ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Perceived social support disparities among children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana: a cross-sectional survey

Background: The study investigated whether perceived social support varied among children who have lost their parents to AIDS, those who have lost their parents to other causes, those who are living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers and children from intact families (comparison group). Method: This study employed cross-sectional, quantitative survey that involved 291 children aged 10–18 years in the Lower Manya Krobo District of Ghana and examined their social support disparities. Results: Multivariate linear regressions indicate that children living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers reported significantly lower levels of social support compared with AIDS-orphaned children, other-orphaned children and non-orphaned children independent of socio-demographic covariates. Children who have lost their parents to other causes and other-orphaned children reported similar levels of social support. In terms of sources of support, all children orphans and vulnerable children were more likely to draw support from friends and significant others rather than from the family. Conclusion: The findings indicate a need to develop interventions that can increase levels of social support for orphaned and vulnerable children within the context of HIV/AIDS in Ghana, particularly networks that include the family.

Source: UCC
Perceived Social Support from Parents and Teachers’ Influence on Students' Mathematics-Related Self-Beliefs

Studies have shown that parents’ and teachers’ behaviors shape young people’s self-beliefs and achievement in mathematics. Little research has documented the ways in which perceived social support (PSS) promotes students’ self-beliefs (self-confidence and self-concept) towards mathematics in Ghana. Given the important role that students’ PSS (from parents and teachers) plays in fostering children's academic interest, this paper aims to identify the empirical link between PSS and students’ mathematics self-beliefs. The sample consisted of 2034 12th grade (average age = 18.49, girls = 58.20%) high-school students. The possible mediating role of students’ self-confidence on the relationship between students’ PSS and self-concept was examined using latent variable structural equation modeling. The results indicated that PSS statistically significantly predicts students’ mathematics self-belief. Moreover, students’ mathematics self-confidence was found to play a mediating role between PSS and mathematics self-concept. The proportion of the effects mediated, however, varied across the two support sources from 12% to 34%. The findings lend support to the theoretical assumptions in the literature that supportive social relationships influence students’ self-beliefs.

Source: UCC
Perceived Sources of Test Score Pollution in Junior High Schools in the Northern Region, Ghana

The impact of assessment results on teaching and learning development cannot be overstated. The performance of teachers, schools, and education systems is measured using test results. However there are concerns regarding dissatisfaction with achievement tests scores, misuse, and overuse of test results, high pressure to produce high test scores, high stakes nature of many tests uses, test scores used to determine educational improvements. The study assessed the perceived sources of test score pollution in Junior High Schools in two selected districts in the Northern Region, Ghana. A quantitative approach using descriptive survey was used for the study thus, the use of questionnaires to elicit responses from selected teachers. Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Independent samples t-test) were used to analyze the data. A total of 265 teachers were sampled from the two districts (Yendi and Saboba). The findings confirmed the main sources of test scores pollution in the districts as teacher factor, situational factor (test administration), and external factor (parents and community). The study further revealed that the incidence of test scores pollution was higher in private schools than the public schools. Again, test scores pollution was revealed to be higher in Yendi municipality than in Saboba district. It was recommended that government should take steps to reduce the high stakes nature of standardized examinations in the country and again provide appropriate in-service training to Junior High School teachers on testing practices to help curb the situation where teachers spend much time in class in preparing students for tests to the neglect of meaningful learning.

Source: UCC
Perceived spatial agglomeration effects and hotel location choice

Spatial agglomeration is a firm behaviour and mostly occurs because of competition among firms to enjoy spatial agglomeration effects and have the tendency to influence hotel location choice. However, the literature on urban tourism has mostly neglected the influence of perceived spatial agglomeration effects on hotel location choice, especially in the developing countries. The study assessed the influence of perceived spatial agglomeration effects in determining hotel location in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Data were collected from hotel owners in the Metropolis and analysed with the x2 test of independence and binary logistic regression. Four main perceived spatial agglomeration effects were found to significantly determine hotel location in the Metropolis

