ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude and Health Seeking Behaviour on Vaginal Candidiasis among Adolescent Girls in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Vaginal discharge affects every female at a point in her lifetime and among other conditions, could be Candida infection, with varying levels of severity and complications, especially among adolescents. The study’s objectives were to determine the prevalence of vaginal candidiasis in teenage girls attending senior high schools in Cape Coast Metropolis and to evaluate the students’ knowledge of the condition, their attitudes towards it, and their behaviour in terms of seeking out health information about it. For this investigation, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was chosen. The study involved 700 female students from two all-female senior high schools which were purposively sampled and two mixed-sex senior high schools that was randomly selected using the RANDBETWEEN function in MS Excel. Questionnaire was used to collect the data and analysed using descriptive statistics frequencies, percentages and regression in SPSS version 21. The study found prevalence level to be quite high among the adolescent in senior high schools in Cape Coast Metropolis. Ninety-three percent of the respondents knew that vulvovaginal candidiasis could affect the reproduction system but 77% had no knowledge on the causative organism and the appropriate medications used in treating the condition. The study found that most respondents attached a lot of importance to personal hygiene stating that lack of personal hygiene predisposes them greatly to acquiring vulvovaginal candidiasis. It is recommended that there is the need for public health care providers to offer skills in efficient communication, health education and awareness creation on common health conditions like vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Source: UCC
Prevalence, Nature And Determinants Of Intimate Partner Violence Among Colleges Of Education Students In Ghana.

This study investigated the prevalence, nature and determinants of intimate partner violence (IPV) among college of education students in Ghana. The study adopted a mixed method approach, specifically a concurrent triangulation design. The study population was all level 300 students in the selected Colleges of Education (CoE) in Ghana. Sampling techniques used were the purposive and census. A total of 1,228 students participated in the quantitative data while 12 students were interviewed for the qualitative data. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an interview guide. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (independent samples t-test and One-Way Analysis of Variance) were used to analyse the quantitative data while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated a 54.3% prevalence of intimate partner violence among the CoE students. The most prevalent type of IPV experienced by respondents was social violence followed by sexual, psychological, economic and physical violence, in that order. Young age (immaturity), exposure to violence between parents, and weak legal sanctions against perpetrators of IPV were seen to be factors leading to IPV. Concern for children; hope that their partner would change and lack of support from family and friends were part of the reasons why CoE student stay with their abusive partners. It was recommended that, college counsellors become more empathic and non-judgmental when dealing with victims who continue to stay with their abusive partners.

Source: UCC
Prevalence, reinforcers and strategies for control of cyberloafing among students in the University of Development Studies, Ghana.

In recent times, internet technology has gradually been integrated into university educational experience worldwide who now employ the use of internet in nearly all facets of their educational engagements. This has lifted a bigger part of classroom tasks of students as internet and technology use has activated transformation in teaching and learning as well as heightened productivity in the educational sector. This study examines cyberloafing activities among learners at the University for Development Studies (UDS) and its impact on their academic performance. The study employed the descriptive survey design. The study targeted 3000 education students offering Basic Education and Early Childhood as well as 693 students offering Community Health Nutrition at the University for Development Studies. The accessible population for this study were level 200 and 300 students offering Basic education and Early Childhood (463) as well as Community Health Nutrition (340). Questionnaires were adapted and used for the study. Data obtained from the research questions were analysed using frequency and percentages. From the findings, it can be concluded that the most engaged in cyberloafing activity among students was playing online games during lectures. Again, factors that influenced students to engage in cyberloafing activities were mainly teacher factors. Moreover, gender and programme of students did not differ significantly in terms of cyberloafing activities they engage in during lectures. However, age differs. Lastly, cyberloafing activities did not impact on students‟ academic performance. This study recommends that management of universities should regulate internet usage among students.

