ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The efect of single dose albendazole (400 mg) treatment on the human gut microbiome of hookworm‑infected Ghanaian individual

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Efectiveness Of Elearning Programme For Capacity Building Of Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review .

Background The effectiveness of eLearning in enhancing healthcare professionals’ capacity has received substantial attention globally. This review sought to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of various types of eLearning programmes, and the facilitators and barriers to its use. Methods The review was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Four main databases (PubMed, Web of Science, JSTOR, and Scopus) in July 2023 and 44 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The JBI critical appraisal checklist was used to appraise the methodological quality of the studies. The data were examined using a narrative review to determine the effectiveness of the intervention as well as the barriers and facilitators to its use. Results This review found that asynchronous, synchronous, blended, and self-learning methodologies are effective eLearning approaches for continuous professional development. Previous positive experiences, user-friendly interfaces and relevance of the eLearning content to daily practice are critical elements that facilitate eLearning usage. Poor computer competence and literacy, lack of personal computers and high family duties were the main personal factors that hindered eLearning use. Some systemic barriers included; heavy workloads, shortage of specialised eLearning facilitators poor management involvement, and technical inadequacies within the ICT departments. Environmental issues such as poor infrastructure, including limited internet and frequent power outages acted as barriers. Conclusion The review highlights the effectiveness of various eLearning approaches among health professionals and presents the disparities between developing and developed economies in relation to the facilitators and barriers.

Source: UG
Efects of Long‑Term Malnutrition on Education Outcomes in Ghana: Evidence from a Panel Study

Aside the direct effect on GDP at the macro level, the microeconomic impacts of undernutrition are also manifested in lower educational outcomes, reduced productivity and reduced lifetime earnings. This study sought to examine the effect of child malnutrition on learning outcomes by exploiting a nationally representative panel data which allow us to control for child-level unobserved heterogeneity in Ghana. Using a random-effects and Poisson estimations, this study shows that while current malnutrition affects children’s learning outcomes negatively, its effect may disappear in the future, especially with the implementation of appropriate interventions. The study concludes that while nutrition matters for learning outcomes, so do other educational inputs. Results are, however, diferentiated by individual and household characteristics, including gender and locality. The evidence from this study serves as a useful tool for improving policies and programmes that focus on early feeding practices among pre-schoolers and improved nutrition of children of school-going age.

Source: UG
Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on the quality of minimally processed pineapple fruit

Rapid deterioration is a problem with minimally processed pineapple fruit. Effects of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment with or without ascorbic acid treatment on respiration rate, browning and other quality parameters were investigated for minimally processed fruit stored at 4.5°C for 12 days in air. 1-methylcyclopropene treatment reduced respiration rate and browning, and maintained more acceptable visual quality in pineapple fruit slices. 1-methylcyclopropene-treated pineapple fruit slices reached an unacceptable visual quality level after day 8. In contrast, untreated slices were unacceptable after 4 days storage. Respiration rate was reduced from about 5.8 mL CO2/kg.h in control fruit to about 4.8-5.0 mL CO2/kg.h in 1-methylcyclopropene-treated fruit at 12 days. Lightness of control pineapple slices reduced from L* 77 to 65 over 12 days, while 1-methylcyclopropene-treated fruits remained at about L* 72. 1-methylcyclopropene treatment increased electrolyte leakage from pineapple slices. Apart from further suppression of respiration rate, there was no benefit of using 1-methylcyclopropene at above 1.0 μL/L. 1-methylcyclopropene treatment reduced ascorbic acid loss from 44% for untreated fruit to 29% for 1-methylcyclopropene-treated fruit at the end of the 12-day storage. An additive effect of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment was recorded for pineapple fruit slices dipped in 2% (w/v) ascorbic acid solution for 3 min. Ascorbic acid treatment resulted in reduced browning, electrolyte leakage and fruit softening. Therefore, 1-methylcyclopropene treatment helps maintain the quality of minimally processed pineapple fruit at least partially by reducing the hydrolysis of endogenous ascorbic acid.

