University of Cape Coast

This study investigated caregivers' perspectives on applied behaviour analysis (ABA) intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Ghana. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from 13 teachers and six parents across two schools in the Central and Greater Accra Regions. Thematic analysis revealed seven major themes, including perspectives on communication, challenging behaviour, self‐help skills, social skills, motor skills and attention. Findings suggest that ABA intervention yielded positive outcomes, with improvements noted in various skill areas. Children demonstrated increased independence in self‐help tasks, reduced challenging behaviours and enhanced communication through alternative methods. Social and motor skills also improved, while attention showed gradual progress. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and lack of standardised measures, this study contributes valuable insights into ABA effectiveness in Ghana, potentially informing future research and policy decisions regarding ASD interventions in Sub‐Saharan Africa.

Background: This study sought to explore the effects of preservice teachers’ contact with children with intellectual disabilities on their attitudes. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the exclusion and discrimination experienced by children with intellectual disabilities in Ghanaian schools. Method: Twenty-two preservice teachers who interned at a special school for children with intellectual disabilities were interviewed before and after their practicums, and the gathered data underwent thematic analysis. Results: There were changes in the participants’ knowledge and willingness to interact and work with children with intellectual disabilities. For instance, before the practicum, the participants held stereotypical understandings of intellectual disabilities. However, after their practicums, their level of discussion of the core characteristics of intellectual disabilities had improved. Conclusion: Based on these findings, this study concludes by recommending that contact with children with intellectual disabilities be included as an integral part of preservice teacher training programmes.

Background In contemporary healthcare systems, the well-being and safety of healthcare providers are pivotal for sustaining a resilient healthcare system. The concept of Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) emerges as a crucial framework influencing job design and employee perceptions in organisational settings, although its application within healthcare settings remains relatively underexplored. The aim of this review was to explore the buffering effect of PSC and its impact on working conditions, well-being and performance. Method This scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s recommendations and PRISMA-ScR reporting checklist. Databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Central, JSTOR, and additional online sources such as Google Scholar were searched. Only peer-reviewed studies published in English that have measured PSC using PSC-12 or PSC-4 were included in this study. Findings High PSC environments correlated with enriched job resources, fostering resilience, positive job performance, and reduced job demands. Conversely, low PSC settings were linked to increased job demands, compromised well-being, and adverse job performance outcomes. Notably, PSC acted as a buffer, mitigating the negative impacts of high job demands on well-being and reinforcing positive associations between job resources, support, and performance facets among healthcare professionals. Conclusion This review highlights the pivotal role of PSC in shaping the work environment, well-being, and performance of healthcare providers. Prioritising PSC within healthcare settings is crucial to safeguarding the well-being of healthcare providers and improving patient outcomes. Future research should further explore the relationships between PSC, burnout, and other influencing factors, employing diverse methodologies to capture its comprehensive impact within healthcare settings.

