Northern Part Of Ghana Research Articles

IMPACT OF NATIONAL TEACHERS’ STANDARDS ON QUALITY AND EFFECTIVE EDUCATION DELIVERY

Purpose: The study focused on the impact of the National Teachers’ Standards on quality and effective education delivery.
 Methodology: The study adopted a mixed methods approach. In all, 20 tutors and 500 students were selected from 10 Colleges of Education in the Northern part of Ghana using purposive and quota sampling procedures. Data were collected using questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide. Quantitative data were analysed using mean and standard deviation while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.
 Findings: The results showed that the student-teachers explained concepts clearly using examples familiar to learners, employed a variety of instructional strategies that encourages learner participation and critical thinking and paid attention to all learners, especially girls and students with Special Educational Needs, created a safe, encouraging learning environment and used appropriate disciplinary methods in the classroom. From the results, it was concluded that that the student-teachers were positively impacted by the National Teachers’ Standards in their teaching practices.
 Unique Contributions to Theory, Practice and Policy: Tutors in Colleges of Education increase their training of student-teachers in terms of keeping of records about learners since this found to be an area that needed improvement. Ghana Tertiary Education Commission together with the National Teachers’ Council should encourage and ensure that Colleges of Education are implementing the National Teachers’ Standards effectively to better prepare student-teachers. Future researchers can adopt the Reform Theory of Action as used in the current study and use the findings of the current study as support for the theory.

Preceptors' perceptions of support, commitment to the preceptor role, and preferred incentives: A cross-sectional study

AimThis study aimed to explore the perceptions of preceptors regarding the support they receive in the preceptorship role, their commitment to the role, and the incentives that are important to them. BackgroundNurse preceptors in Ghana face numerous challenges in performing their roles as preceptors. Preceptors require support from hospitals and nursing schools to make the preceptorship experience more rewarding for both students and preceptors. However, the type of support that preceptors require and their commitment to the preceptor role have been scarcely investigated in Ghana. DesignThis was a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study. MethodsAn online survey that incorporated three questionnaires and a demographic information section was used to collect data from 154 preceptors in four hospitals in the northern part of Ghana. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, version 26. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. ResultsPreceptors reported high levels of support in the preceptor role and perceived themselves to be highly committed to the role. Preceptors identified preceptor training, continuing education opportunities, and textbooks on effective preceptorship as the three most important incentives to them. No associations were found between perceived commitment and demographic characteristics of participants. ConclusionsAlthough many preceptors in Ghana feel satisfied with the support they receive to perform their role as preceptors, a significant number of preceptors do not feel adequately supported. Preceptor support should be geared more towards the professional development of preceptors.

Shifting Gender Roles of Females in the Indigenous Weaving Art of Daboya ‘Benchibi’ in Ghana

Benchibi is an indigenous woven fabric used predominantly to produce smocks (a traditional dress in the northern parts of Ghana). Historically, the production of Benchibi was the preserve of male-dominated occupations in the area. Traditionally, women's roles and participation in the production line of benchibi were to spin the cotton fibres into yarns and gather plants for preparing dyes. Women were not allowed to weave for cultural and traditional reasons based on taboos and superstitions. Recently, there has been a paradigm shift in the production line of this indigenous craft. Females have broken the umbilical cord that prevents them from weaving. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the shifting gender roles in the production of Benchibi and what has necessitated the increased female participation in the once male-dominated occupation. The descriptive research method was used in the study, which was based on a qualitative research design. Observation and interviews were the instruments used for the data collection. For the study, purposive sampling techniques of expert and homogeneous types were used to select fifteen (15) female weavers. The descriptive method was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that self-motivation and passion sustained the females in acquiring skills for the industry through apprenticeship, leading to the break-down of the superstition and taboos associated with weaving in the community. The study concludes that the once common superstition that limited female involvement in the weaving tradition has been broken as many, through this business, have become self-sufficient. The study, therefore, recommends that more efforts be made by the females who have taken this bold decision and ventured into this male-dominated tradition of weaving to empower more females to take up the weaving business.

Attitudes and Barriers towards Adolescent Sexuality and Abortion Care in the Northern Part of Ghana

The adolescence period is generally perceived as being healthy, however, most adolescents in the Tamale Metropolisgo through this period with health challenges such as sexual and reproductive problems and unsafe abortion. This study aimed to determine the attitude and barriers toward Adolescent Sexuality and abortion in the Tamale Metropolis.

