Recent publications
Background
Many studies have highlighted the association between frailty, physical activity behaviour (PAB), and well-being, but no study has investigated a potential moderated mediating role of functional difficulty in this relationship. This association may not be the same between different income levels. This study, therefore, assessed the above moderated mediation between low- and higher-income samples.
Methods
This research employed a cross-sectional design in accordance with established research-reporting guidelines. The study population comprised two distinct Ghanaian samples, with N = 942 individuals in the low-income group and N = 600 individuals in the higher income group. Data analysis was carried out using Hayes's Process model through structural equation modelling, with additional sensitivity analyses performed through hierarchical linear regression.
Results
Frailty had a direct negative effect and an indirect negative effect (through functional difficulty) on well-being in both samples. A partial mediation of functional difficulty was found in the relationship between frailty and well-being in both samples. We also found evidence of a moderated mediation by functional difficulty in both samples; however, this effect was stronger in the higher-income sample.
Conclusion
Older employees with frailty are less likely to report lower functional difficulty and well-being at higher PAB. Our results suggest a need for workplace programmes aimed at encouraging PAB. It also reinforces the importance of individuals performing and maintaining PAB.
Alpha-onocerin is a triterpenoid derived from Huperzia phlegmaria which is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of fever, headaches, pains and malaria. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety, antipyretic and anti-plasmodial activity of alpha-onocerin and artesunate (ART) co-administration in ICR mice for use in traditional medicine.
The anti-plasmodial effects of alpha-onocerin (10, 30, 100, 300 mg/kg) and ART (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 mg/kg) were assessed in P. berghei -infected mice. Alpha-onocerin /ART were administered with a fixed dose combination of their median effective doses (ED 50s ) to determine the experimental ED 50 (Z exp ). An isobologram was developed to identify the nature of the interaction by comparing Z exp with the theoretical ED 50 (Z add ).
Alpha-onocerin (300 mg/kg) showed a similar chemosuppression (93.51 ± 2.15%) to ART (2 mg/kg, i.p.) of 97.02 ± 0.27% in the 4-day suppressive test as well as in the prophylactic test with chemosuppression at 54.94% and 69.76% for alpha-onocerin (300 mg/kg) and artesunate (2 mg/kg, i.p.) respectively. All doses of alpha-onocerin significantly ( p < 0.05) reduced pyrexia in 1 h and 2 h after their administration in the baker’s yeast test. ED 50 s for ART and alpha-onocerin were 1.33 ± 0.11 and 13.64 ± 0.22 mg/kg, respectively. The Z add , Z exp and interaction index for alpha-onocerin /ART co-administration were 7.49 ± 3.46, 1.61 ± 0.78 and 0.22 respectively. The Z exp for alpha-onocerin /ART laid below the additive isobole indicating significant ( p < 0.001) synergistic activity with ART.
Alpha-onocerin showed analgesic effects, antipyretic and synergistic anti-plasmodial effects in P. berghei -infected mice.
This study examined the drivers of financial inclusion as well as how COVID-19 affected West Africa in terms of electronic payments. It used the World Bank’s Global Findex 2021 data collected at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic with 1000 respondents each from Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Liberia and Cameroon and model logit regression to investigate the drivers of financial inclusion and how COVID-19 affected it. With regard to key drivers of financial inclusion, it found that female and lower income groups have low inclusion levels which decline when income increases; also, the more educated persons, are linked to high financial inclusion. On account ownership of mobile money, there is discrimination of financial inclusion based on sex. Distance from the office of a financial institution poses a key obstacle to financial inclusion for females and various income groups, but the cost is not a major worry. Informal financial practices are not very popular. The study found that highly educated persons used electronic payment systems to settle utility bills for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommends policies that lead people closer to financial services to reduce financial exclusion. Again, individuals should be stimulated to adopt electronic payment systems to help reduce financial exclusion. The originality of the study stems from the usage of figures provided by the World Bank’s Global Findex in 2021 which is unique in totality. This study adds to current knowledge by evaluating drivers of financial inclusion in West African countries by looking at current issues on finances focusing on the sub-region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, West Africa, Personal Characteristics, COVID-19 Pandemic
The research explored the historical evolution and growth of the Home and Urban Mission (HUM) of the Church of Pentecost (CoP) in Ghana. It covers the period from the establishment of the Northern Outreach Ministry (NOM) in 2007, tracing the various developments up to its current status as HUM, in December 2023. HUM represents a distinctive strategic mission approach with the objective of extending outreach to various neglected and marginalized demographics, including expatriates, drug addicts, commercial sex workers, and street children. Additionally, it targets unengaged segments of society such as the Fulani, Hausa, and Kotokoli, as well as migrants from Northern Ghana to the South, alongside other African migrants in Ghana. Employing archival documents and ethnographic data collection tools, the study posited that despite encountering challenges, the success of the strategy has positioned HUM as an essential model for effective Christian missions, particularly towards marginalized and underserved groups. The research highlighted the significance of HUM in exemplifying compassion and love towards marginalized groups, aligning with biblical teachings pertaining to social justice and care for the vulnerable. The success of the ministry is attributed to its capacity to adapt to local contexts and cultures, as well as its steadfast commitment to empowering local leaders and communities. The study’s findings present implications for Christian missions and churches, particularly in urban contexts characterized by substantial populations of marginalized groups. The HUM model, therefore, offers a framework for churches to engage with these populations and manifest the love of God to them. Keywords: Home and Urban Mission, Church of Pentecost, Mission, Marginalized Groups
It is reported that ninety-four percent of children experience some form of abuse in Ghana. Where child abuse exists, an appropriate response is child protection. Dzemeni, a fishing community in the Volta Region of Ghana is noted to have a history of high prevalence of child abuse, trafficking, child labour, and exploitation. This study aims to explore the perspectives of religious leaders on child abuse and analyse efforts by religious leaders, including inter-religious engagements for child protection in Dzemeni. Using a qualitative approach, data was collected from 15 religious leaders, comprising eight clergy, four traditional leaders and three Muslim leaders. The results showed that, although religious leaders understood the concept of child protection and undertook measures such as education of the public and provision of psychosocial support for abused children, there were no inter-religious efforts towards child protection in the community. The paper posits that inter-religious engagements for child protection could contribute significantly to the prevention of child abuse in Dzemeni. Keywords: Child Abuse, Child Protection, Faith Community, Fishing Community, Inter-Religious Engagement
The study examines the practice of using the Bible to swear in the law court. It exposes biblical texts that speak about swearing of oath and taking vows. Since this is an ongoing debate, the paper raises scholarly opinions that support and speak against the practices by examining their theological basis for doing so. The goal of this research is to highlight the consequences associated with swearing with a sacred book considered the words of a just God. The research is a literary one. It uses textual analyses of selected biblical passages and critiques various theological positions on the subject by some selected denominations and theologians to propose a review of the practice. Specific attention will be given to key but controversial biblical passages in Genesis 24: 2-3, Matthew 5:34-37 and James 5:12 on oath- taking that has generated varied responses. The study establishes that for the Bible to be used in court the lawmakers should establish their position on certain biblical laws on crime and their implications by working hand in hand with God-fearing theologians. Once such statements of faith are added to the laws or constitution it will authenticate the need to use the bible to swear. The researcher has observed that since the judgment of court cases do not impinge on the content of the Bible, the practice is not helpful in adjudication. It rather ends up profaning the name of God in case witnesses lie in court. One would therefore propose that those who are occupying office for the first time could swear with the Bible as a way of asking God to help them discharge their functions well. Keywords: Oath, Vow, Swearing, Compurgation, Perjury, Lollards, Modern Court
Background
Research to date suggests that frailty is higher in women and is associated with functional difficulty. This study builds on the evidence by examining the association between frailty and functional difficulty between low- and higher-income groups and between older men and women in these income groups.
Methods
This study adopted a cross-sectional design that complied with the STROBE checklist and included steps against confounding and common methods bias. The population was community-dwelling older adults aged 50 years or older in two urban neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. Participants were either in the low-income group in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood (n = 704) or the higher-income group in a high socioeconomic neighbourhood (n = 510). The minimum sample necessary was calculated, and the hierarchical linear regression analysis was utilised to analyse the data.
Results
Frailty was positively associated with functional difficulty in the low- and higher-income samples, but this association was stronger in the higher-income sample. Frailty was positively associated with frailty in men and women within the low- and higher-income samples.
Conclusion
The association of frailty with functional difficulty was consistent between low- and higher-income samples, although the strength of the relationship differed between these samples. In both income samples, the foregoing relationship was consistent between men and women, although the strength of the relationship differed between men and women.
