International Journal of Education Research and Reviews

International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 678-685, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Living arrangements of the elderly in demographic and socioeconomic terms in Ghana

John Mubuntu Kelly

Association of African Universities (AAU), Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 11 January, 2016

Abstract

With the anticipated rapid increases in the population of the elderly in Ghana and the consequent greater potential need for comprehensive social welfare services, it is necessary and urgent to gain a firm understanding of the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the elderly in Ghana who will be having special needs. Using data from the three ecological zones of Ghana collected in 2012, the study characterizes the living arrangements of the elderly in demographic and socioeconomic terms to portray the economic and social disadvantages experienced by the older population in Ghana. The age distribution of the older adults indicates that there are consistently more people at young and old age groups for each sex and for both sexes combined. As should be expected, there are more elderly women than men at the oldest old age group. Majority of the older population have no formal education (55% for both sexes, 22% for men and 33% for women). Overall, there are more elderly women than their male counterparts in Ghana. About 12% of older adults live alone, while women are more likely to live alone than men (14 versus 9%). Men are more likely to live with spouse than women (13 versus 6%). Although extended household living is still prevalent, there are great variations in living arrangements by sex. Women are much more likely than men to live in extended households (that is, living with spouse, children and others, as well as living with others). This is because taken together about 71% of elderly women live in these extended households as opposed to about 41% of older men. On the other hand, 37% of elderly men live in a nuclear household (consisting of spouse and children only), compared with 9% of older women. Logistic regression results showing the individual-level factors associated with two key living arrangements (living with children and grandchildren under age 15, and living with an adult child) by sex reveal that the background characteristics are significantly associated with the two types of living arrangements. As men age, they are more likely to live with children and grandchildren under age 15 but less likely to live with an adult child. Elderly women are more likely to live with an adult child. Additionally, elderly people are less likely to be living with children and grandchildren if they have some formal education. The result is in conformity with the modernization theory where one should expect the elderly living in less urbanized settlements and those with less education to be more likely to live with children and grandchildren. The government should continue to encourage more women to go beyond primary education and initiate moves toward providing universal old age security for women and men who attain a certain age (for example, 60 years for women and 65 years for men).

Key words: Ageing, elderly, Ghana, older, men, population, women.

International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 661-665, March, 2016.  © International Scholars Journals

Review

Education as a tool for empowering women necessary for full participation in national development

Ukoko Destiny Omokiniovo

Curriculum and Instruction Department, College of Education, Warri Delta State, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 28 February, 2016

Abstract

Education is an important tool for empowering the individual with abilities and capabilities necessary for full participation in national development. The education of the woman is a huge asset to her nation. However, women had played second fiddle to men and they have been relegated to the background in various fields of human endeavour. The important roles women play in nation building is currently receiving deserved attention. Many women do not participate fully in political activities either because the society frowns at it or they are not educationally sound. Although there have been some improvement over the years, majority of women still lag behind men in power, wealth and opportunity. Many factors such as traditional, socio-cultural, socioeconomic and religion constraints inhibit women education and political participation. Though history has recorded some notable Nigerian women’s contribution to national development, much is still left undone. That the government should intensity the programmes for women education and ensure equitable representation of both sexes in political appointments were some recommendations proffered.

Keywords: Women Education, Participation in Politics, Sustainable Development

Key words: Reflective teac hing, action research

International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 761-767, June, 2016.  © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Sustainable and optimal development concepts to mitigate deterioration of natural environment

Mba Febresima Gideon

Department of Development Studies, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 May, 2016

Abstract

This article looks at the controversy surrounding the concepts of sustainable and optimal development and the path the present generation is taking, to reduce the deteriorating of the natural environment. The World Commission of Environment and Development (WCED 1987) defined sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs. In other words, it is development based on patterns of production and consumption that can be pursued into the future without degrading the human or natural environment. It involves the equitable sharing of the benefits of economic activity across all sections of society, to enhance the well-being of humans, protect health and alleviate poverty. Despite the wide publicity, the present generation seems not to catch up with the ideas and philosophy of the concept . Rather optimal development, development in totality that compromises the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs, is seen to be adopted in achieving the present economic agenda, both in developed and developing countries. The aim of this article is to examine the contradiction of both concepts and the extent to which the present generation has chosen as far as both concepts are concerned and its long term effects on the future generation. The article then concludes with special reference to the Ghanaian initiative towards sustainable development.

Key words: sustainable developments, optimal development, present generation, future generation

International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 806-808, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Impact of D-penicillamine (DPA) on HIV infection caused by vertical transmission

János Csupó Telkes

Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Kenézy County Hospital, Debrecen, Hungary.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 11 April, 2016

Abstract

D-penicillamine (DPA) was first recognized as a potential benefit for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (1974-1980) in the Department of Neonatology of Medical University of Debrecen, Hungary. During this time, there was a remarkedly low incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the infants treated with DPA. Later, studies by this author was replicated in other institutes in Hungary, and in the U.S., and India. It is important to note that there was no intolerance or short- or long-term toxicity of the medication, in spite of the fact that in the newborn period, DPA was used 10-20 times higher doses than in adult. On the basis of American research work concerning the beneficial effect of DPA-therapy in adult AIDS-patients, it would be reasonable to treat neonatal HIV-positivity due to vertical transmission with short-term DPA therapy.

Key words: D-penicillamine, neonatal, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), therapy.

International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 752-756, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A survey on violent behaviours among adolescents and bereaved children in South West Nigeria

Fayose Goodluck Emejuke

Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 3 May, 2016

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship that existed between certain identified factors of violent behaviours among bereaved children and adolescents. The descriptive research design of the survey type was used for the study. The population of the study are all the children and adolescents in South West Nigeria. A research instrument titled “Violent Behaviour Questionnaire” (VBQ) was used for gathering data. The instrument’s validity was ensured by subjecting it to experts in the Departments of Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Tests and Measurement, Sociology and Human Kinetics. A reliability coefficient of 0.74 was obtained using Test-re-test Reliability and Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis. A sample of 584 was selected using simple and multistage sampling techniques. Copies of the instrument were personally administered by the research and trained research assistants. The result of the analysis revealed that the identified factors of violent behaviours, parents, residence, morality and teachers correlated significantly. It was recommended that the curriculum planners should incorporate bereavement counselling into the education curriculum to enable teachers, counsellors and students to learn and teach areas that will enhance identification of bereaved children and adolescents and to reduce the intensity and consequences of bereavement. The mass media and religious organisations and leaders should be able to counsel and educate the members of the society on areas that could alleviate the intensity of grief and bereavement.

Key words: Children, adolescents, bereavement, violent behaviour.