The Design and Technical Performance of Two Aeroponic Systems in Ghana

Climate change and its associated variabilities is having major impacts on agricultural production across the globe. Sustainable production options that reduce the vulnerability of the food system to climate change impacts are being advocated for, with a lot of ongoing research in that direction. Aeroponics production, a soilless production system has been identified as a sustainable system that can produce food with less input (land per unit area, water, nutrient and energy). It also makes for an environmentally friendly production system. In areas of extreme soil degradation and limited land area and water, aeroponics have shown great advantages over geoponics and sustained production, thus improving on food security. The central and northern parts of Ghana where yams are predominantly grown, is challenged with access to fertile lands, rainfall variabilities and other associated threat such as pest and disease outbreaks and seasonal bush fires. The production of seed yam, which form about 25% of the production cost for yam cultivation is hampered by all these challenges. To abate these challenges and improve on the adaptation measures taken by farmers around the region, two aeroponic systems were developed in this research, to be used for the production of seed yams propagated from vine cuttings. Two designs were made: one power independent (the gravity-fed open loop system) and the other power dependent (pressurised close loop system). In the systems design, the following aspects were taken into consideration: selection of head control and emitter; design of laterals and pipe sizes (inlet and outlet pipes); and the selection of growth chamber and feed tank. Apart from the selection of the growth chamber and the design of laterals and outlet pipe, different design considerations were also taken into account for the gravity fed system. This included the selection of drip lines and emitter flow rate. Technical evaluation of the aeroponics systems were done to ascertain its effectiveness as a fertigation system based on the performance indicators for a sprinkler and drip irrigation system. Results from the technical evaluation gave a mister discharge for the power dependent system ranging from 59.00-60.5 kPa. The emitter flow rate, the equivalent evaluation parameter for the power independent system also ranges from 0.10-0.12 L/h. There was a linear correlation between the mister operating pressure, mister discharge and swath diameter for the power-dependent system. For a Christensen’s Coefficient of Uniformity (CU) and Distribution Uniformity (DU) values of 97.52% and 96.16% respectively, the power dependent system can be said to be very efficient in its operations. The same could be said for the power independent system having a CU and DU of 94.49% and 90.80% respectively. These two developed systems have shown their capability to be adopted for u se in seed yam production to reduce some of the associated challenges, especially, access to land, water, seasonal bush fires and pest and disease outbreaks.

Investigating the Relationship Between Local Business and Employment Creation for Poverty Reduction in Northern Ghana: The Moderating Role of Local Economic Development (LED) Policy

In the past few decades, the local economic development (LED) policy has gained prominence in Ghana as an effective bottom-up approach for poverty reduction and rural development. Adopting this bottom-up approach to reducing poverty, this paper investigates the impact of local business and local employment creation on poverty reduction in Ghana by employing the moderating role of LED policy. Data were obtained through an online survey platform from 357 respondents from local government officials working within the various districts across the northern parts of Ghana. The study used structural equation model analytical tool to examine the relationships between the variables. The findings affirmed both local business and local employment creation as positive determinants of poverty reduction. Also, employing LED policy as a moderator, local business creation plays the most significant role in reducing poverty at a 1% significant level. However, the moderating role of LED policy between local employment and poverty reduction was insignificant. Also, local employment insignificantly mediated local business and poverty reduction. Therefore, there is a need for development actors at local and international levels to collectively make a continuous effort to drive the local economic development policy agenda. This can be done through the promotion of local businesses creation to improve standards of living and reduce poverty to the lowest level in Ghana and other developing countries at large.

Knowledge and practices of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant head porters in a hospital in Ghana

Background: The death of a mother, foetus, or neonate is a tragic loss whenever it occurs. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a strategy that helps women to consider all available maternal health care services during pregnancy and prepare for potential complications. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of BPCR among pregnant head porters. Methods: A Health facility-based cross-sectional survey targeting pregnant head porters was carried out from March to June 2019 at the Manhyia district hospital of the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. Registry of the obstetrics and gynaecology department of the hospital aided in selecting the sixty-five pregnant head porters. A validated structured questionnaire was adapted for the study. Descriptive analysis, Kendall coefficient of concordance, one sample t test and multiple regression analysis were used for the data analysis. Results: The demographics revealed 40% of the head porters had no formal education, 60% were married, 39% were between 23-35years, and 74% were from the Northern part of Ghana. Knowledge and practices of BPCR among the head porters were found to be moderate. Conclusions: The study suggests increased outreach programmes in the communities on the need to consider each component of the BPCR as essential through public health education and the promotion of regular antenatal attendance. Moreover, there is the need for every delivery to be carried out by a skilled birth attendant.