Climate change and its adverse impacts on humans, especially older adults, and ecosystems are of concern to stakeholders globally. Its events such as flooding, heat waves, and hurricanes make the ageing process daunting. Ageing is a natural chronological change that occurs throughout the lifespan and accompanies a decline in functional ability. Healthy ageing, on the other hand, encompasses the maintenance of functional capacity and well-being in later life. In fostering healthy ageing, the Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030 initiative was launched by the United Nations to support older adults, their families, and communities. This and related initiatives are expected to yield positive outcomes, but the impact of climate change may offset these outcomes. Hence, successful adaptation by ageing people amidst climate change events and other crises is a requirement for healthy ageing. This chapter aims to provide a narrative analysis of the role of adaptation in manoeuvring climate change events and related crises for healthy ageing. Recommendations and implications for policy are provided.
Introduction: Preoperative fasting is recommended by international guidelines as a means to minimize the risk of aspiration of gastric content during induction of anesthesia or surgery. Prolonged preoperative fasting is, however, discouraged due to the associated side effects such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can negatively impact recovery after surgery. An initial quality improvement study revealed poor implementation of the best practice guidelines on preoperative fasting in three departments of a hospital and an institutional action plan was devised to enforce adherence to these guidelines. This present study aimed to assess compliance with the action plan and for that matter, adherence to international consensus on preoperative fasting in three surgical departments.
Methods: Adult patients undergoing elective cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery at a university teaching hospital were surveyed over four months (September October, November, and December of 2023). Data on the length of preoperative fasting was collected using a standardized questionnaire. A total of 306 patients who were scheduled for elective surgery were included in the study.
Results: Of the 306 patients, 139 (45.4%) had vascular surgeries, 108 (35.4%) received cardiac surgeries, and 59 (19.3%) had thoracic surgeries. For clear fluids, the overall median fasting time (Q1, Q3) was 4.5 (2.7, 7.4) hours, and for solid food, 14.5 (12.1, 19.0) hours. Extended abstinence from clear fluids and solid food for more than 12 hours was observed in 43 (14.1%) and 231 (75.5%) instances, respectively, while abstinence from solid food for more than 24 hours was noticed in 40 (13.1%) cases. When compared to patients having operations in the morning, those scheduled for afternoon surgery had longer median fasting periods from clear fluids and solid food, p<0.001: 6.2 (4.0, 12.0) hours vs. 3.4 (2.0, 5.2) hours for clear fluids and 16.7 (12.6, 22.6) hours vs. 13.2 (9.6, 15.2) hours for solid food, respectively.
Conclusion: Patients continue to abstain from clear fluids and solid food for extended periods of time, despite the fact that there is worldwide agreement regarding shorter periods of preoperative fasting. Compared to patients undergoing morning surgery, individuals hospitalized for afternoon procedures were more likely to fast for extended periods of time.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a severe hemoglobin gene mutation disorder inherited from both parents. 2% of Ghanaian newborns are affected by SCD; one in three Ghanaians has the hemoglobin S gene. Christian religious leaders may play a role in the prevention of SCD through the promotion of genetic counseling, genotype screening for premarital couples, and offering counseling to couples on prenatal screening and diagnosis for SCD. However, little is known about the awareness and perception of SCD among Christian religious leaders in Ghana, and this study aims to explore these. This study adopted a qualitative descriptive design to explore the awareness and perception of SCD among Christian religious leaders in the capital city of Ghana. A purposive sampling technique selected 16 participants from churches under the main Christian groups. The participants were chosen based on their roles and responsibilities within their respective churches. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide, which included open-ended questions to encourage participants to share their thoughts and experiences. The interviews were conducted in a private setting to ensure confidentiality. The data was then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, which involved identifying recurring themes and patterns in the participants’ responses. The study’s findings are crucial. They reveal a high awareness of SCD among Christian religious leaders, but also some misconceptions. Most of the religious leaders knew SCD was a genetic disease, although a few associated SCD with superstitious beliefs, poor dietary intake, and lifestyle. Some also stated that SCD was a disease of the blood group instead of the defective haemoglobin gene. They perceived SCD to be burdensome, disruptive, and draining, and they associated the disease with burnout in Persons Living with SCD (PLWSCD) and their families. The religious leaders had a good social network with PLWSCD, including family, friends, colleagues, and congregants. These findings underscore the need for intense education about SCD, especially among Christian religious leaders. It is crucial to engage all stakeholders to intensify public awareness and education about SCD while improving the management and social support systems available to PLWSCD and families. This includes the religious institution’s leadership, PLWSCD and families, the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and the Ghana Education Service. As active stakeholders, religious leaders can play a vital role in supporting PLWSCD if they are equipped with the necessary knowledge about the condition. .
