Vol 9, No1 2001 Abstracts
C. HOF & A. RICHTERS
Teenage Pregnancy as an Issue of Human Rights for Women: The Case of
Zimbabwe
Teenage pregnancy can be simultaneously a health, human rights and a development problem. Whether this is indeed the case depends on the socio-cultural context in which it occurs. Based on a qualitative field study in Zimbabwe, this paper analysis to what extent teenage pregnancy in the context of today's Zimbabwe can be conceived as a violation of reproductive and sexual rights of female adolescents. The field data collected demonstrate that this violation when it occurs is in various ways related to the impairment of the psychological health of these women. In order to prevent this situation, development programs should focus on the realization of women's human rights, in particular their right to reproductive and sexual health, as one of their objectives.
F.K. AMEDAHE
Combining Teacher Assessment Scores with External Examination Scores for Certification: Comparative Study of Four Statistical Models
This study investigated four statistical models for combining teacher assessment scores with external examination scores for certifying secondary school graduates in Ghana in terms of validity of the composite scores. The models studied were (1) external examination moderation with nominal weights, (2) reference school moderation using nominal weights and square-mean-root combination, (3) reference school moderation using achieved weights and square-mean-root combination, and (4) external examination moderation using nominal weights and square-mean-root combination.
The population of study was 56,924 graduates of the 455 public senior secondary schools in Ghana for the 1996 academic year. A sample of 2,378 graduates from 11 randomly selected public secondary schools was chosen for the study.
The data collected for the study were teacher assessment mathematics scores for the three years and external examination mathematics scores. University entrance examination scores in mathematics were obtained for a subsample of 115 graduates who took that examination.
Although the results show that two of the models have a potential to serve as alternatives to the external examination moderation with nominal weights, their improvement in this study over that model is not substantial. Further research with subject matters other than mathematics is needed.
A.S. JEGEDE, S.E.IDEMUDIA, S.N. MADU
Public Health in Nigeria: From Cure to Care
This paper examines the public health practice in Nigeria using immunization as a case study. It explains health care development in Nigeria. Data show limited health education activities, the cornerstone of public health, especially in the rural areas where people rely mostly on informal sources for health information due to lack of access to formal media sources of information. There is significant relationship between awareness and use of immunization service (P<0.05). Hence, the need for adequate practice of preventive care is emphasized
J.H. NENTY
Tendency to Cheat during Mathematics Examination and some Achievement-Related Behaviour among Secondary School Students in Lesotho.
The most important threat to the credibility of the results of educational assessment in Africa is examination malpractice. Given the many important and vital decisions to which its results are put, assessment is useful only to the extent that it provides the various decisions-making processes with a vital index which, with high degree of confidence, represents the level of ability implied in the certification given to the products of education. Ensuring this is one of the most important aspect of this challenge is curbing the 'rising cases of malpractice and irregularities in the conduct of public examinations" in Africa.
In an attempt to contribute a solution to this problem, this study was undertaken to test hypotheses on factors that relate to the tendency to cheat in mathematics examination (TTCME) by secondary school students in Lesotho. Questionnaire data as well as Junior School Certificate (JSC) examination results collected on 717 students were analysed using mainly one-way ANOVA statistical procedure. The results showed that students with different levels of TTCME during mathematics examination differed significantly (p<.01) on several achievement-related variables, as well as in their performance in the JSC mathematics examination by these students.
Key words/phrases: Examination malpractices; cheating; students' performance in mathematics; validity of examination results; Lesotho.
B.O. OLLEY
Perceived Stigma: Prevalence and Related Factors Among Clinically Diagnosed
Nigerian Individuals with Epilepsy
The theoretical model that epilepsy is globally stigmatizing was tested among Nigerian adults. The model suggested relationships among several characteristics (seizure control, age at onset of illness, duration of epilepsy, seizure type) depression, neuroticism, social support and perceived stigma. Subjects were 264 adults, 21 to 60 years old, clinically diagnosed epilepsy.
