ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exploring the development of a household cholera-focused health literacy scale in James Town, Accra

Background: Foodborne diseases are significant reasons for in-patient and out-patient morbidity in Ghana. Of the foodborne illnesses reported in the country, cholera incidence and outbreaks have resulted in food-related mortality since the disease was first reported in the 1970s. Cholera is now endemic in the country. This study attempts to develop and pilot a tool to measure household health literacy among the urban poor in James Town, a cholera endemic neighborhood. Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed based on four of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on issues for measurement of health literacy in low- and middle-income countries. The instrument was administered to 401 households in the community. We undertook reliability and validity analyses. T-test, Kruskal Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney test were used to examine the association between the health literacy scores of the scale and subscales and the demographic characteristics of households. Results: The reliability analyses showed that the instrument was internally consistent (Cronbach alpha=0.762). All the subscales were reliable except the beliefs about health and healthcare subscale. Based on content and construct validity analyses, 13 items were used for further examination of health literacy. We found that majority of households know about the information, education, and communication materials and 52% of households indicated that these materials remind them about the dangers of cholera. About 39% of the households decide together as a unit on steps to avoid getting cholera during an outbreak. Overall health literacy scores and the subscales were significantly associated with sex, age, marital status, and educational level of household head. Specifically, females, being married, increasing age and higher household income had a significant association with higher health literacy scores. Conclusion: Household units in James Town impacts individual health literacy through: family discussions; access to information, education, and communication materials on cholera; and intentional efforts made to get information on cholera risk factors.

Source: UG
Exploring the dialogic communication potential of selected African destinations' place websites

As websites have become increasingly popular as a source of information for customers, place websites can play a critical role in the choices potential visitors/tourists make about destinations. This study aims at understanding how the dialogic communication potential of four African destinations' place websites relates to destination image from the perspective of potential visitors/tourists. The study employed a quantitative research approach for data collection and analyses. Specifically, data was analysed using the structural equation modelling ap proach. The dialogic communication principles of a website serve as an antecedent to forming customer per ceptions about a destination. The destination image impression of a country positively relates to visiting in tentions; an indication that perceived destination image is another antecedent of visiting intentions. Place websites have surprisingly not adequately featured in academic and practitioner interrogation with respect to brand marketing and communications and this paper is one of the attempts to address this research lacuna. Significant implications for researchers and managers promoting destinations have been highlighted.

Source: UG
Exploring the dialogic communication potential of selected African destinations' place websites

As websites have become increasingly popular as a source of information for customers, place websites can play a critical role in the choices potential visitors/tourists make about destinations. This study aims at understanding how the dialogic communication potential of four African destinations’ place websites relates to destination image from the perspective of potential visitors/tourists. The study employed a quantitative research approach for data collection and analyses. Specifically, data was analysed using the structural equation modelling approach. The dialogic communication principles of a website serve as an antecedent to forming customer perceptions about a destination. The destination image impression of a country positively relates to visiting intentions; an indication that perceived destination image is another antecedent of visiting intentions. Place websites have surprisingly not adequately featured in academic and practitioner interrogation with respect to brand marketing and communications and this paper is one of the attempts to address this research lacuna. Significant implications for researchers and managers promoting destinations have been highlighted. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.

Source: UG
Exploring the disclosure of intellectual capital in Ghana: Evidence from listed companies

Intellectual Capital (IC) has become a prominent feature of business transactions and discourse. The rising interests in IC and Intellectual Capital Disclosure (ICD) issues in both developed and developing countries have necessitated insightful studies. This study explores ICD in Ghana and seeks to contribute to fill the dearth in the literature on ICD from the perspective of developing countries. The study examines the ICD of 25 companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) over a five-year period (2006-2010) through content analysis of their corporate annual reports. The study revealed that the ICD level in annual reports in Ghana is quite high and descriptively reported and though disclosure of IC is improving but at a relatively marginal rate. Therefore looking at the trend of ICDs by the companies, the study recommends the need for accounting regulatory bodies and oversight agencies (local and global) to develop specific standards or guidelines on identifying, measuring and reporting IC. This paper is one of the few studies to have investigated the disclosure of IC in corporate annual reports in Ghana.