Source: UG
Effect of a behaviour change intervention on the quality of peri-urban sanitation in Lusaka, Zambia: a randomised controlled trial

Background Poor sanitation in peri-urban areas is a growing public health problem. We tested a scalable, demand-side behaviour change intervention to motivate landlords to improve the quality of shared toilets within their plots. Methods We did a residential plot-randomised controlled trial in a peri-urban community in Lusaka, Zambia. We enrolled adult resident landlords on plots where at least one tenant lived. We allocated landlords 1:1 to intervention and control arms on the basis of a random number sequence. The intervention was developed using the Behaviour Centred Design approach and consisted of a series of group meetings designed to motivate sanitation quality improvement as a way to build wealth and reduce on-plot conflict; no subsidies or materials were provided. The control group received no intervention. The four primary outcomes were having a rotational cleaning system in place (to improve hygiene); having a solid door on the toilet used by tenants with an inside lock (for privacy); having an outside lock (for security); and having a sealed toilet (to reduce smell and contamination). We measured outcomes 1 month before the start of the intervention and 4 months after the end of the intervention. Data collectors measuring outcomes were blinded to group assignment. We analysed outcomes by intention to treat, including all landlords with study-end results. Because the outcomes were assumed to not be independent, we used a family-wise error rate of 0·05 to calculate an adjusted significance level of 0·0253. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03174015. Findings Between June 9 and July 6, 2017, 1085 landlords were enrolled and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=543) or the control group (n=542). The intervention was delivered from Aug 1, 2017, and evaluated from Feb 15 to March 5, 2018. Analysis was based on the 474 intervention and 454 control landlords surveyed at study end. The intervention was associated with improvements in the prevalence of cleaning rotas (relative risk 1·16, 95% CI 1·05–1·30; p=0·0011), inside locks (1·34, 1·10–1·64; p=0·00081), outside locks (1·27, 1·06–1·52; p=0·0028), and toilets with simple covers or water seals (1·25, 1·04–1·50; p=0·0063). Interpretation It is possible to improve the structural quality and cleanliness of shared sanitation by targeting landlords with a scalable, theory-driven behaviour change intervention without subsidy or provision of the relevant infrastructure.

Source: UG
The Effect of a Positive Policy Integration on Agriculture and Climate Change Adaptation in ECOWAS

Background The place of agriculture in the economic development process has long been the subject of much criticism. If the authors are unanimous that agriculture contributes to the development of the economy, its role in the growth of other sectors remains unclear. This research examines the contribution of agriculture, industry and services sectors to Gross Domestic Product in Economic Commission of West African States from 1975 to 2014. The study identifies the sector with a greater participation, analyses the robustness of the relationship between the three sectors and discusses the bidirectional causality relationship. Moreover, the interactions between the long-run equilibrium relationships and short-run dynamics are explored through an error correction model. Taking into account climate change, this research establishes by simulation the effect or response to a change in temperature and rainfall on the production of agricultural sector under the assumption of a positive policy integration of Economic Commission of West African States. Results The causality links between the three sectors are different among countries. Agriculture causes other sectors in some countries, while it is industry or services in other countries. The long-term equilibrium shows that the contribution of agriculture is predominant in Burkina Faso, Gambia and Nigeria. Countries such as Benin, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Guinea have a comparative advantage in industry. The simulation confirms the benefits of a positive policy integration in agriculture sector. Indeed, in the scenario of a positive policy integration, the effect of climate change through changes in temperature and rainfall is neutral and without consequences on agriculture per capita income. Conclusion The implementation of a special program is suggested for each country group based on their comparative advantage. A program between similar countries can be a coping strategy. Positive policy integration is fundamental to reduce the harmful effect of climate change.

Source: UG
The effect of acid aging on the mechanical and tribological properties of coir–coconut husk‑reinforced low‑density polyethylene composites