Introduction
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a severe hemoglobin gene mutation disorder inherited from both parents. Two percent of Ghanaian newborns are affected by SCD; one in three Ghanaians has the hemoglobin S gene. Christian religious leaders may play a role in the prevention of SCD through the promotion of genetic counseling, genotype screening for premarital couples, and offering counseling to couples on prenatal screening and diagnosis for SCD. However, little is known about the awareness and perception of SCD among Christian religious leaders in Ghana, and this study aims to explore these.
Methods
This study adopted a qualitative descriptive design to explore the awareness and perception of SCD among Christian religious leaders in the capital city of Ghana. A purposive sampling technique selected 16 participants from churches under the main Christian groups. The participants were chosen based on their roles and responsibilities within their respective churches. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide, which included open-ended questions to encourage participants to share their thoughts and experiences. The interviews were conducted in a private setting to ensure confidentiality. The data was then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, which involved identifying recurring themes and patterns in the participants' responses.
Results
The study's findings are crucial. They reveal a high awareness of SCD among Christian religious leaders, but also some misconceptions. Most of the religious leaders knew SCD was a genetic disease, although a few associated SCD with superstitious beliefs, poor dietary intake, and lifestyle. Some also stated that SCD was a disease of the blood group instead of the defective haemoglobin gene. They perceived SCD to be burdensome, disruptive, and draining, and they associated the disease with burnout in Persons Living with SCD (PLWSCD) and their families. The religious leaders had a good social network with PLWSCD, including family, friends, colleagues, and congregants.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the need for intense education about SCD, especially among Christian religious leaders. It is crucial to engage all stakeholders to intensify public awareness and education about SCD while improving the management and social support systems available to PLWSCD and families. This includes the religious institution's leadership, PLWSCD and families, the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and the Ghana Education Service. As active stakeholders, religious leaders can play a vital role in supporting PLWSCD if they are equipped with the necessary knowledge about the condition.
Background
Sleep quality among nursing students is crucial for their academic performance and overall well-being. Understanding the demographic and psychosocial factors influencing sleep quality can help in developing targeted interventions.
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the sleep quality of nursing students and identify key predictors of poor sleep quality.
Method
A total of 224 nursing students participated in a survey assessing demographics, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and psychosocial factors including anxiety, stress, and social support. Multiple regression and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data.
Findings
Results indicated that 77.7% of participants had poor sleep quality. Anxiety (β = -0.312, p < 0.001) and stress (β = -0.245, p = 0.003) were significant predictors of poor sleep quality. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between gender and sleep quality (χ² = 12.34, p = 0.002), with female students more likely to experience poor sleep.
Discussion
The study highlights the high prevalence of poor sleep quality among nursing students and the significant role of anxiety and stress. Interventions to reduce stress and anxiety, particularly among female students, are recommended to improve sleep quality.
Background
Research suggests that frailty is associated with lower physical activity and well-being in old age, but social activities at work may facilitate physical activity and its positive effect on well-being among older employees with frailty. This study, therefore, ascertained whether there is a moderated mediation of the association of frailty, Workplace Social Activity (WSA), and well-being by Physical Activity (PA).
Methods
The study adopted a cross-sectional design with relevant sensitivity analyses for confounding. The participants were within two Ghanaian samples with different income levels (low-income, n = 897, and higher income, n = 530). The minimum samples were calculated, and the statistical models were tested with Haye’s Process Model through structural equation modelling.
Results
Frailty was negatively associated with PA, and this relationship was moderated by WSA in both samples. Higher frailty was directly and indirectly associated with lower well-being in the higher-income sample but only indirectly associated with lower well-being in the low-income sample. The mediation of PA in the frailty-well-being relationship is partial in the higher-income sample but complete in the low-income sample. There was evidence of moderated mediation in both samples.
Conclusion
WSA may reduce the strength of the negative association of frailty with PA and well-being among older employees in both samples. Workplace interventions aimed at enhancing WSA may encourage PA and enhance well-being among older employees with frailty.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the challenges basic school tutors face when integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their instructing and learning activities and to recommend possible strategies for addressing those challenges. This study employed an interpretive paradigm and a qualitative method approach to analyze the challenges basic school teachers face when integrating ICT into teaching in an emerging country, particularly Ghana. The participants of this study were chosen using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. A total of twenty (20) respondents were chosen for this study. The study found that teachers, despite their challenges, had a strong desire to integrate ICT into their instruction and learning activities. These challenges are the limited number of ICT tools and the absence of fully-subscribed software package that runs on them, the lack of electrical outlets in some classrooms, poor internet connectivity and power fluctuation. These teachers also had to deal with challenges like Trojan horses and spam despite the slow internet connectivity. The study suggested that basic school management should procure modern ICT tools and fully-subscribed software package to expand the school’s ICT infrastructure giving teachers the choice to choose the ICT tools they will integrate into their teaching and learning activities for the successful integration of ICT into instruction and learning activities. Again, school management should ensure teachers are given basic training regarding ICT and its incorporation into tuition and learning activities to acquire the necessary competencies, understanding, and attitudes that will enhance teaching and learning activities.
Objectives:
To examine the relationships between burnout, job satisfaction, patient care quality, and retention intentions among nurses and to analyze the demographic factors influencing these variables.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 nurses from various acute care settings, including wards, intensive care units (ICUs), and emergency departments, across multiple hospitals. The data were collected using validated scales on burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), patient care quality, job satisfaction, and retention intentions. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, multiple linear regression, and ANOVA were used for data analysis.
Results:
The sample consisted of 53.7% female and 46.3% male nurses, with a fairly even distribution of age and years of experience. The average burnout score was 45.2 (SD = 11.3), with a range of 30–80. The mean patient care quality rating was 4.3 (SD = 0.8). Burnout was negatively correlated with patient care quality (r = -0.45, p < 0.001) and job satisfaction (r = -0.28, p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that burnout (β = -0.32, p < 0.001) and job satisfaction (β = 0.45, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of patient care quality. ANOVA revealed significant differences in burnout scores by age group (F = 9.88, p < 0.001) and years of experience (F = 7.70, p < 0.001) but not by sex (F = 2.01, p = 0.156). Patient care quality differed significantly by age (F = 2.83, p = 0.038) and experience (F = 3.33, p = 0.020) but not by sex (F = 0.31, p = 0.578).
Conclusions:
Higher burnout is associated with lower patient care quality and job satisfaction. More experienced nurses reported lower burnout and higher patient care quality. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce burnout and enhance job satisfaction, particularly for less experienced nurses.
Purpose
The study explored how ChatGPT could transform examination writing in higher education. The research question was: How can the AI tool ChatGPT help transform examination writing in higher education? The study interviewed the chatbot (ChatGPT) by way of "prompt engineering" to test if it has the potential to achieve the following: (1) Generate varied questions on a subject matter of the same level of difficulty, (2) Generate varied questions on a subject matter with case scenarios, (3) Generate varied questions on a subject matter that requires critical thinking, (4) Generate varied questions on a subject matter that takes into consideration the diverse needs and backgrounds of students and (5) Streamline assessment process. These objective tests were to explore the diverse ways the chatbot could assist in the examination process. Despite the academic concerns surrounding students' use of ChatGPT, the study's findings seek to stimulate discussion on the potentially significant benefits ChatGPT offers to the educational sector if it is effectively implemented.
Approach/Design/Method
Through "prompt engineering", the study interviewed ChatGPT to test it on the five (5) objectives. Subject area lecturers and exam moderators reviewed questions as well as marking schemes generated by the chatbot to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.
Findings
ChatGPT was able to generate varied questions of the same difficulty level on the same given content and generated questions with case scenarios. The questions generated also required critical thinking; ChatGPT produced questions considering students' diverse needs and backgrounds. Finally, it could streamline the assessment process as well. However, ChatGPT required specific human guidance to shape the questions. Also, the examiner or the educator needed to double-check the accuracy of the questions generated. Additionally, it was discovered that the version of ChatGPT used was limited in subject areas that required graphics and figures.
Research Limitations/Implications
The study found that ChatGPT is effective with text-like tasks but is limited in areas that require graphics and figures (for the version used), which may be needed in some fields of study. It also meant that responses only had to be in text for the Chatbot to award scores based on the assessment criteria. Notwithstanding the limitations, ChatGPT can become an excellent tool for assisting educators in assessing students, thereby transforming examination writing in higher education.
The originality of the study
Research on ChatGPT is an emerging one. The study is novel, as this area is still being explored. This paper will serve as one of the early research works that provide educators and policymakers with knowledge of leveraging ChatGPT to transform examination writing.
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