ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Administration of senior high schools in Cape Coast metropolis in the context of decentralisation in Ghana

The study was to determine how the decentralisation policy is being implemented in the Senior high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the context of Decentralisation in Ghana. Specifically the study assessed the structures put in place to decentralise administration in the senior high schools. The descriptive survey design was employed to shape the study, while the purposive and stratified sampling methods were used to select a sample of 232 respondents from the ten senior high schools in the metropolis as well as the two Directors of Education (The metro and regional directors). A structured questionnaire was the instrument for data collection which consisted of closed and open-ended items. The data collected were analysed with frequencies and percentages using the SPSS Windows 13.0. The major findings were that; the central government is the sole financier of the second cycle education. With the level of management functions, the study revealed that heads of institutions do not have the authority to hire and fire staff and in the area of training received by administrators on the policy. The study further revealed that many staff members do not have any idea of the decentralization policy and it implementation in senior high schools. The following recommendations were made; Senior High School management should be given the mandateto increase the matching programme content to local interest whereby there will be a variety in the quality and content of education provided. Again training programmes should be organised during vacation with some incentives to motivate staff, so that almost all staff would be able to attend to enrich their administrative skills to implement the decentralisation policy effectively.

Source: UCC
Administrative challenges encountered at Accra College of education

This study was intended to investigate the challenges that confront the administration of Accra College of Education of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. In line with the objective of the study, descriptive survey design was used to conduct the study. The sample size for the study was 56 comprising of 44 tutors, 4 heads of departments and units’, the bursar, 2 members of board of governors, the principal and the metropolitan director of education, SRC president and 2 auxiliary staffs (matron and her assistant), were selected for the study.Based on the research questions, questionnaire and interview schedule were developed and used to gather data for the study. The results of the study are presented in frequencies and percentages. The study found that the main challenges were inadequate human resource, inadequate funding, inadequate infrastructure and teaching and learning resources.The study recommended that the principal and board of governors of the Accra College of Education should partner the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to help address the challenges, by transferring more staff to the college, put up additional male and female blocks of residence and lecture halls and make available adequate teaching and learning resources for the college to increase students intake to enable the college to raise more revenue

Source: UCC
Administrative conflict between school community agencies and heads of selected educational institutions in the Volta region of Ghana

The introduction of the Board of Governors and PT A concepts in second cycle schools by the government was meant to bring the school and the community closer. It was envisaged that the two groups would work as partners in the development of education in their locations, but conflict often occurs among them. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of conflicts between school Board of Governors and PT A executive on the one hand and school heads in second cycle schools in the Jasikan/Kadjebi Districts of the V olta Region. A secondary purpose was to find out what could be done to minimize conflicts between the Heads and PT A executive and school Boards. Questionnaire was the main instrument used. Two sets of questionnaires were administered to 116 respondents (5 headmasters/principals; 80 School Board members and 30 PTA executives). The major findings of the study were: that the Board of Governors and PT A executive did not know the limits of their involvement in school administration; that most headmasters did not run an open administration, and that headmasters see the roles of Board of governors as spelt out by the Ghana Education Service as intimidating and in conflict with their functions as heads. The study therefore recommends a review of the roles of the Headmasters and the Board of governors. It is further suggested that Board members and PT A executive be given some form of training to educate them on their roles in school administration. Finally, it is recommended that headmasters involve Board members and PT A executive in major decisions concerning the school.

Source: UCC
Administrative Support, Work-Family Conflict and Work-Commitment of Tutors in Colleges of Education in Northern Region

The study examined administrative support, work-family conflict, and work-commitment of tutors in the Colleges of Education in the Northern Region. The study adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Three research questions and six hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. A sample of 194 tutors was used as respondents for the study. The Work-family Conflict Scale, Work-Commitment Scale and the Principal Support Scale were the instruments used to collect data for the study. Data for the research questions were analysed using means and standard deviation. Research hypotheses 1, 2 and 3 were tested using multivariate multiple regression. Research hypotheses 4 and 5 were tested using one-way MANOVA, while hypothesis 6was tested using multivariate linear regression. It was revealed that tutors in the Colleges of Education used for the study, received varied levels of administrative support from their principals. It was also found that male and female tutors did not differ significantly on any of the dimensions of work-commitment and work-family conflict. It is recommended that the Principals of Colleges of Education should continue to extend the needed administrative support especially professional support to tutors under their supervision.