The present study investigates the physical, thermo-mechanical and tribological properties of coir–coconut husk particulate-reinforced polymer composites sub jected to a corrosive environment. The composites were prepared by the conven tional facile hot compression molding method. The composite was immersed in a strongly acidic environment of pH 2.2 for a period of 3, 6, and 9 days. X-ray difrac tion (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to eluci date the structure and morphology of the composites. The thermal analysis using dif ferential scanning calorimetry, water absorption, hardness, coefcient of friction and wear rate was performed as per the ASTM standards to characterize the as-prepared and aged composites. The experimental test results revealed that with an increase in acid aging time, the acid aged samples lost surface matrix such that the fber was seen on the surface. The efects of corrosion seemingly reduced the crystallinity of the acid aged samples allowing amorphous regions to be trapped within the crystals. Water absorption of the samples increased with aging time due to inherent voids in the specimens as weight gain values were 5.27, 16.80, 19.33 and 19.91%, respec tively for control and acid aged samples. Hardness values initially decreased with immersion time and increased which was attributed to the crystallinity of the speci mens and to some extent the elemental carbon present in the specimens before and after aging. The measured hardness values of the control and acid aged composites were 2.98, 7.27, 14.40 and 9.07 HV, respectively. From the thermal analysis, it was noticed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer shifts to higher temperatures as the aging time in the acidic medium increased, which can be attributed to cross-linking of the polymer chains. The control specimen shows higher coeficient of friction (CoF) because they are more rigid than the acid aged samples, and hence under dry sliding can cause more friction leading to increased heat and CoF.

Source: UG
Effect of acute dietary fibre supplementation on colonic pH in healthy volunteers.

Dietary fibre and undigested starch are fermented to short chain fatty acids by colonic bacteria with acidification of the colon. It has been suggested that acidification of the colon by these fatty acids inhibits bacterial metabolism, but this concept has been disputed. The aim of this study was to investigate the short term effect of a dietary fibre load on colonic metabolism. Colonic pH and breath hydrogen was measured in healthy omnivorous British male volunteers following ingestion, in turn and at weekly intervals, of 15g lactulose, wheat bran biscuits, oat bran biscuits and ispaghula husk. All the test meals caused a reduction in caecal pH and an increase in breath hydrogen production. The changes were greatest with lactulose. Lactulose and wheat bran caused acidification of the right and left colon whereas oat bran and ispaghula husk caused acidification of mainly the right colon. An inverse correlation between right colonic pH and breath hydrogen was observed in only the oat bran study. This study has demonstrated the ability of dietary fibre to lower right colonic pH and to increase breath hydrogen excretion. The changes were greater with soluble fibre than with insoluble fibre but the change in luminal pH was persistent all round the colon with insoluble fibre.

Source: UG
Effect of Adoption of Irrigation on Rice Yield in the Municipality of Malanville, Benin

The paper employed a Heckman selectivity model to determine factors influencing the adoption of irrigation and its effect on rice yield in Benin. Results from probit estimates indicate that farmer's age, gender, extension services, access to credit, market participation, distance to irrigation scheme, use of tractor and fertilizer are factors affecting the probability of irrigation adoption. Results from Heckman second stage estimates show that the adoption of irrigation contributes significantly to rice yield improvement by 57 per cent. For robustness checks of the estimated effect of adoption of irrigation, the propensity score matching method was used. The results indicate that the percentage increase in rice yield due to irrigation adoption varies between 55 per cent and 60 per cent. This confirms the finding of the Heckman estimates. Other variables explaining rice yield are education, extension services, access to credit, market participation, off farm income, use of tractor, labour, and fertilizer. These results imply that besides the adoption of irrigation the provision of complementary services are needed to achieve the objective of productivity improvement. © 2017 The Authors. African Development Review © 2017 African Development Bank

Source: UG
The effect of age at mating on the behavioural interactions between primiparous Djallonke ewes and their lambs at 36 h post-partum

Primiparous Djallonke ewes mated at 12, 15, 18 and 21 months and their single-born lambs were tested to determine their behavioural response to separation and their mutual recognition at 36 h post-partum. An analysis of variance was used to determine whether the age at mating had an effect on these post-partum behaviours. At 36 h, 92% of the lambs responded actively to separation from dams (i.e. had scores of 3 or more) while 90% of the ewes responded actively to separation from lambs. About 87% of the lambs were able to recognize their dams (i.e. had scores of 3 or more) while 90% of the ewes were able to recognize their lambs. The results showed that the age at mating and thus at lambing despite a slight effect on lamb birthweight had no significant effect on the response of lambs and their dams to separation. It also had no effect on the mutual recognition of mother and young. This suggests that the age at which ewes lamb for the first time has no influence on mother–young bond expression.