Background The one health (OH) approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health, relies on effective community engagement (CE), education, stewardship, and effective regional and global partnerships. For real impact, communities should be at the centre of research agenda setting and program implementation. This review aimed at synthesizing empirical evidence on how communities are involved in one health research. Specifically, the review aimed at documenting the extent of community involvement in one health research, as well as to identify the barriers and facilitators to effective community engagement in one health research in sub Saharan Africa. Methods The study was a systematic review conducted using the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Empirical peer-reviewed research articles on community engagement in one health research published from January 2000 to September 2023 in English or French were retrieved from seven databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, WHO Afro Library, the National Institute for Health Research, and African Journals Online databases. The extracted data from the included studies were analysed using a thematic synthesis approach. Results The final review and synthesis included eight studies. The extent of CE in the one health research approach is quite limited. Two main best practices of CE in OH research were: 1) Awareness raising on OH research through social mobilization, rural outreach sensitization, and wide community assembly and 2) Building local capacity through community-based OH Training and Leadership workshops. The barriers to effective CE included: inadequate community research literacy levels, contextual disparities in CE, inadequate dissemination of research findings, language barriers and ineffective and uncoordinated stakeholder involvement. Conclusion The review underscores the importance of effective CE in one health research. The best practices for CE in one health research are raising awareness and co-creation which should guide future initiatives. There are cultural, geographical, linguistic, and educational constraints that pose barriers to CE, requiring a more integrated and community-centric approach to one health research in SSA. An effective CE in one health research through this approach will ultimately lead to more effective responses and control of zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Background In low and middle-income countries like Ghana, out-of-pocket (OOP) payments remain a significant barrier to healthcare access, often leading to catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). This study evaluates the incidence of CHE among patients treated for long bone fractures at Ghana’s major teaching hospitals, providing insight into the economic burdens faced by these patients. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2,980 patients with long bone fractures treated at four major teaching hospitals in Ghana from July 2017 to July 2020. We collected demographic, clinical, and economic data, including OOP payments and patient-reported income, to assess the incidence of CHE at varying income thresholds (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%). Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of CHE, with variables including age, gender, education, region, fracture type, injury severity, and NHIS coverage. Results The incidence of CHE was highest at the 10% income threshold (53.21%) and decreased with higher thresholds. Male patients incurred higher average OOP payments ($343.68) than females ($271.63), and patients with tibia fractures faced the highest financial burden. Educational and regional disparities were evident, with lower CHE rates among patients with higher educational attainment and those from northern regions. NHIS coverage provided limited financial relief, particularly at lower income thresholds. Conclusion Long bone fractures impose a substantial financial burden on patients in Ghana, with significant gender, educational, and regional disparities in OOP payments and CHE. While NHIS provides some relief, it remains inadequate in protecting patients from financial distress. Policy interventions aimed at expanding NHIS coverage, reducing OOP payments for high-cost treatments, and addressing geographic inequities are urgently needed to improve financial protection for patients with long bone fractures in Ghana. Future research should focus on capturing long-term financial impacts and improving income data accuracy to better inform healthcare policies.

In developing countries, driving long-distance buses presents substantial road-traffic challenges. These are intensified by demanding job conditions and job insecurity, potentially leading to increased safety incidents linked to driver fatigue. This study sought to investigate how driving fatigue mediates the relationship between job demands, job security, and safety incidents among long-distance bus drivers in Ghana. This survey sampled 7315 long-distance commercial bus drivers using a convenient sampling technique. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS version 4. Both job demands and job security showed significant positive associations with safety incidents among the drivers. Driving fatigue produced a partial mediation effect of job demands and job security on safety incidents of the drivers. This highlights crucial link between job stressors and driving performance. The study indicates critical impact of job demands and job security on driving fatigue and subsequent safety incidents among bus these drivers in Ghana. Thus, addressing these stressors through targeted interventions, such as improved working conditions and fatigue management programmes, become essential for enhancing driver well-being and road safety in Ghana. Importantly, addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts among transport authorities, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders to enforce regulations and promote supportive work environments for the drivers.

Purpose To elucidate the global epidemiology of Ophthalmia Neonatorum (ON), as well as its causative organisms and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods A systematic review of studies reporting the epidemiology of ON was performed using four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline. Data were extracted and study-specific estimates were combined using meta-analysis to obtain pooled proportions. Results A total of 25 studies, which evaluated the epidemiology of ON in 1,117,966 live births, were included in this study. A total of 2,902 cases of ON were identified. The global incidence and prevalence of ON are 2.04% [(95% CI 0.70–5.79%), I² = 99.4%] and 7.79% [(95% CI 2.93–19.10%), I² = 99.1%], respectively. Staphylococcus spp. (gram-positive) and Serratia marcescens (gram-negative) were the most frequently isolated bacteria associated with the incidence of ON. The pooled resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are highest to Penicillin [91.67% (95% CI 87.96–94.31%) and 100.00% (95% CI 0.00–100.00%), respectively], and lowest to Gentamicin [20% (95% CI 15.85–24.91%) and 59.30% (95% CI 52.36–65.89%), respectively]. The pooled resistance of Pseudomonas spp. and Klebsiella spp. to Gentamicin are 50% [(95% CI 43.11 to 56.89%), I² = 0.00%] and 50.02% [(95% CI 27.50–72.53%), I² = 95.3%], respectively. Conclusion ON is a common ocular morbidity in neonates, especially in those from low-income settings. It is important that all newborns receive adequate preventive care, regardless of their socioeconomic status, in order to reduce the risk of visual impairment and blindness.

This inquiry investigated intellectual capital’s (IC) influence on the performance of all 13 listed manufacturing firms in Ghana, via the mediating role of family management (FM). Using a dynamic panel two-step system-GMM, it addressed endogeneity, simultaneity, reverse causality, heteroskedasticity, small sample and Nickell biases, autocorrelation, and measurement error. Static regression models [fixed (FE) and random (RE)] were utilized to address unobserved heterogeneity and omitted variable bias ensuring the robustness of the study findings. The research analyzed secondary data (financial information) from these manufacturing firms, spanning 2015–2022, yielding 104 balanced panel-firm-year observations. Findings/Results revealed a positive relationship between IC, measured by modified value-added intellectual coefficient (MVAIC) and its components—human capital efficiency (HCE), structural capital efficiency (SCE), relational capital efficiency (RCE), and capital employed efficiency (CEE) and firm performance (FP) proxied by ROA and Tobin’s Q. HCE contributed most to MVAIC, while FM partially and complementarily mediated the IC-performance relationship. Debt-to-equity ratio negatively influenced FP, whereas the other control variables had positive impacts. Recommendations emphasized enhancing human capital (HC) through hiring qualified employees and regular professional development. Theoretical implications underscore IC’s role in FP, highlighting FM’s mediation. Managerial recommendations highlight enhancing human capital and corporate governance for improved performance. Policy suggestions advocate for IC disclosure and monitoring. While the study’s framework is tailored to Ghana, it is applicable to other emerging economies. It integrates previously unchartered IC and FM metrics into the resource-based view theory (RBVT), extending the theory’s scope, making it more rigorous, robust, and generalizable. This theory extension-driven approach offers novel theoretical/conceptual/methodological insights, along with detailed, context-specific, practical/managerial, and policy implications.

Background The integration of herbal and orthodox medicines has gained momentum in global health, ensuring improved management of infectious diseases like malaria. This study explored the experiences of medical herbalists working in Ghana’s diverse ecological zones to understand the contributions of integrated healthcare to malaria control. Methods A phenomenological design was employed to conduct in-depth interviews with 19 purposively sampled medical herbalists. Framework analytical approach and Donabedian’s conceptual framework for quality of care were utilised in analysing the data. Results Findings revealed high awareness of integrated healthcare practices among participants. Medical herbalists perceived integrated care as instrumental in enhancing malaria management through factors such as improved quality assurance, increased accessibility to integrated health facilities, patient-centred care, follow-up practices, and opportunities for continuous professional development. However, structural and process-related challenges were identified, including inadequate healthcare personnel, medicines, and equipment. Additionally, limited promotional activities, non-comprehensive National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and ineffective referral systems were recognised as barriers hindering the effectiveness of the integrated system and its potential contribution to malaria control. Conclusion Although national and health system-based challenges have thwarted the importance of integration on malaria control, medical herbalists feel optimistic about the intervention. To optimise the effectiveness of integrated healthcare in controlling malaria in Ghana would require policy modification and implementation. Future research could focus on developing healthcare frameworks, particularly for malaria, that prioritise quality service delivery within an integrated system.