Source: UG
Exploring the dominant learning styles of adult learners in higher education

In today’s complex and knowledge-driven world, the quest to pursue and acquire information and skills to enable one to be useful in society is not limited to young learners; many older adults also actively seek to acquire new knowledge and skills. The study presented in this article aims to establish the characteristics and dominant learning styles of adults enrolled in a diploma programme at an institution of higher education in Ghana. In a qualitative case study approach using a homogenous sam pling technique, 21 students (aged 27–54, 10 female, 11 male) were asked to fll in a learning styles questionnaire and to participate in focus group interviews. Based on these participants’ responses, the study found three learning styles to be dominant: pragmatist, refector and theorist. An interesting fnding was the absence of a fourth type among participants, the activist learning style. Since it is clear that not all adult learners engage well with the typical theoretical and conceptual content that is taught in higher education institutions, understanding these four adult learning styles should inform higher education policies in order to make learning equally enjoyable and maximise efective learning for all four types of adult learners. Other signifcant fndings of this study open up avenues for further research on how an understanding of learning styles can be used to enhance learning by adults.

Source: UG
Exploring the dominant learning styles of adult learners in higher education

In today’s complex and knowledge-driven world, the quest to pursue and acquire information and skills to enable one to be useful in society is not limited to young learners; many older adults also actively seek to acquire new knowledge and skills. The study presented in this article aims to establish the characteristics and dominant learning styles of adults enrolled in a diploma program at an institution of higher education in Ghana. In a qualitative case study approach using a homogenous sampling technique, 21 students (aged 27–54, 10 female, 11 male) were asked to fill in a learning styles questionnaire and to participate in focus group interviews. Based on these participants’ responses, the study found three learning styles to be dominant: Pragmatist, reflector, and theorist. An interesting finding was the absence of a fourth type among participants, the activist learning style. Since it is clear that not all adult learners engage well with the typical theoretical and conceptual content that is taught in higher education institutions, understanding these four adult learning styles should inform higher education policies to make learning equally enjoyable and maximize effective learning for all four types of adult learners. Other significant findings of this study open up avenues for further research on how an understanding of learning styles can be used to enhance learning by adults.

Source: UG
Exploring the drivers of teacher professionalism in Ghana

This research aimed to explore the working conditions teachers in the Ghana Education Service perceived as motivators in their professional practice. The research used mainly a qualitative approach and three focus groups of five members: each were organised with teacher participants drawn from the Ashanti Region purposively selected. The research revealed that the sources of motivation in the participants’ professional practice related to selfless and internal factors rather than external factors. The research concluded that since not all teachers were selflessly and internally motivated, there was the need for the government to do more to improve teachers’ working conditions so as to motivate those that were externally motivated.

Source: UG
Exploring the evolving relationship between students and nurse educators in tertiary institutions in Ghana

Background As most nursing academics have suggested, training student nurses to be professionals with all the qualities of a good nurse requires time and attention to detail. Students in the nursing program exhibit enthu siasm and dedication to succeeding in their chosen feld from the moment they are accepted into the school. This comes with varied expectations regarding teaching, learning, and relationships with educators. It is essential how teaching and learning are afected by the student-nursing-tutor interaction, which signifcantly impacts learning, growth, and professional development. This study explored the evolving relationship between students and educa tors in nursing institutions from the perspective of students. Methods The study used an exploratory, descriptive qualitative approach to understand the phenomenon. Partici pants in the fnal year of their training were recruited, and a focused group discussion was conducted. Thirty partici pants, all students, were involved in the study. Data saturation determined the sample size. All the interactions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcriptions were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The fndings revealed two main themes, initial relationship and subsequent relationship, with related sub themes: uncertainty regarding the initial relationship, welcoming relationship, infuencers of subsequent relationship and adaptational relationship. Students mentioned that they are admitted into nursing institutions with personal expectations and preconceived notions about educators, leading to interaction uncertainty. Some of these notions were confrmed as their expectations were unmet. It was reported that students experienced a welcoming frst interaction. However, the subsequent relationship was infuenced by educators’ attitudes and teaching approaches. Overall, students described the student-tutor relationship as adaptational. Conclusion This study provides actionable recommendations for improving nursing education practices in Ghana. Findings reiterate the impact of unhealthy student-educator relationships on learning and teaching outcomes; there fore, educators should deliberately enhance their relationships by properly socialising students into the profession and acting as role models. Educators should regularly refect on student interactions and enhance their skills for better output