Source: UCC
ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS PERFORMANCE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF HEADS OF ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN GHANA

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 stipulates Quality Education for all. The effectiveness of heads of departments (HoDs) contributes to achieving this goal. There is, however, a growing concern in recent times by stakeholders on the effectiveness of HoDs in discharging their duties. This study examined the administrative tasks performance of HoDs in Senior High Schools (SHSs) in Ghana. The study further examined the extent of professional development needs of HoDs in SHSs. A cross-sectional survey with a quantitative approach was employed. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, questionnaire was administered to 310 HoDs and 620 teachers in 155 selected Public SHSs. The study discovered that planning, organising, and controlling functions of HoDs were highly rated. However, supervision, evaluation, and directing functions of HoDs were rated low. It was further revealed that although HoDs were given professional training before they assume office as heads, they are rarely given any training after assuming office. The HoDs reported they greatly need professional development on management and communication skills, as well as training on assessment and evaluation competencies. HoDs need training on supervision, evaluation and directing function to be effective in the management of their respective departments. Unless frequent training programmes are organised for HoDs, the quality of education as well as the achievement of SDG 4 in Ghana would be jeopardised. It was suggested that together with HoDs, Ghana Education Service (GES) should regularly organise professional training programmes through workshops and seminars for HoDs in line with their duties as heads.

Source: UCC
Adolescent Pregnancy and the Risk of Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria and Anaemia – A Pilot Study from Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

The problem of malaria in adolescence has been surpassed by the immense burden of malaria in children, most especially less than 5. A substantial amount of work done on malaria in pregnancy in endemic regions has not properly considered the adolescence. The present study therefore aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and anaemia infection in adolescent pregnant girls in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana. The study was carried out at four hospitals in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the western region of Ghana from January 2010 to October 2010. Structured questionnaires were administered to the consenting pregnant women during their antenatal care visits. Information on education, age, gravidae, occupation and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Venous bloods were screened for malaria using RAPID response antibody kit and Geimsa staining while haemoglobin estimations were done by cyanmethemoglobin method. The results revealed that adolescent pregnant girls were more likely to have malaria infection than the adult pregnant women (34.6% verse 21.3%, adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI, 1.03-2.65, P = 0.039). In addition, adolescent pregnant girls had higher odds of anaemia than their adult pregnant women equivalent (43.9% versus 33.2%; adjusted OR 1.63, 95% CI, 1.01-2.62, P = 0.046). Taken together, these data suggest that adolescent pregnant girls were more likely to have malaria and anaemia compared to their adult pregnant counterpart. Results from this study shows that proactive adolescent friendly policies and control programmes for malaria and anaemia are needed in this region in order to protect this vulnerable group of pregnant women.

Source: UCC
Adolescent pregnancy and the risk of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and anaemia–a pilot study from Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana

The problem of malaria in adolescence has been surpassed by the immense burden of malaria in children, most especially less than 5. A substantial amount of work done on malaria in pregnancy in endemic regions has not properly considered the adolescence. The present study therefore aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and anaemia infection in adolescent pregnant girls in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana. The study was carried out at four hospitals in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the western region of Ghana from January 2010 to October 2010. Structured questionnaires were administered to the consenting pregnant women during their antenatal care visits. Information on education, age, gravidae, occupation and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Venous bloods were screened for malaria using RAPID response antibody kit and Geimsa staining while haemoglobin estimations were done by cyanmethemoglobin method. The results revealed that adolescent pregnant girls were more likely to have malaria infection than the adult pregnant women (34.6% verse 21.3%, adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI, 1.03-2.65, P = 0.039). In addition, adolescent pregnant girls had higher odds of anaemia than their adult pregnant women equivalent (43.9% versus 33.2%; adjusted OR 1.63, 95% CI, 1.01-2.62, P = 0.046). Taken together, these data suggest that adolescent pregnant girls were more likely to have malaria and anaemia compared to their adult pregnant counterpart. Results from this study shows that proactive adolescent friendly policies and control programmes for malaria and anaemia are needed in this region in order to protect this vulnerable group of pregnant women.

