ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Health Resort, Barekese

As the twenty-first century draws nearer the W. H. O’s objective of “Health for all by the 2000 AD” need to be critically appraised on both international and local levels. Locally in Ghana, the major emphasis has always been on fighting disease with less attention directed twar3s hea1i maintenance and promotion. However the holistic approach to health as adopted and enshrined in the W.H.O’s definition of health seeks much more that the mere fighting of disease. It seeks the complete restoration o rehabilitation of the convalescent and the maintenance and promotion of health for all. To come anywhere near this objective needs conscious effort and planning. It is against this background that a model facility with the appropriate atmosphere is being proposed in this design thesis for the Post - Graduate Diploma in Architecture. The procedure for this presentation has been; i) to analyse the need for such a facility, and its feasibility. and ii) to study the operation of which a facility in its social and technical dimension, and iii) thus make a proposal based on the subsequent brief developed.

Source: KNUST
Health Related Risks of Nursing Practice at Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi

The health risk faced by nurses working at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital was evaluated amongst 140 nurses using a descriptive study. The questionnaire, examined the risks they were exposed to, the root causes, adequacy of control measures in place, appreciation of safety at work and health conditions suffered from work. Results show that most (88.6%) of the nurses at Effia Nkwanta hospital were below 50 years, 41.4% were professional nurses and 39% had more than 5 years of professional experience. Results indicated that factors contributing to risk at the hospital included pressure at work due to staff shortage (44.3%) and poor working environment (52.9%). Repetitive strain (80.7%), extreme pressure at work (73.8%), theft (36.4%), needle/sharp objects exposure (60.7%), contagious pathogenic agents (35%), unclean working environment (42.1%) and heat (37.9%) were some of the occupational risks nurses were exposed to. There were high incidence of fatigue (57.1%), infections (27.9%), musculoskeletal injuries (48.6%) and assault (38.6%). This study will help management to tackle the key risks to nurses at the hospital for their protection leading to a healthy nursing workforce.

Source: KNUST
Health Resort, Mampong Akwapim

Man’s basic needs are shelter, food and clothing. He also needs the correct psychological and spiritual outlook, as well as the right physical environment. When these are available in the right nature, amount and proportion, man is healthy and he can live a productive, meaningful life. Health is thus a very important aspect of life and all people must strive for perfect health. Unfortunately, it is not easy to achieve and constantly maintain this state of health. Man himself is often instrumental in developing the state of non health. But a return to that right state of health is imperative and man can also be instrumental in this direction. His role in this process is to be the instrument in creating and maintaining the conditions for the return to be effected.

Source: KNUST
Health risk assessment of pesticide residues in processed cereal-based complementary foods for infants and young children

Thirty six pesticides comprising 13 organophosphorous, 14 organochlorine and 9 synthetic pyrethroid pesticides were analyzed in 10 brands of processed cereal-based complementary foods for older infants and young children. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method was used for extraction and clean-up. Subsequent detection and quantification was done using Gas Ghromatograph equipped with Electron Capture Detector and Pulse Flame P hotometric Detector. Estimated Daily Intakes of pesticides were also determined. The results indicated that mean concentrations for all processed cereal -based complementary food ranged from 0.001 – 0.0126 mgkg - 1 for OPs, 0.002 – 0.022 mgkg -1 for OCs and 0.002 – 0.017 mgkg -1 for pyrethroids. The OP pesticide with the highest concentration was methamidophos; lindane (γ -HCH) recorded the highest concentration amongst the OCs detected whilst permethrin recorded the highest concentration amongst the pyrethroids detected. Maximum residue limit of 0.01 mgkg -1 for baby food was exceeded for the following OP pesticides: pirimiphos-methyl in baby food I; fenitrothion in baby food E and I; chlorpyrifos in baby food C ; and methamidophos in baby food F). For the OCs the following pesticides exceeded the MRL of 0.01 mgkg -1 : p,p’-DDE in baby food G; dieldrin in baby food G; β-endosulfan in baby food B; β-HCH in baby food C and I ; and γ -HCH in baby food D and E . In the case of synthetic pyrethroid pesticides, cypermethrin in baby food J and permethrin in baby food D exceeded the MRL for baby foods. Results from exposure assessment indicated that EDI for OP and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides were below the acceptable daily intakes (ADI). The non-carcinogenic risk assessment conducted for these pesticides indicated Hazard Index (HI) of less than 1 for both OP and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides. The exposure levels of γ-HCH in baby food D and E, heptachlor in baby food E and dieldrin in baby food G and H were higher than their respective ADI. The three OC pesticides subsequently recorded HIs greater than 1 indicating the possibility of adverse health effect on consumers. The Hazard Ratio (HR) for carcinogenic risk for OC was greater than 1 for β-HCH in baby food A, C, D and I; dieldrin in baby food F, G and H; heptachlor in baby food E and F; γ-HCH in baby food B; and γ-chlordane in baby food E. This result raises serious concerns of possible carcinogenicity for infants and young children.