Source: UCC
Perceived stress levels and coping strategies of immediate family caregivers of hospitalised patients in the intensive care unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Illness of a family member causes a perplexing feeling in the family, especially when a family member is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Immediate Family Caregivers (IFCs) of these patients tend to experience higher levels of stress. However, not much is known about the stress levels, stressors and coping strategies of IFCs in Ghana. This study sought to investigate the perceived stress levels and coping strategies of IFCs of hospitalised patients in the ICU and to examine the effect of stressors on perceived stress levels. The study employed a cross-sectional design and total population sampling method to select 301 IFCs of ICU patients as respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0. The statistical tests used were means, standard deviations, factor analysis, multiple regression and moderation analysis. The results indicated that the majority of IFCs of ICU patients had moderate perceived stress levels. The main stressors were staff communication, alteration in caregiver’s role and patients’ emotional responses. Frequently used coping strategies were social seeking support, positive reappraisal and accepting responsibility. The study, however, revealed that these coping strategies were not effective in resolving the perceived stress levels among the IFCs. The results showed that stressors affect perceived stress levels. Also, coping strategies interact with stressors to affect perceived stress levels. Confrontive coping strategy was found to be the most effective coping strategy. It is, therefore, important for health care professionals to take the responsibility of educating and caring for the IFCs as well.

Source: UCC
Perceived Stress Levels of Fresh University Students in Ghana: A Case Study

Over the last two decades, the number of higher education students in Ghanaian universities has steadily increased. The rapid changes in the lives of fresh university students, some of which are adolescents and particular challenges associated with education at this level may expose them to stress. There is however limited information on stress perceived by fresh undergraduate students in Ghanaian universities. The aim of this study was to therefore investigate stress levels of fresh undergraduate students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The case study design was adopted and information was on perceived stress levels among newly admitted educational psychology students and the extent to which these could be linked to such background characteristics as age, gender and work experience or time spent awaiting university admission after graduation from high school. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was administered on 398 respondents and data were analysed with the frequency distribution and t-Test statistics. Findings indicated that 70% of the students had moderate level of perceived stress whilst 3.5% demonstrated high level of stress. Results also indicated that female fresh undergraduates had significantly higher perceived stress levels than their male counterparts. There was a significant difference between the mean perceived stress of fresh undergraduate students admitted within two years of their graduation from senior high school and those who waited longer before they were admitted. Employment statuses before admission and age have no significant influence on perceived stress levels. Implications of the findings for future research, lecturers, school administrators, counsellors and health workers were discussed and recommendations were made.

Source: UCC
The perceived washback effects of high-stakes test on teaching and learning of business courses in senior high schools in eastern region of Ghana

The study sought to examine the perceived washback effects of High-stakes test on teaching and learning in the eastern region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Purposive and disproportionate stratified sampling techniques were adopted for the study. A total of 218 business teachers and 380 business students were used for the study. A 44-item Questionnaire and 30-item questionnaire were used to collect data from teachers and students respectively. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and MANOVA were the statistical tools used for the analysis. Findings from the study revealed both teachers and students held negative perception of WASSCE. Again, the study found out that test preparation activities have dominated teachers‘ classroom practices. It was also identified that teachers and students relied on test-oriented materials and commercially produced textbooks flooded with WASSCE past questions. Again, the study found out that WASSCE had encouraged teachers to teach more and also, being innovative in the classroom. Again, the study revealed there was no statistically significant difference in the washback effects of WASSCE among SHS1, SHS2 and SHS 3 students. It was concluded that WASSCE as a high-stakes test influences teaching and learning intended and unintended at the senior high school. It was therefore recommended that WAEC should consider other forms of testing to promote positive or beneficial washback effect on teaching and learning. Also, Ghana Education Service and heads of institutions should provide in-service and staff development trainings for teachers on the effect on accountability pressure to minimize the pressure on teachers to increase test scores which may lead to narrowing the curriculum

Source: UCC
Perceived Washback Effects of High-Stakes Test on Teaching and Learning: A Study of Senior High School Economics Teachers and Students