Source: UCC
Adolescent sexual and reproductive health awareness in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District

Sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to the development of human capital. However, early age at sexuality exposes adolescents to the health risk of early pregnancy and childbearing, sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortions, lost of socio-economic benefits and thereby affecting the realization of their human capital potentials. Descriptive cross-sectional design, questionnaire and interview schedules were the methods employed in data collection. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were employed to draw a sample size of 164 respondents due to time, money and logistics constraints. The study showed that respondents have adequate stock of knowledge of sexuality and reproductive health hazards but are becoming sexually active at an early age with low or inconsistent use of contraceptives. The main reasons for early sexual activity were: sexual pleasure, peer influence and financial support. Thus, the acquired knowledge and attitudes are direct manifestations of human capital development but the low/inconsistent use of contraceptives indirectly affects the development of respondents’ human capital potentials. That is by restraining the acquisition of knowledge, skills, abilities and good health through education, training and health services as a result of the early pregnancy, childbearing/abortion and maternal/infant morbidity and mortality. Eventually these conditions affect the employability, productive skills, labour participation and future life-time earnings of respondents. Indeed, collaborative and sustained skill base education in schools and communities can improve on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and human capital development in the district.

Source: UCC
Adolescents' knowledge and use of contraceptives: A case study in three selected senior high schools in Sekondi Takoradi metropolis

The objective of the study was to find out adolescents knowledge and use of contraceptives in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis. Three hundred adolescent male and female students were randomly selected from three senior high schools in the Metropolis to constitute the sample for the study. The instrument that was used to collect data was a questionnaire. Frequency distribution and percentages were used to summarise the data. The findings from the study indicated that adolescents have much knowledge about contraceptives but few use them. They are familiar with condoms and femidom and most of them use them because they are easy to use. Some parents, guardians and church members disapprove of the use of contraceptives. They obtained information on contraceptives from their peers at school. They submitted that contraceptives are important for them since they prevent unwanted pregnancies and contraction of HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The researcher recommended that there should be guidance and counselling programmes in the schools to counsel the adolescent students on issues concerning their reproductive health and the use of contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

Source: UCC
Adolescents' self-reported reasons for using nicotine replacement therapy products: A population-based study

Background: Available research provides evidence that adolescents use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products. Yet, little is known about reasons and motives behind their use. The present study examined the reasons for NRT use among 14–18-year-old Finnish adolescents. Method: A national Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey was conducted in Finland in 2009 (N= 4834, response rate 55%). Main measures were prevalence of NRT use, self-reported reasons for using NRT and smoking status. Results: Overall, 10% had used NRT. Boys used NRT more often than girls (11.5% versus 8.7%, pb.001). The three most commonly reported reasons were ‘just try’ (56%), ‘to quit’ (33%) and ‘smoking not possible’ (24%). “Just try” was the most common reason given by non-smokers/experimental smokers whereas daily/ occasional smokers used NRT mainly for quitting purposes and when smoking was impossible. Conclusions: These findings suggest that when planning treatment plans for adolescent smokers, health care personnel should pay particular attention to adolescents' primary reasons and motives for using NRT before suggesting its use

Source: UCC
Adolescents’ contraceptive knowledge and attitudes towards premarital sex

This study sought to investigate the relationship between adolescents’ contraceptive knowledge and their attitudes toward premarital sex among senior high school students in the Asante Akim North District of Ghana. The study employed the explanatory sequential mixed method. A sample of 361 final-year students were sampled from two senior high schools in the Asante Akim North District for the study. Questionnaire and interview guide were used in data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data whereas thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The study found that adolescents have a high level of knowledge in the three contraceptive types identified whereas attitudes towards premarital sex was generally negative. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between knowledge of modern contraceptives and attitudes towards premarital sex. There was no statistically significant relationship between natural contraceptives and attitudes towards premarital sex whiles a positive significant relationship was found to exist between knowledge of emergency contraceptives and attitudes towards premarital sex. Also, no significant difference was found in the attitudes of those with knowledge of modern, natural, and emergency contraceptives. The study recommends that counsellors and educators educate students on contraceptives with an emphasis on its usage and side effects to equip them with enough information to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Source: UCC
Adolescents’ exposure to mass media campaign messages on HIV/AIDS in Ghana

