ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluanon of science resource centres in the northern sector of Ghana

Science Resource Centres (SRCs) for senior Secondary School (SSS) students were established in all 110 districts of the country as a project in 1996. Three years after its implementation it has become necessary to evaluate it. The study evaluated 11 centres out of the 15 SRCs that were in operation in Northern Ghana that time. Seven research questions were formulated for the study. In all. convenience sampling procedure was used in drawing up the participants. A sample of 220 science students 24 science teachers. 10 laboratory technicians and 15 headmasters participated in the study. Two sets of questionnaires and two sets of interview protocols were developed and used for the study. The teachers. laboratory technicians and the students answered the questionnaires, while the headmasters and the SRC co-ordinators were interviewed. The data collected were analysed qualitatively, using mainly descriptive statistics. The analysis of results showed that students had positive attitude and profound interest in science since the inception of the project. Results of the overall performance in science at the SSS level had improved. Enrollment of students offering science had also improve significantly. With the help of the resources at the sentence, teachers have been able to improve upon their methods of instruction. Teachers have also become computer literate. while the laboratory technicians/assistants have become more efficient in their specific duties at the centres. However, lack of science teachers and laboratory technicians in both centre and satellite schools is preventing the project from achieving optimum results.

Source: UCC
. Evaluating 18s-rRNA LAMP and selective whole genome amplifcation (sWGA) assay in detecting asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in blood donors

Background: Undesirable consequences of donor Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia on stored donor blood have been reported. Therefore, it is imperative that all prospective blood donors are screened for P. falciparum infections using sensitive techniques. In this study, the sensitivities of microscopy, rapid diagnostic test (RDT), loop-mediated isothermal amplifcation (LAMP) assay and selective whole genome amplifcation (sWGA) technique in detecting P. falciparum infections in blood donors was assessed. Methods: Randomly selected blood donors from 5 districts in Greater Accra Region of Ghana were screened for asymptomatic P. falciparum infections. Each donor sample was screened with SD Bioline RDT kit for P. falciparum his‑tidine rich protein 2 and Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase antigens, sWGA and 18s-rRNA LAMP. Crude DNA LAMP (crDNA-LAMP) was compared to purifed DNA LAMP (pDNA-LAMP). Results:A total of 771 blood donors were screened. The respective overall prevalence of P. falciparum in Ghana by microscopy, RDT, crDNA-LAMP, pDNA-LAMP and sWGA was 7.4%, 11.8%, 16.9%, 17.5% and 18.0%. Using sWGA as the reference test, the sensitivities of microscopy, RDT, crDNA-LAMP and pDNA-LAMP were 41.0% (95% CI 32.7–49.7), 65.5% (95% CI 56.9–73.3), 82.6% (95% CI 75.8–88.3) and 95.7% (95% CI 90.1–98.4), respectively. There was near perfect agreement between LAMP and sWGA (sWGA vs. crDNA-LAMP, κ=0.87; sWGA vs. pDNA-LAMP, κ=0.96), while crDNA LAMP and pDNA-LAMP agreed perfectly (κ=0.91). Goodness of ft test indicated non-significant difference between the performance of LAMP and sWGA (crDNA-LAMP vs. sWGA: x2=0.71, p=0.399 and pDNA-LAMP vs. sWGA: x2=0.14, p=0.707). Finally, compared to sWGA, the performance of LAMP did not difer in detecting sub-microscopic parasi‑taemia (sWGA vs. crDNA-LAMP: x2=1.12, p=0.290 and sWGA vs. pDNA-LAMP: x2=0.22, p=0.638). Conclusions: LAMP assay agreed near perfectly with sWGA with non-significant differences in their ability to detect asymptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia in blood donors. Therefore, it is recommended that LAMP based assays are employed to detect P. falciparum infections in blood donors due to its high sensitivity, simplicity, cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness

Source: UCC
Evaluating 18s‑rRNA LAMP and selective whole genome amplification (sWGA) assay in detecting asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in blood donors