Source: UG
Exploring the experiences of mental health nurses in the management of schizophrenia in the Upper East Region of Ghana: a qualitative study

Objective Schizophrenia is a chronic condition, of which the diagnosis and management require comprehensive care. The role mental health nurses play in this management cannot be overemphasised. In an effort to give their best, several challenges confront them which need to be sought and addressed. This study aimed to explore the factors that influence the management of schizophrenia by mental health nurses in the Upper East Region. Design and participants A descriptive phenomenology design was used in this study. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted among 18 purposively sampled mental health nurses using a semistructured interview guide. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using Colaizzi’s approach. Setting The study was conducted in five primary and secondary-level health facilities in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Findings Five themes were deduced from the theoretical framework, which were as follows: individual factors, interpersonal factors, organisational factors, community-level factors, and policy-level factors. At the individual level, factors such as the condition of the patient at presentation, medication side effects, inadequate knowledge, and poor adherence were identified. Interpersonal factors identified were poor communication, lack of mutual respect, and poor communication, while organisational factors such as inadequate staff, inadequate infrastructure and logistics, and unavailability of antipsychotics were reported. Moreover, the study identified community-level factors such as stigma and cultural beliefs, while policy-level factors such as laws regarding suicide, patient rights, and non-inclusion of mental health services into the National Health Insurance Scheme were reported as factors influencing the management of schizophrenia by mental health nurses. Conclusions Addressing these factors is essential to ensure sustainable improvements and the effective management of schizophrenia. It is imperative to consider these factors when designing interventions and policies to optimise the management of schizophrenia by mental health nurses in Ghana.

Source: UG
Exploring the factors that affect the transition from student to health professional

Background: The nature of a new health professional’s transition from student to health professional is a significant determinant of the ease or difficulty of the journey to professional competence. The integrative review will explore the extent of literature on the factors that impact the transition of new health professionals into practice, identify possible gaps and synthesise findings which will inform further research. The aim was to identify research conducted in the last two decades on the barriers, facilitators and coping strategies employed by new health professionals during their transition into practice. Methods: Whittemore and Knafl’s methodological framework for conducting integrative reviews was used to guide this review. Sources between 1999 and 2019 were gathered using EBSCOhost (including CINAHL, Medline, Academic Search Premier, Health Science: Nursing and Academic Edition), PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science, as well as hand searching and follow-up of bibliographies followed. The Covidence platform was used to manage the project. All studies were screened against a predetermined selection criteria. Relevant data was extracted from included sources and analysed using thematic analysis approach. Results: Of the 562 studies identified, relevant data was extracted from 24 studies that met the inclusion criteria, and analysed to form this review. Thematic analysis approach was used to categorise the findings into theme areas. Four overarching themes emerged namely: systems and structures, personal capacities, professional competence and mediating processes. Each theme revealed the barriers, facilitators and coping strategies of transition into practice among new health graduates. Conclusion: The transition into practice for new health practitioners has been described as complex and a period of great stress. Increasing clinical and practical experiences during education are required to support new health professionals in the process of closing the gap between learning and practice. Continued professional development activities should be readily available and attendance of these encouraged. Keywords: Role transition, Clinical practice, New clinicians, Professional competence, Novice professionals, Professional practice, Systematic literature review

Source: UG
Exploring the factors that affect the transition from student to health professional: an Integrative review

