ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Atrial fibrillation in the Middle East: unmapped, underdiagnosed, undertreated

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest persistent cardiac arrhythmia with an estimated incidence rate of between 1.5–2% and an important cause of strokes. Few epidemiological studies and clinical trials on the management of AF have been conducted outside Europe and North America. These gaps in our understanding of AF likely lead to sub-optimal management of patients with AF in the rest of the world. Areas covered: We discuss the epidemiology, treatment and clinical outcomes for AF in the Middle East after systematic review of published work for AF from the Middle East. We also discuss important clinical trials on AF conducted in the West in the same period to help contextualize our findings. Expert commentary: The few available Middle East studies suggest important epidemiological differences between Middle Eastern and Western AF populations. In particular, the Middle Eastern AF population is younger and have more co-morbidities than patients in the West. We find that significant numbers of moderate to high risk patients with AF are either undertreated or untreated placing them at increased risk of complications such as stroke. More studies in the Middle Eastern population are required to aid the development of region-specific clinical guidelines to improve patient care.

Source: UCC
Attaining Children’s Development through Appropriate Assessment Practices: Insights from Kindergarten Teachers

The research contributes to the conversation regarding kindergarten teachers’ knowledge about developmentally assessments practices in attaining curriculum goals of selected kindergartens classrooms within the Ghanaian settings. The mixed method research approach was employed. Quantitative data were gathered from 1,413 teachers using questionnaires, while qualitative data were collected from 10 participants who were interviewed and observed. The participants for the quantitative research were randomly selected from ten districts in the Central Region of Ghana. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. However, the participants for the qualitative research were purposely sampled. The qualitative data were analysed through open and axial coding. The study revealed that KG teachers were achieving curriculum goals and were using developmentally appropriate assessment procedures. They were however, not conversant with some of the curriculum goals and emerging assessment practices. It was also evident that there is a positive relationship between KG teachers’ achievement of the goals and the use of assessment procedures. It was recommended among others that through orientation and training sessions, KG teachers should be given insights into KG curriculum goals and diverse authentic assessment procedures to enhance and promote children’s development in varied ways

Source: UCC
Attaining Satisfaction in Marriage: A Study of Marital Satisfaction Levels of Married Christians in a Developing Country

Marriage is the foundation of all communities, societies and the nation at large. If marriages do not succeed, there is bound to be problems in society. Using the descriptive research design, this study sought to find out the levels of marital satisfaction of 400 married Christians in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana. The study found that Christian married men and women in Accra Metropolis were relatively satisfied in their marriages. Also, there were significant differences in marital satisfaction levels with regard to duration of marriage. Although there were no significant differences in marital satisfaction levels with regard to gender, females reported lesser satisfaction than males. Based on this, women were entreated to initiate counselling when needed to enhance their marital satisfaction.

Source: UCC
Attenuation of Anxiety Behaviours by Xylopic Acid in Mice and Zebrafish Models of Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders affect people worldwide with disabling symptoms. Xylopic acid, an ent- kaurane diterpene, exerts central nervous system depressant, opioid receptor-mediated analgesic and anti-neuropathic pain effects. Agents acting as CNS depressants can ameliorate anxiety disorders hence, this study evaluates the anxiolytic potential of xylopic acid in mice and zebrafish. Xylopic acid was given orally at 3, 10 or 30 mg kg -1 to mice or 3, 10 or 30 µM to zebrafish. Anxiety was assessed in mice using open field (OFT), novelty- induced hypophagia (NIH), and elevated plus maze (EPM) models and in zebrafish using novel tank (NT) and scototaxis (ST) models. Additionally, xylopic acid’s activity on anxiety induced by alcohol withdrawal was also evaluated. Xylopic acid at doses 3-30 mg kg-1 reduced latency to feeding in mice in the hyponeophagia test for anxiety and also significantly reduced thigmotaxis in the OFT at 30 mg kg-1 (P<0.001). All mice given xylopic acid significantly spent more time in the open arms of the EPM (P<0.001). At 10 µM xylopic acid- treated zebrafish exhibited significant (P<0.001) reduction in time spent at bottom of novel tank but it did not reduce scototaxis in the light-dark test. Furthermore, xylopic acid attenuated increased bottom dwelling induced by alcohol withdrawal in zebrafish. The doses of xylopic acid used did not impair locomotion in the chimney test for mice. These findings indicate anxiolytic-like properties of xylopic acid in mice and zebrafish models of anxiety disorder