This study investigated the perceived washback effects of high-stakes test on the teaching and learning of Economics. The study was a quantitative research which adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. In all, 600 and 100 SHS Economics students and teachers respectively, were sampled for the study. Data were collected through a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Both descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (ANOVA and independent t-test) were used to analyse the data that were obtained. The study found out that WASSCE Economics examination had a negative washback effects on classroom instructional practices, implementation of the Economics syllabus and students‟ learning practices. The findings showed that there is a statistically significant difference in washback effect of WASSCE on Economics students‟ learning practices between SHS 1, SHS 2 and SHS 3 Economics students. Again, it was found that there is a statistically significant difference in washback effect of WASSCE on Economics teachers‟ classroom instructional practices between private and public SHS Economics teachers. Lastly, it was revealed that there is no statistically significant difference in washback effects of WASSCE on Economics students‟ learning practices between public and private SHS Economics students. It was recommended that Heads of SHS institutions and circuit supervisors should pay particular attention to their supervisory role and ensure that teachers implement broader syllabus or curriculum and not a narrowed syllabus.

Source: UCC
Perception and attitude of adolescents on utilisation of adolescent- friendly health services in junior high schools in cape coast circuit, Ghana

Adolescent health problems are quite alarming and have daring consequences on public health globally. This study was designed to explore adolescents’ knowledge level, perception, and attitude of adolescent friendly health services (AFHS) on their utilization of the service in Cape Coast Circuit in Ghana. Frequency counts, percentage scores, and Chi-square were used to analyse the results. It was found that, the awareness level of adolescents in JHS, in the Cape Coast Circuit on AFHS is low (n = 214, 43.6%). The perceptions of the adolescents on the utilisation of the AFHS in Cape Coast Circuit centers are that staff at the AFH centers have adequate time for them (n = 379, 77.2%) and that they are friendly (n = 372, 75.8%). The main attitudes of the adolescents were that they would visit AFHS centers if the services were free (n = 432, 88%), and available within the community (n = 411, 83.7%). The study also showed that adolescents’ level of utilisation of AFHSs in Cape Coast Circuit is low (25.5%). None of the socio-demographic factors (gender and age) influences adolescent utilisation of AFHSs (P> .05).It was recommended that; school health education in corporation with community education should be strengthened on AFHS, healthcare providers should be encouraged to continue to be friendly and devote adequate time to their clients when they visit the AFHS centers. Health stakeholders should ensure that AFHSs are continuously free and accessible to adolescents. They should target adolescents irrespective of age, gender, religious and cultural affiliation to administer the services to them.

Source: UCC
The Perception and Reasons of Examination Malpractice among Students

Examinations are good for assessment, selection and placement but it gets nutty students and officials to not play their role in turning out credible results. This study therefore, seeks the intuition behind people, especially, students for indulging in various forms of examination malpractices. The study was based on the deficit model of examination anxiety whilst two research questions were posed to guide the study. All second year undergraduate students of the University of Cape Coast were the target population. The study revealed that some of the perceptions students held about examination malpractices included “No matter how hard you read, if you don’t cheat you will fail” (83.96%) and “If I don’t cheat, those who do will have advantage over me” (95.28%). On reasons why students engage in examination malpractice, majority of them (91.51%) gave the reason “to maintain the trust and investment my parents have made in me” to be the causative agent for engaging in malpractice. Withdrawal, rustications and imprisonment of culprits were some of the recommendations put forward by policy makers

Source: UCC
Perception of authentic assessment and its practices among teachers in public Senior High Schools in Cape Coast Metropolis

The study aimed at investigating the perception of public Senior High School teachers of authentic assessment. It also found out the extent to which public Senior High School teachers practice authentic assessment in their assessment procedure. The stratified sampling procedure was adopted to group Senior High Schools into categories A, B and C. Simple random sampling was used to select three schools from category “A” and two schools from category “B” but the two schools in category “C” were purposively sampled. In all, seven schools were used. Proportional stratified random sampling was used to obtain the sample size for each school. Then convenience sample was used to select two hundred and twenty-six participants for the study. Four research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. An 85-item questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.86. The study showed that to a great extent, teachers have positive perception of authentic assessment. About 70% of the teachers indicated that they give their students assessment tasks that involve social processes equivalent to those in real life situation. Also, teachers reported that they practice authentic assessment by asking students to create, organize ideas with a purpose and demonstrate their ability to organize ideas effectively. Again, the findings indicated a significant difference within categories B and C schools in terms of authentic assessment practices but there was no significant difference within categories A and B schools and categories A and C schools. Heads of Senior High Schools should organize workshops, seminars and other activities for teachers on authentic assessment.

