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This study uses choice experiment data to explore the role of program attributes and farmer characteristics in explaining differences in farmers' behavior toward carbon payment programs. Results show that most farmers in the study prefer the status quo over carbon payment programs for switching to carbon-sequestering conservation practices. Farmers have negative preferences toward contract length and positive preferences toward government or not-for-profit organizations as governing entities. Besides program attributes, farmers' climate consciousness and adverse weather experiences influence their choices and willingness to accept carbon payments. The results suggest the potential for targeting carbon payments to specific groups of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road traffic accident is a leading cause of death and various life deformities worldwide. This burden is even higher among motorcycle riders in lower-to-middle-income countries. Despite the various interventions made to address the menace, the fatalities continue to be on the ascendency. One major area that has received little attention is the attitude and behaviour of motorcycle riders. The present study aimed to examine the contribution of traffic Locus of Control (LoC) and health belief on road safety attitude and behaviour. 317 motorcycle riders participated in the study. The participants completed a questionnaire comprising various sections such as motorcycle riding behaviour, road safety attitude, risk perception, the intention to use helmets, and traffic LoC. The results showed a significant positive correlation between road safety attitude and behaviour (r (295) =.33, p <.001). Drifting towards internal LoC was associated with more positive behaviour on the roads (r (295) = -.23, p <.001). Intention to use helmet, health motivation, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers were the factors in the health belief model that were associated with road safety attitude (r (295) =.404, p <.001). Finally, the multiple linear regression model showed that road safety attitude and traffic LoC made significant contributions to road user behaviour [F(3, 293) = 13.73, p <.001]. These findings have important implications towards shaping responsible behaviour among motorcycle riders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health profession has been characterized as consisting of high stressors and this is more pervasive in sub-Saharan Africa. Although various interventions aimed at managing stress have been investigated, little attention has been devoted to the contribution of emotional intelligence (EI) and resilience. The present study sought to examine the role of EI and resilience in the perception of stress among health professionals in Ghana. A convenient sample of 150 health workers domiciled in Ghana participated in the study by completing various questionnaires on EI, resilience, and stress. The results showed that while EI and resilience were positively related, both EI and resilience were negatively associated with work-related stress. Regression analysis further showed that EI was a significant negative predictor of stress. These findings have important implications for stress management among health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Completion of junior high school is a critical milestone in every Ghanaian child's educational trajectory and a critical step toward the transition to higher education. However, the rate of children completing junior high school still lags behind most educational indicators in Ghana. Far more attention is paid to ensuring that students enroll in school, with very little investment or commitment paid toward ensuring that they graduate or complete junior high school. Part of the problem is that there is little to no research on the challenges that children, especially girls, face in completing school. This study aims to bring school completion trends and related challenges to the forefront of research and policy discourse. Thus, the study uses multilevel growth curve modeling, spatial hot spot analysis, and school completion data (from 2009 through 2013) to offer longitudinal insights into (a) the scale and trajectories of junior high school completion in Ghana, and (b) the gender and spatial nuances in the trends. Findings suggest that the completion rate is steadily improving but still low. Findings also reveal unequivocal gender and spatial disparities in the completion rate and the rate's trajectories, although the spatial inequalities between northern and southern Ghana are more severe compared to the gender inequalities. Suggestions for how Ghana's government and its development partners can bridge the gender and spatial gaps are discussed.

Lack of proficiency in writing and research among social work students has increasingly concerned social work educators and practitioners. Given the significance of written communication with clients and emphasis on evidence-based practice in the field of social work, it is critical to assess students’ competence in both writing and research. However, deficit-based approaches to assessing writing and research competence have disadvantaged students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This pilot study aims to assess writing and research proficiency of HBCU master’s of social work (MSW) students through empirical analysis of their capstone papers and surveys from educators to provide implications for developing a writing and research manual for social work programs at HBCUs. Ten capstone papers were randomly selected and qualitatively analyzed; nine faculty and one field supervisor completed the survey, and their respondents were analyzed using cross-case analysis. Analyses of the capstone papers identified two themes for writing and research domains, respectively: (1) weakness in developing statements and lack of knowledge of writing style and (2) plagiarism and lack of understanding of research structure. Moreover, analyses of the surveys revealed four themes regarding assessment of writing and research skills among students struggling with basic writing mechanics, indicating that HBCU MSW students may have potential and capacity for learning, as evidenced by their ideas and critical thinking skills. These findings suggest both teaching- and research-oriented programs could employ the proposed writing and research assessment manual, as well as a writing and research lab/center for improving writing and research skills among their students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]