Factors Influencing Contraceptives Use among Female Migrants in Ghanaian Cities, A case of Kayeyei in the Kumasi Metropolis

Historically, women in Africa have long been known to transport agricultural produce, firewood, and pots of water by way of the head for domestic use. This culture has been transformed into feminised unskilled labour termed Kayayei in Ghanaian cities as a fallout from poor education outcomes and its attendant lack of sustainable jobs in the rural areas. Kayayei is used in Ghana to refer to young female migrants between the ages of 8-35 years from the poverty endemic areas of northern Ghana engaging in head porterage business in the cities as a means of survival. The increasing incidence of kayaye and its attendant social, health and economic problems have attracted media and research commentary in Ghana in recent times. This study investigates contraceptive use among kayayei in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana to inform strategies to improve the reproductive health of the low-income group. The study uses a mixed-method design. A structured survey questionnaire was administered to 121 kayayei. Further, 44 participants were selected from the 121 kayeyei to participate in focus group discussions (FGD). These were complemented with individual interviews of a pharmacist, a chemist shop attendants, and a drug peddler [unlicensed medicine walker]. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the quantitative data from the survey questionnaire, while descriptive coding was used to analyse the qualitative data from FGDs, interviews and field observation. The findings revealed that male partners’ approval was the major determinant of contraceptive use among the participating migrant female head porters. Some 90% of women who were less likely to use contraceptives are those who never discuss or get approval from their partners. Oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUD) and condoms were the most used contraceptive among the kayayei. Participants’ choice of contraceptives was influenced by affordability, accessibility and their perceptions about contraceptive security. The study also identified that side effects from the use of contraceptives, including inconveniences on menstruation, weight gain, and weight loss, were a set of factors that demotivate contraceptives use among the research participants. The study also identified that, although culture has a significant influence on contraceptive use in Africa generally, in the case of migrant young women who have escaped from the cultural scrutiny of their home communities, their sexual partners, rather than culture, have a significant influence on their contraceptives use. The study, therefore, recommends an aggressive public education campaign on contraceptives use targeting both kayayei and their sexual partners in Ghanaian cities, while family planning services are accessible and affordable to this low-income group.

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Implementing Flipped Classroom in a Virtual Learning Environment in Mathematics 7

Effective implementation of virtual learning has been a challenge encountered by many teachers. This paper investigates the experiences of twenty (20) grade seven students from a university exposed to virtual learning using the flipped classroom model in Mathematics. The informants were chosen from eight learning groups (LG) enrolled in online learning from 2020-2021. The study employed a case study design and used the Clarke and Braun thematic analysis (TA) approach to interpret the qualitative data. It used individual interviews, focused group discussions (FGD), and interviews with parents and teachers to collect relevant information. Google Meet was used to gather the data needed. This study aims to address the challenges encountered by the implementation of virtual classes during the pandemic. It also seeks to explore the pros and cons of putting the flipped classroom approach into practice in a virtual learning environment. The findings revealed that the flipped classroom approach could be an effective strategy in enhancing students’ positive attributes toward learning and socialization in an online learning environment. Also, the teacher could transform the teaching and learning process into a more student-centered classroom in which assessment could be carried out effectively. For future purposes, researchers could address the cons of this study by integrating anecdotal records and performance trackers into the new flipped classroom model developed.

Effects of the Blended Family on Parenting Styles and Emotional Regulation among Tertiary Students

This research examines the blended family effects on parenting styles and emotional regulation among tertiary students through a sequential explanatory mixed-method design. Through quantitative data gathered, an interview was conducted to have a deeper sense of the information collected. A total of 113 respondents were purposively selected to answer the instruments and 10 of them were chosen to participate in an interview for the qualitative part of the study. It was revealed that most respondents have authoritarian parents and are emotionally adjusting. In addition, there is no significant relationship between parenting style and emotional regulation. Furthermore, there is no significant difference in parenting styles and emotional regulation when grouped according to profile such as age and duration. The results gathered were supported by sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology) which discussed the maturity, culture, and values of Filipinos and their families. These data were used to construct a counseling program to help students with blended families adapt to the changes that they will encounter.

Lived Experiences of Gay and Lesbian Adolescents on their Way to Achieving Self-actualization: Basis for the Development of U-Bahaghari: A University-Based LGBT Advocacy Program

As part of the marginalized and minority group, members of the LGBTQ++ community have a lot of different experiences compared to heterosexual males and females. Being in the stage of identity formation, adolescent gays and lesbians have conflicting and complicated experiences. Their motivation to achieve self-actualization is affected by societal expectations and peer influences. This study aimed to explore how adolescent gays and lesbians try to achieve self-actualization and how the school environment could assist them since they spend most of their time inside the walls of educational institutions. This is done by using thematic analysis. The results indicate that self-worth, gender, coming-out, and motivation are the dominant themes related to the self-actualization of gay and lesbian adolescents. The results also indicated that an inclusive campus climate could promote self-actualization. The role of peers, family members, and the school community is very important in the process. A program that includes a proposed school policy for members of the LGBTQ++ community had been developed in response to the results of the current study. It is recommended that schools should take into consideration the LGBTQ++ students in formulating policies for the entire student body. Schools should also promote the creation of groups and facilitation of activities for LGBTQ++ students.