Source: UCC
Perception of Body Image and Dietary Habit Among Adults Aged 20–45 Years at Sunyani Metropolis

Objectives: The study assessed the body size perception of respondents against the WHO body mass index and related the body sizes to fat and sugar consumption among 20–45-year-old adults. Methods: The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional survey which involved 200 respondents aged 20–45 years, sampled conveniently. at Sunyani. Data on socio-demographic, fat and sugar consumption, anthropometry (weight in kg, height in cm) were collected. The weight and height data were later converted into body mass index using the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification. Sugar and fat intakes were measured by dietary food based assessment. (Analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 25. Proportions were presented for categorical values. Chi square test of association was used to determine relationship between the independent and the dependent outcome variable. Statistical significant was set at and P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35 years. About 35.0% of respondents were males and the rest 65.0% females. Sugar and fat consumption among the respondents were within the recommended dietary allowances. Although 75% of respondents had normal body mass index (kg/m2) and 21% were obese based on the WHO classification, Majority (43.0%) of them perceived their body weights were normal. About 48.1% perceived they are either obese or had normal body size. There was no statistically significant association between respondents’ perceived body image and socio-demographic characteristics except for marital status (X2 = 8.82, P = 0.044). There was no statistically significant association between body image perception and dietary intake of fat and sugar. Conclusions: There is great disparity in the perception of respondents body image compared to the WHO classification and married women and men are more particular about how they look. Dietary components studied do not have any

Source: UCC
Perception of Child Prostitution in Some Selected Towns in the Western Region of Ghana

Child prostitution, involves commercial exploitation. This study explored the factors that contribute to child prostitution in the Western Region of Ghana. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research. Descriptive correlational survey design, snow ball, purposive sampling technique and structured interview schedules were used to select one hundred and three (103) respondents out of which thirty (30) girl - prostitutes were selected for in-depth interview. Frequencies, percentages, measures of central tendency and variation were used to describe relationships among variables. The results from the study revealed that 71.8% of the respondents started prostitution between 16 -17 years whiles 28.2% started between 12-15 years. Most of the respondents had had formal or non-formal education. However, those above eighteen were mostly JHS graduates who could not continue to the Senior High School (SHS) due poverty. Those who managed to learn a trade cited lack of start-up capital to start their own businesses as the main cause for entering into prostitutions. A greater proportion of the respondents lived alone in non-residential areas, slums and brothels without any parental or guardian support. Majority of the girls, 95.1%, do not stay with both parents, 25.2% of the girls’ parents are currently either divorced or 36.9% are separated. However, among the three factors leading and sustaining child prostitution, the economic factors were more prevalent. Recommendation such as stability of the family, parental control and financial support for parents from the state through Non Governmental Organizations and state agencies such as the livelihood empowerment program, improve girls’ retention in school were given on mitigating the phenomenon of child prostitution.

Source: UCC
Perception of clints and private midwives on students midwives during clinical sessions in Brekum district,Brong Ahafo Region,Ghana

The purpose of the study was to identity the challenges in deliveries and family planning services in the Berekum District. The study sought to investigate the extent to which clients and private midwives have interest with the students mid wives and the relationship of the students to their clients. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. A total of 80 respondents were used for the study comprising 60 randomly sampled clients, 5 professional midwife and 15 ward assistants. Questionnaires were used for the study. The Questionnaires were rated on a five point likert scale while frequencies and percentages were used for the analysis. The result of the study revealed that: Clients dislike the performance of students during delivery; Clients do not want to discuss family planning issues with respondents. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that student midwives were incompetent therefore it is recommended that student midwife must have mastery of the practical areas in the demonstration room before going out in the community to practice.

Source: UCC