Background Although university students are young and seem generally healthy, they do have health information needs that affect their academic work. Some university healthcare services and academic libraries collaborated during the COVID‐19 pandemic to provide health information to students. Aims/Objectives The study explored the health information gap among undergraduate students in universities in Ghana. Methodology The study involved 382 students from the University of Cape Coast, the University of Ghana, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, including nine librarians and six university health professionals. Respondents for the study were chosen using stratified sampling and purposeful sampling techniques. A questionnaire and a semi‐structured interview guide were used to collect the data. Results The study revealed limited access to health information for undergraduate students. Male and female students had similar high priorities (personal hygiene, disease prevention, healthy living, mental health) but reproductive health information was mostly a priority for female students. Discussion Inadequate access to health information among undergraduate students may pose a threat to avoidable health risks and academic productivity. Conclusion Based on the findings, a functional Collaborative Health Information Model for Academic Libraries and University Healthcare Systems is proposed to address undergraduate students' health information needs.

Objectives Clinical breast examination (CBE) open the pathway to early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. This study examined barriers to CBE uptake in seven sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Methods Data from the most current Demographic and Health Surveys of Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Kenya Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania was used. A weighted sample size of 65,486 women aged 25–49 years was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of CBE. We employed a multilevel logistic regression modelling technique, with results presented in adjusted odds ratios (aOR) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The pooled prevalence of CBE uptake in the studied SSA countries is low at 19.2% [95%CI: 18.5–19.8]. Screening uptake was significantly low among women reporting difficulty in getting permission (aOR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82–0.95), and distance (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.89–0.99), as well as those who reported financial constraints (aOR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88–0.97), as barriers to access healthcare facilities. However, surprisingly, women who faced travel-alone barriers were 1.19 times (95%CI: 1.10–1.28) more likely to utilise CBE than those who did not face this barrier. Conclusions We conclude that barriers such as difficulties in obtaining permission, long distances to healthcare facilities, and financial constraints significantly reduce the likelihood of women undergoing CBE. The study underscores a need to improve access to healthcare facilities. Practically, this can be achieved by expanding mobile health services and integrating CBE into primary healthcare will help overcome distance-related challenges. Additionally, targeted outreach and transportation initiatives are necessary to support women facing travel barriers.

There is a widespread belief that disability is a taboo for leadership culturally in Ghana. However, there is little empirical evidence to support this belief. The present study, therefore, explored the disability and leadership construction of Ghana, particularly in Asante and Gonja cultures. This study evokes life course and social constructionist theories. Adopting a qualitative research approach, critical ethnography and narratives were used to conduct the study. Six participants were included in this study. In-depth interviews and interview guides were used as data collection methods and instruments. Critical discourse analysis and life reviews were used to analyze the data. Among the findings were that there are varied cultural constructions of disability and leadership, typically that disability is not a taboo but a competitive disadvantage to leadership, contrary to widely held views. This study contributes critical ethnography and narrative as qualitative research designs to the discourse on disability and development in sync with all the seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals of inclusion emphasizing on the inclusion of all persons.

Cervical cancer continues to disproportionately burden women in sub-Saharan Africa, and is the commonest gynecological cancer in Ghana. The Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC), Battor, Ghana spearheaded the Ghana arm of the mPharma 10,000 Women Initiative (mTTWI) between September 2021 and October 2022. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of nationwide concurrent screening using high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) DNA testing and visual inspection methods, as well as factors associated with the screening outcomes. We conducted a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of hr-HPV infection (nationally and regionally) and cervical lesions among women screened by graduates of our training center in their own settings (spokes) with remote supervision and mentoring by CCPTC trainers (hub). We modeled factors associated with hr-HPV infection using nominal logistic regression. Among 5217 women screened (mean age, 40.1 years), the overall prevalence of hr-HPV infection and cervical lesions were 29.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 27.9–30.3) and 3.7% (95% CI 3.2–4.2), respectively. The prevalence distribution varied widely among regions, with the highest recorded in the Oti Region (32.8%) and the lowest recorded in the Upper West (20.7%) and North-East (20.7%) regions. The most frequently detected HPV genotype was other hr-HPV type(s) only (non-HPV16, non-HPV18) (23.5%; 95% CI 22.3–24.7), followed by HPV16 only (1.5%; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), and mixed infection with HPV18 + other hr-HPV type(s) (1.2%; 95% CI 0.9–1.5). Factors found to be significantly associated with hr-HPV infection among women screened included age < 35 years, having a relationship status apart from married/cohabitation, nulliparity, and HIV positivity. Drawing from our implementation of this model within the mTTWI, we posit that while Ghana prepares for organized screening, coordinating opportunistic screening could enable a phased expansion of cervical precancer screening with the help of international and local partners. This approach, combined with concurrent testing (hr-HPV DNA testing and visual inspection), holds promise for mitigating loss to follow-up among women requiring additional evaluation and lesion management.

