Lectures and Speeches
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Item Biology, Behaviours, T2DM and Hypertension among Young Adults in Accra, Ghana(2017-10-18) Assasie, E.; Ampadu, E.Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD) are a principal cause of death and disability globally. Ghana is in the middle of lifestyle transition and has a high prevalence of risk factors that contribute to the onset of NCDs. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension are among the most common NCDs. This research examines the links between lifestyle factors (nutrition, alcohol, smoking, sedentary behaviour and physical activity) with T2DM, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia status, among a group of young adults from the Greater Accra region of Ghana. A population-based sample of 117 participants aged 18 to 35 years were recruited. Data on anthropometric parameters (height, weight, skinfolds and several circumferences), blood pressure, and biomarkers (fasting plasma glucose/OGTT, and serum lipids- total cholesterol and triglycerides) were taken. Physical activity levels were subjectively and objectively measured with the IPAQ and actigraph respectively. Questionnaire data on demographic characteristics, dietary behavior, smoking, and alcohol consumption were also included in the analysis. There were no cases of T2DM and hyperglycaemia. Moreover, rates of systolic (3.3%) and diastolic (1.8%) hypertension were low. However; systolic pre-hypertension and diastolic pre-hypertension prevalence was 25.7% and 6.8% respectively. High cholesterol prevalence was 21.7 % and total elevated triglyceride prevalence 20.9%. Smoking prevalence was minimum (1.7%) compared to alcohol consumption (37.1%). Adiposity measures were high with 37.6% overweight/obesity and 21.4% central obesity prevalence. The actigraph results revealed that participants spent more than 73% of their time sedentary.Item Proposing a Contextual Approach to Pre-School Teacher Education in Ghana(2017-03-27) Nyarko, N.Y.; Ampadu, E.Efforts of Ghanaian Universities and Colleges of Education in training pre-school teachers have been found inadequate and unable to meet their training needs. As a result, other private and non-governmental organisations have been contributing to the education of early childhood practitioners, although on pilot basis. Currently, most pre-school teachers remain untrained. Using the Cultural Historical Activity Theory as a Framework, this paper proposes a contextual approach to pre-school teacher education using radio as a training tool for teachers. The radio is easily accessible, handy, far reaching to remote rural settlements (than the internet) and low in cost. It is suggested that as in other community radio efforts it should be localised so the community ‘runs’ their own stations. Specific programmes should be devoted to topics on child development, child survival, early childhood pedagogy and other practical issues relevant to pre-school classrooms. This presentation concludes by suggesting periodic community (of stakeholders) meetings to form a support group.