Using rich data collected from adolescents in Ghana by the Guttmacher Institute in collaboration with partners including the University of Cape Coast, this paper attempts to examine how exposure to specific messages designed for a media campaign dubbed “Stop AIDS-Love Life’ affected adolescents’ behavior towards HIV/AIDS. Two logistic regression models are used to examine the effects of exposure to messages on HIV/AIDS on adolescents’ behavior towards HIV/AIDS. The study observed a direct and significant relationship between exposure to some of the messages and HIV/AIDS behavioral outcomes. It was established that adolescents who were exposed to the message titled “Think before you play” were about 1.3 times more likely to consider themselves at risk of HIV infection in both models. At p<.05, adolescents who reported exposure to HIV/AIDS messages “No means no - think” were more than 1.2 times more likely to express willingness to care for an HIV infected persons. The study highlights the need to put in place measures which will ensure that adolescents are reached with appropriate messages through mass media channels which are accessible to them. Efforts should be made to use mass media messages to reach adolescents on issues concerning HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination. It is recommended that adolescents should be provided with supportive environments which will help them to sustain positive behaviour that they adopt in order to avoid a “slip” or “relapse”. Also, program designers and implementers should avoid the ‘once-size-all approach’ and consider the heterogeneity that exists among adolescents in the design of campaign messages

Source: UCC
Adolescents’ Knowledge and perception of sexual and reproductive health rights in Yamoransa, Ghana

sexual and reproductive health rights are the bedrock of sexual and reproductive health. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), fertility control, sexual violence and abuses are reflections of the level of control individuals have over their reproductive autonomy. This study sought to assess the level of adolescents’ knowledge and perception of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), and was situated in the theory of sexual interaction. The study adopted a cross sectional study design. Data was obtained from 209 adolescent residents of Yamoransa in April, 2010. The Statistical Package for Service Solutions programme was employed to analyze the quantitative data. The study found out that majority of adolescents had comprehensive knowledge of SRH Rights, knew the appropriate avenues to seek redress in the event of rights abuses. It was however revealed that only a few had actually asserted, or admitted could assert their sexual rights. Over half of the respondents conceded they would succumb to any imposition of a sexual and reproductive health decisions by their sexual partner. The view that men should be the decision makers on sexual issues in marital unions was held by most adolescents. Based on the findings, it was concluded that though adolescents are aware of their sexual and reproductive rights, they may not have the capacity to assert those rights, and would succumb to instances where certain SRH decisions are imposed on them. Government and other stakeholders should, through education, empower adolescents to exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights during adolescence, and in adulthood.

Source: UCC
Adolescents’ Perception of the Impact of Condom Use on Sexual Behaviours: Evidence from Ghana, A Developing Country

Adolescence is a critical stage in human life. Adolescents’ perception of the impact of condom use on sexual behaviour has been studied in developed countries. However, not much is known about this phenomenon in Ghana. The study investigates the perception of adolescents regarding the impact of condom use on sexual behaviours. Simple random and stratified sampling techniques were employed to select the study respondents. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that adolescents’ knowledge level about condom use was above average (>2.50). Again, the adolescents’ knowledge level about condom use predicted their sexual behaviours (β = 0.159, p=0.000). It is concluded that adolescents possess adequate knowledge about condom use. It is recommended that more stakeholders should be involved in the provision of knowledge on condom use among adolescents in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Adolescents’ Use of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana: The Gateway to Other Drugs

Substance use among adolescents is a significant public health concern. Many surveys and studies indicate that substance use is highly prevalent among the adolescent population. Alcohol, tobacco (nicotine) and marijuana (cannabis) are described as the “gateway drugs”. Junior and high school students use these substances most frequently. The paper attempts to discuss the prevalence, epidemiology, theoretical models, risk and protective factors of substance use and abuse among the youth at risk. Health professionals and school counselors can make a significant difference in the quality of life of their clients by identifying the causes of the adolescents’ substance use as early as possible. This article seeks to provide helpful and relevant information for mental health professionals who encounter adolescent clients with substance abuse issues.

Source: UCC