Source: KNUST
Health risk assessment of pesticides residues in maize and cowpea from Ejura, Ghana

Exposure of the general populace to pesticides could be high in Ghana where staple foods such as maize and cowpea are regularly sprayed to protect them against insect pests. Significant contamination of maize and cowpea has been reported in some neighbouring countries (Gwary et al. 2011; Ogah et al. 2011). However, there is no quantitative information on the levels of pesticide residues and associated health risks based on the exposure of the population through maize and cowpea consumption. This work provides baseline information on contamination levels of pesticides in maize and cowpea from Ejura, the largest maize production district in Ghana. It assesses the human health risk through estimated average daily intakes (EADIs) as compared with acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) set by FAO/WHO (2010).

Source: KNUST
Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Processed Cocoa Foods

Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) have carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic properties, making their presence in food and environment dangerous for human health. This study accessed the health risk due to PAH associated with the consumption of processed cocoa foods in Kumasi. A total of 60 food samples (matrices) were sampled from 5 locations in Kumasi metropolis - About 300 respondents in a survey helped determine the body weights, amounts consumed and their contact rate as input variables for the risk assessment. A probabilistic risk assessment framework based on incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) approaches was used to quantitatively estimate their risk of exposure. The oral-ILCR for the 95th percentile which represents the highest consumable group of the population was 2.59x10-6. This level of risk exposure was above the acceptable 10-6 range of the de minimis. This indicates that there is a cancer risk on the consumers used for the study, given that cocoa products are the only source of exposure. The sensitivity analysis indicated that, the contact rate has a strong positive correlation and regression to the risk exposure. It is therefore important to reduce the rate of consumption as to reduce the incidence of PAH accumulation in the body.

Source: KNUST
Health Risk Assessment of some Environmental Pollutants through the consumption of Cabbage and Lettuce Eaten Raw: A Probabilistic-based analysis

The exposure of inhabitants from Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) were estimated in a mixture of cabbage and lettuce. The purpose of the study was to estimate the risk associated with the consumption of cabbage and lettuce eaten raw for long term exposures. The samples were collected from farms, market, cafeterias and street food vending sites. Inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify the heavy metals whereas gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to quantify PAH in the samples. The study showed that the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb and Hg were below the acceptable levels in reference to the standard reference doses (RfD). Monte Carlo Simulation of hazard data were performed using dataset of heavy metals and PAH concentrations, ingestion of raw cabbage and lettuce and consumer body mass. Carcinogenic risk was quantified for As, Pb and PAH as 7.90 × 10- 5, 6.42 × 10-7 and 4.33×10-5 respectively. Additionally, non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) of Cd and Hg also recorded 6.9 × 10-3 and 3 × 10-4 respectively. The assessments revealed that dietary exposure to the four heavy metals does not pose a health hazard threat to consumers of cabbage and lettuce. Unlike, the results of PAH which presented a high risk based on the 50th and 95th percentile (2.79 ×10-5 and 8.51 × 10-3 respectively) with respect to the acceptable level (1×10-5). It suggests that cabbage and lettuce consumed in the study area may pose a significant health risk with respect to PAH.

Source: KNUST
Health Risk from Heavy Metals to the Population of Monrovia, Liberia through the Consumption of Rice