Source: UCC
Prevalence, types, motives and impact of bullying among senior high school students in the Ajumako Enyan-Essiam district

This is a study into bullying practices in Senior High Schools. The main objective of the study was to examine the prevalence, types, motives and impact of bullying behaviour among Senior High School students in the Ajumako Enyan-Essiam District. The study was carried out in two schools; Bisease Senior High and Mando Senior High Schools. Descriptive survey design was used to guide the study. A population of 3,709 made up of first and second year students in the schools were used. The sample size for the study was 350 participants of which 344 respondents were used in the analysis. Proportional stratified sampling and simple random sampling procedure was used in arriving at the sample size for the study. Selected teachers were interviewed. The questionnaire answered by the participants consisted of 30 items. Simple frequencies, percentages and chi- square were used to analyse the data collected. The main findings of the study were that teasing and kneeling down were the most frequently used practices by the students to intimidate their peers. More girls than boys were psychologically affected by bullying practices and as a result impacted negatively on their school attendance. The study recommended that all stakeholders of education must be involved in designing unique anti-bullying programmes through seminars and conferences that will serve specific needs of each school.

Source: UCC
Price transmission in domestic agricultural markets: evidence from selected cassava markets in Ghana

This study analyses market integration and price transmission in selected agricultural markets in Ghana. The Johansen co-integration procedure, Granger Causality test and autoregressive distributed lag model were applied to analyse the data. The results revealed that the price series were integrated of order one, however, we did not find evidence of co- integration of the price series. Moreover, the market studied did not Granger Cause one another. Conclusively, the results suggest the existence of poor price transmission and poorly integrated cassava markets. We therefore suggest that policy makers take a critical look at the factors that influence spatial price transmission

Source: UCC
Primary and Junior High School Mathematics and Science Teachers’ Views on Teaching in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

This paper draws on conceptualization of pupil-centred and teacher-centred methods to explore the views of primary school and junior high school (JHS) mathematics and science teachers on teaching. The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether the views of these teachers place the pupils at the centre of the teaching and learning process. The research participants were selected from all the six circuits in the Cape Coast Metropolis using stratified random sampling procedure. Questionnaires were administered and responded to by 157 primary and JHS mathematics and science teachers in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. The data collected were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods. The findings from the study showed among others that the participants’ views about teaching were predominantly teacher-centred. Implications of the findings for mathematics and science teacher education particularly and research in mathematics and science education in Ghana generally are provided.

Source: UCC
Primary school teachers' and pupils' attitudes toward mathematics and their effects on pupils' achievement in Manya Krobo district

The main purpose of this study was to determine whether any ilicant difference existed between primary class six boys' and girls' attitude toward mathematics and their effects on achievement. Also, to determine whether any significant difference existed between boys' and girls' achievement in mathematics. Finally, the study sought to determine whether primary class six teachers' and pupils' attitude toward mathematics contributed significantly to pupils' achievement in the subject.The simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 primary class six pupils for the study. The 400 subjects consisted of 200 boys and 200 selected from both rural and urban schools. In all 40 primary schools re involved in this study. The main instruments used to collect data for this study were two sets attitude questionnaires of the Likert scale type and an achievement test. The data gathered were analysed statistically using an independent t-test, the multiple regression technique and Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation. The study indicated the following results. Firstly, there was no ignificant difference between primary class six boys' and girls' attitudes towards mathematics. Secondly, there was u significant difference in mathematics achievement between primary class six boys and girls in favour f girls. Thirdly, primary class six pupils' attitude toward mathematics conributed significantly to their achievement in the subject. Fourthly, primary ass six teachers' attitude toward mathematics related to pupils' achievement the subject. Implications or the findings or study were discussed and commendations made.

Source: UCC
Principal component extraction with no information loss

In Principal Component (PC) analysis of an r × p variance-covariance (V-C) matrix, there is always a loss of information when the first few set of r(< p) PCs are retained. This study derives a new reduced set of PCs (NRPCs) that is simply a constant multiple of the first r original PCs (OPCs). Thus, the OPCs are just a normalization of the NRPCs. The normalizing constant represents the common variance explained by each of the components in the set of r NRPCs. Further features of the NRPCs are examined both analytically and practically in Multivariate Multiple Reduced Rank Regression (MMRRR) modelling. It is found that for the NRPCs extracted from regular (unweighted) V-C matrix, the analytical relationship between the NRPCs and the OPCs are preserved in MMRRR modelling. However, if OPCs are based on weighted V-C matrix, then the analytical relationship between the two types of PCs does not hold practically in MMRRR modelling. The results of the study shows that in order to determine the real spread of PC scores for further analysis, the use of the NRPCs would be more useful.