Using both correlational analysis of variables and a hierarchical multiple regression analysis, results of the study suggest that Nigerian individuals with epilepsy felt seriously stigmatized by the illness.
Five variables: poor seizure control, duration of epilepsy, depression, neuroticism and social supports were related to stigma. However depression and social support best predicted perception of stigma.
J.A. ATHANASOU & O. AIYEWALEHINMI
A Case Study of Student Judgements of Interest in A Subject
The purpose of this paper was to report an idiographic case study of how students make a judgement of interest in a subject. This case involved two undergraduate students from the University of Technology Sydney. Their judgements of interests were based on information that described six aspects of a subject rated from very low (0) to very high (9). The six aspects (cues) were whether the subject was challenging, fascinating, the quality of teaching, the usefulness of the text, the quality of the facilities, and the extent to which theory and practice were related. Participants were presented with 60 separate profiles comprising random values of the six cues. They studied the six cues in each profile and then judged their own personal levels of interest on a scale from) (no interest) to 9 (very high interest) based on the information contained each profile. Profiles (N=15) were repeated to determine consistency of judgement of interests. Results were analysed using a single lens model that describes human judgement of interest. Results showed individual differences and complexity in judgement, with an overall emphasis on the quality of teaching.
A.J. IBANGA & A. ZAMANI
Aids Pandemic: Challenge for the Nigerian Psychologists
No other medical event in recent history has produced the degree of public fear and private response than the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). For a clearer picture, it is considered as three separate epidemics instead of one. The first is an epidemic with regards to the spread of virus where an increasing number of new infections each day. The second is an epidemic of whose infections have progressed to the terminal stages and thirdly is an epidemic of the social, economic, and political reactions of people towards HIV/AIDS. Each epidemic poses a certain challenge for the Nigerian Psychologist whose expertise and involvement is imperative to contain the disease
R.M. SCHROEDER C.S. AKOTIA & A.K. APEKEY
Stress and Coping among Ghanaian School Teachers
The present study investigated the type of stressors that Ghanaian schoolteachers encounter on their job and the coping strategies they use in dealing with the stressors. Three hundred and fifty five (355) teachers from five regions of the country participated in the study. The Teachers Job Stress Questionnaire and the Ways of Coping Scale were administered to collect data. Results showed that "lack of accommodation for teachers", "no free education for teachers' children", and "low salaries" were identified by the teachers as the three most frustrating (stressful) events experienced on their job Having faith in God or praying, taking time to think about the problem, and putting in more effort to correct the situation were identified as the three most frequently used coping strategies among the teachers. Based on the results, recommendations are suggested on how to deal with teachers' job stress and directions for future research are also indicated.
M.G. FAJONYOMI
Relative Effectiveness of Three Modes of Treatment on English Language
Performance among Secondary School Students in Maiduguri
This study examined the effectiveness of Study Skill Counselling (SSC), Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), and a combined treatment of SSC & RET in improving the performance of students in English Language. Forty students in SS II class were randomly selected and assigned to the three experimental groups and control group. The experimental as well as the control subjects were pre-tested treated for ten weeks and post tested on English Language Performance Test (ELPT). Using group mean as unit of analysis, the analysis, the analysis of co-variance showed a significant main treatment effect (F 3, 29 - 16.84: p<. 05) and non-significant main sex effect, a non-significant interaction effect of sex and treatment. The study further revealed that the three treatment modes equivalent effect on students' performance. Based on the result it was recommended that school counsellors could use any of the counselliing modes in counselling low achievers in English Language for improvement in their performance.
F.A. KALGO
Sex and Age Trend of Field-Independent/Dependent among Secondary School Student in Sokoto State
This study aimed at finding out the sex and age trend of field-independent/dependent secondary school students in Sokoto State. It was assumed that as one increases in age his/her field-independence also increases. Males at all ages were assumed to be more field-independent than females. A sample of 200 secondary school students participated in the study, which was made up of 50 JSS I males, 50 JSS I females, 50 SSS I females. Group Embedded Figures Test was administered to these students.
The analysis of the data has shown a progressive increase in field-independence with increasing age. It was also found that both at JSS and SSS levels, males were more field-independent than females. It was recommended among other things that teachers should take into consideration; the perceptual and disembodying differences among students (sex-wise) while teaching.
B.O. EHIGIE & N.A. SHENGE
Psychological Strategies in Managing Television Commercial Efficacy
This paper examined advertisement presentation frequency (repetitive Versus non- repetitive), type of stimulus (familiar versus novel), and information source (credible versus non-credible) as psychological strategies of managing television commercial efficacy. Subject's total score on recall of advert information, attitude to an advert, and intention to buy an advertised product was used as a measure of advertisement efficacy. By employing 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design, eight advert pieces were designed to reflect the levels of the independent variables. Standardized psychological instruments were used to measure the dependent variable. The result of the 2 x 2 x 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) computed showed significant main effect of each of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Except the interaction effect between presentation frequency and information source, all others were significant. It was finally suggested for advertisement practitioners to repeat advert messages, use familiar stimulus background information and perceived credible persons in disseminating advert messages. A total of 80 (40 males, 40 females) randomly selected secondary school students were used for the study
M.A. BANKAT
Traditional Forms of Psychotherapy of the Fer People of Plateau State, Nigeria
The paper discusses the traditional forms of psychotherapy of the Fer people of plateau state, Nigeria. The paper also discusses the therapeutic and psychological significance of the methods. The four systems that are discussed have therapeutic significance such as relieving disturbed people of grief, anger, emotional conflict, psychological pain, distress, despair and restoring peace, harmony, comfort and relaxation in the persons disturbed.
The aim of the paper is to bring to light some useful and effective traditional methods of psychotherapy. The paper thus recognizes the fact that with the present high level of poverty, economic hardship, embracing and encouraging the use of the effective traditional methods of treatment and healing for the advantage of the teeming rural populace who may not have access to specialist hospitals and professionals is worth while.
J.A. OMOTOSHO
Learning Disability Problems Prevalent Among Elementary School Age Children in Ilorin Metropolis: Implications for Special Education and Counselling
The investigator reached the parents and teachers of elementary school-aged children in Ilorin metropolis with a view to examining the learning disability problems which parents and teachers had identified among their children/pupils. The findings showed that a staggeringly large proportion of parents and teachers identified various learning disability problems among their children/pupils. The learning disability problem that was identified by the largest proportion of parents and teachers (81.14%) was Mathematics problems and the one identified by the smallest proportion of parents and teachers (49.04%) was Hearing problems. The implications of these findings were drawn
B.J.BILESANMI- AWODERU
The Relationship Between Nigerian High School Seniors' Performance in Theory
and Practical Biology
This study investigated the relationship and extent of correlation between Students' Performance in Theory and Practical aspects of Biology. The subjects were three hundred and sixty SS Two students who responded to two reliable and valid tests, that is BTT and BPT and five hypotheses were raised. Also, the effect of gender and school location were investigated, the results show that there was a low but positive relationship in the students' performance in BTT and BPT.
While students' performance in BTT showed no significant gender and location differences, significant differences were established for students' performance based on gender and location in BPT. Based on the findings, some suggestions were made.
L.M. OLAYIWOLA
Infrastructural needs and Responses in Rural Nigeria Between 1960-1990: A Planner's Viewpoint
The relevance of infrastructural facility provision in Urban and Rural environment cannot be over-emphasised. It provides a conducive environment for working, living and recreating. This paper examines the infrastructural needs and responses of people in rural Nigeria, between 1960 and 1990.
The paper identified the nature of infrastructural problems in rural Nigeria, and documents the attendant government solutions to the problems. The paper highlighted the flaws in the strategies adopted by government in meeting the infrastructural needs of the people.
Finally, the author posited a viewpoint as a way of solving the problems of Infrastructural provision in rural Nigeria.
A.A. AKINYOADE
A Comparative Analysis of Contraceptive Use in North West and South West Nigeria
A comparative analysis of contraceptive use among females in Northwest and Southwest Nigeria was undertaken to assess the possibility of attaining the 50% contraceptive prevalence rate aim of the National Population Policy by the year 2000. Secondary data from the 1995 Sentinel Survey of the National Population Commission was employed to facilitate the analyses. This was based on 3950 and 3158 women from the Northwest and Southwest respectively, aged 15-49 years. Information from the 1990 NDHS was used for further comparisons.
Results show that proportion of women currently contracepting was 6.9% in the Northwest compared to 16.3% in the Southwest. Using logistic regression analysis, increase in the likelihood of current use of contraceptives in the two regions was associated with increasing level of education, increasing number of living children and more importantly when “ husbands ” approve of family planning. However, while results show that women living in urban areas of the Southwest are more likely to contracept, increase in the use of contraceptives in the Northwest was associated with being resident in rural areas of the Northwest. Furthermore, in the Northwest, more women who got married under the age of 20 years have increased their contraceptive use levels.
The general results show that attainment of the 50% contraceptive prevalence level by the year 2000 is not feasible. The 50% level was only attained among the surveyed women whose husbands approved of family planning. This further supports the call for men to be active participants in family planning programmes. Also, more resources should be invested in education to enhance economic productivity and hasten the demographic transition. Lastly, information, education and communication strategies of family planning programmes should be further strengthened in the rural areas where the bulk of the population lives. A special target group in the Northwest is women aged less than 20 years.
H.J.NENTY
Student-Problem (S-P) Skill Analysis of Pupils'
Mathematics Performance: A Strategy for Enhancing Quality in Education.
S-P skill analysis (Sato, 1975) enables the extraction and analysis from the 'by-product' of testing, information about the learner's test-related skills and behaviour, his experiences and problems, that he encountered during his interaction with each of the test items, that might have arisen as a result of his unique characteristics or that of his teacher and school, or of the state or district, and of the test item. The results from such analysis are fed back to those concerned to enhance the quality of testing, teaching and learning, and hence the quality of education. Similar analyses in other countries have produced a variety of very useful results that have powered tremendous advancement in these areas.
As a capacity-building illustration, an S-P skill analysis of the responses to each of the 33 items in a statewide mathematics examination for sixth graders in Cross River State of Nigeria by 2583 candidates from 68 randomly sampled primary schools was done. This revealed a total of 5 skill areas with significant differences in S-P skills across sex, schools, locations and local government areas. These results were seen to provide very useful input into (1) the diagnosis of students' poor grasp of specific skills as well as their strengths and weaknesses; (2) the quality of the test items, and of the assessment instrument; (3) the areas of the primary school mathematics curriculum that need more coverage and greater emphasis within each classroom, each school, and within the state.
M. PRAH & M.AYERAKWA
How Rape Offenders View Their Crimes: A Study of Offenders in Selected
Police Cells and the Central Prison in Kumasi, Ghana
The study focuses on how perpetrators of rape view and justify their crimes. 10 rape perpetrators and 8 prison and police formed the sample of the original study. This paper is based solely on the responses of the rape offenders to questions on their knowledge of the issue of rape as a crime; how they perceive the act of rape, their relationship to the victims, where the crimes occurred, and their general ideas and perceptions about their crimes.
It was found that although most offenders know what constitutes rape, they underestimated the gravity of their actions. They seemed to have been more concerned about satisfying their sexual urges at all costs and accepted the myth that men cannot control their sexuality.
They generally did not to accept responsibility for their crimes.
Regarding punishment, some respondents expressed a preference for the handling of rape cases within the community, suggesting that the sanctions for those cases were less severe than those punishments imposed by law enforcement agencies.
Lack of knowledge about the serious nature of rape as a crime was thought to be a contributory factor for the persistence of rape.
It was suggested that the public, particularly men should be educated about the criminal nature of the act. Also, traditional rulers, community elders and opinion leaders should be trained to deal with rape cases with more severity.
Finally, Public education about rape and its consequences should be done within the context of a general drive to create greater equality between women and men.