collection utilized a Likert-type scale questionnaire. Analysis and presentation of findings relied on Descriptive Statistics. Results indicated that peer influence, family influence, and academic difficulties collectively played significant roles in causing career indecisiveness among senior high school students in Ghana. Females were affected more by the agents of career indecisiveness. The study recommends that school counsellors remain attentive to peer influence, family influence, and academic difficulties, offering appropriate guidance and counselling to aid informed and effective career decision-making among senior high school students. Gender specific characteristics and behaviour must be critically explored in catering for the diverse career counselling needs of gender groups.

Prevalence and correlates of depression among students in a senior high school in Ghana: A school-based cross-sectional study.

Depression is one of the most widely reported mental health issues that affect adolescents globally. However, there is a dearth of data on its prevalence and associated factors among senior high school students in Ghana, since previous studies have focused more on adult populations. This can hinder policies needed to champion mental health and mental health care in senior high schools. Hence, this study sought to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors among senior high school students in Ghana. An analytical cross-sectional study involving 289 students at the Manya Krobo Senior High School was conducted from December 2022 to February 2023. The students were selected using a two-stage random sampling method. A questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographics and individual characteristics. The primary outcome was depression, and this was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Summary statistics were presented as means, frequencies, and percentages. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with depression and odds ratios presented with 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was considered at p-value < 0.05. The mean age of the students was 16.6 (±1.2) with a range of 14-20 years. Over a quarter (26.3%) of the students reported financial difficulties. The prevalence of depression among the students was 68.9%. The factors associated with depression in this study were female sex (adjusted odds ratio: 1.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.97), age (adjusted odds ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-1.81), history of chronic health condition (adjusted odds ratio: 3.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.36-10.25), and financial difficulties (adjusted odds ratio: 2.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.15-4.63). This study shows that depression is rife among students at the Manya Krobo Senior High School, Manya Krobo District, Ghana. These findings call for pragmatic interventions such as strengthening counseling units and professional mental health services to ameliorate the impact of depression on the lives of students.

Teenage Pregnancy among Senior High School Students in Ghana: Causes, Effects and Prevention

Teenage Pregnancy among Senior High School Students in Ghana: Causes, Effects and Prevention

Entrepreneurial intentions among female senior high school students in Ghana

Entrepreneurial intentions among female senior high school students in Ghana

Students’ mathematics and real life contexts in solving algebraic word problems

Background: Algebra involves rules of operations, signs of operations, equations, and algebraic structures. Previous studies have indicated that students often struggle with mathematics in both academic and real-life contexts.Aim: The main objective of this study was to explore how students handle word problems in both mathematics and real-life contexts.Method: The study utilized a cross-sectional design to examine these issues in the developing world, specifically targeting junior high school students in Ghana. A total of 200 students, comprising 91 males and 109 females from various public Junior High Schools, were randomly sampled. The research categorized problems into mathematics context and real-life context, with analysis further divided into 'attempt statuses' (either 'attempted' or 'not attempted') and 'performance statuses' (either 'correct' or 'wrong'). Follow-up interviews, each lasting 15 minutes, were conducted with three groups of both male and female students.Results: The results from the independent samples t-test revealed that the mean score for male students (M =15.37, SD =3.435) was not significantly different from that of female students (M = 15.35, SD = 3.619). It was observed that male students attempted all word problems, while some problems were not attempted by female students.Conclusion: The study concluded that there is no statistically significant difference in the ability of male and female students to solve algebraic word problems. The lack of attempts by female students on some items suggests a potential lack of understanding in context problems. It is recommended that teachers employ multiple representations, technology tools, and metacognitive strategies to help bridge these gaps.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cervical Cancer Prevention Knowledge Among High School Students in Ghana.

Cervical cancer is a preventable yet highly prevalent disease in Africa. Despite female adolescents and young women being a target group for cervical cancer prevention strategies, little research has examined their knowledge of how to prevent the disease. The study aimed to describe: (a) knowledge about cervical cancer prevention and (b) sociodemographic, social, and systemic factors associated with and interacting with knowledge among female senior high school students in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey assessed knowledge about (a) risk factors and (b) primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer among 2,400 female students from 17 public senior high schools in the Ashanti region, Ghana. Descriptive statistics were used to describe knowledge. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to examine factors associated with knowledge scores. Knowledge gaps were observed for at least two-thirds (>65%) of students. Most students (mean age = 17) did not know that early sexual debut (before 18 years) is a risk factor for cervical cancer (72%) and that a blood test cannot detect cervical cancer (71%). Students in later stages of senior high school education and those who received sexual health education from teachers and parents had significantly greater cervical cancer knowledge scores than their counterparts. Interactive effects showed that school-based sexual health education was associated with higher knowledge scores than home-based education among students. Most female senior high school students had gaps in knowledge about cervical cancer prevention. Finding new ways to strengthen the capacity of schools and parents to deliver accurate cervical cancer prevention information is warranted.

