Browsing by Author "Agyei, E.K."
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Item Caregivers of Mentally Ill Patients: A Crosssectional Need-Based Assessment of Social Workers in Post-conflict Somalia(Practice Social Work in Action, 2019-06-03) Hammond, A.; Arkorful, V.E.; Mohamed, A.A.; Jama, O.; Pokuaah, S.; Basiru, I.; Agyei, E.K.; Latif, A.This study seeks to investigate the needs of family caregivers of people living with Mental illness in Somalia. Using an exploratory research design technique, a qualitative approach was employed for a one-on-one interview module to collect data from a total of 51 respondents identified as family caregivers of mentally ill persons undergoing rehabilitation in five (5) selected mental health facilities sampled for the study. In analyzing and interpreting qualitative data, a thematic content analysis was done which revealed that, in addition to medical care, family caregivers need not only social support in a form of affection to assist them in their various engagements, but also, adequate relaxation and leisure to regain lost energies and save them from stress and its harmful ramifications on their health. They also need decent accommodation to maintain their mentally ill relatives. The results further revealed that, caregivers needed financial support as well as emotional support from friends and society in order to psyche them up for their task. To understand the needs of patients’ treatment history and condition, caregivers need information. It is, therefore of necessity to social workers and other stakeholders that the needs of caregivers are adequately and sufficiently addressed.Item Characterization and Source Apportionment of Airborne Particulate Matter in Some Urban Neighbourhoods of Accra, Ghana(University of Ghana, 2014-07) Hughes, A.F.; Kakane, V.C.K.; Amuzu, J.K.A; Agyei, E.K.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities , School of Arts , Department of Philosophy and ClassicsA year-long campaign which accounted for seasonal differences have been conducted to examine the levels, chemical composition and sources of ambient particulate matter in multiple neighbourhoods of varying socio-economic status in Accra, Ghana. Between September 2007 and August 2008, simultaneous measurements of PM2.5 and PM10 aerosols at five monitoring sites in four neighbourhoods (Asylum Down, East Legon, Nima and James Town/Ussher Town) were done for one 48-hour period every six days. Harvard Impactor with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) Teflon filter of 37 mm supported by a Whatman drain disc were used to sample air particles in the Accra neighbourhoods. Gravimetric analysis and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) were used to determine the chemical composition and concentration of the aerosol particles. The mean mass concentration values for PM2.5 obtained at the five sites during the study period varied from 45.9 μg m-3 to 74.8 μg m-3. The mean mass concentration for PM10 also varied from 93.9 μg m-3 to 134.8 μg m-3. These levels were all substantially higher than the EPA (Ghana) guidelines values and other international air quality standards from WHO, USEPA and EU. Weak relationships were obtained between PM and weather parameters. Crustal elements were most abundant during the seasonal Harmattan period between late December and early February when Saharan dust is transported across West Africa. Enrichment factor analysis was used to provide an initial indication of the species of anthropogenic origin in the measured elemental composition. Source contributions were analysed using positive matrix factorization (PMF) model separately for Harmattan and non-Harmattan periods because large changes to source profiles is expected during the Harmattan period. Anthropogenic sources resolved by PMF model (biomass burning, solid waste burning, resuspended dust and traffic/industry emissions) during both Harmattan and non-Harmattan periods had significant influence on the four neighbourhoods in Accra.Item A Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Barriers to Effective Therapeutic Communication among Nurses and Patients(International Journal of Public Administration, 2020-02-28) Hammond, A.; Arkorful, V.E.; Basiru, I.; Boateng, J.; Doku, F.; Pokuaah, S.; Agyei, E.K.; Baoteng, J.A.; Lugu, B.K.Effective communication between patients and nurses is cardinal to health care The study seeks to explore barriers to effective therapeutic communication between patients and nurses in randomly selected health facilities in the Kumasi metropolis, Ashanti region, Ghana. The study employed an exploratory study to interview 60 respondents comprising 30 nurses and patients each, using an unstructured interview guide. In addition to nurses' and patients'perceived barriers, the study revealed the health environment–related barriers. Patients-related barriers include individual sociodemographic attributes, patient–nurse relationship, erroneous impression, and language barrier. Other identified nurses-related barriers include human resource challenges, patients' distrust in nurses’ competency, interference from patients’ relations, inadequate knowledge, patient’s dissatisfaction with output, patients’ emotional fluctuations. Health environment– related barriers also include excessive workload, unconducive environment, and environmental changes. Given the relevance of therapeutic communication to health service, the study, among other things recommends that efforts be exerted by sector actors to address the challenges and help promote quality in health-care service and delivery.Item Equitable Access and Inclusiveness in Basic Education: Roadblocks to Sustainable Development Goals(International Journal of Public Administration, 2019-06-13) Agyei, E.K.; Arkorful, V.E.; Basiru, I.; Anokye, R.; Latif, A.; Hammond, A.; Pokuaah, S.; Arkorful, E.V.; Abdul-Rahaman, S.For more than half a century, the recognition of education by the international community as a social transformative tool and a fundamental human right has found strong affirmations in conventions, statutes and resolutions. The inception of the Sustainable Development Goals (2015–2030), as a sequel to the Millennium Development Goals (2000–2015) for instance acknowledges education as an indispensable conduit for people to realize their capabilities whiles completing primary school cycle. However, while the international community is yet to realise the potential of education as a catalyst for development, greater inequalities in access to education in the face of heightening social, economic, political and cultural challenges exist for different social classes in different parts of developing countries, precisely Ghana. The paper sought to investigate the challenges to basic education access and inclusiveness in Ghana. The study was conducted in two (2) selected districts each in some six(6)purposefully sampled regions against the backdrop of the 2015 Ghana PovertyMapping Report. Relying on field gathered data, the study data analysis revealed that access to education in the study areas are chiefly poverty induced. It also found out that, the lack of a sustainable education policy and political will, coupled with incessant political interferences in education by governments over the years has been deleterious to education access in Ghana. The study concluded that merit-based poverty considerations, and the introduction of social policy interventions is crucial to increasing access to education. It is therefore pertinent for Government, Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations, Corporate bodies and other stakeholders alike to reignite their commitment to ensuring the extensive extension of assistance to the needy, whiles pushing for the implementation of pro-poor policies aimed at increasing access and equity/inclusiveness relative to basic education in Ghana.