Background: Undesirable consequences of donor Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia on stored donor blood have been reported. Therefore, it is imperative that all prospective blood donors are screened for P. falciparum infections using sensitive techniques. In this study, the sensitivities of microscopy, rapid diagnostic test (RDT), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and selective whole genome amplification (sWGA) technique in detecting P. falciparum infections in blood donors was assessed. Methods: Randomly selected blood donors from 5 districts in Greater Accra Region of Ghana were screened for asymptomatic P. falciparum infections. Each donor sample was screened with SD Bioline RDT kit for P. falciparum his‑ tidine rich protein 2 and Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase antigens, sWGA and 18s-rRNA LAMP. Crude DNA LAMP (crDNA-LAMP) was compared to purified DNA LAMP (pDNA-LAMP). Results: A total of 771 blood donors were screened. The respective overall prevalence of P. falciparum in Ghana by microscopy, RDT, crDNA-LAMP, pDNA-LAMP and sWGA was 7.4%, 11.8%, 16.9%, 17.5% and 18.0%. Using sWGA as the reference test, the sensitivities of microscopy, RDT, crDNA-LAMP and pDNA-LAMP were 41.0% (95% CI 32.7–49.7), 65.5% (95% CI 56.9–73.3), 82.6% (95% CI 75.8–88.3) and 95.7% (95% CI 90.1–98.4), respectively. There was near perfect agreement between LAMP and sWGA (sWGA vs. crDNA-LAMP, κ = 0.87; sWGA vs. pDNA-LAMP, κ = 0.96), while crDNA- LAMP and pDNA-LAMP agreed perfectly (κ = 0.91). Goodness of fit test indicated non-significant difference between the performance of LAMP and sWGA (crDNA-LAMP vs. sWGA: x2 = 0.71, p = 0.399 and pDNA-LAMP vs. sWGA: x2 = 0.14, p = 0.707). Finally, compared to sWGA, the performance of LAMP did not differ in detecting sub-microscopic parasi‑ taemia (sWGA vs. crDNA-LAMP: x2 = 1.12, p = 0.290 and sWGA vs. pDNA-LAMP: x2 = 0.22, p = 0.638). Conclusions: LAMP assay agreed near perfectly with sWGA with non-significant differences in their ability to detect asymptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia in blood donors. Therefore, it is recommended that LAMP based assays are employed to detect P. falciparum infections in blood donors due to its high sensitivity, simplicity, cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness.

Source: UCC
Evaluating access to Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test kit and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy and the Quality of Treatment Practice among Over-the-Counter Medicine Sellers at the District Level in the Brong Ahafo Region - Ghana

Background: Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of malaria with the recommended antimalarials are crucial in the fight against malaria. This study evaluated the availability and sources of ACT and RDT kits among the Over-The-Counter (OTC) medicine sellers in the Pru, Sene and Atebubu-Amantin Districts of Ghana. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Sixty-two OTC medicine sellers were randomly selected, informed consent sought and interviewed on access to RDT kit, ACT and Training in malaria diagnosis. Data entry, editing and analysis was done using SPSS Ver 22. Results: The study revealed that 26.2% of respondents use the RDT kits to diagnosis and confirm suspected malaria. 94.1% respondents who had malaria RDT kits at their shop purchased them from the NMCP and Pharmacy shops. 95% of respondents had in stock at least one of the 3 recommended ACT - artesunate amodiaquine, artemether lumefantrine, and/or dihydroartemisinin piperaquine.65.6% of respondents often recommend artemether lumefantrine to patients to treat uncomplicated malaria.. The average wholesale and retail prices of the Affordable Medicine Facility malaria (AMFm) branded ACT were higher than the approved suggested retail prices. Conclusion: Most OTC medicine sellers do not comply with the national antimalarial drug treatment policy. 85% of OTC medicine sellers purchase their AMFm branded ACT from second-line buyers at relatively higher price. Recommendation: Regular training of OTC medicine sellers on malaria control and easier access to quality and affordable malaria RDT kits and ACT would help improve malaria control at the community level.

Source: UCC
Evaluating capacity of geography departments for student employability skills’ development in three public universities in Ghana.

Some studies posit that education is one of the key drivers of development (Psacharopoulos, 2007; Acheampong,2006; Boateng & Ofori, 2002). Relevant education provided to individuals in a nation is the hallmark for the growth and development of that nation. For such growth and development to occur education should be anchored on highly capacitated training institutions. Using the pragmatic paradigm and the convergent parallel design, this study sought to explore how geography departments deployed their capacity resources to engender student employability skills’ development. The three geography departments included in the study were the only well-established autonomous geography departments in any university in Ghana. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used, the former included a survey of 260 level 400 students, 29 instructors and 19 support staff. Qualitative data were collected from 36 students through four focus group discussions, the deployment of structured interview schedules for two heads of department, four instructors, 19 geography graduates and the four employers of the geography graduates. In addition, six structured observation guides were deployed to collect another set of qualitative data. Document mapping was also used to collect data on the curricula ofthe geography departments. The findings of the study showed that the geography departments deployed their capacities to implement the employable skills to a moderate level. The study’s recommendations include the geography departments strengthening all the five capacity resources for effective training of students in employable skills.