Comparing the efficacy of two teaching strategies on students’ attitudes towards biology: A case in Ashanti Mampong municipality, Ghana

Biology is an essential and compulsory subject offered at all senior high schools in Ghana. However, the level of students’ attitude towards biology has been seen to be a result of the use of less motivating teachers’ instructional strategies. This research study examined the effect of concept mapping and cooperative learning strategies on enhancing students’ attitudes towards the development of biology in two selected deprived science-based senior high schools within the Ashanti Mampong municipality of Ghana. The study used a quasi-experimental design involving a 3 x 2 multi-factorial analysis with a positivist paradigm. A purposive sampling technique was used to obtain 498 biology students for the study. Three research instruments, the biology attitude questionnaire (BAQ), student verbal ability test items and the students’ performance test (SPT) were used in collecting the data. The results showed that the intervention improved students' attitudes towards learning biology and the development of biology activities using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in a statistical package for social science version 20. Therefore, the two strategies enhanced students’ attitudes towards the subject in the two selected institutions within the Ashanti Mampong Municipality of Ghana. The two instructional strategies should therefore be emphasized, adopted and enforced in the teaching and learning of biological concepts among all deprived science-based senior high school students in Ghana where appropriate learning and teaching resources are scarcely unavailable and elsewhere in related challenges.

Effectiveness of Multimedia versus Traditional Teaching Methods on Chemistry Practical Performance among Senior High School Students in Ghana

Effectiveness of Multimedia versus Traditional Teaching Methods on Chemistry Practical Performance among Senior High School Students in Ghana

Predictors of Economics Students’ Behavioural Intention to Use Tablets: A Two-Staged Structural Equation Modelling–Artificial Neural Network Approach

The government of Ghana, as part of its digitisation agenda, intends to provide all senior high school students in Ghana with tablets that are loaded with textbooks and other educational materials for their studies. This initiative is flaunted as one of the game-changing development that is yet to happen in the country. This study employed a modified unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model to examine Economics students’ behavioural intention to use tablets for learning. The study was quantitative research with a focus on a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. A total of 354 senior high school Economics students were selected for the study. A five-point Likert scale instrument was adapted as the data collection instrument for the study. A two-staged partial least square structural equation modelling–artificial neural network approach was used to analyse the data. The results revealed that effort expectancy, facilitating condition, social influence, and hedonic motivation had a significant positive influence on Economics students’ behavioural intention to use tablets for learning. However, habit and performance expectancy had no significant influence on Economics students’ behavioural intentions. Therefore, it was recommended that the implementation of the student-tablet policy should be hinged on social influence, effort expectancy, facilitating condition, and hedonic motivation (the student’s motivation) to use tablets due to internal satisfaction.

EFFECTS OF TEACHING QUALITY, TEACHING COMPETENCE, AND MATHEMATICS CONNECTION ON MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GHANA

This survey assessed the direct effects of teaching quality, teaching competence and mathematics connection on mathematics achievement motivation in Senior high School students in Ghana. A descriptive survey was used in the study, which included 329 senior high school students from Barekese Senior High School. Prior to the main model estimation, preliminary studies such as Confirmatory Factor Analysis, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha) were computed. Amos (v.23) was used to do structural equation modeling (SEM) in order to assess the various assumptions. The results of path estimations revealed that mathematics connection positively and significantly influenced mathematics achievement motivation. However, teaching quality and teaching competence has no significant impact on mathematics achievement motivation.

Preference For Cervical Cancer Education: A Multisite Cross-Sectional Survey of Female Senior High School Students in Ghana.