Rice is the major component of Liberian diets. It is the most widely consumed crop in Monrovia. Environmental pollution can possibly contaminate the crop with heavy metals. In this study, sixty one rice samples comprising nine domestic cultivated and twenty imported brands of different batches were obtained from six local markets in Monrovia, Liberia and evaluated for the concentrations of six heavy metals: Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg) and Nickel (Ni). The level of Hg concentrations was determined by AAS using a Lumex RA-915M Portable Zeeman Automatic Mercury Analyzer while the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni concentrations were determined by ICP-MS using an Agilent 7900 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg and Ni ranged from 0.0011 to 0.0181, 0.0048 to 0.1179, 0.050 to 0.4245, 0.0011 to 0.0371, 0.0011 to 0.0094 and 0.0151 to 0.6552 mg/kg respectively. The study revealed no significant statistical difference in the level of the metal concentrations between the locally cultivated and imported rice samples, except for As (P = 0.002). Dietary exposure of the consumers to the metals was assessed by comparing Estimated Daily Intake to the Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake of the metals, and the non-carcinogenic health risk posed was assessed using Hazard Quotients and Hazard Indices. Carcinogenic health risk posed from Arsenic was assessed by using Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk values. Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk for As was less than the US EPA threshold value of 10-4. Hazard Quotients and Hazard Indices for all the metals were less than the US EPA permissible value of 1. Therefore, consuming the selected rice samples sold on the local markets in Monrovia at the current consumption rate posed no health risk to the population from As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg and Ni alone or when combined. Hence, there is no need for consumption advisory. However, regular monitoring of contaminant levels is highly recommended.

Source: KNUST
Health Risk Assessment of some Environmental Pollutants through the consumption of Cabbage and Lettuce Eaten Raw: A Probabilistic-based analysis.

The exposure of inhabitants from Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) were estimated in a mixture of cabbage and lettuce. The purpose of the study was to estimate the risk associated with the consumption of cabbage and lettuce eaten raw for long term exposures. The samples were collected from farms, market, cafeterias and street food vending sites. Inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify the heavy metals whereas gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to quantify PAH in the samples. The study showed that the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb and Hg were below the acceptable levels in reference to the standard reference doses (RfD). Monte Carlo Simulation of hazard data were performed using dataset of heavy metals and PAH concentrations, ingestion of raw cabbage and lettuce and consumer body mass. Carcinogenic risk was quantified for As, Pb and PAH as 7.90 × 10- 5, 6.42 × 10-7 and 4.33×10-5 respectively. Additionally, non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) of Cd and Hg also recorded 6.9 × 10-3 and 3 × 10-4 respectively. The assessments revealed that dietary exposure to the four heavy metals does not pose a health hazard threat to consumers of cabbage and lettuce. Unlike, the results of PAH which presented a high risk based on the 50th and 95th percentile (2.79 ×10-5 and 8.51 × 10-3 respectively) with respect to the acceptable level (1×10-5). It suggests that cabbage and lettuce consumed in the study area may pose a significant health risk with respect to PAH.

Source: KNUST
Health Risk Perception on Excreta Reuse for Peri-urban Agriculture in Southern Ghana

Access to proper sanitation and disposal sites for faecal sludge is problematic in Ghana, particularly in peri urban communities. Using a cross-sectional household-level survey data, this study investigates farmers’ perceptions on the health risks of excreta reuse for peri-urban agriculture in Shai-Osudoku district in Ghana. It was found that a majority of the farmers ‘disagree’ that excreta are a waste and are willing to use excreta as fertilizer, albeit a majority ‘agreeing’ perception that excreta reuse can pose health risks. Empirical results from an ordered probit model show that the decision to use excreta as fertilizer is more related to perceptions on excreta as a resource rather than personal and farm characteristics. However, there is some relationship between personal and farm characteristics and perceptions on the health risks of excreta reuse for agricultural purpose. There is also a strong relationship between the perception that excreta are a waste and perceptions on the health risks of excreta reuse. Programmes aimed at promoting improved sanitation should consider the reuse potential of excreta in agriculture, as attested by the farmers as a resource for crop production. There is the need to educate farmers on how excreta could properly be handled and used in agriculture. Other policy options toward risk reducing strategies that involve relevant government institutions and the local media should also be considered to avoid any health hazards associated with excreta reuse in agriculture

Source: KNUST
Health risks of toxic metals (Al, Fe and Pb) in two common street vended foods, fufu and fried-rice, in Kumasi, Ghana

The preparation practices, handling and raw materials for street food vending could be sources of toxic metals in street food vending business which is yet to be explored indepth as microbial contamination. The concentrations and dietary risk of the toxic metals Al, Fe, and Pb were assessed in fufu and fried-rice, two commonly consumed street vended foods in Ghana. The mean concentrations for Pb found to be between 3.30 and 11.25 mg kg−1 in the cooked foods, far exceeded the maximum tolerable daily intake of 0.3 mg kg−1 body weight per day for consumers. Al and Fe concentrations were between 3.04 and 18.49 mg kg−1 and 1.44 and 7.82 mg kg−1, respectively. Hazard index was less than 1 at the 5th percentile level of consumption, but greater than 1 at the 50th and 95th percentile level of consumption; indicating risk of metal toxicity with increasing probability as the level of consumption and HI increase. The patronage of street vended foods is unlikely to reduce. Hence vendors must be educated on safe preparation and handling processes such as the use of stainless steel utensils will likely reduce the levels of the toxic metals to acceptable levels.