Source: UCC
Principal Components Vector Error Correction Model for Revenue Components of Ghana

Revenue data structure has assumed a dynamic nature, and evolving methodology for their study constitutes an interesting problem. In this regard, the study examines the various revenue components that are most influential in revenue generation and attempts to obtain a suitable multivariate time series model that characterizes the contribution of each revenue component in Ghana. Data is therefore obtained on some fourteen revenue variables from Ghana Community Management System for the study. The theory of VEC modelling, which is relevant for variables expected to be related in the long run, is found appropriate for the study. An optimum lag order is determined at 8. The VEC(8) model produces more realistic performance measures than the initial VAR(8). By incorporating principal components extraction into the VEC model, five salient revenue dimensions are identified with no loss of information. The most dominant source is what is influenced by CIF, accounting for about 80% of the total variation in all revenue sources. The remaining 20% is explained by Volume (VOL), Total Revenue (TORE), Total Amount Exempt (TOAE) and Petroleum tax (PETAL), in that order. The VEC model is applied to project the original data onto the five components. The resulting PCAVEC model now provides a plausible econometric characterization of the data structure. The results suggest that CIF, in particular, should be protected to generate the requisite revenue

Source: UCC
Principal Components Vector Error Correction Model For Revenue Components Of Ghana

Revenue data structure has assumed a dynamic nature, and evolving methodology for their study constitutes an interesting problem. In this regard, the study examines the various revenue components that are most influential in revenue generation and attempts to obtain a suitable multivariate time series model that characterizes the contribution of each revenue component in Ghana. Data is therefore obtained on some fourteen revenue variables from Ghana Community Management System for the study. The theory of VEC modelling, which is relevant for variables expected to be related in the long nm, is found appropriate for the study. An optimum lag order is determined at 8. The VEC(8) model produces more realistic performance measures than the initial V AR(8). By incorporating principal components extraction into the VEC model, five salient revenue dimensions are identified with no loss of information. The most dominant source is what is influenced by eIF, accounting for about 80% of the total variation in all revenue sources. The remaining 20% is explained by Volume (VOL), Total Revenue (TORE), Total Amount Exempt (TOAE) and Petroleum tax (PETAL), in that order. The VEC model is applied to project the original data onto the five components. The resulting PCA VEC model now provides a plausible econometric characterization of the data structure. The results suggest that CIF, in particular, should be protected to generate the requisite revenue.

Source: UCC
Print media standardisation and professionalism Determinants of independence of Ghanaian media

The independence of the media under Ghana’s Fourth Republic is assessed from the perspective of standards and professionalism. Using a qualitative method, the study shows that unethical practices are evident in the print media landscape in Ghana, and argues that this can be traced to four major spheres: educational qualification, existence of several professional associations, a weak regulatory body and “money matters”. Overall, the study argues that legalities form a minimal art of the independence of the Ghanaian media but concerns about freedom seem to be self-inflicted by the very media practitioners through their actions and sometimes questionable reportage

Source: UCC
Private participation in the Tema Port container terminal and its implications for stevedoring companies in Ghana

Containerisation has gradually become a dominant method of moving cargo the world over since its introduction in the 1960s and so has investment in container terminals. Container terminals form a central part of the transport infrastructure and its development leads to the overall development of the port system. The appointment of the Ghana Port Services Consortium (GPSC) to own and manage the container terminal under a 20 year build operate and transfer scheme (BOT) scheme will immensely affect the local stevedoring industry. The stevedoring industry in Ghana in itself has undergone a lot of changes including redefinition of its activities to include some aspects of shore handling. Some anticipate a brighter future for this partnership to the industry. They believe that GPHA has embarked on a potentially viable and successful project with the Consortium. This is because the participation of the multinationals such as A. P. Moeller Maersk in such a venture will help the international financial institutions view the project in a more positive way and also make future expansion easier since there will be ready support from such financial institutions. Mention can also be made of technology transfer from these acclaimed maritime kingpins to their Ghanaian counterparts. However this transfer will not reach the local companies since they are outside the Consortium. Ghana aspires to become a hub port in the sub region and is therefore investing in infrastructural developments to enhance its (port's) image. However, people believe it must not sacrifice the interest of its local industry in order to achieve its aim.