Source: UG
The effect of age on haematological studies in ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Blood samples were collected from 56, 60 and 64-week old ostriches (8 birds per age group) from a private farm (Crossgee Farms) and the haematological profiles in the plasma of the birds determined. The White Blood Cells (WBC) counts significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increase in age. The WBC counts for 56-week old ostriches were higher than that for the 64-week olds (96.78 x 109/L versus 84.3 x 109/L), with an overall mean total count of 90.77 x 109/L. The Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by age. The 64 weeks old ostriches had a higher value than the 60 weeks old ostriches (105.20 fL versus 81.29 fL). The overall mean MCV level was 94.21 fL. Lymphocyte, granulocytes, red blood cells, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), platelets, haemoglobin and packed cell volume were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by age. Results from this study demonstrate that age influences the WBC and MCV of the African Black Ostrich reared under humid tropical conditions as prevailing in Ghana.

Source: UG
Effect of age, breed and sex on haematological and blood biochemical parameters in helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Changes in blood profiles influence production performance in livestock. This study evaluated the effect of age, breed and sex on haematological and blood biochemical parameters in helmeted guinea fowl. Haemoglobin concentrations increased (P &lt; 0.05) with age from 8 to 24 weeks, so did total WBC counts. The total RBC counts (1.89 ± 0.05 versus 1.64 ± 0.05 × 1012/L), PCV (37.04 ± 0.77 versus 33.47 ± 0.76%), and WBC counts (3.51 ± 0.15 versus 2.57 ± 0.14 × 109/L) were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the indigenous than those in the exotic helmeted guinea fowls. Furthermore, basophil counts were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the female than those in the male guinea fowls. The 16-week-old guinea fowls had higher (P &lt; 0.05) total protein, albumin, globulin and total cholesterol levels than the 8- and 24-week-olds. Also, birds at 24 weeks old of age had higher (P &lt; 0.05) uric acid levels than those at 8 and 16 weeks. Indigenous guinea fowls recorded higher (P &lt; 0.05) albumin (29.87 ± 0.96 versus 27.08 ± 0.95 g/L), total cholesterol (4.79 ± 0.14 versus 2.99 ± 0.14 mmol/L) and creatine kinase (40.60 ± 1.06 versus 30.30 ± 1.04 μ/L) concentrations than their exotic counterparts. Uric acid and potassium levels were rather higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the exotic helmeted guinea fowls than those in the locals. Also, protein and sodium levels were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in females than those in males. The results demonstrate that age, sex and breed are factors that influence the productivity and health of the helmeted guinea fowl. © 2018, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.

Source: UG
Effect of aminophylline on the pharmacokinetics of amikacin in Sprague-Dawley rats

Introduction: In most resource-poor settings, amikacin is normally co-administered with aminophylline among preterm newborns with infection and apnea of prematurity. There is the likelihood of an interaction between concurrently administered amikacin that is excreted almost solely via kidneys, and aminophylline, which is known to increase filtration fraction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aminophylline on the pharmacokinetics of amikacin using an animal model. Methodology: Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats (7 – 8 weeks old) were put into 2 equal groups. The test group received amikacin (10 mg/kg/day) with aminophylline (5 mg/kg/day) via the intraperitoneal route, and the control group received only amikacin (10 mg/kg/day) via the same route. On Day 4, after daily administration of drugs, tail vein blood samples were collected at different time points. Serum samples at each time point for each group were pooled and analyzed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Non-compartment pharmacokinetic analysis was used to estimate pharmacokinetic parameters. Area under the concentration-time curves (AUCs) were extrapolated from time 0 to infinity (AUC0→∞). Elimination rate constant (Ke) and elimination half-life (t1/2e) were also estimated. Results: Pharmacokinetic parameters of the control group (amikacin only) vis-a-vis the test group were as follows: Cmax; 42.4 μmol/L vs 19.0 μmol/L, AUC0→∞; 84.9 μmol/L/h vs 41.4 μmol/L/h, Ke; 0.12 hours-1 vs 0.24 hours-1, and t1/2; 5.87 hours vs 2.88 hours, respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests possible interaction between aminophylline and amikacin. However, further studies need to be conducted in humans to ascertain this finding.

Source: UG
The effect of anmHealth clinical decision-making support systemon neonatal mortality in a low resource setting: A cluster-randomized controlled trial

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Effect of Anthonotha macrophyla (P. Beauv) leaf extract on carrageenan‑induced paw oedema, oxidative stress makers and hyperalgesia in murine models

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG