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The global nature of social problems indicates how important it is for social workers to be involved in international issues. For example, overseas experience in social work programs is in consonance with the Council on Social Work Education's emphasis on global context of social work practice. In view of this, some schools of social work are facilitating international experience for their students and faculty. This article discusses the experiences of U.S. students who studied abroad in Ghana in summer 2010, under the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC). It specifically examines the impact the USAC Ghana program, the people and culture of the host country, intracountry trips/tours, and the social work courses had on the student participants.

Child labor remains a concern in sub‐Saharan Africa. Yet, evidence‐based preventive efforts are limited. We analyzed longitudinal data from Ghanaian adolescent girls in a pilot randomized clinical trial testing the preliminary impact of a combination intervention on family cohesion as a protective factor against child labor and school dropout. While there was no statistical difference between the control and intervention groups at 9 months, the results show that family cohesion scores improved significantly from baseline to 9 months for the ANZANSI intervention group. Qualitative results indicated improved family cohesion in the intervention group. Hence, future studies should further examine this promising social work intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During adolescence, youth experience several physical, psychosocial, and cognitive changes. Self‐esteem and self‐concept are identified as protective factors for adolescents in high‐income countries, but studies are limited in sub‐Saharan Africa. We examined the associations of self‐esteem and self‐concept with life satisfaction and attitudes toward school using baseline data from 97 Ghanaian adolescent girls at risk of school dropout. Ordinary Least Squares regression models were fitted to examine the association between self‐esteem and self‐concept on school attitudes and life satisfaction. Self‐esteem was positively associated with life satisfaction. Self‐concept was associated with more positive attitudes toward school. Hence, self‐esteem and self‐concept may be critical protective factors in promoting adolescent girls' life satisfaction and positive attitudes toward school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many impediments to family planning uptake by migrant women, which are likely to hinder their right to decide and use contraception. In this study, the authors investigated migrant women's family planning practices. The researchers conducted 22 qualitative interviews with migrant female head porters in a suburban community in Ghana. Our analysis showed that a combination of social and cultural barriers impede effective family planning uptake by migrant female head porters. Further analysis revealed institutional challenges as constraining in access to and utilization of family planning services by migrant female head porters. Based on our analysis, we conclude that migrant female head porters face many barriers to family planning uptake and thus recommend that the government of Ghana (Ministry of Health), policy makers, and other stakeholders take measures to ensure universal access to sexual reproductive health services and reproductive rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored key informants' perspectives about adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Twenty-one participants were purposively selected and data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify emerging themes. The findings indicated that adolescents living with HIV had concerns about disclosing their HIV status. Key informants reported that adolescents living with HIV's responses to awareness about their status included anger, blame and social isolation. Also, it was found that the adolescents had challenges with adhering to scheduled medical appointments and the antiretroviral therapy. Evidence showed that financial constraints adversely affected adolescents' clinic attendance and medication compliance. Several psychosocial support services (counseling, financial assistance, provision of basic needs, and cordial relationships) were identified by key informants as being available for adolescents living with HIV. Based on the findings of the study, conclusions were drawn and implications discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North-to-south migration has been a persistent trend in Ghana. Yet the migrating population has recently shifted to become predominantly female and younger, with a significant increase in rural adolescent girls seeking employment in urban and peri-urban areas. For adolescents without strong networks of social and financial support, this practice can jeopardize their physical and mental health, putting them at risk of sexual victimization and economic exploitation. Building upon the work of cumulative risk and ecological systems theorists, this article examines the case of female adolescent load bearers (Kayayei) in Ghana, highlighting the need to develop and evaluate multi-component prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Streetsim among children is a prevailing social issue in Ghana, and its persistence is contributed by an interplay of push and pull factors. • While some street children benefit from various NGO interventions to address their needs, several reasons, including limited institutional support, the desire to support the family, peer influence, and the will to assert one's freedom could influence their decision to remain on the streets. • The development of pragmatic measures that encourage the inclusion of street children in the planning and implementation of interventions is essential to addressing the streetism phenomenon. Many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that work with street children in Ghana have been relevant as they complement the limited services provided by the government. Notwithstanding the efforts made by NGOs to address this social phenomenon, some of their beneficiaries maintain their presence on the streets. This study therefore explored the reasons why some street children keep going back to the streets despite the resources and time spent on their behalf by NGOs. Utilizing the qualitative research design, forty participants, comprising of thirty street children and ten staff of two NGOs in Accra were purposively selected for this study. In-depth interviews and focus groups discussions were used to gather data that were analyzed thematically. The study found that the children decided to resort to street life for survival due to various factors, including inadequate family support, abuse, family breakdown, and peer pressure. The findings also indicated that NGOs provided services, such as vocational training, shelter, as well as other necessities, such as food to street children. Nonetheless, some of their beneficiaries remained on the streets due to issues, such as inadequate organizational support, peer influence, and limited freedom at the premises of the NGOs. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made for policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Globally, adolescents continue to be unduly affected by HIV. • Adolescents living with HIV are vulnerable due to a myriad factors. • Adolescents living with HIV experience stigma, especially when they disclose their HIV status. • Adolescents living with HIV have conflicting views about clinic attendance and antiretroviral therapy. • Psychosocial interventions and financial assistance are suggested for adolescents living with HIV and their families. This study explored the experiences of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in Accra, Ghana. A descriptive study design with qualitative data collection and analysis methods were used. Thirty participants were purposively selected and data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify emerging themes that addressed objectives of the study. The findings indicated that adolescents became aware of their HIV through family and non-family members, but were reluctant to disclose their HIV status to others due to varied reasons. Furthermore, it was found that the adolescents experienced stigma and also had conflicting views about clinic attendance and the antiretroviral therapy (ART). Evidence showed that some of the participants experienced financial challenges, which negatively affected their clinic attendance. In addition, participants reported they received support from healthcare providers, as well as their parents and guardians. The findings suggest the need for psychosocial interventions and financial assistance to adolescents living with HIV and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]