A Critical Perspective of the Gestalt Therapeutic Approach

The present study constitutes an effort to present a complete critical perspective of the Gestalt approach. It is based on scientific articles concerning the therapeutic Gestalt approach and is accompanied by general information about the period which it developed and the concepts with which it connects. The use of the material targets the covering, to an extent but not in depth, the relevant issues concerning the Gestalt therapeutic approach which by itself constitutes one of the disadvantages of this critical perspective. The study presents an overview of the Gestalt approach through the presentation of its evolution, its ideas, its therapeutic goals and its techniques. Ultimately, it contributes to the dissemination of the tools used in this approach to consulting professionals and professionals who use or develop clinically therapeutic skills.

Human Capital, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Nexus: Why Investment in Free Compulsory Universal Education Matters for Africa

This study uses a quantitative correlational design model to investigate the effects of human capital and economic growth on poverty reduction. The study sampled and analyzed 140 countries’ data from United Nations Human Development Index report, 2010 to 2018. Comparing data from Africa, Europe and Asia, the study found that human capital had a positive effect on economic growth, while economic growth had a negative effect on poverty. The study argues that poverty reduction in Africa matters in creating sustainable global futures and recommends investment into free universal pre-tertiary education as a strategy to combat poverty.

Common Assessment in Multi-Deprived Schools: The Case of Flood-Prone Schools in Western Kenya

The paper draws from a larger doctoral study, conducted between 2013 and 2016 in five flood-prone schools in western Kenya. The mixed methods research investigated: a) how these schools promote epistemological access (EA) and, b) the challenges they encounter towards a socially-just educational experience and comparable learning outcomes to learners. Findings suggested the importance of developing capabilities in a socially-just environment towards achieving (equitable) epistemological access (E)EA) in deprived school environments. There is no question that EA is about schools ensuring the development of capabilities among all learners. To that end, this paper explores the impact of assessment and learner outcomes as determining proxies to epistemological access (EA) and educational progression. It provides an understanding of how EA is measured and how we gauge the extent of learning in disadvantaged schools. In so doing, the paper seeks to provide a clearer conceptual understanding of how modes of assessment and learner outcomes influence (equitable) epistemological access and the educational progression of learners in different learning contexts. It also suggests a model which may be useful for developing policy around curriculum evaluation in multi-deprived settings. This consideration would contribute to the broad concern of social justice in education across all levels in education.

Psychological Distress and Work Engagement among The Faculty Members on University of Batangas: Basis for the Formulation of a Program Involving Mental Health

This is a descriptive-comparative study which aimed to measure the level of work engagement and psychological distress of faculty members. Just as students need support to continue learning, teachers need support to continue teaching. With teachers engaging in a multitude of tasks and their responsibilities not limited to preparing and discussing lessons alone, they are becoming more prone to experiencing higher levels of psychological distress. This can then impact their work engagement and their ability to function effectively. In consideration of this, this study attempted to assess the psychological distress and work engagement of selected faculty members at the University of Batangas (UB) Main Campus. Specifically, this study measured gender differences in terms of psychological distress and work engagement. In addition, the focus of this study also included determining whether a significant relationship exists between teachers' psychological distress and work engagement through the adapted and self-constructed questionnaire. Results showed that selected teachers from the UB exhibited mild forms of psychological distress but high levels of work engagement. No significant differences in psychological distress and work engagement were found between male and female teachers. A mental health program was also proposed as an output of the study to help combat psychological distress and improve work engagement among teachers.

The Impact of Gender-neutral Communication on Brand Equity: A Study on Children Apparel Industry

This work wants to analyze the impact of communication on Brand Equity, by comparing a gendered and an ungendered type of advertising relative to a brand of children apparel. The idea of this work comes from the acknowledgement that, to the current situation, there is little research on the pro/cons of the usage of a type of communication alternative to the traditional one and free of gender stereotypes, and on its objective consequences on brand dimensions. The study was conducted using a posttest-only control group design: participants were randomly assigned to two groups, control and intervention, and were presented with two different stimuli (a gendered and a gender-neutral one). Convenience sampling has been adopted for this research and an online close-ended response questionnaire was used for data gathering. A total of 152 responses were ultimately used in the study. The study challenges the argument that gender stereotypes are efficient tools to be used in communication to elicit a positive response and generate clearer brand associations in the viewer. The results showed how a gender-neutral type of communication has an overall positive effect on Brand Equity dimension, and how this result varies according to the age range of respondents, showing a substantial gap between Gen Z and elderly generations.

Specific Features of Three Newly Published English Textbooks for Elementary School in Japan – A Quantitative Study of the Textbooks

As Japan starts English education at the primary level in 2020, the study looks at three sets of English textbooks for the primary level through quantitative analyses. The objective of the study is to find specific features of each textbooks through quantitative analyses, because quantitative studies are known to be useful objective information which qualitative studies often fail to miss. The vocabulary-size analysis shows the following. First, Crown Jr. textbooks have the largest vocabulary size, second, the Correspondence Analysis shows that Crown Jr. textbooks seem to contain some Jr. high school level grammar, and third, Grade 5 textbooks of Junior Sunshine and New Horizon Elementary focus on the alphabets, singing and chanting, and school life; that Grade 6 textbooks of New Horizon Elementary and Junior Sunshine have materials on international foods and culture, and that both grade 5 and 6 textbooks of Crown Jr. contain more third-person sentences. The study believes these findings would provide useful information for those who are engaged in primary and secondary English education in Japan.