Source: UCC
Evaluating Financial Literacy Level Among Teachers: a Study of Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region of Ghana

ABSTRACT Prime objective of the investigation intended to evaluate the rate of Financial Literacy of Teachers in Upper Denkyira West District. Quantitative technique was used for data collection and it was found out the skills acquired through education by teachers on financial literacy in the district on individual finance is very low. Also, the teachers with more years in their respective fields of study tend to be prudent in managing finances as compared to instructors who have taught for a short while and have little experience. The quantitative technique also revealed that most of the Teachers are much aware when it comes to difficulty of going for money and keeping money for tomorrow as majority of instructors depend on mortgages and bank fees to meet their narrow financial needs. The investigation uncovered that, greater size of the instructors in the Neighbourhood are deemed immature and hence are not subject to things that actually happened and does not show any significant attention to matters of one's own money. Therefore, this paper recommends workshops are organized on financial literacy to guarantee judicious and effective money control procedures for instructors within the district. Also, young teachers with great potentials are educated on the essential monetary needs and the most ideal habits throughout the duration of their education.

Source: UCC
Evaluating Muco-suppressant, Anti-tussive and Safety Profile of Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms (Araliaceae) in Asthma Management

Background: Polyscias fruticosa is been used in Ghanaian folkloric medicine for the management of asthma and its related complications. Aim: This study evaluated the muco-suppressant, anti-tussive, and safety profile of an ethanolic leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa in its use as an anti-asthmatic. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana and the School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape-Coast, Cape-Coast, Ghana; between December, 2013 and May, 2014. Methodology: Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract. Ammonium chloride-induced tracheal mucus phenol red secretion in ICR mice and the suppression of citric acid-induced cough in Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were determined after treatment of experimental animals with 100 mg/kg sodium cromoglycate, or 20 mg/kg dihydrocodeine respectively, as well as with 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg of the extract. A 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg dose of the extract was administered daily for 28 days to groups of guinea pigs to establish a safety profile in a sub-chronic toxicity study. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins and cyanogenetic glycosides, alkaloids, and sterols. The extract significantly inhibited (P ≤ .01 - 0.001) tracheal mucus phenol red secretion, and suppression of citric acid-induced cough. There were no significant changes in body weight, haematological profile, as well as liver and kidney functions in the sub-chronic toxicity study. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the ethanolic leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa has muco- suppressant and anti-tussive properties, and is safe to use; hence a suitable adjunct/remedy for the management of asthma.

Source: UCC
Evaluating Muco-suppressant, Anti-tussive and Safety Profile of Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms (Araliaceae) in Asthma Management

Polyscias fruticosa is been used in Ghanaian folkloric medicine for the management of asthma and its related complications. Aim: This study evaluated the muco-suppressant, anti-tussive, and safety profile of an ethanolic leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa in its use as an anti-asthmatic. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana and the School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape-Coast, Cape-Coast, Ghana; between December, 2013 and May, 2014. Methodology: Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract. Ammonium chloride-induced tracheal mucus phenol red secretion in ICR mice and the suppression of citric acid-induced cough in Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were determined after treatment of experimental animals with 100 mg/kg sodium cromoglycate, or 20 mg/kg dihydrocodeine respectively, as well as with 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg of the extract. A 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg dose of the extract was administered daily for 28 days to groups of guinea pigs to establish a safety profile in a sub-chronic toxicity study. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins and cyanogenetic glycosides, alkaloids, and sterols. The extract significantly inhibited (P ≤ .01 - 0.001) tracheal mucus phenol red secretion, and suppression of citric acid-induced cough. There were no significant changes in body weight, haematological profile, as well as liver and kidney functions in the sub-chronic toxicity study. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the ethanolic leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa has mucosuppressant and anti-tussive properties, and is safe to use; hence a suitable adjunct/remedy for the management of asthma.

Source: UCC
Evaluating Teachers’ and Schools’ Capacity to Integrate Technology in the New Educational Curriculum: E-Capacity Model Approach

Ghana's educational system has changed as a result of this global embracement of ICT. In order to improve the effectiveness and relevance of the educational process in the pre-tertiary school curriculum ICT needed to incorporated into the educational curriculum, in spite of this, the National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NaCCa) and Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced the Common Core Programme (CCP) in September 2020. As a result, teachers and schools in pre tertiary are now expected to integrate ICT the new curriculum. This study focused on evaluating teachers’ and schools’ capacity to integrate technology in the new educational curriculum: ecapacity model approach. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodology were used. Simple Random sampling technique was used to sample 722 teachers from five circuits in the Hohoe Municipality. A selfdesigned questionnaires was used to gather data. In SPSS version 26.0, descriptive statistics were used to examine the data. The analysis's findings showed that teachers frequently use ICT to in their lesson’s delivery. Additionally, it was noted that the schools lacked the necessary infrastructure and assistance to facilitate a seamless transition to the new curriculum. The study advised the government and other interested parties to assist schools by providing ICT infrastructure.