Background: The nature of a new health professional’s transition from student to health professional is a significant determinant of the ease or difficulty of the journey to professional competence. The integrative review will explore the extent of literature on the factors that impact the transition of new health professionals into practice, identify possible gaps and synthesise findings which will inform further research. The aim was to identify research conducted in the last two decades on the barriers, facilitators and coping strategies employed by new health professionals during their transition into practice. Methods: Whittemore and Knafl’s methodological framework for conducting integrative reviews was used to guide this review. Sources between 1999 and 2019 were gathered using EBSCOhost (including CINAHL, Medline, Academic Search Premier, Health Science: Nursing and Academic Edition), PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science, as well as hand searching and follow-up of bibliographies followed. The Covidence platform was used to manage the project. All studies were screened against a predetermined selection criteria. Relevant data was extracted from included sources and analysed using thematic analysis approach. Results: Of the 562 studies identified, relevant data was extracted from 24 studies that met the inclusion criteria, and analysed to form this review. Thematic analysis approach was used to categorise the findings into theme areas. Four overarching themes emerged namely: systems and structures, personal capacities, professional competence and mediating processes. Each theme revealed the barriers, facilitators and coping strategies of transition into practice among new health graduates. Conclusion: The transition into practice for new health practitioners has been described as complex and a period of great stress. Increasing clinical and practical experiences during education are required to support new health professionals in the process of closing the gap between learning and practice. Continued professional development activities should be readily available and attendance of these encouraged.

Source: UG
Exploring the impact of hydrostatic pressure on the structural, electronic and mechanical properties of ZrNiPb half-Heusler alloy: A DFT approach

The structural, electronic, elastic and mechanical properties of ZrNiPb half-Heusler alloy under pressure ranging from 0 to 25 GPa have been studied using the density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The results of ambient condition were in good agreement with the available theoretical and experimental data. Our electronic structure and density of state results show that ZrNiPb is an indirect bandgap semiconductor half-Heusler alloy with a narrow energy gap of 0.375 eV. Based on the calculated elastic constants (C11, C12 and C44), Young’s modulus (E), Poisson’s ratio (ν), Shear modulus (G), Zener anisotropy factor (A) and brittle-ductile behaviors under pressure have been discussed. The calculated Poisson’s ratio shows that ZrNiPb undergoes a relatively small volume change during uniaxial deformation. We show that the chemical bonds in ZrNiPb are stronger due to the high value of C11.

Source: UG
Exploring the Impact of Persuasive Features on Customer Satisfaction Levels of E-Commerce Websites Based on the Kano Model

This study investigated user needs and expectations in relation to the 28 persuasive features of the Persuasive Systems Design model. It adopted the Kano’s model of customer needs and expectations to examine perceive user satisfaction or dissatisfaction levels of the various system features on e-commerce websites. The findings provide guidelines for designing e-commerce platforms and websites that seek to employ persuasive strategies to enhance user experience. It was observed that persuasive system features do not consistently affect user satisfaction and dissatisfaction levels. Features relating to dialogue support had the highest influence on user satisfaction levels; followed respectively by credibility support and primary task support. Social support features do not have a high influence on user satisfaction. No persuasive system feature emerged as a “must-be” feature.

Source: UG
Exploring The Implications Of Using Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) As A Pathway For School-Community Development.

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to increase understanding of the relationship between parent-teacher associations(PTAs) activities and school-community development,with a particular emphasis on thewaysinwhich PTAs are utilized as supplemental or alternative sources of funding or support for school self-development initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on a case study conducted in two Ghanaian elementary schools. Field notes, in-depth interviews and observations of PTA members(n 5 21) and activities make up the data. The article theoretically adopts a community development practice that is predicated on promoting solidarity and agency by upholding the ideas of felt needs, self-help and participation. Findings – The study revealed that PTA initiatives can improve the diversity of activities available within a school while also building the skills and capacity of local communities and enabling individuals to make social connections. The study mainly recommended that in making educational systems resilient, such school-community-based resources of resilience should be preserved, fostered and valued. Practical implications – The findings are practically relevant to local school managers and other stakeholders involved in school leadership, promoting the relationships between PTAs, school management, children’s well-being and community development, particularly in sub-Saharan African schools like those in Ghana. Originality/value – This article explores PTA’s involvement in school-community development in Ghana, a relatively under-researched area in this approach, using a community development practice approach, highlighting PTA’s impacts, implementation and challenges at elementary schools in the post-COVID era.

Source: UG