Source: UCC
Attenuation of oxidative stress and artificial wound closure in C2C12 myoblasts induced by sequential extracts of Boerhavia diffusa

Objectives Whole plants of Boerhavia diffusa L. are widely used medicine in Ghana and other tropical countries, for the treatment of wounds and other ailments. The aim of the study was to determine the ability of sequential extracts of B. diffusa to influence oxidation and wound closure in myoblast cells in vitro. Methods Sequential extracts were prepared from the whole plant using four solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water). Cytotoxicity was determined using the sulforhodamine B staining assay, phase-contrast microscopy, plasDIC microscopy and live–dead staining. Extracts were tested for their ability to reduce 2,20-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)- induced oxidation and mediate cell migration after artificial wound generation in C2C12 myoblast cells using the scratch wound assay. Key findings All extracts indicated negligible cytotoxicity (IC50 > 100 lg/ml), and microscopic evaluation showed no difference from negative controls. AAPH induced a 2.87-fold increase in reactive oxygen species compared to the negative control. Pretreatment with 100 lg/ml of the extracts reduced AAPH-induced oxidation to 1.70-fold of the untreated controls (P < 0.001). Wound closures in the methanol and water extract treatments were 18.08% and 20.76% higher than the negative control, respectively (P < 0.01). Conclusions These findings indicate that the hexane, methanol and water extracts of B. diffusa whole plant promote artificial wound healing and protection against oxidation in vitro and therefore warrant further research into its mechanisms of wound healing.

Source: UCC
The attitude and competence level of basic school teachers in the teaching of ICT in Cape Coast Metropolis

The use of ICT has impacted to some extent on almost every facet of our daily activities. Students of today grow up with an array of technology both at home and at school. Educators and governments have also devoted huge resources to the provision of technology in the learning environment. Despite the increase in ICT tools in Ghanaian basic schools, some teachers do not use them in their teaching.The general purpose of the study is to examine the attitude and competence level of basic school teachers in teaching ICT in Cape Coast Metropolis. In all 50 schools and 150 teachers were selected for the study. SPSS version 20.0 was the software used for the data analysis. The sampling technique that was used is stratified random sample. Frequency tables, t-test, pie charts, bar chats, mean and standard deviation were also used in presenting the data. The study revealed that majority of the teachers have poor attitude towards the teaching of ICT. Majority of the teachers has good competency level in MS word and spreadsheets use but not in email use. On the contrary, most of the teachers lack training and knowledge about computers and have no previous experience in the use of computers. Again, it was recommended that teachers should be given the necessary training in ICT usage so that they become familiar with modern pedagogy of imparting knowledge and skills.

Source: UCC
Attitude and competence level of Basic school teachers in the teaching of ICT in Cape Coast Metropolis

The use of ICT is impacting on almost every facet of our daily activities. Educators and governments have therefore devoted huge resources to the provision of technology in the learning environment. Despite the increase in ICT tools in Ghana, many teachers do not use them in their teaching. The purpose of this study is to measure the attitude and competence level of basic school teachers in teaching ICT. The research design used is the descriptive survey design. Stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting 150 teachers and questionnaire was used as research instrument. Frequency tables, t-test, mean and standard deviation were computed by means of SPSS version 20.0. The study revealed that majority of the teachers have poor attitude towards the teaching of ICT. The findings indicated a close gap in ICT competencies between males and females. Also, there was no significant difference between male and female teachers in their ICT competence level. We recommend that teachers should be given the necessary training in ICT usage so that they become familiar with modern pedagogy using ICT.

Source: UCC
Attitude and perception of students of Winneba community health nurses’ training school towards breast cancer

This study sought insight into attitude and perception of students of Winneba Community Health Nurses’ Training School (CHNTS) towards breast cancer. The study was an investigation to find out if there was a significant difference between first and second year students of CHNTS in the attitude towards breast cancer. A descriptive survey design was chosen for this study. The instrument used in collecting the data for the study was a researcher-developed questionnaire. The sample size selected for the study was 120 and comprising 59 first year and 61 second year students. The model of analysis of data involved the use of frequency and percentage tables and Independent Samples t-test. The results from the findings of the study showed that students had a positive attitude towards breast cancer. The study also showed that students had a good perception of breast cancer. The study also revealed that there was no significant difference in the means of the attitude of the first and second year towards breast cancer. It was recommended among other things that students should be encouraged to maintain this good attitude and measures should be taken by school taken to improve on the attitude of the students as a better attitude towards breast cancer is more desirable among students in particular and the general population at large. In addition, the use of the media in disseminating information on breast cancer is effective and should be continued.

