Presbyterian University College

Waiting times in outpatient departments (OPDs) significantly affect patient satisfaction, service utilisation, and healthcare outcomes. This study examined the determinants of waiting times and their implications for patients accessing OPD services at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 274 adult patients attending selected outpatient departments (OPDs) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. A multistage sampling technique was used: three OPD clinics were purposively selected, patient sessions were randomly chosen, and participants were systematically sampled from each session. Data were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire administered by trained research assistants. The questionnaire captured sociodemographic characteristics, waiting times, factors contributing to delays, and the effects of long waits on service utilisation. Data were analyzed using Stata 17. Descriptive statistics summarised participants' characteristics and waiting times, while chi-square tests examined associations among categorical variables. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify determinants of waiting time, controlling for potential confounders. Model fit was assessed using standard diagnostic tests, and results were presented with coefficients and 95% confidence intervals. Ethical approval was obtained from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. A total of 274 patients participated in the study, with a mean age of 34.1 years (±11.3); 51.8% were female, 61.3% married, and 38.7% had no formal education. Employment included civil servants (31.8%), farmers (23.7%), and traders (16.8%), while 45.3% had health insurance. Most visits occurred on Monday (34.3%), and early-morning arrivals were common (43.4%). Overall, 56.4% of patients experienced long waiting times (≥120 minutes), with median waiting times of 16 minutes at registration, 30 minutes for laboratory services, and 32 minutes for other diagnostics. Multivariable analysis showed that female sex, lower educational attainment, Monday visits, and early morning arrivals were significantly associated with longer waiting times. Employment status and insurance coverage were not statistically significant, though civil servants and insured patients tended to experience shorter waits. Prolonged waiting times were linked to missed appointments (53.4%), negative health impacts (39.7%), psychological effects, and low satisfaction, with only 31.2% willing to reuse hospital services. Interventions should include enhanced patient education, gender-sensitive practices, expanded weekend services, optimisedp scheduling, and digital queue management systems. Policymakers and hospital administrators must priioritise these strategies to reduce waiting times, improve patient satisfaction, and enhance healthcare outcomes. Though the study offers some insights into the determinants of waiting times, it also has some limitations. The study was conducted at a single tertiary hospital, limiting generalizability. Some potential determinants, such as patient health status, severity of illness, and organisational factors, were not assessed. Additionally, the cross-sectional design precludes causal inferences.

Several fingers point at the degradation of societal values, especially in the aspect of ethics and morality. The elders have now coined a saying, “Oh! the good old days” whenever issues of poor morals and ethics of the young ones come up. Recognizing the pivotal role of parents in shaping the values, morals, and societal norms, particularly within the context of family units guided by religious principles, this study explored the multifaceted impact of parental roles on broader societal structures through the lens of the church. The research methodology employed a quantitative research design with descriptive research analysis. The study found that society benefits from children who grow in parental affection, warmth, and love. Also, less contact time with parents actually affects open connection to stimulate emotional control which is key to coexistence in the society. It is evident that the church is practically at the center of the key traditional ceremonies that are used to impact morals, ethics, and culture in the young ones – naming ceremony, baptism, confirmation (puberty rites), marriage (both customary and ordinance) as well as funerals. The study concludes that the influence of parenting on the society cannot be overemphasized. Whatever an individual is or would be is rooted in how every individual interacts with his/her immediate environment. This study contributes to scholarship by offering a nuanced understanding of how parental roles, framed within the church, can shape the broader societal dynamics. Keywords: Parenting, Society, Church, Social Development, Responsibility.

Empirical evidence has revealed that affective-motivational variables such as pre-service teachers’ attitudes, computer literacy skills, self-efficacy, self-concept and concerns play a key role in their pedagogical decisions regarding how to integrate technology within classroom practices. This study sought to investigate pre-service teachers’ computer literacy skills and attitude when they first enter the teacher training institutions. By means of hierarchical cluster analysis, this study also examined the relationship between male and female pre-service teachers’ attitudes as well as their respective computer literacy skills. A total of 449 pre-service teachers participated voluntarily in the study through a multistage sampling procedure. The results revealed that pre-service teachers’ computer literacy skills is generally basic. Also, respondents in the study indicated a positive attitude regarding the use of technology in classroom instruction. Lastly, findings in this study further indicated that there is no significant difference between male and female students in terms of computer literacy and attitude to use computers for teaching and learning. These findings will contribute to stakeholders’ realization that gender disparity is being bridged. It will afford stakeholders the opportunity to consolidate the gains that have been achieved by giving male and female equal opportunities to the access and use technology in schools.

This comparative study explores the efficacy of traditional art techniques versus digital art techniques within the framework of college visual art education. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of these two distinct approaches on students' learning outcomes, creative expression, and skill development. By employing a qualitative methodology, this research delves into the experiences and perceptions of students and educators, seeking to identify the strengths and limitations of each technique. The study's findings reveal nuanced insights into the multifaceted nature of art education, highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with traditional and digital methods. The study draws upon constructivist learning theory as the theoretical foundation, emphasizing the role of active engagement and hands-on experience in the learning process. This theory informs the investigation by guiding the exploration of how students construct knowledge and develop artistic skills through different techniques. The validation of the constructivist theory in the study is achieved through thematic analysis of qualitative data, wherein patterns and themes emerge from student and educators’ interviews. The research highlights the significance of a balanced approach to art education, recognizing the value of both traditional and digital techniques. It recommends that practitioners integrate a variety of methods to cater to diverse learning styles and preferences, fostering holistic artistic development. Moreover, the findings offer recommendations to educators to create an inclusive and adaptable curriculum that facilitates the exploration of both traditional and digital mediums. In the context of policy implications, this study underscores the need for flexible policies that support the integration of digital tools and resources in art education while preserving the essential foundations of traditional techniques. Policymakers are encouraged to promote professional development opportunities for educators, ensuring they are equipped to effectively teach and mentor students in both traditional and digital realms.

IntroductionSnakebite is one of the most neglected tropical diseases. In Ghana, there has been a limited interest in snakebite envenoming research despite evidence of high human-snake conflicts. In an effort to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2030 snakebite targets, the need for research evidence to guide policy interventions is evident. However, in setting the research agenda, community and healthcare workers’ priorities are rarely considered.MethodsThree categories of focus groups were formed in the Ashanti and Upper West regions of Ghana, comprising of community members with and without a history of snakebite and healthcare workers who manage snakebite patients. Two separate focus group discussions were conducted with each group in each region. Using the thematic content analysis approach, the framework method was adopted for the data analysis. A predefined 15-item list of potential snakebite-associated difficulties and the WHO’s 2030 snakebite strategic key activities were ranked in order of priority based on the participants’ individual assessment.ResultsBoth acute and chronic effects of snakebite such as bite site management, rehabilitation and mental health were prioritised by the community members. Health system challenges including training, local standard treatment protocols and clinical investigations on the efficacy of available antivenoms were identified as priorities by the healthcare workers. Notably, all the participant groups highlighted the need for research into the efficacy of traditional medicines and how to promote collaborative strategies between traditional and allopathic treatment practices.ConclusionThe prioritisation of chronic snakebite envenoming challenges by community members and how to live and cope with such conditions accentuate the lack of post-hospital treatment follow-ups for both mental and physical rehabilitation. To improve the quality of life of patients, it is essential to involve grassroots stakeholders in the process of developing and prioritising future research agenda.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to offer a conceptual model that bridges gaps in the current research by combining constructs from the health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Furthermore, the researchers applied the constructed model to analyse the determinants of workers’ intentions to use e-wallet payment options for business transactions rather than physical currency during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the paper examines whether there are any significant variations in the usage intentions of Ghanaian workers in the formal and informal sectors.Design/methodology/approachThe non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to compile the primary respondents among Ghanaian users of e-wallets. Based on constructs derived from the HBM and TPB, an online survey involving the use of a questionnaire was administered to collect quantitative data from 285 formal and informal sector workers in Ghana. Data collected was analysed using the partial least squares-structural equation modelling approach involving the measurement, structural model tests, hypothesis tests and multi-group analysis (MGA) tests.FindingsThis study reveals that workers’ attitudes, subjective norms and perceived susceptibility as the main determinants of intentions to use e-wallets, as the analysis of data lends support to hypotheses involving these constructs. Perceived behavioural control was however not supported by the data analysis as a determinant of workers’ intention. Finally, there were no significant differences between e-wallet usage intentions of formal and informal sector workers in Ghana.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the ongoing pandemic, the study recommends that governments of emerging economies should formulate policies that promote the use of e-wallets, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and at the same time contribute to the quest for a cashless economy. However, the results of the study are only based on data collected from workers in Ghana. Therefore, practitioners should apply the recommendations with discretion and make modifications where necessary. The results of the study also provide evidence from the context of a developing country that can support future academic pursuits.Practical implicationsThis study provides evidence that influences practitioners’ decisions and practices regarding the design and implementation of e-wallet services and innovations among workers in the formal and informal sectors of the economy.Originality/valueThis study provides useful business insights to user acquisition managers, marketing managers and business development managers during the formulation of policies, strategies and approaches for their mobile wallet subscriber base. Moreover, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to apply the constructs of the HBM (mainly applied in health research) to the study of workers’ intentions to use e-wallets. It, therefore, makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by examining the combined effects of the constructs of the HBM and the TPB on workers’ intention to use e-wallets.

The study examined the effects of sports betting on the moral behaviour of students in Colleges of Education in Ghana. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Using the multi-stage technique involving proportionate and simple random sampling procedures, three hundred and two (302) students from five colleges of Education in Ghana. Questionnaires were the instruments used in collecting data for the study. The data was analysed through the computation of frequency counts, and percentages, as well as means and standard deviations. The study demonstrated that students had a positive perception of the effects of sports betting on their moral behaviours. They believed that sports betting was not immoral, that it might be profitable and that it was only beneficial to those who understood how it worked. The students were unsure as to whether sports betting was against their religious beliefs or if it was only for slothful people who did not want to work. Despite these, the students mentioned that sports betting can be addictive; it is a very risky business, and people despise those that bet. Thus the study concluded that even though sports betting appears lucrative, it is addictive and can cause more harm than good. It recommended the necessity of Guidance and Counselling Units on Colleges of Education campuses running programs to inform students about exaggerated claims about the advantages of sports betting and the negative effects of sports betting. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the phenomena of sports betting by presenting a contextual view of the activity, particularly among young Ghanaian college students. Keywords: Perceptions, Morality, Sports Betting, Students, Colleges of Education

Mycobacterium (M.) bovis BCG vaccination is recommended for healthy babies after birth in several countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis, including Ghana. Previous studies showed that BCG vaccination prevents individuals from developing severe clinical manifestations of tuberculosis, but BCG vaccination effects on the induction of IFN-γ after M. tuberculosis infection have hardly been investigated. Here, we performed IFN-γ-based T-cell assays (i.e., IFN-γ Release Assay, IGRA; T-cell activation and maturation marker assay, TAM-TB) in children who had contact with index tuberculosis patients (contacts). These contacts were classified as either being BCG vaccinated at birth (n = 77) or non-BCG-vaccinated (n = 17) and were followed up at three timepoints for a period of one year to determine immune conversion after M. tuberculosis exposure and potential infection. At baseline and month 3, BCG-vaccinated contacts had significantly lower IFN-γ levels after stimulation with M. tuberculosis-specific proteins as compared to non-BCG-vaccinated contacts. This resulted in decreased proportions of positive IGRA results (BCG-vaccinated: 60% at baseline, 57% at month 3; non-BCG-vaccinated: 77% and 88%, respectively) at month 3. However, until month 12, immune conversion in BCG-vaccinated contacts led to balanced proportions in IGRA responders and IFN-γ expression between the study groups. TAM-TB assay analyses confirmed higher proportions of IFN-γ-positive T-cells in non-BCG-vaccinated contacts. Low proportions of CD38-positive M. tuberculosis-specific T-cells were only detected in non-BCG-vaccinated contacts at baseline. These results suggest that BCG vaccination causes delayed immune conversion as well as differences in the phenotype of M. tuberculosis-specific T-cells in BCG-vaccinated contacts of tuberculosis patients. These differences are immune biomarker candidates for protection against the development of severe clinical tuberculosis manifestations.

The study aimed to assess the concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced from the burning of biomass fuel from the smoking of fish. It also sought to determine the proportion of fish smokers reporting health symptoms associated with exposure to these pollutants. A cross-sectional study was conducted among fish smokers at Abuesi in the Western Region of Ghana. Systematic sampling was employed to choose 60 smokehouses for PM2.5 and VOC monitoring. A total of 434 fish smokers were also randomly sampled for the study. Measurements were taken at indoor, outdoor and control locations. The highest concentration of PM2.5 was recorded in the indoor environment. The mean concentration of PM2.5 between the indoor and control environment was significantly different unlike between the outdoor and control environments. The concentration of VOCs systematically varied across indoor, outdoor and control locations. The most reported disease symptoms were eye infection, cough, and headaches. There was a strong positive association between the number of years spent smoking fish and the frequency of eye problems reported by fish smokers. The study demonstrated that fish smokers inside the smokehouse or smoking rooms are exposed to higher PM2.5 and VOC levels which are detrimental to their health. There is therefore the need for further studies to explore other energy sources which may have a lesser negative effect on human health.