Experiences of Persons Living Schizophrenia in Ghana

Living with a chronic condition such as schizophrenia comes with significant challenges. Yet, there is little data on the experiences of people living with schizophrenia in Ghana. This study explored the experiences of persons living with schizophrenia in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. The study adopted a descriptive phenomenological approach using purposive sampling technique to select nine (9) persons living with schizophrenia for the study. Data was collected using face-to-face in-depth interviews. Interviews were taped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed following Colaizzi’s (1978) descriptive phenomenological data analysis approach. The study revealed that people with schizophrenia maintained their Activities of Daily Living such as washing, sweeping, maintenance of personal and environmental hygiene, so long as they were in their lucid interval. Study participants valued supportive relationship with family members, mental health practitioners, religious institutions and the social networks. Participants reported stigma and lack of job opportunities as some of the major challenges they faced. Non adherence to medication and stigmatization were perceived as common cause of relapse by participants.

Prevalent Rate of Occupational Stress among Senior High School Teachers

This study assessed occupational stress among Senior High School teachers in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The census method was used to involve all the 520 teachers in the selected public Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The research instrument used was a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (independent samples t-test and One-Way ANOVA) were employed for the data analysis. The findings showed low level of occupational stress among the teachers engaged in the research. The study also revealed that there is no statistically significant difference in occupational stress among teachers based on their gender. However, the study found out that there was a statistically significant difference in occupational stress among teachers based on their age, educational qualification and teaching experience. Based on the findings and the conclusions drawn, it was recommended that the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other analogous institutions should consciously re-design the responsibilities of teachers in the classroom in such a way that it may reduce the occupational stress, burnout and turnover intentions teachers experience on their jobs.

Reliability and Efficiency of Computerized Systems for Admission into Colleges of Education Affiliated with the University of Cape Coast

The automated selection system used by colleges of education affiliated to the University of Cape Coast is a multiuser computerized system which students can access and apply to universities at any place with internet access, and can be admitted, rejected, or included in a waiting list for further assessment. The study sought to investigate the extent to which the computerized selection system at educational colleges affiliated with the Cape Coast University has impacted the efficiency and credibility of the process, by evaluating the step by step stages in admission processes that are handled electronically. The study contribute to literature since there is no studies on the reliability and efficiency of Ghanaian colleges of education affiliated to the universities. The type of research design for the study was descriptive design with a quantitative research method. The total population comprises of all admission officers, quality assurance staff, and Heads of departments at the colleges of education affiliated with the University of Cape Coast. The researchers' sample size for the study was one hundred and ninety-two (192). The questionnaire survey was carried out to collect data for the study. Quantitative analysis was done with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results show that electronic sorting and selection of applications is efficient in checking the application forms, testing duplicate files, verifying college requirements, and verifying seat availability. The study revealed that there was a positive and high relationship between the efficiency of electronic sorting and selection of admission applications and the reliability of the computerized system.

Drivers' Cycling Experiences and Acceptability of Micromobility Use among Children in Ghana

Apart from their potential environmental benefits, micromobility modes of transport can afford their users enormous health benefits. This notwithstanding, their adoption is very low or non-existent in most African cities including Ghana. The paucity of research on micromobility in Ghana restricts any objective discussions on the factors that contribute to its low adoption. However, data from elsewhere flag the lack of safe spaces as an important factor. The creation of safe spaces and a micromobility supportive environment will have to be premised on the nuanced understanding of existing intermodal interactions and con flicts. Although micromobility vehicles like e-bikes and e-scooters are not common in Ghana, bicycles are, and they offer a window of opportunity to study intermodal interactions between cyclists (micromobility proxy) and other road users. Using a mixed methods approach, this study investigates the interactions and con flicts that arise between child cyclists and informal-sector commercial vehicle drivers in two Ghanaian cities (Cape Coast and Kumasi) and attempt to predict micromobility acceptability based on drivers' attitudes towards child cyclists and drivers cycling experiences. The results show a low acceptability of micromobility by drivers. They also had several negative stereotypes about cyclists and considered them illegitimate road users. Educational attainment, employment status, and priority access emerged as the best predictors of acceptability of micromobility use by informal-sector commercial drivers. Taken together, the low acceptability of micromobility and the negative perceptions drivers have of cyclists might present significant stumbling blocks to adoption of micromobility in the study areas. Further studies on the suitability of the built environment, intention-to-use, policy development as well as the development of a business model for micromobility will go a long way in shaping the next steps.

Preservice Teachers’ Self-Efficacy in Teaching Cost Accounting

The study examined preservice teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching cost accounting at the pretertiary level. It employed the descriptive cross-sectional survey design involving final year preservice accounting teachers at the University of Cape Coast. An adapted questionnaire referred to as Teacher Self-Efficacy and Mastery Experience Scale (TSEMES) was used to gather relevant data complemented by the academic records of the respondents to address the problem. The return rate of the instrument was 93%. Descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (simple linear regression) were used to analyse the data. The study found out that preservice accounting teachers were highly efficacious in classroom management compared to student engagement and instructional practices. Also, mastery experience had a positive influence on preservice accounting teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching cost accounting. Therefore, it was recommended that accounting teacher educators pay more attention to competencies related to instructional strategies and student engagement by engaging more with the preservice accounting teachers in these areas. In the deployment of teachers, the Ghana Education Service should prioritise preservice accounting teachers with higher academic achievement.

The emergence of chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum is influenced by selected communities in some parts of the Central Region of Ghana

Background The return of chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa countries offers the opportunity for the reintroduction of chloroquine (CQ) either in combination with other drugs or as a single therapy for the management of malaria. This study assesses the influence of individual study sites on the selection of CQ sensitive P. falciparum markers in the Central region of Ghana. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from an archived filter paper blood blot from Cape Coast, Elmina, Assin Fosu, and Twifo Praso using the Chelex DNA extraction method. The age metadata of the patients from whom the blood spots were taken was collected. The prevalence of CQ-sensitive markers of pfcrt K76 and pfmdr1 N86 was performed using nested PCR and RFLP. The data were analysed using Chi-square and Odd ratio. Results The overall prevalence of CQ-sensitive P. falciparum markers, pfcrt K76 and pfmdr1 N86 in the Central Region of Ghana were 142 out of 184 (77.17%) and 180 out of 184 (97.83%), respectively. The distribution of pfcrt K76 was assessed among the age groups per the individual study sites. 12 out of 33 (36.36%), 8 out of 33 (24.24%) and 6 out of 33 (18.18%) of pfcrt K76 CQ-sensitive marker were isolated from age 0 to 5 years, 16 to 30 years and 31 to 45 years old respectively at Cape Coast. Assin Fosu and Twifo Praso had the highest pfcrt K76 prevalence in 0–5 years, followed by 16–30 years and 6–15 years of age. The results showed that there was a significant prevalence of pfcrt K76 in all study sites; Cape Coast (χ2 = 26.48, p < 0.0001), Assin Fosu (χ2 = 37.67, p < 0.0001), Twifo Praso (χ2 = 32.25, p < 0.0001) and Elmina (χ2 = 17.88, p < 0.0001). Again, the likelihood to detect pfcrt K76 (OR (95% CI) was 7.105 (3.118–17.14), p < 0.0001 and pfmdr1 (2.028 (1.065–3.790), p < 0.001) among P. falciparum isolates from Cape Coast to be seven times and two times, respectively. Conclusion The study showed a significant selection and expansion of chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum markers in all the selected study areas in the Central region. This finding has a significant implication for the future treatment, management, and control of P. falciparum malaria.