Source: KNUST
Health risks of toxic metals (Al, Fe and Pb) in two common street vended foods, fufu and fried-rice, in Kumasi, Ghana

The preparation practices, handling and raw materials for street food vending could be sources of toxic metals in street food vending business which is yet to be explored in depth as microbial contamination. The concentrations and dietary risk of the toxic met als Al, Fe, and Pb were assessed in fufu and fried-rice, two commonly consumed street vended foods in Ghana. The mean concentrations for Pb found to be between 3.30 and 11.25 mg kg−1 in the cooked foods, far exceeded the maximum tolerable daily intake of 0.3 mg kg−1 body weight per day for consumers. Al and Fe concentrations were between 3.04 and 18.49 mg kg−1 and 1.44 and 7.82 mg kg−1, respectively. Hazard index was less than 1 at the 5th percentile level of consumption, but greater than 1 at the 50th and 95th percentile level of consumption; indicating risk of metal toxicity with increasing proba bility as the level of consumption and HI increase. The patronage of street vended foods is unlikely to reduce. Hence vendors must be educated on safe preparation and handling processes such as the use of stainless steel utensils will likely reduce the levels of the toxic metals to acceptable levels.

Source: KNUST
Health sector preparedness for motor traffic emergencies:- a case study of selected health institutions in the Accra Metropolis

Road traffic accidents are becoming rampant in the Accra metropolis. The after effect rests mainly on the health sector. According to Lt.Col. Dzansi, head of the Accidents and Emergency Unit of 37 Military Hospital, (personal communication 2005), about 70% of cases reported at the Unit are usually RTA related. The main objective is to assess the preparedness of the health sector to take care of these increasing incidences of RTAs within Accra Metropolis. The study was descriptive cross- sectional. It was carried out in the emergency unit of four selected health institutions in the Metropolis namely; Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ridge Hospital, Mamobi Polyclinic and 37 Military Hospital. A structured questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to elicit information from respondents. Observation was also carried out to support response. The questionnaire, containing eighteen questions, were given out to sixteen care providers in each facility, and thirty road accident victims interviewed in each facility. The researcher also observed the in inflow of RTAs into the selected facilities during the study period and how these were handled. A key finding is that personnel at the facilities are usually over stressed during RTAs emergencies; however, in many cases they are able to cope and maintain a cordial relationship with the victims and their relations. The study revealed that nurses’ lack specialized training when it comes to handling road accident emergencies. Even though, the facilities do not have adequate equipment for handling RTAs, they are able to improvise when necessary. Ambulance services, in particular, are inadequate. Findings revealed that all the facilities are prepared to handle RTAs emergencies; however, there are few things to put in place to make the facilities’ care delivery better. It is recommended that more nurses should be trained. Infrastructure should also be expanded at the emergency units to make handling of victims of RTAs effective

Source: KNUST
Health seeking behaviour beyond biomedical care: integration of spirituality in HIV/AIDS healthcare- a case of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kath)

Spirituality, medicine, and healthcare have been related in one way or another in all population groups since the beginning of recorded history. Studies have shown that spiritual well-being is an important component of health and that it should be addressed with PLWHIV/AIDS. In Ghana, spirituality and health seeking behaviour is not new. Many people living with HIV in Ghana make use of spiritual therapy. Though there is high level of HIV stigmatization in Ghana, spiritual therapy is one pragmatic option available to people living with HIV as it helps them to find meaning to their predicament and strengthen their coping mechanisms. Medicine and other health disciplines have struggled with developing appropriate spirituality-based interventions to help people leaving with HIV (PLWHIV) especially in developing countries like Ghana where spirituality intricately influences every aspects of social life. Such interventions are not universally accepted by either clients or providers. More knowledge is needed to identify HIV-infected groups that would benefit from and accept these approaches. With the aid of theoretical literature, this research work sought to assess the health seeking behaviour of persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi- Ghana. Through a semi-structured interview, 10 health workers and 25 PLWHIV were contacted. The results show that spirituality contributes positively to HIV/AIDS care and treatment. It was also found out that some health workers encourage spirituality as an additional treatment for HIV/AIDS treatment. In as much as spirituality is a very essential component in the treatment and care for PLWHIV, it is recommended that clients should be allowed to have some form of spiritual consultation to provide a psychological stability in the healing process.

Source: KNUST