Source: UCC
Evaluating Teachers’ Professional Development for ICT Use: Towards Innovative Classroom Practices

This paper describes an evaluation study designed to investigate the impact of an ICT-Instructional digital innovation in teaching Mathematics, English and Integrated Science subjects from the teacher capacity building professional development programme to classroom implementation at senior high school levels in Ghana. Interviews and survey data were used for data collection following a week professional development programme on the instructional digital learning training. The study demonstrated that the teachers increased in ICT proficiencies but this was limited to their own professional development and not so much of classroom implementation of ICT which results when transfer of learning takes place from training to practice. The study reported that teachers faced a complex mix of factors that when combined, contributed to challenges in transferring the ideas gained in the training programme to the classroom situation. It was evident from the findings that more systematic efforts are needed at the school levels and at the level of stakeholders who implement in-service teachers’ professional development programmes to move the goal of transforming teaching and learning through ICT-based innovations. Based on the outcomes, the study discussed recommendations to help smoothen the transition from teacher professional development programmes to actual classroom implementations in Ghanaian senior high schools and such similar contexts.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Accuracy of the "Breastlight" as a Screening Tool for Breast Cancer in Iraq

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in Iraq and is the leading cause of death among women. The poor survival reflects the limited public awareness among the general population. The Hope light , a domestic breast checker, has been designed as an aid for breast cancer awareness The present study was carried on a randomly selected sample of 150 female patients who visited the Main Training and Research Centre for early detection of breast cancer in Baghdad. Patients were examined with the Hope light device; the findings were compared with the results of clinical breast examination, mammography, ultrasound, and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as the gold standard for sensitivity and specificity. Breast cancer was detected in 24% of the cases. Among those, the Hope light demonstrated positive findings in 80.56% (True Positive). On the other hand, in 19.44%, the device failed to reveal any positive finding (False Negative). FNAC revealed benign pathology in 73.72%. Of those, negative findings were recorded using the device in 53.47%, ( True Negative), while in the remaining 46.53% the device yielded False positive findings. In conclusion, although the accuracy of the Hope Light in detecting palpable malignant breast lumps was significant, nevertheless, the observed high false positive detection rate and the significantly low specificity in excluding malignancy preclude its use as a screening tool for breast cancer.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Accuracy of the "Breastlight" as a Screening Tool for Breast Cancer in Iraq

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in Iraq and is the leading cause of death among women. The poor survival reflects the limited public awareness among the general population. The Hope light , a domestic breast checker, has been designed as an aid for breast cancer awareness The present study was carried on a randomly selected sample of 150 female patients who visited the Main Training and Research Centre for early detection of breast cancer in Baghdad. Patients were examined with the Hope light device; the findings were compared with the results of clinical breast examination, mammography, ultrasound, and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as the gold standard for sensitivity and specificity. Breast cancer was detected in 24% of the cases. Among those, the Hope light demonstrated positive findings in 80.56% (True Positive). On the other hand, in 19.44%, the device failed to reveal any positive finding (False Negative). FNAC revealed benign pathology in 73.72%. Of those, negative findings were recorded using the device in 53.47%, (True Negative), while in the remaining 46.53% the device yielded False positive findings. In conclusion, although the accuracy of the Hope Light in detecting palpable malignant breast lumps was significant, nevertheless, the observed high false positive detection rate and the significantly low specificity in excluding malignancy preclude its use as a screening tool for breast cancer.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Awareness and Perceptions of Lecturers in using E-Learning Tools for Teaching in University of Cape Coast

E-learning has become increasingly important in the contemporary universal-access of education especially at the tertiary level, and can provide a strategic and competitive advantage to a university such as the University of Cape Coast (UCC). The objective of the study was to assess the awareness and perceptions of lecturers in using e-learning tools for instructional delivery in the University of Cape Coast. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the state of the awareness and perceptions of lecturers in incorporating e-learning tools in their lesson preparation and delivery. The target population was lecturers of UCC and responses were obtained from 128 lecturers who were randomly sampled for the study. The study revealed among other things that, many lecturers fail to use e-learning tools because they are not proficient in using them. Nevertheless, they are ready or willing to participate in programmes to equip them with the requisite skills that will make them proficient in using the e-learning tools. The study recommends among other things that the Computer Centre of the University should educate the lecturers on e-learning and give them the necessary training that will equip them in using the e-learning platform (Moodle) that the university had installed since 2007. Also, the University should provide reliable Internet and computer access coupled with adequate technologically enhanced classrooms and laboratories to facilitate the integration and use of e-learning tools by lecturers in their instructional delivery.

Source: UCC