This study investigates the Prevalence of Crime Cases Involving Police Officers in a West African Country, employing a quantitative research design to gather insights from a sample size of 50 police officers in Cape Coast through a two-staged sampling technique using both purposive and simple random sampling. Through the lens of Routine Activity Theory, the findings revealed that the motivating factors identified include personal grievances, psychological issues, and dissatisfaction with remuneration, while there is a notable lack of consensus on the influence of financial incentives and peer pressure. The study mainly recommends the establishment of a transparent and accountable organizational culture within the police force.

This study utilises amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) human brain samples from the GEO database and employs differential expression gene (DEG) analysis to identify genes that are pivotal in both neurodegenerative diseases. Through in depth GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, we elucidated the biological functions and potential pathways associated with these DEGs. Furthermore, by constructing protein‒protein interaction networks, we highlight the significance of shared DEGs in both cellular physiology and disease contexts. Analysis of drug‒gene associations revealed potential therapeutic compounds linked to ALS and PD treatment. Additionally, we explored the interactions between transcription factors, miRNAs, and common DEGs, revealing aspects of gene regulatory networks. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of ALS and PD, offering valuable contributions to ongoing research and potential therapeutic avenues.

This study investigated the application of the Kolb model to assess the efficacy of ChatGPT in enhancing English grammar learning. Data were gathered through interviews and observations. By analysing data across the Kolb model’s stages - concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation, and active experimentation - both the strengths and weaknesses of ChatGPT become apparent. The results indicated that while ChatGPT encourages interactive learning and enthusiasm among students, there is a prevailing doubt regarding its accuracy, underscoring the necessity of maintaining a critical mindset towards AI-generated content. Participants emphasised ChatGPT’s supportive role in education, aiding in the understanding and applying grammar concepts. However, concerns regarding ChatGPT’s occasional inaccuracies and struggles to understand contextual nuances are observed. The study highlights the importance of human involvement in AI tools and the need for students to develop technological literacy. Furthermore, it proposes a pedagogical model effectively utilising ChatGPT in English grammar education

Given the essential role played by mangroves in the well-being of humanity, their conservation and wise use are essential to ensure their sustainability. The Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that provides a framework for national action and international collaboration for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources, falls within this context. In Benin, mangroves are restricted to two main blocks, designated Ramsar sites in 2001. However, the evolution of mangroves before and after the declaration of Ramsar sites in Benin is not well understood in terms of the effectiveness of the Ramsar Convention in the conservation and sustainable management of mangroves. This study analyzed the changes in mangrove extent before and after their designation as Ramsar sites. Mangroves were identified based on random forest algorithm using landsat images for 1986, 2001, and 2022. Overall accuracies of images classification ranged from 0.91 to 0.96. The country’s mangrove area was 5117 ha (94.6% on site 1017) in 1986, 2538.5 ha (95.4% on site 1017) in 2001, and 3052.4 ha (96.4% on site 1017) in 2022. From 1986 to 2001, 50% and 57.4% of mangroves were lost in Ramsar sites 1017 and 1018, respectively. In contrast, from 2001 to 2022, a gain of 21.4% was noted in Ramsar site 1017 and a loss of 5.3% in Ramsar site 1018. This differential dynamics of mangroves on both sites might be linked to differences in human activities and restoration initiatives. It further suggests that the designation of mangroves sites as Ramsar sites could have contributed to reduce mangrove loss.