English

The northern part of Ghana is bedeviled with high incidence of poverty with threatening food insecurity. Agriculture is the main stay of the people in northern Ghana. In spite of the introduction of variety of poverty reduction strategies, the region remains the hardest hit in terms of the numbers of poor people. This study sought to evaluate the constraints to poverty reduction among farmers in the northern region. The study made use of data from a survey of 420 farmers from five randomly selected districts in the region. Multi-stage sampling process was employed. In-depth interviews were used on the key informants. Descriptive statistics and Kendal’s coefficient of concordance were employed to analyse the data. The study reveals that poverty reduction in the northern part of the country is plagued with several constraints. Prominent of these constraints include erratic climatic conditions, inadequate financial credit, poor road network, market volatility of agricultural produce, bush fires, pest and disease outbreak, poor economic opportunities, violent conflicts, corruption and mismanagement of poverty reduction packages. It is recommended that central government, decentralized agencies and poverty alleviation oriented NGOs give priority attention to agriculture in the region. Key words: Smallholder farmer, poverty reduction, constraints, Kendall’s coefficient.&nbsp

Profile of suicide within the northern part of Ghana: A decade under review.

BackgroundSeveral reports show that suicide is the second and third leading cause of untimely death in young people below the age of 30. Little, however, is known about the profile and trend of suicide in this country due to lack of systematic studies and a lack of national statistics on suicide. This study seeks to examine the profile and pattern of suicide cases recorded within northern Ghana for the past decade.AimThis study aimed to report the prevalence of suicide as an independent cause of death; the choice of suicide method and the alleged reasons for suicide within the northern part of Ghana.SettingRetrospective review of coroners’ reports within the northern part of Ghana.MethodIn this descriptive study, 309 completed suicides as archived by the office of the coroner were examined. The coroners’ reports of 309 individuals, whose deaths received a suicide verdict or an open verdict in which the cause of death was likely to be suicide from 2008 to 2017, were examined. Student’s t-test was used to ascertain significant age differences between the genders involved.ResultsAmongst the 309 decedents examined, approximately, 61% were male, with ages ranging from 5 to 81 years. Hanging and poisoning were the most commonly used methods to complete suicide accounting for 124 (40.1%) and 102 (33.0%) deaths, respectively. Regarding the reasons for completed suicide, 78 (25.2%) were because of unknown reasons and 66 (21.4%) were because of social stigma. There was a notable decline in the prevalence of suicide from 2014 to 2017 compared with the years from 2010 to 2013.ConclusionSuicide was highest in the 30–39 year age group with hanging and poisoning being the most common method employed. Stigmatisation and psychosocial problems arising from chronic illness and economic hardship were significant triggers of suicide amongst the suicide decedents in the northern part of Ghana.

Effect of Microstructure on the Permeability and Sorption of Wood of Sterculia rhinopetala and Albizia ferruginea

This paper sets to find out the effect of the microstructure of wood on the permeability and sorption of the wood of Sterculia rhinopetala and Albizia ferruginea. Permeability, the way of ingress of water into wood mass, is one of the most variable properties of timber and it further influences nearly all the physical properties of wood. Wood exposed to high humidity conditions or to liquid water during use may be subjected to biological deterioration which makes equilibrium moisture content of wood very important. Equilibrium moisture content is the moisture level where the wood neither gains nor loses moisture since it is at equilibrium with the relative humidity and temperature of the surrounding environment. Sixteen randomly sampled specimens of each of the wood of Sterculia rhinopetala and Albizia ferruginea species (heartwood and sapwood) with dimensions 3 cm x 3 cm x 3 cm were exposed at various relative humidity conditions of 30 %, 45 %, 60 %, 75 % and 90 % in a temperature and humidity-controlled climate chamber. The order of water uptake in terms of percentage volume is arranged from the lowest to the highest. Sterculia rhinopetala heartwood had the lowest uptake per volume with a value of 0.31 %. On the uptake per weight Sterculia rhinopetala heartwood again had the lowest uptake whilst Albizia ferruginea had the highest with a value of 6.77 %. The sapwood of Sterculia rhinopetala had a relatively higher uptake per volume value of 0.53 % and a value of uptake per weight of 0.72 % compared to the heartwood. The equilibrium moisture content values of Sterculia rhinopetala suggests that it can have minimal dimensional changes when used in both the Southern and the Northern parts of Ghana.

Climate Change, Flood Disaster Risk and Food Security Nexus in Northern Ghana

This research reviews climate change, flood disasters impacts and food security nexus in northern Ghana. The impacts of climate change include flood disasters which in turn affect food production with subsequent impact on food security. While climate change impact can be positive in some regions, it can be negative in other regions as it could lead to excess or lack of water, which negatively affects food production. Most especially, flood disasters have reportedly become frequent with devastating consequences on food production. Literature further suggests that the frequency of floods and their impacts have the potential to increase in the future. Floods inundate farms, pastures and livestock, which could subsequently reduce crop yields and animal production. Floods also destroys physical infrastructure and disrupts socio-economic activities which are linked to agriculture sector and could affect food production. This eventually decreases food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability in the region. Northern Ghana has experienced flood disasters with increased frequency, which are related to climate change impacts. Although there is research on climate change, flood disasters, and food security issues in northern Ghana, the literature thus far indicates no clear focus of studies that focuses on the nexus of climate change, flood disasters, and food security of the study site. Thus, this research seeks to review the nexus of climate change, and flood disaster impacts on food security in northern Ghana with their implications on food security in the region. This study has two main research objectives. The first objective of this research is to identify and understand the potential impacts of climate change and flood disasters on food production in the study site. The second research objective is to explain the connection between climate change and flood disasters and the implications of this relationship on food security in the study site. This review study focuses on climate change, flood disasters, and food production to understand the critical impacts of climate change and flood disasters on food security in the northern part of Ghana. The aim of this research is to contribute to literature and discussion of the nexus of climate change, flood disaster impacts and food security sub-Saharan Africa.

Native Rhizobia Strains Enhance Seed Yield of Groundnut Varieties in Northern Ghana

Rhizobia inoculation with effective strains is an environmentally friendly approach for enhancing nodulation and yield of legumes. To obtain an ideal strain for inoculant production, the strain's performance must be matched to the environmental conditions. A 2 × 9 cross-factorial experiment laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications on farmers' fields in the northern part of Ghana was set up to evaluate the rhizobia's performance. The factors were groundnut varieties (Chinese and Samnut 22) and nine strains consisting of five native rhizobia (KNUST 1001, 1002, 1003, 1032, and 1031), two commercial strains (Biofix and BR3267), and a positive (N+) and absolute control (N–). In addition, the population of the strains was assessed after a cropping season. The strains' performance on groundnut was location and variety dependent. At Cheshegu, KNUST 1031 and 1002 significantly increased seed yield of the Chinese variety compared to other strains; however, KNUST 1031 elicited a 24% yield increase while KNUST 1002 caused a 16% yield increase over the control. Strain KNUST 1031 increased the seed yield of the Chinese variety by 24% while KNUST 1002 increased the seed yield of Samnut by 16%. Only KNUST 1002 elicited a significant seed yield increase in Samnut 22 at Cheshegu. At Binduri, strain KNUST 1003 significantly increased the seed yield of the Chinese variety by 35% relative to the control. Samnut 22 did not show a clear preference for any of the strains. The Chinese variety did not show a clear response to the strains at Tanina. However, Samnut 22 responded to KNUST 1002 as it increased seed yield by 45% relative to the control. On average, the seed yield at Tanina (846.15 kg ha−1) was less than the seed yield recorded at Binduri (1,077.66 kg ha−1) and Cheshegu (1,502.78 kg ha−1). Inoculation with strains KNUST 1002, 1003, and 1031 was all profitable under the current experimental conditions as they recorded value cost ratios (VCRs) above the threshold of 3–4. The study has shown that strains KNUST 1002, 1003, and 1031 have the potential to be used in inoculant formulation to increase groundnut production and enhance the income of smallholder groundnut farmers in northern Ghana.

Female Genital Mutilation in Ghana: Prevalence and Socioeconomic Predictors.

Background Each year, not less than three million women are circumcised, and more hundred million females have already been circumcised. In many African societies, the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is a serious cultural practice. Aim: This current study is aimed at identifying the socioeconomic predictors of female genital mutilation in Ghana. Methods The design adopted for this study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey relying on data from the Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017/18. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used for associations. Results Overall FGM prevalence, this study recorded was 11.7%. The region with the highest (50.5%) prevalence was the Upper West Region. Area of residence predicted rural (AOR = 2.30, 95%C.I. = 1.75–3.00) Upper West/western Region (AOR = 1.84, 95%C.I. = 1.23–2.75). In terms of ethnicity, the tribes that predicted FGM when compared with the Akan tribe were Guan (AOR = 8.91, 95%C.I. = 3.53–22.51), Gruma (AOR = 6.45, 95%C.I. = 2.91–14.31), Mole-Dagbani (AOR = 38.10, 95%C.I. = 21.20–68.49), Grusi (AOR = 45.30, 95%C.I. = 24.47 − 83.49), Mande (AOR = 68.58, 95%C.I. = 30.85 − 152.42), and other tribes (AOR = 29.33, 95%C.I. = 16.11–53.39). Women in the richest/poorest wealth index quintile (AOR = 1.80, 95%C.I. = 1.19–2.72). Conclusion The study prevalence of FGM is still high in the northern part of Ghana, and the predicted factors were residence region, ethnicity, educational level, and economic status.

Empirical Analysis of Determinants of Poverty Among Farmers in Rural Northern Ghana

In the northern parts of Ghana, the prevalence of extreme poverty is threatening security of household food and nutrition. Deprivation is more extreme compared to the southern territories of the country. Though poverty is more of a rural phenomenon, its severity is much prominent among farmers living in the rural savannah enclave of the northern territories. In line with the universal declaration of human rights, some forms of commitments have been made to ameliorate the living conditions of the poor people. However, in spite of large number of state and privately initiated poverty alleviation programmes, the levels of poverty remain significantly high in the northern part of Ghana. The impact of such intervention programmes towards poverty reduction in the region is modest. This study seeks to evaluate the possible causes of poverty among smallholder farmers in rural northern Ghana. The study used data from a recent survey of 420 smallholder farmers in five randomly selected districts of northern region, Ghana. The study applied multi-stage sampling strategy to select 420 famers from 188,275 farmers in the five selected districts of the northern region of Ghana. The study applied simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques as part of the multi-stage sampling process. Five districts were selected at random in the first level and the second stage involved a selection of six farming communities in each of the five districts. Purposive sampling technique was then used to identify the required number of farmers. Analytically, logit regression estimation was applied to establish the strength of the correlation between the independent variables and the dependent variable (poverty). The survey revealed that the most important determining factors of household poverty were labour force (workforce), gender, farm experience, assistance to farmers, access to farm lands (land holding) and dependency ratio. As far as the literature search on the subject is concerned, the author is convinced that this study is the first of its kind to examine the determinants of poverty among smallholder farmers in the northern Ghana.

Weaving Traditions of Daboya and Yendi Communities in Northern Ghana

Narrow strip weaving has been an art and one of the traditional occupations in the northern part of Ghana, which has contributed significantly to the economic development and well-being of the people. Even though strip weaving is common in the North, Daboya and Yendi have unique weaving traditions with regards to the origin, types of yarns or materials, tools, processes and marketing strategies hence the focus of this paper. Field research design was used to observe, participate and have face-to-face interaction with weavers, smock makers and retailers in their natural setting. Interview was used for the collection of data during the study tour. The outcome revealed that traditional strip weaving in Yendi and Daboya has contributed immensely to tourism, the socio-economic and cultural heritage of the indigenes. Findings further indicated difference in design and loom types (traditional and modernised loom in Daboya and traditional loom in Yendi) with similar yarn types used in weaving. The study recommends intensive education for craftsmen to understand the need to welcome new technologies in their occupation to boost their production levels and increase their earnings. It is therefore incumbent on government, academia and the appropriate agencies to facilitate research to modernise the weaving tradition.

Sarima Modeling of Monthly Temperature in the Northern part of Ghana

The Sarima model is used in this study to forecast the monthly temperature in Ghana's northern region. The researchers used temperature data from January 1990 to December 2020. The temperature data was found to be stationary using the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test. The ACF and PACF plots proposed six SARIMA models: SARIMA (1,0,0) (1,0,0) (12), SARIMA (2,0,0) (1,0,0) (12), SARIMA (1,0,1) (1,0,0) (12), SARIMA (0,0,1) (1,0,0) (12), SARIMA (0,0,1) (0,0,1) (12), SARIMA (0,0,1) (0,0,1) (12). The best model was chosen based on the lowest Akaike Information Criteria (AICs) and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) values. The Ljung-Box data, among others, were used to determine the model's quality. All diagnostic tests are passed by the SARIMA (1,0,0) (1,0,0) (12) model. As a result, the SARIMA (1,0,0) (1,0,0) (12) is the best-fitting model for predicting monthly temperatures in Ghana's northern region.

Awareness and Use of Food Adulterants among Food Vendors and Market Women in the Northern Part of Ghana

Ingestion of unsafe/adulterated foods is on record to have caused devastating health conditions and deaths around the world. Accordingly, an investigation to unearth this revelation is crucial in saving lives. This study, within the context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour investigated the awareness level, affordances and effects of food adulterants from the perspectives of market women and food vendors in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-method design including both questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide in data collection. Using purposive, convenience and simple random sampling techniques, 106 respondents comprising 46 food vendors and 60 market women were sampled for the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data followed the thematic approach. The study discovered that respondents were moderately aware (3.34±0.82) of the use of food adulterants. Again, factors such as, improve food colour, desire to increase profits, quest to improve food appearance, adding to weight and improvement of taste predominantly trigger food adulteration. Furthermore, the study revealed that food adulterants pose various health threats to consumers as perceived by respondents. Finally, the study established that there was no statistically significant difference between food vendors and market women on their level of awareness on the use of food adulterants [t(104)=0.670,p=0.504]. Hence, the study recommends that, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly and health directorate should embark on intensive public education campaigns to educate the entire populace to increase awareness levels and improve food safety knowledge to curtail the predominant use of food adulterants.

Estimation of Soil Erosion in Three Northern Regions of Ghana Using RUSLE in GIS Environment

Soil erosion is a global problem with severe consequences, which has become a widespread environmental challenge in the northern parts of Ghana in recent times. This research integrated RUSLE into GIS to estimate the annual soil erosion rates for the Northern, North-East, and Savannah Regions of Ghana. A soil erosion map was generated with an annual soil erosion rate of 4.0 t ha−1y−1 for the Northern Region, 5.0 t ha−1y−1 for the North-East Region, and 7.0 t ha−1y−1 for the Savannah Region. Relatively higher erosion rates were observed in the Tatale Sangule and Kpandai districts of the Northern Region, with rainfall erosivity being the main driving factor. There was a landuse/cover erosion reduction effect of 66% in the Northern Region, 70% in the Northeast Region, and 58% in the Savannah Region. The cover management (C) factor was overwhelmingly the main erosion-reducing factor in erosion control as opposed to land conservation (P) factor.

Perceived Stress and Coping Mechanisms among Teachers in Three Special Schools in the Northern Parts of Ghana

The aim of this study was to find out perceived stress and coping mechanisms among teachers in special schools in the northern part of Ghana. This study was an explorative study with quantitative survey as its main design. Teachers in three special schools formed the population of the study. The proportionate simple random sampling was used to select 60 teachers for the study. A self-constructed questionnaire was the main instrument for the study. Data were collected personally by the researchers. The data obtained were analysed in SPSS using frequency distribution tables and percentages as well as means and standard deviations. Also, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient were run to determine the relationship between some demographic factors and the variables investigated. It was found that several factors cause stress among special educators, such as low remuneration and lack of pupils' progress. The effects of stress included cardiovascular diseases, headaches, depression, and anxiety. The teachers' responses showed that leaving the stressful event, seeking administrative support, and a sense of efficacy were some coping strategies adopted. It was concluded that several factors cause stress among special educators with physical, psychological and behavioural effects, hence there is a need for effective coping strategies to make them stay safe and healthy. It was recommended that social support systems should be made an integral part of the teachers' job to make them cope adaptively to stressful situations.

Parental Knowledge, beliefs and first-aid practices regarding febrile convulsion: a descriptive cross-sectional study in Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Introduction: febrile convulsion is one of the most common form of convulsion among children and one of the most common causes of hospital admissions in children under five years of age. There is paucity of data on the study of febrile convulsion in Ghana and especially, the northern part of Ghana. Aim: the study assessed parental knowledge, beliefs, and first-aid practice regarding febrile convulsion at a tertiary health facility in the northern region of Ghana.