Cervical cancer incidence continues to rise in Ghana. To enhance knowledge and prevention of cervical cancer among young people in Ghana, there is a need to better understand their education preferences. The study aimed to describe female senior school students' preferences for receiving cervical cancer education. A cross-sectional survey of students from 17 schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana assessed the strength of preference for receiving cervical cancer education from a range of sources, settings and delivery mediums. Of the 2400 participants (aged 16-24years), the majority endorsed doctors (87%, 95%CI: 85-88%), nurses (80%, 95%CI: 78-82%) and credible health organisations (78%, 95%CI%: 76-79%) as their preferred source of education, and hospitals 83% (95%CI: 81-84%) as the preferred setting. Nearly all students (92%) endorsed at least three cervical cancer education delivery mediums, with at least three quarters endorsing television (78%, 95%CI: 77-80%), one-on-one health consultation in-person or online (77%, 95%CI: 75-79%; 75%, 95%CI: 73-77%), and health information websites (75%, 95%CI: 73-77%). Findings suggest that cervical cancer education efforts among female senior school students in Ghana should consider the use of a range of more resource-intensive individualised approaches to low-cost anonymous, generic approaches from credible sources and institutions.

Artists as engineers: Perspective of senior high school students in Ghana

Artists as engineers: Perspective of senior high school students in Ghana

Effect of Parental Socio-Economic Status on the Performance of Senior High School Students in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality in Ghana

The study examined the effects of parental socio-economic status on the performance of Senior High School students in Ghana using the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality in the Western North Region of Ghana as the case. Descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The target population of the study was 960 second-year students from four senior high schools in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality. Using a formula, the sample of 203 students was determined. The study found out that parents’ income has effect on students’ performance. The findings showed a significant effect of educational level of parent on students’ performance as well. Furthermore, a significant relationship between parents’ occupation and students’ performance was established. The study found that family environment has a positive relationship with the performance of students. The study also found a significant influence of socio-economic status of parents on students’ self-motivation for learning. It also revealed a significant influence of socio-economic status of parents on students’ performance. It is recommended that the government of Ghana should consider initiating policies that would empower parents, especially those in the areas where poverty level is high, for them to be able to take good care of their children in school.

Correlates of Suicide Among Middle and High School Students in Ghana

PurposeWe know little about the epidemiology of suicide among middle school students in Ghana, including the years preceding high school. This study explores the onset, characteristics, and recent patterns of suicide among Ghanaian middle and high school students. MethodsThis study used the World Health Organization Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS, 2012), which has self-reported measures on suicide ideation, plan, and attempt of middle and high school students in Ghana. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 25). ResultsThe study found prevalence of suicidal behaviors among the population as follows: ideation (19%), plan (22%), and attempt (25%). Suicide ideation significantly increased the risk for suicide plan (odds ratio [OR] = 9.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.57–11.02) and attempt (OR = 11.89; 95% CI = 9.82–14.38), whereas suicide plan significantly increased the odds of suicide attempt (OR = 12.64; 95% CI = 10.50–15.19). There was a higher prevalence of suicide ideation, plan, and attempts among middle school students than high school students although only suicide attempt differences were significant (28.4% > 22.3%; χ2 = 17.1, p < .001). DiscussionThe onset of suicide among Ghanaian students occurs at younger ages than previously thought, and there were increasing trends in suicide behaviors as age increases. This finding highlights a potential suicide crisis among preteens, which warrants attention. Additional studies are needed to observe these increasing trends, identify risk, protective, and precipitating factors to help prevent suicide among these children.

Predictive Abilities of Curiosity, Creativity, and Motivation on Academic Performance of High School Students in Ghana

The study looked at how learners innate possessions (motivation, curiosity, curiosity) affect their performance (science and mathematics). A total of 568 high school students were surveyed through a quantitative-correlational research design. Data for the study were gathered using an adapted curiosity measure, an adapted creativity measure, an adapted motivation measure, and an expert-developed academic performance measure. Multiple multivariate was used to test the hypothesis. The study revealed that students’ motivated behaviors, curious abilities, creative potentials jointly explained 15.5% change or variance in science score and 33.1% change or variance in mathematics score. In this sense, it is evident that students’ who become curious, creative, and motivated in their learning situation could improve upon their academic performance and achieve their academic goals. Therefore, school managers of high schools should call for intersubject workshops, as it is evident that science and mathematics are related. Furthermore, the Ghana Education Service should revise the way and manner in which it organizes professional development programs for practitioners in order to make them cross-curricular.