Source: UCC
Private sector participation in the management of water supply systems in small settlements in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions

This study examined private sector participation in the management of water supply systems in seven small settlements in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions. The seven water supply systems selected were located in the following towns, Bekwai, Ejura and Kuntenase all in the Ashanti region and Nkoranza, Atebubu, Duayaw Nkwanta, and Nante in the Brong Ahafo region. The objective of the study is to examine the participation of private sector in the management of small town water supply systems; determine the various types of management models in the management of small town water supply systems; examine the arguments for and against the involvement of private sector involvement in the management of the systems; and undertake SWOT analyses of stakeholders in the management of small town water supply systems. The selection of water supply systems was done using purposive sampling, considering the number of systems that are operational in these regions The main findings of the study include, the identification of four major management models in small town water supply systems; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of various stakeholders in the management of small town water supply systems; various types of private sector and their levels of involvement in small town water supply systems and the merits and demerits of the private sector in the management of small towns water supply systems. It is recommended that, effective supervisory role is played by public sector agency over the activities of private sector in the management of small town water systems to ensure good performance of the systems.

Source: UCC
Private Virtual Infrastructure for Security of Electronic Health Records in a Cloud Computing Environment

This study focuses on the use of Private Virtual Infrastructure (PVI) to enhance the security of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in a Cloud Computing Environment (CCE). Electronic health records stored in a cloud computing environment place the sensitive data in the control of third parties. Healthcare institutions want to have control over the computing infrastructure that stores their sensitive data. But current cloud computing systems does not guarantee such access to the datacentre infrastructure. Customers are sometimes not aware of where the datacentre keeping their data is even located. This study discusses a security model of cloud computing known as PVI whose core responsibility is to share the security of cloud computing between the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) and the customer. The PVI also seeks to remove the risk exposure between the CSP and the customer. The PVI datacentre is under the control of customer whereas the cloud datacentre infrastructure comes under the control of CSP. A software device called Locater Bot (LoBot) pre-measures the security properties of the cloud infrastructure. The LoBot performs security provisions and offers situational awareness. LoBot also performs continuous monitoring of the cloud computing security. PVI and LoBot offer the tools that organisations need to maintain control over their information in the cloud and retain the benefits of cloud computing. PVI and LoBot have the capacity to satisfy the security requirements of EHR within the CCE.

Source: UCC
Pro-environmental Behaviour: an Examination of Environmental Citizenship Among Junior and Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis

ABSTRACT The study sought to assess the practice of environmental citizenship behaviour among Junior and Senior High School students in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Environmental citizenship is a concept that suggests that every citizen is an integral part of a larger ecosystem and that humanity’s collective future depends on acting responsibly and positively toward our environment. It is a sense of responsibility that leads to actions that promote environmental conservation and sustainability. The study employed the mixed method approach. Quantitative data was collected from 292 Senior High School students, while qualitative data was collected from selected Junior High School students and relevant stakeholders within the metropolis. The study found out that the practice of Environmental Citizenship behaviour was minimal among respondents. They were, however, predisposed in terms of their values, beliefs, norms and knowledge which are prerequisites for exhibiting environmental citizenship behaviours. Limited platforms such as environmental clubs in schools and the socio-cultural perception of young people among others, posed as challenges to young people taking environmental actions and hence engaging in environmental activism. It recommended that young people’s knowledge and awareness on environmental engagements should be boosted through environmental literacy. Environmental clubs in schools should be given a boost in order to help nurture affinity for nature as well as promote the platform for public sphere environmental actions; thereby promoting environmental citizenship behaviour among young people in schools and ensure environmentally sustainable behaviours in the Cape Coast Metropolis.

Source: UCC