Browsing by Author "Alhassan, M."
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Biosecurity measures to reduce influenza infections in military barracks in Ghana(BioMed Central, BMC Research Notes, 2015-01) Agbenohevi, P.G.; Odoom, J.K.; Bel-Nono, S.; Nyarko, E.O.; Alhassan, M.; Rodgers, D.; Danso, F.; Suu-Ire, R.D.; Bonney, J.H.K; Aboagye, J.; Kronmann, K.C.; Duplessis, C.; Oyofo, B.A.; Ampofo, W.K.Background Military barracks in Ghana have backyard poultry populations but the methods used here involve low biosecurity measures and high risk zoonosis such as avian influenza A viruses or Newcastle disease. We assessed biosecurity measures intended to minimize the risk of influenza virus infection among troops and poultry keepers in military barracks. Go to: Findings We educated troops and used a questionnaire to collect information on animal populations and handling practices from 168 individuals within 203 households in military barracks. Cloacal and tracheal samples were taken from 892 healthy domestic and domesticated wild birds, 91 sick birds and 6 water samples for analysis using molecular techniques for the detection of influenza A virus. Of the 1090 participants educated and 168 that responded to a questionnaire, 818 (75%) and 129 (76.8%) respectively have heard of pandemic avian influenza and the risks associated with its infection. Even though no evidence of the presence of avian influenza infection was found in the 985 birds sampled, only 19.5% of responders indicated they disinfect their coops regularly and 28% wash their hands after handling their birds. Vaccination of birds and use of personal protective clothing while handling the birds were low putting the people at risk. Go to: Conclusion Though some efforts have been made to improve biosecurity practices, interventions that help to protect the poultry flock from direct contact have to be practiced. Basic hygiene like washing of hands with soap and running water and regular cleaning of chicken coops are needed to prevent the spread of diseases among birds and between birds and humans.Item Biosecurity measures to reduce influenza infections in military barracks in Ghana(2015-01-23) Agbenohevi, P.G.; Odoom, J.K.; Bel-Nono, S.; Nyarko, E.O.; Alhassan, M.; Rodgers, D.; Danso, F.; Suu-Ire, R.D.; Bonney, J.H.K.; Aboagye, J.; Kronmann, K.C.; Duplessis, C.; Oyofo, B.A.; Ampofo, W.K.Abstract Background Military barracks in Ghana have backyard poultry populations but the methods used here involve low biosecurity measures and high risk zoonosis such as avian influenza A viruses or Newcastle disease. We assessed biosecurity measures intended to minimize the risk of influenza virus infection among troops and poultry keepers in military barracks. Findings We educated troops and used a questionnaire to collect information on animal populations and handling practices from 168 individuals within 203 households in military barracks. Cloacal and tracheal samples were taken from 892 healthy domestic and domesticated wild birds, 91 sick birds and 6 water samples for analysis using molecular techniques for the detection of influenza A virus. Of the 1090 participants educated and 168 that responded to a questionnaire, 818 (75%) and 129 (76.8%) respectively have heard of pandemic avian influenza and the risks associated with its infection. Even though no evidence of the presence of avian influenza infection was found in the 985 birds sampled, only 19.5% of responders indicated they disinfect their coops regularly and 28% wash their hands after handling their birds. Vaccination of birds and use of personal protective clothing while handling the birds were low putting the people at risk. Conclusion Though some efforts have been made to improve biosecurity practices, interventions that help to protect the poultry flock from direct contact have to be practiced. Basic hygiene like washing of hands with soap and running water and regular cleaning of chicken coops are needed to prevent the spread of diseases among birds and between birds and humans.Item An Examination Of Students’ Attitude Towards Female Senior Members’ Job Performance In Higher Educational Institutions In Ghana: The Influence Of Social Dominance Orientation(University of Ghana, 2017-05) Alhassan, M.This study examined students’ attitudes towards female senior members in Ghanaian Universities. The study also considered whether Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) will moderate the relationship between students’ attitude and female senior members’ job performance. The study employed mixed method approach. Ghanaian graduate students and female senior members were sampled for the study. A total of 330 valid questionnaires was used for the quantitative survey analysis and 12 recorded and transcribed interviews were used for the qualitative analysis. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the quantitative data to address the hypothesized relationships whilst thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. It was discovered that students have positive attitudes towards female senior members. The study further revealed that SDO does not influence the positive relationship between students’ attitude and female senior members’ job performance. The results further indicate that there are no obvious structures that serve as a barrier to female senior members’ progress to higher positions in higher institutions. It was also found that the combination of professional work and family responsibility is a challenge to female senior members. This study concludes that students who have received higher education appear to have a positive attitude towards professional women and therefore, HR managers should factor it into their hiring strategy.Item Junior high school students’ use of their afterschool hours in Ghana: The role of household assets(Child and Youth Service, 2017-05) Alhassan, M.; Ansong, D.; Ampomah, O.A.; Albritton, T.J.Studies have examined a broad range of factors for how students use their time, but few attempts have been made to explore the nuanced link between different types of asset ownership and students' use of study time, particularly in resource-limited countries. This study uses data from junior high school students in Ghana to examine how students spend their time after school hours, the predictive influence of different types of household assets, and the extent to which these trends and relationships vary by gender. Polynomial quantile regression models were fitted across three quantiles (24th, 53rd, and 76th percentiles) to align with one hour, one and half hours, and two hours of study time. Results show that the average student spends well above the recommended 90 minutes on their schoolwork during afterschool hours, regardless of gender. Multivariate results indicate that owning limited assets tends to have a negative relationship with use of study time, but higher levels tend to be positively related to use of study time. Also, the predictive influence of asset ownership varies by asset type, and higher levels of asset ownership favor girls more than boys. Given this study's realtively small sample size, caution must be exercised in generalizing the study findings to the general population of junior high school students in Ghana. In light of the study's limitations, the finding of varying asset effect may have practical implications for asset development programs designed to enhance the well-being of low-income families. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.