Source: UCC
The attitude of basic school mathematics teachers towards instructional supervision in Cape Coast Metropolis

The study aimed at investigating the attitude of basic school mathematics teachers towards instructional supervision in Cape Coast Metropolis. The population for the study comprised the basic school mathematics teachers, headteachers and circuit supervisors in the Cape Coast Metropolis. A total sample size of one hundred ninety-eight (198) was used. This was made up of 168 teachers, 24 headteachers and 6 circuit supervisors. The sampling techniques employed to select the schools and the respondents for the study were stratified and simple random sampling methods. The stratified and simple random sampling were used to select the schools from the various school types (below average, average and above average achieving schools) while purposive sampling was used to select the teachers, the headteachers and the circuit supervisors. The instrument used for the study was questionnaire. One set of questionnaire was for teachers and the other set was for headteachers and circuit supervisors. A reliability coefficient of 0.87 and 0.81 were obtained for teachers and headteachers and circuit supervisors questionnaires respectively using the Cronbach‟s Alpha. The statistical tools used for the data analysis were descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and frequency counts and “the One-way ANOVA inferential statistics”. The study found that basic school mathematics teachers had positive attitude towards supervision in all the various school types. Again it was found that attitudes of teachers in the average schools were better than the above-average schools. It is therefore recommended that supervision should be continued and be geared towards professional development of teachers so as to help improve and sustain their positive attitudes.

Source: UCC
Attitude Of Cocobod Workers in Takoradi Towards Investment

It is imperative for one to note that economy of any country is largely determined by the investments leading to effective capital formation. This therefore implies that investment plays a critical role in economic growth of any country. The researcher was therefore motivated to assess the attitude of COCOBOD workers in Takoradi towards investment. The study was grounded in descriptive design where quantitative methods were employed. To ascertain data for the study, primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire. A simple random sample selection was employed to select respondents for the study. A sample size of 150 COCOBOD workers were involved in the study. The results from the study gave evidence that some factors influence investment decisions by COCOBOD workers. Some of these predominant factors included economic condition of the country, Political stability of the country, easy access to the investment company, past experiences or history of the investor etc. Accumulated evidences from the study further suggested that most workers of COCOBOD engaged in some types of investment. Some of the found investment types were banks fixed deposits, buying of land (building a house), purchasing of bonds and shares, mutual funds, setting up a business etc. Securing the future, emergency needs, stability of money against inflation, receiving of multiple streams of income and means of saving were some benefits attached to investment. It was recommended that government put in structures to improve working conditions for staffs so that enough funds can be raised in order to invest part.

Source: UCC
The Attitude of Head Teachers towards the Instructional Supervision of Beginning Senior High School Economics Teachers in the Kumasi Metropolis

The attitude of head teachers towards instructional supervision has a greater impart on the professional development of Senior High School Beginning Economics teachers professional development. This study examined the attitude of Head teachers towards the instructional supervision of beginning senior high school economics teachers. The study was a quantitative research which adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. In all, 98 Head teachers were selected for the study. Data was collected on a 5-point likert scale questionnaire strongly agree to strongly disagree. The descriptive statistics which comprise mean and standard deviation were used to analysed the data that was obtained. The study found out that Head teachers attach a great level of importance to beginning Economics teachers‟ instructional supervision. Again, it was found out that Head teachers encounter the fundamental Challenges of the instructional supervision process. Also, the most adopted approach to instructional supervision adopted by the school heads was the clinical approach to instructional supervision. Lastly, it was found out that there is a statistically significant difference between the level of importance private and public Head teachers attach to Beginning SHS Economics teachers' instructional supervision. It was recommended that the Ghana Education Service must set up an independent body to monitor the supervisory activities of Public Senior High School Heads.

Source: UCC
Attitude of Jss 3 students in the Cape-Coast municipality of Ghana towards littering

Littering is a problem worldwide, Ghana being no exception. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the attitude of JSS 3 students in the Cape Coast municipality towards littering. Two hundred and forty students were sampled from a population of 2,398 using the stratified random sampling technique. The sample comprised 120 males and 120 females. A 52-item questionnaire was used to gather information relating to the attitude of students towards littering as well as their awareness on the effects of littering. The internal consistency of the instrument was 0.83 using Cronbach alpha reliability. The data collected were analyzed using percentages, means and independent t-test at a significance level of 0.05. The results revealed that JSS3 students were against littering and were aware of the effects of littering. Littering was also found to be an important environmental concern among students. The conclusions of the study are: 1) Male and female JSS 3 students are aware of the effects of littering to a very large extent. 2) Urban and rural JSS 3 students are aware of the effects of littering to a very large extent. 3) There is no significant difference between male and female JSS 3 students in their attitude towards littering. 4) There is no significant difference between urban and rural JSS 3 students in their attitude towards littering. Students indicated that they were against littering. Such a positive attitude would be a good starting point for more education of pupils on the topic and for developing proper practices of waste disposal as far as littering is concerned. Efforts should therefore be made to increase awareness among students on the effects of littering

Source: UCC
Attitude of junior high school students towards the use of punishment in behaviour management

This study investigated the attitude of Junior High School (JHS) students in the Sissala East Municipality towards the use of punishment in behaviour management. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. A total of 291 respondents were sampled from an accessible population of 1,208 JHS Two students using probability sampling techniques. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The data was analysed using Means, Standard Deviations and Mann-Whitney U test. The study revealed that there is frequent use of corporal punishment in Junior High Schools in the Sissala East Municipality. It also found that Junior High School (JHS) students in the Municipality have negative attitudes towards the use of punishment, as well as towards teachers who use punishment in behaviour management. More so, respondents reported that punishment has both positive and negative impact on the behaviour of students. However, the study found no statistically significant differences in the attitudes of JHS students, in terms of sex and age, towards the use of punishment in behaviour management. The study therefore recommends teachers to stop the use of corporal punishment such as caning, insulting, and asking students to kneel down. Teachers are also encouraged to use alternatives to corporal punishment to manage disruptive behaviour, such as asking students to sweep. Also, the study encourages teachers to learn and apply various strategies that make alternatives to corporal punishment effective.

Source: UCC
Attitude of Junior Secondary School Students towards the Study of Science

This problem was studied in its proper perspective by analyzing the situation of girls’ education in Science subjects, as it exists in Ghana with reference to J.S.S. pupils’ attitude to Science. Using a stratified random sample of junior secondary school students from public and private schools, the study investigated the attitudes of junior secondary school students towards the study of science. Data were collected using survey instrument. The findings indicate that girls do not enjoy science as much as boys do.

Source: UCC
Attitude of muslim parents towards girl-child education in Bawku municipality in the Upper East region of Ghana

The study which used descriptive survey design was basically to find out the attitudes of Muslim parents towards girl-child education in Bawku Municipality in the Upper-East Region of Ghana. A sample of 100 respondents from communities in the Bawku Municipality comprised 25 farmers, 25 unemployed youth, 25 opinion leaders and 25 petty traders was used. A questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics. A main finding was that in the Muslim communities, the woman's role is limited to the kitchen as such she did not need formal education. It was also established that boys in the Muslim communities are offered more educational opportunities than girls. Also the low level of female enrolment and low retention rate are due to economic constraints, socio-cultural beliefs and practices such as early marriage, teenage pregnancies and child labour. To do away with this erroneous notion that the girl-child for that matter the woman's place is in the kitchen, a vigorous campaign by religious leaders and other stakeholders should be organized to educate parents about the importance of the girl-child education especially among the Muslim parents.

Source: UCC
Attitude of public sector workers towards voluntary pension schemes: a case study of the Upper East Region of Ghana

A public pension scheme is the only formal scheme that guarantees income security for the aged. In this regard, the voluntary pension scheme is an income supplement, therefore, it is economically prudent for workers to embrace the schemes as an optional insurance to ensure income security and alleviate poverty among individuals to cope with major retirement risks. The purpose of the study was to assess the attitude of public sector workers towards voluntary pension schemes as a way of providing adequate income security as a supplement for Ghanaian workers. The study used simple random and purposive sampling techniques to sample 375 public sector workers and managers/regional representatives of tier-three funds from the Upper East Region of Ghana. Data was collected using administration of questionnaires and through an interview guide whiles the analysis of data gathered was done using SSPS version 23. The study revealed that, majority of Public sector workers have little knowledge about the voluntary pension scheme as a component of the Three-Tier Scheme. The study further revealed that the voluntary pension scheme provides better pension benefits to Ghanaian workers. Additionally, the study posits consensually that, provident funds are poorly managed in Ghana. Therefore, there is a need for public education and sensitizations to bridge this knowledge gap ensuring that people understand all aspect of voluntary pension schemes to increase the number of enrolment and sustainability of the scheme. It is also imperative for Government to make it mandatory for employers to also contribute to employees’ provident fund under the recent pension scheme.

Source: UCC